A 1/2 day getaway

Brad H · October 27, 2007, 02:13:44 AM

5 SHOTS and I took off at noon today to do some calling and scouting. There WAS overcast and it WAS cool for a while, then the sun came out and everything changed. It got worse when we got there and I realized I had no camo. Not a big though, camo isn't necessary most of the time for how things are here.

First stand, nothing. Checked out a few ridge tops for cat sign and came away with more snare locations. Then we moved 10 miles back to the NW to an area we are both familiar with.

Two more stands of nothing The breeze was only blowing 5-15 mph which isn't bad and the stands we picked were good but no responses.

Next stand was an area we've never called before but we knew because I had a dozen traps set there last winter. We'd been using a mechanical rabbit decoy Art bought in Williston recently. I'm not a big decoy fan, but for the application we were using today it couldn't hurt. It's kind of a neat decoy actually. Anyway, I set it up on a small hill 60 yards to my left, Art was on the other side of the trees to my right and watching that direction. The caller was 5 yards from the speaker closer to me. We were set up on a hill separated from the caller by a two track road.

A problem, and a failure common to a lot of stands, was that it was sundown and when the wind picked back up, it blew right to left. Meaning any coyote that came in from the left hemisphere just need to slip behind the hill to get the wind and we'd never know it. 5 minutes into the stand I was imagining coyotes lining up behind that hill waiting to get down wind, and then running off and us having no idea it was going on.

11 minutes into the stand and making 3 to 4 second sweeps of the area I was supposed to watch, I look back at the decoy and there was a big coyote standing 15 feet from the decoy, locked on to it, and standing directly downwind of it. I carefully brought the Swift to the left, got the coyote in the scope, when I looked through the scope he was locked on me, but it was too late.

The cool thing was, Art saw something sitting on a rock 100 yards in front of us. Thinking it might be a coyote, he got his scope on it and right then I pulled the trigger on the coyote I saw and the shot scared the bobcat away he was looking at. Out cat season doesn't start till December, but I've never had one come to one of my stands. Art was a little worried at first because he thought I took a shot at that cat.

It's funny cause last year two coyotes came in but split apart. He thought he had one and was about to pull the trigger when I shot the one closer to me that he didn't know was there. That scared off the one he was locking on.

Anyway, it's my second one this year and the sound was electronic skunk distress. The bullet entered front and slightly to the left. It was redirected though and came out the right side. The hole was enormous. I've had stupid good luck hitting coyotes head on in the chest and having no exit at all, but this time when I started sewing it up I thought I might have to go out and shoot another one just for parts. I got it done though.

This might be the nicest coyote I've ever shot. It's a very large (for this area) male around 30lbs. Probably no older than 2 or 3, but the color was amazing and the belly was pure white.

This is right where he droped. Pic was taken from where it was shot...65 yards and 15 feet from the decoy.

DirtyDog · October 27, 2007, 05:18:16 AM

Great story.....and congrats on the yote.

FinsnFur · October 27, 2007, 08:36:19 AM

Must be getting cold over there, he looks pretty bushy

Nice job Brad....I need to get out myself.

Hawks Feather · October 27, 2007, 08:39:45 AM

Brad,

Nice write up, pictures, and it looks like a great time. I was a little concerned when I started reading - 5 SHOTS and I took off at noon. I am thinking 5 shots (drinks) and I would be on the floor and not thinking about anything. Then I though maybe you were going to Africa and getting 5 shots (injections). Just a little slow today.

Jerry

THO Game Calls · October 27, 2007, 08:45:28 AM

That looks like a well fed coyote! Great pictures and story. You guys have some nice looking calling country.

AL

iahntr · October 27, 2007, 10:28:02 AM

Nice write up, thanks for sharin it with us. That's a good lookin dog!
How'd ya like the decoy? I bought one too a while back, but haven't used it yet. The price is right on em.

Brad H · October 27, 2007, 11:46:02 AM

It started getting cold here, now it's getting up to 65 during the day.

Either way, the fur is good to go. It may still be early yet, but this one had nice white skin underneath.

5 SHOTS, LOL. Never thought of that. Here's how slow I can be...A few weeks ago someone asked me if I'd made any calls lately. My first thought was, 'what the hell is this guy talking about? What calls?' Then it hit me, DUH!...coyote calls, not phone calls.

Scott, that decoy is pretty neat. If you're going out there to set up a caller speaker, it can't hurt to stand that decoy out too. It's a cool attention getter for $20.

Brad

wv_yoter · October 27, 2007, 07:43:27 PM

Cool story and pics Brad. That is a good looking yote, and the decoy kinda looks like one of my girls stuffed animals.

Jerry Hunsley · October 28, 2007, 06:25:53 AM

Nice picture and write up Brad. Last night I went to a casino again, just about an hr away. It is where I will start trapping this year. Had the wife along and on the way home did a little git of locating with the howler. I made three stops and got yotes to answer in two of the three spots. I should go out today but I'll save it for later. Just like your area, pretty warm here in the day but cools off nice at night.

CCP · October 28, 2007, 06:50:40 AM

Good write up and I LOVE pic's keep them a comin.

QuoteI am thinking 5 shots (drinks) and I would be on the floor and not thinking about anything.

:roflmao: @ Jerry's comment he cracks me up sometimes.

Randy Roede · October 28, 2007, 11:21:23 AM

Nice pics Brad, good lookin coyote. Those fur checks will help out on those girls shoppin trips!!! Randy

keekee · October 29, 2007, 10:09:04 AM

Congrads Brad! Nice looking coyote!

That are looks awesome!

Brent

Brad H · October 29, 2007, 06:06:25 PM

Got it cleaned up, fluffed up, and it's almost ready to come off the stretcher. Hopefully the first of many this year.

QuoteThose fur checks will help out on those girls shoppin trips!!!

Lord knows it will take all of that plus.

Brad

Dogwood Creek · November 04, 2007, 04:22:41 PM

Way to go buddy. Good looking coyote too. You are off to a good start with that one. Good luck and good shooting,R.J.

Bluesman · November 28, 2007, 06:13:26 PM

Thanks for the post. I know you love the swift. I wish I lived out there so I could use mine in some practical way. I'm sure you get plenty of opportunities to air it out. Great pictures and story.

.....skunk distress? Who'd of thought?

JB