30 replies to this topic

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Update # 2 at bottom of page. Sophie's 3rd! I took a couple days to go to the hills to look for Coyotes. Before I left however,I stumbled across a load that shot very well especially when you throw in My shooting ability. This target was shot at 150 yds. As most of My Coyotes are 100 yds or so, I wanted to take advantage of the flatter trajectory with the 55's and sight in at that distance just incase I got a longer shot oppurtunity.


So with the rifle shooting good I decided to head to the Forest to look around. I took Sophie who is now about 7 monthes old in the hopes of letting her see a Coyote. We set up camp at about 4PM, and went and made a couple evening stands. She is fun to take cus even though She is a Mutt so to speak, she gets excited whenever I grab a rifle to go hunting. Here is a pic of the Camp

And of course Sophie had to be the first one to try it out! lol

...So we came back to camp ate some Gourmet Hot links and Chili and got ready to try it again in the morning. The first 2 stands came up empty,but at about 9:00am I found a great overlook that had some clearing as well as trees. I started with a jack distress sound, and to My suprise I see one coming out of the forest at about 300 yds away. Being up High I had a pretty good view, but after a few minutes I could not find the Coyote. All of the sudden Sophie let out some real soft growls, and a whoof. Here was the Coyote coming straight at Me! She spotted him! I was like a Proud Father! Anyway The coyote stopped directly behind 2 stumps and was looking our direction. I put the crosshairs on its chest and The Winny and the 55 grn'r did the rest. Here is the Coyote and the Winny..

He looked like an old scrapper.

I didnt take any full shots of the Coyote cus that .243 really messed him up!
Here you can see the pic back from My uphill location, and see the Coyote on the stump.


There were no more takers, and I saw next to nothing for sign either. But getting Sophie to get Her first up close look at a Coyote made the trip for Me! I couldnt get a pic with Her and the Coyote, She got close once, woofed at it and didnt want anything else to do with it! LOL

But it was a great couple days with Sophie The Coyote Dog. I hope she doesent lose Her desire to hunt. Thanks for looking!

[ShooterJohn]

Nice Grant! The gun shoots well and it looks like you have a new hunting buddy. Always nice to get up into the hills for a couple of days to beat the deer hunters.

[modoc squeek shooter]

Good going Grant! I am going to try and make it out this next week. We got a damn big fire burning on the Devils Garden, I got cows out there, had to move them to a wet meadow yesterday. So haven't had time to go coyote hunting, but I hope too soon. Congrats on that Winnie, lol that is something for me to say since like Frank I am a Remmy man. Ed

[Yateswell]

good shooting and nice truck, I drive one, it's been very reliable so far.

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Thanks John and Ed. It was really fun just getting out of the valley and up into some different country.

Ed, I hope they get that fire out up your way soon! I hope to take Sophie to a few more locations that hopefully will contain more Coyotes. But it sure was fun seeing her pay attn when hunting.

Yateswell, Im happy with the Mitts so far, But it sure gets full quick when you pack a few days worth of camping gear! lol

[dabob]

Way to go Grant!

[Frank]

Hey, Grant, that was one hexx of a shot on that coyote, especially since the holes on the target missed the red dot entirely. Like Ed, I am impressed, as I doubt our Remmys are THAT good (sorry, I couldn't resist... again. lol)

Anyway, pretty cool (& funny story) that Sophie helped make a great hunt even better. Looks like a nice coyote you slayed also! Hmmmmm, btw, I once had a cat name Sophie. Not sure what that means though?

Congratulations, and

[Yateswell]

Yateswell, Im happy with the Mitts so far, But it sure gets full quick when you pack a few days worth of camping gear! lol

I removed the 2nd roll seat - just remove the 2 bolts, so I can flat out the driver/passenger seat in case I need to sleep in the truck for the night and also give me a bit more room for other gear.

[Broncowilly]

Great going Grant! Way to go Sophie! That area sure looks familiar to me. I think I've camped by that same little tree

[DirtyDave]

Way to go! Looks like you have a good start to a good decoy dog.

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Hey, Grant, that was one hexx of a shot on that coyote, especially since the holes on the target missed the red dot entirely

Actually that is a 3' paper plate and a 10" dime from the joke shop! The only real difference between the Winny and My Remmy is that they BOTH miss.. But the Winny just groups the Misses Better!

Thanks for the comments Guys. Sophie feels like a Internet star now! lol I dont know that she would ever be a Decoy dog, but her eyes and "sniffer" are always working and are much better than mine!

[Shoot-it]

That sure looks nice out there in the Forrest i bet the air mattress feels better than just a sleeping bag.Nice job calling in the coyote and putting it down.I bet your doggy will be very useful in your coyote hunting adventures.

[Switch]

Nice going on the coyote. It's always a fun time getting out and seeing new territory. Way to go!

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Thanks again Guys... Update!

Sophie spotted her second this Morning! We went out just before light and made a stand about 600 yds from the House. She was half way between Me and the caller. She was looking at some brush on the right side of My stand, and let out her lil growls, and then came trotting back to Me. After about 4 mins a YOY Coyote emerged from the brush at about 75 yds right where Sophie was looking.. It dropped like a stone with the .243. It was already covered with Mange. No wonder the Coyote population seems to be down around here. This time Sophie went right up to the Coyote, prolly due to the smaller size. Here are some Pics.


You can see how bad the Mange is in this pic.

[modoc squeek shooter]

I think you will have a great hunting partner there Grant. Ed

[Frank]

Actually that is a 3' paper plate and a 10" dime from the joke shop!

Grant, it sure looks like those 55 grainers do a number on the dogs. Appears you found your ole wiley load, eh?! OH, btw, are those lead or non lead 55 gr bullets? I know dabob used a non lead 55 gr recently, but "assumed" yours was lead?

Anyway, pretty cool again about Sophie... She will only get better with age!

Congrats again, and keep up the good work

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Frank, the BT's Im using are the lead variety. I have some 80 gr GMX lead free that were loaded up for the Remmy that I have yet to try.

Thanks again Guys!

[Bennie]

Nice job on the coyotes. Glad to see you are liking your new rifle and dog. Keep after them.

[Shoot-it]

Stop it Grant your making me jealous your out killing coyotes and i am out here hunting a ghost buck.Good job on your second one your on a roll it also looks like you almost cut that yote in half.

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Thanks Bennie... Shoot it.... good luck on your Buck! I finally saw one deer after 3 days of hunting.. 50 ft from camp the morning I was leaving.. lol and it was a Doe.

[rustygun]

Good job on both the yotes. Sophie will make you a great hunting buddy for years to come. A man and his dog.

[Bisley]

First off, congrats on both all three dogs, the two down and the one new huntin' buddy . And thanks for the picture of the simple camping setup. I have a few old ones I look at every now and then to remind of how I used to camp, simple. Now It seems like I need my long bed truck and a trailer to haul all the junk I never use anyway. Not only is that a beautiful spot, but it is setup nice and simple. Smart man. I need to start remembering to do it the same way.

Also, if you ever get around to field testing those 80gr GMX, please let me know. My Howa absolutely loves them and I am curious how your experience with them goes. Thanks, and continued good luck with both types of dogs

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Thanks Bisley, I will keep you posted on the GMX. The camping feels different now as I get older.... Its harder to get up off the floor of the tent than it was 20 yrs ago. lol The Air mattress however makes it much better. If you notice My little table, its My portable shooting bench. Works ok if you dont need alot of table space. Below is Update # 2!

Sophie sees another one!!

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Update # 2 Sophie and I went out again this morning. After about a 45 min stand she was getting bored.. lol I muted the caller and got up to end the stand and noticed 2 coyotes in the distance. I sat back down and started the caller again, with JS vittles ala Jack. One came in to about 150 and sophie let out her little growl.. I had seen it too, but at least she is seeing Coyotes! I wasnt going to shoot this one cus it was another YOY. However, I turned the scope up to about 9 power and saw it was covered with Mange! So I took the shot, and down it went. Its whole rearend was almot bald. I figured it was best to get it out of circulation so it wouldnt spread the disease. Maybe Sophie is My good luck charm? Here are a couple pics.

[Frank]

Hey Grant, good to see you wacken & stacken 'em... I think you have 2 good luck charms with your new Winny & Sophie. And yes, good to get those mangy ones out of circulation for sure. And too cool & funny on Sophie giving those little growls like she does.

Keep on keeping on

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Thanks Frank. Id rather get rid of the ugly ones now to help limit the spread of the Mange. Allthough I prolly wont have any to shoot at come fall at this rate.. lol

[Bennie]

You mean to tell me those coyote's are not running off when you are shooting them with that, little, teeny weeny, itty bitty .243? Just giving you a bad time. LOL I am working on a 6mm Remington that is going to be my long range coyote rifle. I have one spot that gets hunted hard on a open cattle ranch with no trees. I plan on sniping the ones that won't come to a call. I will get it done some day if my girl friend quits asking for guns. Can not afford to buy her stuff and my stuff too. I should kick her or some thing. She gets all the good stuff.

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Aint that the truth Bennie? lol The things we do to keep Em! I like the 6mm too, If I ever rebarrel that might be a consideration. Will look forward to seeing it when you get it built.

[KNOCKED UP]

That was a good trip Grant,
Billy B. had a great time playing with Sophie.
By the way the hot links you cooked up were
Very good, but I hope the didn't do you like they
did me, and that's all I got to say about that.
Tom

[Broncowilly]

Very nice Grant!