Was thinking… it was this night 20 years ago coalition forces began the invasion of Iraq, as I exhaled my vape to verify wind direction. I got back into the truck to focus on the task at hand. The glow of my iPad was the only illumination as I studied satellite imagery of the property I was about to hunt. “Somewhere along that creek bottom are coyotes I just know it.” An overhead view of the terrain features starts looking like a chessboard as I plan my moves. A move to not be detected yet close enough to trigger them to respond. Coyotes are the apex predators of my area and this is their territory. Triggering them to move into a position of check mate is the challenge I chase.
There are hunts where I loose track of time due to the mental aspect of this style of hunt, times I realize the eastern horizon begin to lighten with the approaching dawn. There are also hunts where I’m worn out, frustrated, cold, tired and wishing for bed at 4 AM. Despite the physical grind, I can usually find that spark to trudge forward in hopes of that next productive stand. When it does come together and I get that check mate; I am no longer cold, any frustration diminishes and it’s a fresh burst of energy. More importantly I am not stressing on the topics nor issues that are the price for living in our modern society… I guess that’s why I do it…