Snowshoes
Well-known member
This morning was another cool morning at + 2F but at least it was calm. The first spot I walked into didn’t have as many coyote tracks as I hoped but there was evidence of a few in the fresh blanket of snow from a couple days ago.
It wasn’t long after getting settled in, that the deer hunting truck traffic started rolling down the old road 600 yards to the east. The only coyote I did see was traveling at such a speed that I’m not sure the 223AI could have kept up in a race.
No use sticking around here so it was off to a spot where I knew I would have to myself. To the creek valley was my destination and it was getting late enough that I figured it would be a spot and stalk type hunt.
Parked by a large stack of bales and from there made my way towards the valley. A quarter mile walk and some glassing produces a coyote on the flats to the west. Some more glassing picked up an additional coyote on the flats and 3 much closer coyotes in the hills to the northwest. These closer coyotes attention were on the pair below them and paid me no attention. I hurried my way to some better cover and then slowly made my way closer to them. Took a range of 321 yards and decided I could still get closer. Cut further into the trees and cautiously made my way to the west with only a few stops to check on the coyotes who were now bedded. Took a range of the closest one at 216 yards but all I could see was its back. The other two had gotten up and wandered over the creek bank now, so I’m down to a single. The lay of the land would let me get closer yet and in a spot where I should have a clear shot so I was once again on the move. Only made a few feet when I kicked up a coyote from the willow trees below me. This coyote wasn’t overly scared as it trotted west to heavy timber. Never had a decent chance for a shot so let that coyote go. My bedded coyote hadn’t budged and was now my main focus again. Worked my way closer using a clump of willows to hide my approach and was relieved to see the snoozing coyote still in place when I skirted around the trees. Sat down and ranged the coyote 3 different times which came back at 149 yards every time. Set the rifle up, then zoomed the scope to 22X before giving a few lip squeaks. The coyote doesn’t move a hair, so I pull out a hand call but before I get it to my lips a big black raven swoops down and lands a few feet away from the coyote. The coyotes head pops up and the raven then flies off. The furry head is down almost as fast as it came up, so I tried lip squeaks again. The head is up and looking my way which now has the cross hairs set between its blinkers. With a touch of the trigger, Mr. coyote is put into a permanent sleep.
Walked down to where the coyote lay and was amazed at the number of coyote tracks on the creek channel.
Took a picture, hooked up the drag rope and started my way to the top. Half way up I’m halted in my tracks with the view of a coyote standing at the edge of the trees to the east of me. I swing the rifle off my shoulder and set on the shooting sticks, cross hairs on the coyotes chest and down it goes. Later ranged at 169 yards.
No idea why this coyote presented me such a fine opportunity but glad it did!
I will likely be back there tomorrow to see if I can connect on one of the others!
It wasn’t long after getting settled in, that the deer hunting truck traffic started rolling down the old road 600 yards to the east. The only coyote I did see was traveling at such a speed that I’m not sure the 223AI could have kept up in a race.
No use sticking around here so it was off to a spot where I knew I would have to myself. To the creek valley was my destination and it was getting late enough that I figured it would be a spot and stalk type hunt.
Parked by a large stack of bales and from there made my way towards the valley. A quarter mile walk and some glassing produces a coyote on the flats to the west. Some more glassing picked up an additional coyote on the flats and 3 much closer coyotes in the hills to the northwest. These closer coyotes attention were on the pair below them and paid me no attention. I hurried my way to some better cover and then slowly made my way closer to them. Took a range of 321 yards and decided I could still get closer. Cut further into the trees and cautiously made my way to the west with only a few stops to check on the coyotes who were now bedded. Took a range of the closest one at 216 yards but all I could see was its back. The other two had gotten up and wandered over the creek bank now, so I’m down to a single. The lay of the land would let me get closer yet and in a spot where I should have a clear shot so I was once again on the move. Only made a few feet when I kicked up a coyote from the willow trees below me. This coyote wasn’t overly scared as it trotted west to heavy timber. Never had a decent chance for a shot so let that coyote go. My bedded coyote hadn’t budged and was now my main focus again. Worked my way closer using a clump of willows to hide my approach and was relieved to see the snoozing coyote still in place when I skirted around the trees. Sat down and ranged the coyote 3 different times which came back at 149 yards every time. Set the rifle up, then zoomed the scope to 22X before giving a few lip squeaks. The coyote doesn’t move a hair, so I pull out a hand call but before I get it to my lips a big black raven swoops down and lands a few feet away from the coyote. The coyotes head pops up and the raven then flies off. The furry head is down almost as fast as it came up, so I tried lip squeaks again. The head is up and looking my way which now has the cross hairs set between its blinkers. With a touch of the trigger, Mr. coyote is put into a permanent sleep.
Walked down to where the coyote lay and was amazed at the number of coyote tracks on the creek channel.
Took a picture, hooked up the drag rope and started my way to the top. Half way up I’m halted in my tracks with the view of a coyote standing at the edge of the trees to the east of me. I swing the rifle off my shoulder and set on the shooting sticks, cross hairs on the coyotes chest and down it goes. Later ranged at 169 yards.
No idea why this coyote presented me such a fine opportunity but glad it did!
I will likely be back there tomorrow to see if I can connect on one of the others!