4 replies to this topic

[seebass]

My brother in law Wes moved back to California from Dallas 3 months ago. For now he lives in the foothills with his dad on 5 acres. He’s been telling me he sees coyotes all the time around the house and I should come out and call sometime. While he shoots plenty, he’s never hunted coyote before. His “neighbor” has 400 acres and he got permission to hunt their property. I was excited for this new spot!

I arrived at Wes’ house around 515 with all my gear and my extra .243 for him. We gathered our gear and headed out getting to our first stand at 610. As we were walking to our stand a pack howled behind us. Wes said, “maybe we should head back that way”. I looked on google earth and had a spot picked out and wanted to stick to it so I told him not to worry, I looked at my watch, it was 555.

(All my yardages are from google earth. I always check to see how far coyotes were so as to have a reference when I’m out in the future. Is that weird?)

We got settled in to our first stand early so we just hung out for 20 minutes. Wes didn’t have any shooting sticks so I let him use mine and I just went off hand. I want him to get his first coyote so I figured that was best. We set up next to each other, Wes on the left. I tell him he takes everything on his side and I’ll do my best to give him the shot on my side. at 630 I fired up lightning jack on Vol. 4 for 3 minutes and shut it off. Looked around for a minute and didn't see anything so I played it again, this time at Vol. 6. At 6 minutes I see a coyote at 600 yards within some cattle at 1 o'clock I let the call play as the coyote is slowly working. Wes picks up 2 more at 12 o'clock at 400ish yards. The wind isn't the best but they seem to be working slowly. As Wes is looking through the scope at the pair I see 3 more coming in directly downwind from our left at 200 yards at our 9 o'clock working toward 11 going away slightly. We were in good cover but I could tell they knew something was up. Wes was a tad slow getting the sticks set up so by the time he did those 3 were at our 11 o'clock out at 400 yards. All 6 of these coyotes moused around together no closer than 400 yards from this point on. I switched sounds a couple of times and at the 25th minute Wes picks out 2 more coyotes on a ridge 800 yards out to our 3 o'clock This was a GREAT spot! I was impressed!! At 31 minutes the 6 coyotes were out to 600 yards at dead 12 o'clock I told Wes one last call and we had to pack it up and move out. I hit Pup distress 3 on Vol. 6 and 1 of the coyotes way out on that ridge came running in. As the coyote was coming in I told Wes to turn and get set up. As he started to move the sticks they got caught up in the grass. The coyote was charging hard at 300 yards. Wes said he was stuck and couldn't get around, I told him to keep trying! It was all happening QUICK! The coyote stopped at 150 yards, turned away, barked and howled, turned back around and looked right at us. Wes still wasn’t ready and told me to shoot. I raised up off hand took a breath and let one go. MISS!! High, right over the top of him. The coyote squatted and took off up a wash not to be seen again.

So on one stand we saw a single, a pair, a triple and another pair!! One shot one miss! My bad! We’ll be back out there next month!!

After that we headed out to the ranch for a few stands. 6 stands no takers but we did see one run out of the pond as we were heading back in.
Just to far and to fast to get a shot off.

It was the single best stand I’ve had yet!

Even if I didn't get one, to watch that many coyotes together was AWESOME. I don't think Wes really get how crazy rare that stand was!!

I can only smile:)


Carlos

[Shoot-it]

It takes a few times to get it down when to move adjust stix etc,I bet he is hooked now.

[seebass]

He just called and wants to go out this weekend again! Yeah he's hooked!

[Frank]

And some folks think deer hunting is exciting. (sorry, couldn't resist)

Anyway, congrats on a great hunt indeed and introducing another person to the greatest sport (oops) , I mean predator hunting. (don't let Bisley & Ed (modoc squeek) see this. I'll be in trouble... Again!

[rustygun]

Yep you got him hooked for sure.