#3321806 - 05/01/23 09:46 AM
Coyote_Thumper-2023
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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Alright, starting my own topic for posting my hunting activities now that baiting has its own forum. Coyotes have kept their distance from my place for a while. I did hunt a local farm this weekend that has had coyotes kill 4 goats in the past month. I did about 2 hours of calling and scanning but didn't see anything. I'll try again when time permits. I finally entered the thermal arena with an AGM TM10 thermal monocular. $600 delivered to my door from amazon. A better model would be nice, but this is what I can afford for now and I think it will be a valuable asset for night hunting. Here's a video I put together while testing it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5ZH15gU5rcMy plan is to use it for scanning for coyotes, raccoons, or rats. Then use digital night vision to confirm target and shoot.
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#3321812 - 05/01/23 12:02 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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PM senior
Registered: 07/31/05
Posts: 9358
Loc: USA
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CT, I recently purchased the same monocular. Like you, I think it will suit my needs. I basically just need to know something is out there. I don’t need to see or count whiskers. A 384 resolution would be nice, but at $800 more than i paid for the TM10, it isn’t worth it for my needs. I wouldn’t want less than 256, however.
Good job on the comparison of monocular vs. rifle scope.
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#3321813 - 05/01/23 12:26 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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06: Thanks.
That was my reasoning too. My digital NV works well enough for me to ID targets and take shots about as far as I'd be willing to shoot at night anyways. But my rifle with NV and illuminator weighs 10+ lbs and has a narrow field of view. Scanning with that gets old real quick. I wanted something with a wide field of view that can locate potential targets and let me know when to turn on the NV and which direction to point it.
I did have an idea, it might work for rat hunting with an air rifle at least....The monocular has a camera tripod screw mount on the bottom. I found an adapter on amazon for $10 to go from gun rail to camera screw. So I could mount the monocular to an air rifle.
I can then live stream the video from the monocular to my phone. If I put the air rifle in a vise and shoot at a target, and then put a small dot (sticker or similar) on my phone screen at the location of impact. Then that sticker becomes my "crosshair" and I now have an improvised thermal scope. Zoom on the monocular would change the POI.
I might give this a try sometime.
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#3321814 - 05/01/23 12:37 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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06:
My 2 initial "complaints" with the TM10 are:
1. The viewing screen looks small to me. I was expecting it to look bigger through the eyepiece. I see now on the specs that this model has a .2" screen, but the 384 models have a .4" screen.
2. The refresh rate is 25hz. I see that the 384 models are 50hz. When panning, a faster/smoother refresh rate would be nice.
The advantage gain going from no thermal, to having a TM10 was huge. I'm not sure the gain would be quite as big going from a TM10 to a TM15 or similar.
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#3321828 - 05/01/23 05:52 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 01/10/16
Posts: 258
Loc: Washington Wet Side
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You are going to love thermal! It'll make picking coyotes out of the brush much faster. The FOV on my NV PARD's is about 20 feet at 100 yards. I'd been considering puting a crossbow rangefinder mount on the side of the airgun so I could line up the Pulsar xm30 with the PARD. I think it would make getting on target much quicker. https://specialtyarch.com/product/quick-range-crossbow/
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#3321829 - 05/01/23 06:48 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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PM senior
Registered: 07/31/05
Posts: 9358
Loc: USA
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My main purpose for the TM10 is for hog hunting corn feeders from elevated blinds. For that purpose the TM10 should work fine, from my experimenting around home and the farm. I have a hog hunt planned for June so that will be a defining moment. Though I don’t call coyotes as much as I used to do, it will also work for that at the close ranges I hunt here in the mountains. And another good use of the monocular is for security purposes at home. When the dogs go to barking I use it to scan the yard and perimeter.
I got my monocular for less than $500 shipped, so considering the price point and adequate view of the 256 resolution, I am not complaining.
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#3321880 - 05/02/23 09:49 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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WF: Yeah, I suspect so. I'm definitely enjoying it so far as I'm doing some testing with it.
If you try out that crossbow mount, I'd enjoy seeing photos of the setup and a review of how it works for you.
06: That's a great deal you found to get get it for $500. I got mine through amazon for $549. $600 shipped.
Last night I took the TM10 out and scanned around my chicken coop to look for rats....it appears that the rats have been successfully eliminated from my property for now, which is good, but it means I can't test the thermal on rats yet... I'm sure more rats will show up eventually.
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#3321949 - 05/03/23 12:31 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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PM senior
Registered: 07/31/05
Posts: 9358
Loc: USA
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Actually the TM10 was $466, free shipping but I paid tax which brought the cost up to $491. The price has since gone back to $549.
I have used mine on dogs at home at a distance of around 75 yards, and deer at 100 yards plus. For closer ranges like that it’s not bad.
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#3321962 - 05/03/23 09:26 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: 6mm06]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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Nice, you scored a great deal!
I'm going coyote hunting tonight at a small goat farm where coyotes have been killing goats. I'm taking a new hunting partner who has some very nice thermal scopes and scanners. Fingers crossed I don't get spoiled.....that could be expensive for me. haha.
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#3321982 - 05/03/23 02:16 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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PM senior
Registered: 07/31/05
Posts: 9358
Loc: USA
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Best not look through his expensive thermal. Ha ha.
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#3322014 - 05/04/23 12:24 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: 6mm06]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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Best not look through his expensive thermal. Ha ha.
Too late...I guess I didn't read your advice in time. Haha. Expensive thermal.....WOW, it was impressive. I took my NV rig. He used a Nvision HALO XRF and we both used 640 scanning monoculars. We got 2 coyotes. He got them both. First one came in close but went beside us and I won't risk shooting sideways towards my partner in the dark. Second one was about 220 yds out. I lit up eyes in my NV scope but couldn't get enough illumination to make out the body. He could see it clearly through the HALO XRF and took the shot and nailed it. I was using my ODEPRO KL52 IR illuminator. It does great from about 50-120 yds. But it just couldn't do the job at 220yds. I should have taken my coyote cannon with IR diode. I think that one could have lit it up enough for me to take the shot. I expect to have some video footage to share soon.
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#3322053 - 05/05/23 12:09 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 01/10/16
Posts: 258
Loc: Washington Wet Side
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Sounds like a good night out. That HALO XRF is top end. What model were the 640 scanners that you were running?
Lights...NV...thermal...thermal upgrades It's a slippery slope but a fun ride.
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#3322059 - 05/05/23 09:33 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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Yeah it was a great night out. I was mistaken, the scanner I was using was a 388, not a 640. It was a Pulsar Axion XQ38 LRF.
The scanner my buddy was using was a Pulsar Helion (XP50 I think). I'm pretty sure that one was 640.
I think i'll be upgrading soon. My wife was much more supportive than I was expecting =) Reasoning that I spend so much time hunting at night, it will be worth it to have the right equipment. Budget of ~$5k (which includes the $600 I paid for the TM10). I'm considering options of returning my TM 10 and getting a 640 scope and upgraded scanner, or keep the TM10 and just get an upgraded scope.
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#3322070 - 05/05/23 02:40 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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Footage from the other night. Number 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7G__yWzfD8Number 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmlOLLUzDNoI was struggling with my rig. The field/marsh in front of us was full of deep grass and brush. As the coyotes came in I could see their heads bobbing up and down in and out of view. I just couldn't locate them in the scope of my rifle. It was frustrating. When the first coyote got close, I finally found it in my scope at a range that would have been perfect for me, but it promptly ran downwind of us and got on the other side of my buddy. So I had to give up pursuit of that one and just observed through the thermal scanner I had. The second coyote was on the edge of the forrest about 250 yds out. I found that one in my scope but my Odepro KL52 IR illuminator couldn't light it up well enough to see. So I told my buddy to shoot if he had a clear shot, and with the HALO XRF, he did. I was observing through the Pulsar XQ38 LRF scanner. I could see the coyote, but probably wouldn't have taken a shot if that was my view through a scope due to lack of clarity. My buddy was shooting a 6mm ARC. The second coyote gave a very loud THWACK report from the bullet impacting.
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#3322547 - 05/17/23 10:02 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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Thermal.....I finally joined the dark side.
I returned the AGM TM10 Scanner.
I bought a Pulsar Axion XQ38 LRF scanner and Pulsar Trail 2 XQ50A LRF scope from my buddy. I also have a Kopfjager Reaper Tripod on the way. It's amazing how much and how well I can see at night.
Last night my parent's dog was barking at something in the thick brush behind the horse pasture. I took the thermal scanner over there and did a quick pan of the treeline. I quickly identified 2 deer by their heads and the tops of their backs in the brush. They were about 80 yds away in thick brush, and it was starting to get dark. I couldn't see them at all with my naked eyes. It was pretty cool.
My buddy and I went back to the goat farm again, this time we got skunked during an hour and a half of calling. We did have an owl perch near the e-caller and watch it for about an hour. That was cool.
I have some relatives who are having issues with coyotes and rats. They live a couple hours away from me. I plan to visit them Memorial Day weekend. Hopefully I'll get some footage to share of successful shots.
I mounted the thermal scope on a Savage 11 in .20 Practical and got it boresighted. I'm hoping to shoot it and get it zero'd tonight.
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#3322556 - 05/17/23 12:41 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 01/10/16
Posts: 258
Loc: Washington Wet Side
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#3322590 - 05/18/23 12:24 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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PM senior
Registered: 07/31/05
Posts: 9358
Loc: USA
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CT, looking forward to your report from the relative’s place.
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#3322598 - 05/18/23 11:33 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Predator Master
Registered: 03/16/23
Posts: 74
Loc: Pennsylvania, USA
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I really like this info shared on thermal monoculars. I am wanting one just for detection purposes as well, but haven't heard too many people talk about the 256s. Everyone is talking about 384 and up. That's great if you can afford it, but is it necessary just to get heat signatures up to say 500 yards? I can live with identifying with the optic on the rifle. Will be interesting to hear the test results.
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#3322600 - 05/18/23 02:05 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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jwebster:
what kind of optic do you have on your rifle? Thermal? IR nightvision? gun mount light and regular scope?
I got the 256 monocular having never owned or looked through a thermal scope or monocular. I was really excited about it and I was very impressed with what I could see in the dark. As I noted before, my 2 complaints with the AGM TM-10 right away were the small picture size of the viewing screen, and the refresh rate of 25hz. Instead of constantly panning, I would have to pan, stop and focus, pan, stop and focus, etc. Due to the 25hz refresh rate not being fast enough for a smooth picture when panning back and forth.
I went coyote hunting with a buddy after having the AGM TM10 for about a week. I used his Pulsar Axion XQ38LRF scanner (now mine). I was amazed by how much better it was. The viewing screen was much larger, the refresh rate of 50hz provides a much smoother picture when panning, the higher resolution helps too, and the LRF is a nice feature. Unfortunately the XQ38 doesn't have an internal recording feature. Pulsar since discontinued that model and replaced it with the Axion XQ35, available with and without LRF. The XQ35 has a wider field of view, has built in recording, and has a few other improvements I think.
With the XQ38LRF, I was able to spot and identify a coyote at about 250 yds along a treeline, partially blocked by light brush. I couldn't make it out clearly, but I could identify it and range it. In decent conditions i'm sure you'd be able to spot and possibly identify coyotes out to 500 yds with this monocular. In the heat of the moment I was just focused on the XQ38 and my rifle scope (Digital Nightvision at the time) and I didn't try looking through the AGM TM10. In hindsight I wish I had looked through (and recorded) through the TM10 for comparison.
Overall for me comparing the two:
AGM TM10--Gave me a huge advantage improvement over having no thermal devices. It was awkward/cumbersome for panning large areas, but it worked.
Pulsar Axion XQ-- huge improvement in clarity and usability, now I feel like I own the dark. It greatly boosted my confidence in what I can see. I enjoy looking through it, it's like exploring a whole new world.
I returned my AGM TM-10 to help pay for the pulsar, so I can't make and share any more comparison videos. 06 still has a TM-10 and I'm looking forward to seeing what he captures and shares from that.
Right now, before tax/shipping: AGM TM10 is $550, and Pulsar Axion XQ35 is $2000 ($2500 for LRF model)
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#3322602 - 05/18/23 02:26 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Predator Master
Registered: 03/16/23
Posts: 74
Loc: Pennsylvania, USA
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jwebster:
what kind of optic do you have on your rifle? Thermal? IR nightvision? gun mount light and regular scope?
I got the 256 monocular having never owned or looked through a thermal scope or monocular. I was really excited about it and I was very impressed with what I could see in the dark. As I noted before, my 2 complaints with the AGM TM-10 right away were the small picture size of the viewing screen, and the refresh rate of 25hz. Instead of constantly panning, I would have to pan, stop and focus, pan, stop and focus, etc. Due to the 25hz refresh rate not being fast enough for a smooth picture when panning back and forth.
I went coyote hunting with a buddy after having the AGM TM10 for about a week. I used his Pulsar Axion XQ38LRF scanner (now mine). I was amazed by how much better it was. The viewing screen was much larger, the refresh rate of 50hz provides a much smoother picture when panning, the higher resolution helps too, and the LRF is a nice feature. Unfortunately the XQ38 doesn't have an internal recording feature. Pulsar since discontinued that model and replaced it with the Axion XQ35, available with and without LRF. The XQ35 has a wider field of view, has built in recording, and has a few other improvements I think.
With the XQ38LRF, I was able to spot and identify a coyote at about 250 yds along a treeline, partially blocked by light brush. I couldn't make it out clearly, but I could identify it and range it. In decent conditions i'm sure you'd be able to spot and possibly identify coyotes out to 500 yds with this monocular. In the heat of the moment I was just focused on the XQ38 and my rifle scope (Digital Nightvision at the time) and I didn't try looking through the AGM TM10. In hindsight I wish I had looked through (and recorded) through the TM10 for comparison.
Overall for me comparing the two:
AGM TM10--Gave me a huge advantage improvement over having no thermal devices. It was awkward/cumbersome for panning large areas, but it worked.
Pulsar Axion XQ-- huge improvement in clarity and usability, now I feel like I own the dark. It greatly boosted my confidence in what I can see. I enjoy looking through it, it's like exploring a whole new world.
I returned my AGM TM-10 to help pay for the pulsar, so I can't make and share any more comparison videos. 06 still has a TM-10 and I'm looking forward to seeing what he captures and shares from that.
Right now, before tax/shipping: AGM TM10 is $550, and Pulsar Axion XQ35 is $2000 ($2500 for LRF model) Currently running a Sig Sauer scope with coyote light, but wanting to upgrade to good nightvision or a decent thermal eventually. First I want a thermal monocular. I feel like that would be biggest bang for the buck. I have AGM and Pulsar on my radar. Funds will dictate what I get, but I just wanted to know that some of the entry level units still get the job done. I will probably wait until I can get one that has good enough features like the Pulsar you describe.
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#3322605 - 05/18/23 02:55 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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I've had both pulsar and AGM on my radar for quite a while too. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find much for side by side reviews between them. My buddy had pulsar and he wanted to upgrade, and having looked through the pulsars, but not knowing quite how AGM compared, that helped steer me to pulsar.
06 has a AGM Rattler 25. I don't remember if his is 256 or 384. He's posted a few videos from it and it looks pretty good to me.
The AGM TM10 at $600 was a big investment for me, and I really liked it, but with some reservations. My wife advised me that if I'm going to make a big investment, get something that I will be REALLY happy with, don't cheap out and spend (still a lot of money) on something that isn't quite what you want. Thankfully we were able to make the extra expense work and I'm really happy with what I got.
For me I hunt rats around my house at 5-30 yds. I shoot coyotes over bait piles at my house at 50-100 yds. I sometimes hunt coyotes on logging roads through thick forrest. I sometimes hunt coyotes over fields at 50-300 yds. I sometimes hunt coyotes in eastern WA sage brush (desert). I think the TM10 could have gotten me by in most of those situations, but the larger viewing screen, 50hz refresh, and larger viewing screen make it 5x more effective and enjoyable.
Without knowing your exact hunting conditions, I highly recommend saving a bit longer (or even sell a couple guns if needed) and get a nicer scanner. I've heard many people say the same thing online. Having now gone through the process myself, I say the same thing.
I looked through my buddies Pulsar Helion XP50 pro (640 scanner) and Halo XRF (640 scope). They give quite a bit of additional picture clarity beyond the 384 units I got, but in my opinion, in 90% of situations between 20-300 yds, I could spot and shoot coyotes just as effectively with the 384 units. For me it seemed very practical to spend extra money to get into the 384 class. It seemed cool, but not as practical to spend the extra money to get into 640 class.
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#3322607 - 05/18/23 03:07 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Predator Master
Registered: 03/16/23
Posts: 74
Loc: Pennsylvania, USA
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Thanks for the reply with your experiences. It goes with what I have been leaning toward. Nice to hear similar opinion from others. Thanks and good luck!
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#3322610 - 05/18/23 03:56 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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PM senior
Registered: 07/31/05
Posts: 9358
Loc: USA
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Jwebster,
CT gave some good advice in my opinion. The 256 resolution of the TM 10 leaves a lot to be desired, and the slower refresh rate is a bit lagging. Still, for my needs at this point, it will work for me at closer ranges - I think. I paid less than $500 for mine shipped, so the cost isn’t so bad. My main reason for the TM 10 purchase is hog hunting from an elevated blind while watching a corn feeder at distances of about 125 yards and less. I have a hunt scheduled for the middle of June, so I will know more then as to its usefulness. I also plan to do some bobcat calling in areas of relatively thick forests and vegetation, small fields etc. For that purpose I think it will work OK, though I realize it will never have the view like a 384 resolution does, but maybe it will be sufficient.
I have noticed the view of the TM 10 is not as good in high humidity, but at 100 yards I can tell something is there. One night with lower humidity I could see deer at around 100 yards, easily defined. On a high humidity night the view was not very good at all at the same distance, but I could see a faint heat signature of the deer. I can see my dogs well at around 40-60 yards or so in the yard. The view is a little fuzzy compared to a 384 resolution. I guess for me the verdict is still out on this monocular, but I will have to put it to use on hunts to know for sure. I hope to do that soon.
I do like the Rattler 25 scope, for the money. It is a 384 resolution and is much better than the 256. My biggest complaint about the Rattler is the video recording size not being wide screen like Pulsar. As far as usefulness, it works fine, is compact and can double as a scanner, which was my main reason for purchasing it. Another negative, though not a game killer, is that when pressing the control buttons to activate various things, the response time is slower than I like. The video-on button requires a few seconds of press and hold to activate. Maybe I am used to my ATN 4k Pro digital scope controls. That scope has instant video activation at a quick press and release.
If you hunt more open areas and at ranges further than 100 yards, you probably should consider a 384 resolution monocular, but they do come at a higher cost. For my simple needs of close range detection, I couldn’t see spending the difference in price.
Hope this helps.
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#3322884 - 05/26/23 09:36 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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So I recently purchased a Kopfjager Reaper 700 shooting tripod. It is a much needed accessory to hunting with thermal at night in open fields. It arrived earlier this week. Last night I pulled it out and set it up with the 20 practical to show my brother who is currently living next door. I was then talking with my wife in the house while I waited for my brother to reply to a text (he never did, must have been asleep already). Then an alarm rang. I told my wife, "i'm going to check it out with the thermal". I took the gun off the tripod, put one shell in it (just in case), and went to the window. My wife grabbed the thermal monocular and was watching over my shoulder. I was watching two shooting lanes in the direction of the alarm that went off. Coyotes usually trot through pretty quick. The delay between my two alarms going off was long so I figured it was a cat, rabbit, or deer taking it's time. Hence in part why you hear me say "I think it's a deer" when I first spotted it through the trees. After watching the replay a couple times it was obvious to me it was a coyote right away. But the way it was walking slow, and then stopped to look across the field was very similar to deer behavior. As soon as it stepped clear of the trees I got a positive ID, gave a lip squeek, and dropped it. I was pretty excited to get my first coyote with both the 20 practical and with my thermal scope! And my wife was standing right behind me watching the whole thing! That was pretty cool too. Bolt action 20 Practical. (32gr .204 varmageddon bullet @3800 fps) Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lJLqrcxKgYI hope to have more to report about after tomorrow night.
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#3322891 - 05/26/23 03:48 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 01/10/16
Posts: 258
Loc: Washington Wet Side
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Awesome! Really nice shot. That 20 is a coyote tipper.
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#3323000 - 05/30/23 09:35 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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This isn’t a post about baiting, but since I do a lot of baiting, I’ll just keep all my activity reports on a single thread here.
My weekend coyote hunting was a disappointment.
I visited my relatives Saturday and Sunday. They own about 5 different 5-acre properties, mostly hayfields adjacent to forest, that are all located within about ¼ mile of each other. I also gained permission to hunt a nearby 15 acre field that is adjacent to big forest, and has several other large fields adjacent. This was great looking coyote habitat and I was excited to hunt it. Last week my uncle had 3 coyotes challenging his dogs at the edge of his yard. The neighbor with the 15 acre field showed me game cam pics of bear, coyote, bobcat, deer, and cougar within the past few months. Coyote activity within the last week.
I chose 3 locations to make night calling stands. Between traveling, setup, calling, takedown—I spent about an hour per stand. I hunted for 5 hours and made 5 stands, I rotated through the 3 stands, and then returned to two of the locations and called there a second time. I DIDN’T SEE A SINGLE COYOTE! =( I saw a couple deer, a rabbit, bats, I had 3 different (barred?) owls (~18” tall) show up and check out my caller. But no coyotes. I went to bed around 2am.
In the morning my uncle told me his dogs started barking a bunch around 5:30am, and then he heard a coyote bark/howl in the field in front of his house. Then the neighbor with the 15 acres sent me a game cam pic of a coyote that came through at 7:30am at the spot where we were calling.
I guess I just picked bad timing and should have gone to bed early and got up early and hunted early morning instead. The moon was shining bright when we were hunting. Maybe that was part of the problem. I know some guys who won’t hunt under a bright moon, but I know others who do and say they still get tons of coyotes night calling under a bright moon. If I were to do it all again (and I plan to), I would still hedge my bets on there being more coyote activity early in the night than in the morning. But I sure missed the timing bad this time. I was excited (and expected) to get several coyotes with the new thermal gear, hunting a great looking area. I really didn’t expect to get skunked, but I guess it’s part of the trade…
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#3323005 - 05/30/23 12:43 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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PM senior
Registered: 01/01/13
Posts: 5302
Loc: NC
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It happens to all of us and to me, more so than others lol.
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#3323898 - 06/29/23 10:22 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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Not Baiting on this one. Last week I went out one evening at my inlaw's. They have a field with cattle next to their garden and back yard. I put my foxpro caller in the back yard, then set up the gun and tripod inside the garden. I turned on the thermal, didn't even get the gun loaded yet, and spotted a coyote wandering through the cattle field next to me. Field had about 6 cows and 2 small calves in it at the time. I watched the first coyote for about 5 minutes, partly indisbelief that there was a coyote there already and I hadn't even turned on the caller. I watched for a while to be sure it wasn't a neighbor dog. It was clearly coyote. By the time I decided I should shoot it, it wandered in front of some houses, so I had to wait. Then I spotted another coyote a little ways behind it. I turned on vole squeeks on the foxpro. Both coyotes looked, but didn't come. Then I turned on rabbit sounds. The first coyote mostly ignored me and continued mousing in the field, but the second coyote came to investigate. As the video shows, I got that one. I cut the video short, but the front coyote popped back out of the woods and stared at me for about 30 seconds. If I'd have been more decisive I could have shot it there and had a double. I was trying to be patient and call it in closer. Then I noticed the shot coyote starting to get up off the ground. I fired again but missed barely. I fired again and hit it a second time....pretty far back though. It still got up again and went about 30 yards before it expired. By that time the other coyote was long gone. I continued running the caller for about an hour with nothing to show for it. It was a fun hunt. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is_ZpE-cTG4
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#3323935 - 06/30/23 12:56 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 01/10/16
Posts: 258
Loc: Washington Wet Side
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Very cool write up and an entertaining video. I was convinced he'd stop behind that post and the nuke got me  Looked like a close shot. What do you estimate the range on the one you knocked down?
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#3323945 - 06/30/23 09:12 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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Thanks. I think I took the shot at about 40 or 50 yds. It was about 150 yds where the 2nd coyote disappeared into the bushes after the shot.
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#3324254 - 07/06/23 09:42 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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#16 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq-OeJEsN_U4th of July night. With all the fireworks i didn't expect any coyote activity. But at 2am a couple alarms went off. I suspected deer but got up to check anyways. Knelt down at the window for a quick scan with the thermal. To my surprise I saw a coyote. I hit the record button and then got situated for the shot. The video shows what happened next. To bury to bury dead coyotes, I dig a hole with an excavator about 2'x5' and about 4-5' deep. I throw coyotes in and cover with a couple inches of dirt after each coyote to keep the smell down. about 3 weeks ago we had a duck die and i threw it in the "burrial hole". I thought I covered it, but i guess i forgot. This coyote smelled it and was checking it out. This is the first time I've shot a coyote and had it fall right into the burrial hole for me! haha. So this coyote was semi-unintentionally baited with a duck that I forgot to bury. As you can tell from the video, when I took the shot, the impact gave a VERY loud "watermellon-like" thwack!
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#3324255 - 07/06/23 10:50 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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PM senior
Registered: 01/01/13
Posts: 5302
Loc: NC
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hole in one! one in hole!
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#3324265 - 07/06/23 12:50 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Moderator
Registered: 07/23/06
Posts: 18016
Loc: S. Texas
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I've heard that duck is bad for a coyote's diet; guess he didn't get the word.
_________________________
If what's ahead scares you & what's behind hurts you,look up; He never fails you.
If My people will humble themselves, pray, seek My face & turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven & will forgive their sin & heal their land. 2 Chron 7:14
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#3324283 - 07/06/23 07:41 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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PM senior
Registered: 07/31/05
Posts: 9358
Loc: USA
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That 20 really drops them, CT. Reminds me of my .17 Remington. Same performance. Hornady 25 gr. HP at 3921 fps.
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#3324300 - 07/07/23 09:23 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: 6mm06]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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That 20 really drops them, CT. Reminds me of my .17 Remington. Same performance. Hornady 25 gr. HP at 3921 fps.
Actually for this one I was shooting my CZ 527 .223 Rem. Reloads. Sierra Gameking 55grain HPBT loaded to about 3100 fps. The thermal scope has a nice QD mount. I have it sighted in for both my .223 and the .20 practical and saved on different profiles. I used different reticle patterns for the two to help me quickly remember and confirm that I have the right profile for the right gun.
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#3324301 - 07/07/23 09:32 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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I am interested in getting a .17 caliber centerfire at some point. I'm leaning towards the 17 fireball. But am also interested in the hornet and the 17 remington. For now i'm just patiently paying off the thermal scope still. Thankfully I have several rifles and calibers to choose from in the mean time.
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#3324350 - 07/08/23 11:17 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Die Hard Member
Registered: 02/02/13
Posts: 984
Loc: SW PA
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#3324422 - 07/10/23 09:47 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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#17 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hPx5_SZX7MThe .223 strikes again. Motion alarms went off in the morning. Coyote wandered in from the back driveway. It checked out the chicken pen first, then looped around behind my house (Mistake!). I actually pulled the trigger at 22 seconds into the video. nothing happened. I forgot to close the bolt on the rifle. oops. Well the next time he stopped I was ready. Just my personal habbit. Since I often roll out of bed and walk through the house in the dark to shoot coyotes from the windows of my house....I don't close the bolt until the gun is pointed out the window. Similarly, I open the bolt before I pull the gun back in from the window. The dog comes running every time she hears a shot, hoping we are about to go on an adventure chasing down an injured coyote. I think she thinks it's her grandest purpose in life. She came running after I shot this one so I just sat and watched her for a bit as she went to work to track it down.
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#3324430 - 07/10/23 01:46 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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PM senior
Registered: 07/31/05
Posts: 9358
Loc: USA
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Great shot on that one, CT ! It’s always good to let man’s best friend be part of the experience. Good view in the scope too.
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#3324484 - 07/12/23 07:33 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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Thanks WF. I DID pull the trigger then....and nothing happened. I forgot to close the bolt on the rifle. Haha.
I checked my game cameras yesterday. Monday night a coyote came through. I was about 1 second too late getting to the window as it left. More interesting though, I got a photo of a cougar in my driveway sunday night. That has my wife and I nervous. Cougar season opens Sept. 1.
Yesterday evening I put out some chicken sausage scraps as bait behind my house. Around 12:30 the alarms went off. I checked and it was a coyote. One shot from the .223 dropped it in it's tracks. Easy 60 yd broadside shot. I'll try to get the video uploaded tonight.
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#3324485 - 07/12/23 07:55 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 01/10/16
Posts: 258
Loc: Washington Wet Side
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LOL, I should have caught that. When it came back from nuking, I expected to see a coyote in the middle of a spin cycle.
Go into the settings and go to "calibration mode" and change it to semi-automatic. You'll need to manually nuke by hitting the power button when you want to nuke instead of having the scope do it when you're in the middle of a trigger pull. That Pulsar likely doesn't need to refresh as often as it does on automatic.
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#3324491 - 07/12/23 10:31 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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Ok, I'll give that a try. Thanks for the tip.
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#3324613 - 07/13/23 11:20 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 01/10/16
Posts: 258
Loc: Washington Wet Side
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Like that one! How close is he? Pup was on him quick.
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#3324622 - 07/14/23 09:39 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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Thanks! 60 yds. I actually edited the video and removed about a minute of time as the dog worked her way to the coyote.
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#3324640 - 07/14/23 01:28 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Moderator
Registered: 07/23/06
Posts: 18016
Loc: S. Texas
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Thanks for sharing, CT. Your dog (like mine) don't chase too many rabbits does he?   Regards, hm
_________________________
If what's ahead scares you & what's behind hurts you,look up; He never fails you.
If My people will humble themselves, pray, seek My face & turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven & will forgive their sin & heal their land. 2 Chron 7:14
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#3324643 - 07/14/23 02:13 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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You're welcome. Haha, yeah the dog (she) is a bit chubby. She is actually pretty rough on the rabbits. We don't get very many around our place, maybe one ever year or two. If the dog see's one, she usually runs it down and catches it, and the proceeds to devour it on the lawn.
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#3324658 - 07/14/23 04:47 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Moderator
Registered: 07/23/06
Posts: 18016
Loc: S. Texas
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_________________________
If what's ahead scares you & what's behind hurts you,look up; He never fails you.
If My people will humble themselves, pray, seek My face & turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven & will forgive their sin & heal their land. 2 Chron 7:14
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#3324677 - 07/14/23 09:55 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: wildflights]
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PM senior
Registered: 01/01/13
Posts: 5302
Loc: NC
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Thumper, your pup has been eating well. A coyote would have a tough time going up against her. Fine shooting.
Edited by weekender (07/14/23 09:57 PM)
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#3325371 - 08/02/23 09:28 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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#3325379 - 08/02/23 02:27 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Moderator
Registered: 07/23/06
Posts: 18016
Loc: S. Texas
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Nice! Thanks for sharing.
Regards,
hm
_________________________
If what's ahead scares you & what's behind hurts you,look up; He never fails you.
If My people will humble themselves, pray, seek My face & turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven & will forgive their sin & heal their land. 2 Chron 7:14
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#3325399 - 08/03/23 01:04 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 01/10/16
Posts: 258
Loc: Washington Wet Side
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Coyote Thumped! Great shot!
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#3325403 - 08/03/23 09:30 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: wildflights]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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#3325499 - 08/07/23 06:58 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Die Hard Member
Registered: 02/06/15
Posts: 838
Loc: IA
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Way to go Thumper, good work!
_________________________
"We have Right on our side"
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#3325541 - 08/09/23 12:22 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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I checked a couple game cameras on my property last night. Monday morning around 4am, I got a pair of coyotes on a camera, followed 30 minutes later by a bobcat. I put some dry cat food out at a couple of my bait sites. Only thing to visit last night was a neighbor's cat.
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#3325749 - 08/13/23 11:49 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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Thermal hunting on some cattle farms. This one wasn't baiting, but may give proof why I should stick to baiting.... I swapped my scope between rifles using QD mounts that are supposed to return to zero. Between the zero being off, and me not aiming the greatest, i botched my shots. I haven't decided if I want to make this video public yet, here's the private link for it. https://youtu.be/PzbqQVcRQT4It was still fun to get out and go hunting. We saw about 15 coyotes during the night, but only got shot opportunities on the ones shown in the video. Meteor shower was happening overhead, we saw quite a few bright meteors streak across the sky. That was pretty cool. Live and learn. I will be confident in my rifle's zero next time I go out.
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#3325788 - 08/14/23 09:33 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Die Hard Member
Registered: 02/06/15
Posts: 838
Loc: IA
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Tough night thumper. I check zero often on my thermal, and that stays on the same gun. I'm a little gun shy on holding zero after all the trouble I had with my Hogster. My AGM has been solid. Changing rifles with QD hoping to return to zero would keep me up at night, I mean, really put me over the edge. But that's just me, others may have good luck doing that. Guess my OCD is too strong
_________________________
"We have Right on our side"
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#3325808 - 08/15/23 12:26 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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Yeah I like to confirm zero often. However the way it worked out I didn't have time to this time.
I had the scope on my CZ527. I have 2 batteries for the scope. A standard and an extra large. The extra large battery blocks the bolt on the 527 so I can only use the standard battery on it. My standard battery was down to a half charge and when my buddy invited me to go hunting, I only had about half an hour to get ready. I had previously zero'd the thermal on a different rifle, that works with both batteries. So I swapped the scope and changed the zero profile.
On other rifles with QD mounts, I’ve tested them where I take a shot, remove the scope and put it back on, take a shot, etc. They have held to less than 1 MOA for me. This thermal has a Bobro fancy QD mount that is supposed to be guaranteed to return to zero. The guy I bought the scope from said he had done tests with it where he removed and reinstalled the scope between shots and confirmed it held zero. So I did have valid reasons to trust that it was zero’d, however, like you, it makes me nervous not confirming zero right before I go hunting. That is why you hear me saying a the beginning “I’m not taking a shot that long” (680 yds). Also, that’s why I didn’t take the easy broadside shot when I first spotted the coyotes, but told my buddy to take first shot and I’d take cleanup. I didn’t want to risk missing the first shot on them.
But in the end, like you, this reaffirms to me why I should check zero on my rifle EVERY time I make any change to the scope.
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#3327050 - 09/20/23 01:33 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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Motion alarms sounded off a couple nights ago. I didn't have any bait out, but my cat was out there, lower on the driveway. So sorta live baited? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJQzAYJSQNI
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#3327056 - 09/20/23 03:54 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Moderator
Registered: 07/23/06
Posts: 18016
Loc: S. Texas
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Congrats. Who needs bait when Tabby is on duty? Does the cat set off your alarm? Regards, hm
_________________________
If what's ahead scares you & what's behind hurts you,look up; He never fails you.
If My people will humble themselves, pray, seek My face & turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven & will forgive their sin & heal their land. 2 Chron 7:14
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#3327057 - 09/20/23 04:51 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Die Hard Member
Registered: 02/02/13
Posts: 984
Loc: SW PA
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#3327088 - 09/21/23 10:01 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Die Hard Member
Registered: 02/06/15
Posts: 838
Loc: IA
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WTG Thumper, congrats. You have more action there all summer than I see in the winter anymore. Good work!
_________________________
"We have Right on our side"
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#3327095 - 09/21/23 11:39 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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hm: Thanks. Yes the cat does set off the alarm. So does the dog, and sometimes birds, sometimes possums, and the ~6 deer that visit my lawn every night. Sometimes I get weary of "false alarms" and just start ignoring them. I check game cameras every week or two to monitor what has been coming through. I have 2 alarms on each of the main trails the coyotes usually enter from. They are spaced 100-200 feet apart. I can usually tell from the time delay between the two alarms going off if it's deer or coyote. Deer often come in pairs, doe/fawn, and move slow. so each alarm will ring 1-6 times with a long delay between the two locations. coyotes tend to trot through quicker. single rings with 15-30 second delay between locations. This coyote was a classic example, single rings on the outer two alarms with a shorter delay between them. I jumped out of bed, grabbed the gun, and went to the window and waited. Shortly after, the coyote stepped into view. On this location, the closer of my outer two alarms is about 250' up the driveway from where the coyote stepped into view in the video.
baitpile: Thanks. This year has been exceptionally productive for me. This was coyote number 20 for me. (First time breaking 20 in a year). 19 have been from my property. I had a big wave of them early in the winter/spring(2 or 3 in a single week a couple times), then it has slowed down this summer. I think the last coyote was a month or month and a half ago. And before that it had been a month or two since the previous one.
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#3327096 - 09/21/23 12:00 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Moderator
Registered: 07/23/06
Posts: 18016
Loc: S. Texas
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That's interesting. When do you sleep? Regards, hm
_________________________
If what's ahead scares you & what's behind hurts you,look up; He never fails you.
If My people will humble themselves, pray, seek My face & turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven & will forgive their sin & heal their land. 2 Chron 7:14
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#3327124 - 09/22/23 01:12 PM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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Well, sometimes I stretch myself too thin and don't get as much sleep as I should.
Last night I had time for one quick coyote calling stand at a place about an hour from my house. I watched a rabbit and a few deer in the field. No coyotes showed up.
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#3327293 - 09/25/23 10:07 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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#21. Baited by the last coyote's blood.
I got another yesterday morning at 5am. Same spot on the driveway. It came trotting in from the other direction. From that direction I only have 1 alarm that is about 150' down the driveway from where I can see the corner. Then another alarm right on the corner where I can see. It came through really fast, and I jumped out of bed when I heard the corner alarm go off, expecting that it was probably long gone. To my surprise, it was a coyote, and it did stick around. It stopped to smell the blood spot on the driveway from the last coyote I shot a few days ago. After a frantic fumble with the gun and scope, I got a shot off and nailed the coyote.
I'll try to get the video uploaded tonight.
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#3327472 - Yesterday at 11:17 AM
Re: Coyote_Thumper-2023
[Re: coyote_thumper]
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Seasoned Member
Registered: 03/03/20
Posts: 115
Loc: WA
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