7 replies to this topic

[Bozsik]

We have had recent topics addressing the functionality of business cards and the value of obtaining access. Well, back in November I was on my way back from Quail Point Hunting club in Yolo county and decided to stop in at a sheep ranch.I knocked on the door, introduced myself and informed the owner that I enjoyed the idea of predator control. He was very receptive and I was able to have him sign a release for me to hunt the property. I didn't have any time to scout his place and/or do any hunting during the Thanksgiving and Xmas holidays, but I called him in the interum to let him know I would be out there after the new year sometime.I contacted him just after New Years, and scheduled a time for him to give me a tour of the property - boundaries, no hunt spots, etc.Well, last night I received a call from the rancher at 8PM. He said they were having more difficulties with the yotes and he wanted to know if I could come out. That brings us to today. I dropped the kids off at school this morning and headed directly to the ranch.When I arrived, they provided me with a report of the latest sightings and the 3 of us (two ranch family members and I) headed in different directions. Part of the holdings have a young olive orchard I used some time to scout it out. They have a decent supply of jacks. I set up my first calling spot at the edge of the orchard along the fence row at the perimeter of the orchard. Ten minutes of calling only brought in 6 ravens, but no yotes.I continued to hike the hills. There is no cover on these hills yet, as the wheat they planted is only approx. 3 inches high. I proceeded walking the perimeter of the property when I decended into a wide swale. I was following the fenceline because it offered the only cover for wildlife. Up jumped a couple of jacks. Again I am thinking this is a decent sign. Another couple of hundred yards further and this yote pops up just like one of the jacks. He is only 30 yards in front of me, but on the other side of the fence with the field wire on the bottom three feet. He didn't come to a stop until he was 350 to 400 yards out. The wind was blowing a gale, so I just let him be.Turning south, and the wind to my back, I decided to sit for a break. After 5 minutes, I releived myself and sat back down. Just as I sat down, I looked up to see another yote about 70 yards - skylined on the horizon. He was directly down wind. He probably scented me when I relieved myself and came up the backside of the ridge to see how far I was. He took off running as soon as he saw that I had busted him. The next time I saw him he was about 120 yards away and engaged at 3/4 throttle.On the way back I spottted another one sitting on this hillside 400yards out. He had a commanding view of the entire acreage. I didn't bother wasting time trying to out flank him. He knew exactly what he is doing. One of the ranchers was talking to me while we watched the yote "kicking back" for over 20 minutes on the sunny leeward side of the hill.Overall the three of us saw a total of 6 yotes, the other rancher came back with one he got with his 22-250. (1 for 6) I had a great day. They said they have shot over thirty of them this past month. I can believe it after seeing what I did today. They said they began to appear in Sept, the beginning of the lambing season. Here is the gig. The business card gave the owner a number to call for future help, and he did just that. I was able to get to know them better and leave off some of my release forms. They said they would get the adjacent landowners (cattle folks)to fill them out for me and they would give me a call soon. They said they also have ground squirrels later in the spring and summer and that Point Blank would be wecome to help them in the harvest.Even though I didn't get a yote today, it was very productive in many ways.db

[Switch]

That's great. It's always good to hear how ranchers and land owners are opening up to how predator hunters can help them out. A few good words and some respect of the land is all it takes to open a few doors. You give hope to all of us. Nice job!

[Thumper Dunker]

Thats great!

[Rimrock]

That's good to hear. Keep up the good work and keep us posted.

[Braz]

OK, I think I promise this is the last question. Does anyone have a sample of a waiver form?

[Bozsik]

Does anyone have a sample of a waiver form?

I posted a sample on the site I think about a month or so ago. Look at the old posts. If you can't locate it, I'll post another.db

[Braz]

As a matter of fact, I had tried to do a search and couldn't find it. Thus the question. Thanks for re-posting. It is much appreciated.