I was out this afternoon looking for Nuisance Beaver, so I was carrying my .17HMR Sportster. I was driving along the overflow channel of the Flood Project. I have a permit to shoot them there, and in the park.
A Coyote came running from down near the water, and disappeared as it turn to come up the slope. I stopped and got out of the truck. As the Coyote topped the rise, and came into view, I squealed like a Rabbit. Coyote stopped and looked around. I was lying across the hood, and took a 100 yard shot. I had not noticed the wind coming from left to right. Pretty still wind too, but at 100 yards I was not expecting to be affected. I hit it in the hind quarter, I was in shock. I quickly reloaded, while the Coyote was spinning in circles. The Coyote lined out running back down the slope and went out of sight. I next saw it running along the water. I made a shot holding about a 12 " lead. Distance was now about 130 yards. Wind was directly behind me. Coyote rolled, I had hit it in the spine, just behind the shoulders. While it could not get up, it was still very much alive. .22 Pistol finished it off.
After I got it to the truck I measured the first hit from where I was aiming. 10.5 inches off due to wind drift, at 100 yards. I'm still in shock, I never realized the wind could affect the .17gr bullet that much at 100 yards. Speer TNT bullet made a mess of the intestines, but this Coyote was able to go a long way if it had gotten away. The bullet did not break any bones in the spine, the shock must have done some damage since it could not get up or use it's rear legs.. This is the first time I have shot the HMR in the wind. We seldom get wind here in the Tanana Valley. It's also the first time I have shot anything but Beaver, Foxes, and squirrels with it. Think I'll go back to carrying the .223 out there.
