Evan T

Where you most likely went wrong was field care. As already mentioned, this is slipping due to a bacterial infection in the hair follicles. Skin the animal as soon as possible and keep the pelt cool until you get it home. Then flesh and dry it immediately or freeze it in a plastic bag until you can flesh and dry it. The longer you wait to either freeze or dry the pelt the more likely it is to slip.

Wellers in Tucson.

I'm interested. I'll be in Phoenix on September 6th.

Very cool.

Recently got this mount back from Weller's Wildlife Studio in Tucson. Cat was called and taken in February of 2023. They did a great job, it was worth the wait.

From what I understand they are mostly feeding on vegetation this time of year. Permanent water sources in isolated canyons seem to be the key. 5-7000 ft range. Oak and juniper country below the pines. At least that's the impression I'm getting. Just started looking for them last spring so I'm no expert.

They are out there. Found this yesterday.

Where in Sierra Vista is it going to be located?

I would second the advice about starting out hunting small game. I think it's the best way to get started in hunting.

Bobcat I took this weekend.Didn't call it. Spotted it in the open while out looking for a place to make a stand. Shot it at 187 yards. Would have preferred to call it in but couldn't pass up the opportunity. Spotted it from the location in the second picture. Second one I've taken this year. The first one was called in.

Yes to both questions.

50 gr vmax Hornady superformance ammo.

22-250

I've taken two coyotes and two bobcats with this rifle all between 25 to 50 yards using just the iron sights. I just recently mounted a scope on it for next season.

Didn't get out much this year so I only got 2 grey fox and 2 coyotes. I did manage to take a bobcat so I guess that made made up for it.

Big difference between the two. 22 mag is not really a long range gun when compared to 22-250. The 22-250 probably not so good for up close work.

Yes it is a 22 mag. About 50 yards.

I recently switched from #4 buck to Hornady Heavy Magnum Coyote Nickel Platted BB with good results. I have taken 5 fox and 2 coyotes with the load at distances between 30-40 yards using a modified choke. All dropped in their tracks. Hornady recommends Modified of Improve Cylinder for the load. It is not intended to be used with a full or coyote choke. The nickel platted BB appears to pernitrate better than #4 buck with no serious fur damage so far. The coyote pictured was taken at about 40 yards. It was broadside to me when shot and had pellets in it all through the ribs and into the neck area. When I skinned it a lot of pellets where just under the skin on the exit side of the coyote. It does a good job at dropping fox too.

Yeah these definitely aren't cheap and they're not in stock very often.

Yes Hornady appears to be the best only one making plated lead BB loads. A plated lead #4 buck load would probably work just as well but I don't think anyone offers that.

I called one a couple days ago. It never came all the way into the caller and was watching the caller from a position I couldn't see. It got up an ran when I went to retrieve the caller. took me to long to figure out what the thing was a first so I didn't shoot. I was calling in a rocky wooded canyon and several times during the stand I heard noise like something was jumping around on rocks. I think it might have been the coati moving around. I was using a mixture of rabbit and fox distress and it was mid day. Years ago I was bow hunting out of a blind and had one come right up to the blind after using a doe estrus bleat call. It appeared to be mostly just curious. Both times they where lone male coatis. I think they seam to respond more out of curiosity than a predator dive. The one I called recently didn't appear to be hunting the caller but just curious about the sound. Biased on the noises I heard I think it had been moving around just out of sight during most of the stand. If you try calling for one I think just about any sound will work but they might not come in like most predators so you might need to think a little outside the box when setting up your stand.

When using an O/U for dove I've always used a Modified choke for the top barrel and an IC for the lower barrel. I usually use the lower IC barrel first then the upper MOD barrel second. The idea being shooting first at closer range then taking a longer follow up shot if you miss or there are two birds. If the birds are mostly flying strait towards me I reverse the order. With a single barrel gun I go with a Modified choke.

I tried my hand at tanning the furs I got this past season. I lost the first few but most of them turned out okay. Far from a professional job but they are good enough to hang on the wall as a trophy. I think I figured out the tanning process but still have some work to do on the finishing process. They’re not as soft as I’d like but they still make cool souvenirs from my hunts. I definitely developed a respect for people who know how to do this well.

Yeah I still have a lot of trouble turning the ears. Fox ears seam to be prone to slipping. I found that putting a fan on them after putting the fur on the stretcher drys them faster and helps keep them from slipping.

Yes I use TASCO/Rittels products. Saftee acid for pickling and EZ100 for tanning. I degrease using dawn dish soap.