19 replies to this topic

[Cranky Farmer]

Typically when we go spot lighting at night we have pulled into the area where are going to hunt and have immediately gotten out and started calling. My last trip out we started waiting in the truck for 10 minutes after killing the engine before we got out. The two times that we did this we saw a coyote on the first stand and a bobcat on the second. I am going to give it a try again this weekend and see if my success rate goes up any !!Have any of you tried this technique before?

[ShooterJohn]

Heath, we used to hunt right in the truck so had no need to get out. But it does help to be quiet for a bit. I guess they didn't like the muffler on my truck.

[onecoyote]

SBF, I do the same thing but not for 10 minutes, to much wasted time. All you need is a couple minutes then start your stand. The sound of trucks, cars and planes don't really scare animals much in California they hear them all the time, it's us they are scared of. I'm happy for you guys, you called up a coyote and a cat, did you get em?

[Cranky Farmer]

I was running the light all night for two guys new to the sport. The coyote was about 35 yards from the truck and both of my shooters waited for the other to shoot ... the cat got hit at about 60 feet but it wasn't a mortal wound. We had a blood trail that went for about 300 yards before it dried up. I am pretty sure by the way he acted after the shot that he (or her!) had been hit in the leg.The cat came in like it was starving! It closed from around 120 yards to where the shot was taken in about a minute. If we had a loaded shotgun we might have been in business.Both guys that I took out loved it ... they are both getting rifles better suited for coyotes and other such critters that go bump in the night.

[onecoyote]

That's great, tell them to spend alot of time at the range with them new rifles, it really helps alot. You are hunting on foot or did you put together a varmint rig? Sounds like you found an area with some critters.

[tawnoper]

Hey Smallblockfuelie, I usually do the same thing only I don't take that much time, as onecoyote mentioned. I always start my stand with a good sweep of the area with my light. Not only for saftey reasons (motorhomes, campers) I do this to get familiar with any signs, reflectors, jackrabbits etc., anything that will grab my attention once I start calling and scanning (even though it still does). Quite often I have spotted stuff before calling. Taken a few bobcats like this.

[Cranky Farmer]

That's great, tell them to spend alot of time at the range with them new rifles, it really helps alot. You are hunting on foot or did you put together a varmint rig? Sounds like you found an area with some critters.

Danny we just make do with my truck the way it is, nothing fancy like yours. I attached a 12 volt outlet to my truck box for the light and threw down a piece of outdoor carpeting to deaden the noise for who ever is in the back running the light. Pretty simple, but its what I can afford and it works! B)I run the light before callling also. People will put a camper out in the wierdest places! Once I had an animal present as soon as I turned on the lights... I actually thought it was a trail marker until it was in a different location on my next pass with the light.

[onecoyote]

Heath, the camper shell I put on the back of my truck cost me $75, I found it in a junk yard lol. No way I'm spending $2000 or so for a custom camper shell.

[Cranky Farmer]

[Now that I could do!!

[ShooterJohn]

Now that's a deal to look into. My diesel is so loud though.

[Cranky Farmer]

Powerstroke or Cummins?

[ShooterJohn]

Heath, It's pre-PowerStroke Ford 7.3 liter. It's a 1988 F-250 4X4 with only 41,000 miles on it. It's a rattler and LOUD.

[Cranky Farmer]

Those ARE loud. My Duramax isn't too bad but it isn't as quiet as a gasoline burner either.

[ShooterJohn]

I had my tank out today keeping the fluids moving. I sat my shooting bench on top of my lumber rack. The view is great up there but I will have to add a couple of camper jacks to stabilize the truck. I used to put a sheet of plywood up there with a 3 foot hole cut in it. That way you can stand back there through the hole and have a shooting bench all around you. I put foam pipe insulation around the opening so when the driver slams on the breaks you don't get too bruised up. It really is a pretty stable platform to use.

[Cranky Farmer]

Sounds like that ought to work pretty slick!

[Cranky Farmer]

Ben,I really think it helps. We've been seeing more animals since we started doing this.

[Switch]

Shoot-it, check your DFG regulations carefully with regards to night hunting. Depending on where you are, some counties restrict night hunting and the DFG sections can be confusing to say the least. Good luck!

[Cranky Farmer]

You can say THAT again !!!