....Was a success! I picked out an area I knew had 'yotes in it. Plenty of woods with easy walking access. I planned on where I was going to come in the day before by knowing which direction the wind would be. I verified it with a squeeze bottle full of cornstarch as a wind indicator. So I start walking this footpath that had been washed out by the typical spring rain. It forked so I decided to go on the right. But as I was walking a little bit I noticed what looked like a clearing up on a hill where the other path was. So I cut across. The clearing turned out to be an open area of that twiggy, rust colored brush. I took my howler call and gave a nice set of barks followed by a screaming howl. I was standing there, still, for 2 minutes waiting for a response howl. Well I musta sneaked up real close to a couple of coyotes because all of a sudden I heared leaves crunching and a 'yote popped out of the scrub not 20 yards away. DAMN IT! I was NOT prepared. My 06 was slung and empty, my GP-100 was under my jacket and my backpack belt was clipped shut over my jacket, so I couldnt get to that either. He took a few more steps closer and perched his two front paws on a branch and perked up, typical 'yote style. I tried undoing my Backpack belt to get to my GP-100, but he busted me and bolted. Now Im pissed, Im figuring I missed my chance for today. So I say to hell with it. I quickly whip off my backpack, throw down my hunting seat, get out my boom box with calling tape and load the 06. I figure it cant hurt right? So I pressed play. I was in such a hurry I forgot to put my mask and gloves on. I put my scope hairs right on the spot I figgure the coyote would come back out from if he were to be that stupid. Not more than a minute or two into the calling tape a DIFFERENT coyote comes from crosswind, which was off to my right of where I was set-up. He trotted right into my line of fire! He stopped in some rough brush. Took a few more steps and wound up a mere feet from where the other coyote had bolted. BOOM! I kncoked him clean over, but since my gun was sighted for 100 yards, aiming at his gut made the point of impact right in his spine. I had to finish him off with the GP-100. I dragged him out of the scrub and began admiring it :grin: . I out my Encore next to it, so I figure from snout to butt it was around 38 inches or so, maybe 50 pounds give or take. I got some pics with the 35mm, so I will see if I can get them put on cd when I develop them so I can post them for you folks. Id guess he was about the size of a smallish to medium german shepherd. I wound up leaving there. I know, you pelt hunters are probably cringing, but the pelt was mangled by my 357 finishing shot (adrenalin was flowing so I did not think to shoot for the head.) There was some pelt damage near the spine where I hit him. Im not out for pelts anyways. I figured, he fed from nature now nature can feed on him. I am doing this for a couple of reasons. I want to help out the local deer, bird and small animal population by thinning out the bad little dogs. Ive seen what they do to housecats, so I do not look kindly upon these creatures (though I do respect them and their right to survive.) I also figure this is good practice for my other hunting. My friend may keep some pelts later on down the road, but for now I am just exterminating.
Im sorry this post is so long, but I am so excited. I am already planning next weeks trip, and this time my buddy will be coming along. I think he was kinda bummed he couldnt come along, but he had a meeting with his realtor. Priorities stink when it comes to hunting :-D !
Brian M.
