7 replies to this topic

[Rimrock]

The sun was just making it's rosy hue when I left my truck. The ranch roads were too wet to drive so I walked about a mile to my first stand. I set up the Woodpecker decoy and put the new foxpro enticer next to it. Backed off about 50 yards and made my first rabbit distress call. In about a minute I saw a coyote at about 6-700 yards. It dropped into a draw that quatered toward me. Nest call was with an elk call, trying to imitate a wounded pup in didtress. Two more rabbit distress calls. The coyote showed at about 300 yards in a stiff trot. It was really homed in on the decoy and never broke stride. I shot it when it was about 30 yards from the decoy. It went down and came up running. It stopped at about 300 yards, all humped up and head hanging down. I missed it there and it took off again. I learned two lessons. First, I should have let it get to the decoy or barked it to a stop. Second, as sick as it looked I should never have shot at it again. I never found one drop of blood. Looked for it a long time and finally gave up. I would rather miss completely than to lose any kind of animal.I make five more stands with no luck. Did get busted on one though and it told everything in the county about it.I don't know whether that enticer call did any good or not, but it sure never bothered that coyote.I did a lot of walking, the day was beautiful, and I had a great time. A perfect way to spend my 70'th birthday.O yeah. The rancher just called. He found the coyote as he was putting out minerals. It didn't go far from where I last saw it. That makes me feel a lot better.

[ShooterJohn]

Happy Birthday Rod. You live you learn, still sounds like a fun day.

[bzzrd feedr]

Happy Birthday and Great story Rod. Been out the last few days too. I think those Squirrels get cabin fever just like us. Glad you had some success. Dale

[Rimrock]

Dale,I saw several squirrels out today. But I forgot my squirrel gun.

[ShooterJohn]

Rod,There's a difference in guns?

[Bill D.]

Happy Birthday and congrats on the yote. I found one today that I lost a few months ago.....he was only 100 yards from the spot.....don't know how I missed finding him. Glad the rancher found your coyote - I know that had to feel good.The critical time is always when they start getting close and I hate to take moving shots. Usually a bark will stop em but not always. Hope I am still going strong when I am 70.......find out in 11 years.Go get another one.....enjoyed your hunt!

[Thumper Dunker]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Rod can't think of a better way to spend a birthday.

[Frank]

Happy (BELATED) Birthday, Rod and Congratulions on a cool hunt and story... Don't feel too bad about second guessing yourself. It seems like after nearly every stand that a yote shows, & whether we get him or not, we are second guessing ourselves on what we should or should not have done. LOL After the first couple dozen stands of second guessing myself, I f-i-n-a-l-l-y realized that it is a normal reaction (I hope) and is how we learn and improve. So the 2nd guessing is forever I think. LOLKeep up the great work :)Frank