I Played the waiting game.

[Jerry Hunsley]

The evening was less than perfect. There was a stiff wind blowing I had been out looking for snakes in a prairie dog town. Towards evening , I thought I would walk  over the hill and try a howl. I had my dog along. You are probably wondering what the Hell I would have my dog along out looking for snakes. I kept him in the Pickup. He wouldn't get around them but just to be safe , I don't let him out . Anyway, I started out with a howl from my howler. Nothing happen for fifteen minutes. Then I got the howl , I was hoping to hear.  I challenged him back with a voice howl and then I went silent. A lot of times when I get a coyote to howl in a aggressive  mode I don't do anything because I know he will be coming . The point I'm trying to make is to be a little selective in your next move. A lot of times a person howls too much and you spoil the whole deal. I have found out over the years that if you ease off on your calling and play the waiting game you will get a lot of coyotes. Also if you choose to entice him in , just play a few little notes. I am a firm believer in less calling and more waiting in between calls. That little time with no action peeks his curiosity and they just can't resist. Having my dog along sealed the deal this time, and I shot him at 200yds. When  I sat down, I ranged about 4 different spots I thought possible a coyote might show. He showed up right by a big boulder in which I just had ranged. Final thought: If you start out with a howl and don't get a response ,just be patient. A lot of times , and most of you know this, the coyote will not answer and will just come in silent. When you get one to answer , it is icing on the cake if you handle him right. So the next time out , don't be in a hurry to move to another spot. Silence is golden sometimes. This whole senario took 45 min. from the time I sat down to when I shot him. Sorry, I didn't have my camera along. I no longer have my video camera either. It is sitting out in some pasture. Lucky I have'nt l lost my ass. Good thing it is attached.  This sequence would have really proven my point as he took a long time to come in. When he finally showed, I could tell he was really looking for somthing but I just remained silent. One last thing that might help you out in a situation where a coyote just keeps barking and yipping. Just keep sounding the same way he is. Most of the time when they start this you can pick them out just sitting there . If you can get them to advance even a little bit , just keeping yipping and carrying on , just like them. When they get in your range, pop them.  Then there are the ones , no matter what you do, it is a hopeless case.
 

[Hawks Feather]

Jerry,

I am glad to see that you made it out and offer some good advice.  On another topic, what were your plans for the snakes?  A meal or just clearing them out?  And before someone laughs, I have had a few bites of rattlesnake.  It wasn't bad and I would have eaten more, but there wasn't that much to go around.

Jerry

[Jerry Hunsley]

Jerry, My purpose was to just clean a few of them out. Every year quite a few dogs get bit during bird hunting season. I know a few people that eat them ,but I haven't tried them. Here is a rancher family picture of a recent hunt they went on. There dog has been bit soo many times . The vet gave him a anti-venom shot which makes sense living in an area with high snake populations.

[pitw]

Good post my good sir .  I also believe in very little calling and not just with howlers  .  I have heard rabbit, deer and moose in distress in the wild and never, I repeat never have I heard it carry on for long.  So I like you sit quietly way more than most[seems to work for me].  As for the snakes, where ever you are is now on the off limits part of my map[it's bigger now by far than the on limits portion] cause I ain't going where them legless freaks of nature are .

[vvarmitr]

Thanks for the story & advice.

But seriously, you gotta do something about a camera! 

[Yotehntr]

Very good read, and great advice!      "if it wasn't attached"   :roflmao:   wish I didn't know that feeling!

[WhiteHare]

Went to "Jungle Jim's", a type of large variety grocery store near Cincy with my grandson the other day. 

He wanted some Buffalo so we were looking in the exotic meats area.  Happened to see a full bone-in rattlesnake.  It appeared to be about 5-6' long coiled in a package.  $126...Needless to say, it didn't come home with us.

The included picture appears to have 60+ snakes there.  Quite a bundle of money in the right market.

I agree, no snake country for me.....

[Hawks Feather]

That sure is a mess of rattlesnakes that the rancher has.  Around here we don't have to worry about rattlesnakes - which is fine with me.  Bird hunting should be getting started pretty soon shouldn't it?

Jerry

[JohnP]

Good advice Jerry.  Very seldom do I use a howl or bark and only when "they" started it, I try to mimic what they are saying.   When they stop I also stop and then wait another 20 minutes or so before I leave.  I believe that a lot of callers over use a howler and have no idea what they are conveying to the intended "victim".

I use to eat rattle snake.  Then one morning I went out to the horse barn and found a big rattler in the process of swallowing a barn rat.  Haven't ate one since.

[FinsnFur]

Wayyyyyyyyy too many snakes for me

[vvarmitr]

I use to eat rattle snake.  Then one morning I went out to the horse barn and found a big rattler in the process of swallowing a barn rat.  Haven't ate one since.

You ever see what chickens eat? 

[JohnP]

Thanks I needed that reminder............

[golfertrout]

Barry those snakes are the ones they got out of the cabins at the LBL. they cant catch the big ones 

[Jimmie in Ky]

Yep,saw a big chicken snake just last week. Every bit of five feet. If it stays warm enough tis winter we may have a snake fry instead of chili on friday night. Hows that sound fellas? Jimmie

[pitw]

Barry those snakes are the ones they got out of the cabins at the LBL. they cant catch the big ones  

Then cancel my reservation.