My Predator hunt and a question for all

[Ernesto C]

Guys I will like to ask u something but first let me tell you about my predator hunt yesterday.

 

I only had 9 rounds of my accurate .222 Rem I will use my shotgun for the ones at close range and my rifle for the ones out side shotgun range I said to my self and and took off. Beautiful cold morning, overcast and "no wind" perfect for predator calling.

 

FIRST STAND: - wind or practically no wind in my face, at the 10 min. mark I herd behind me a commotion (sp) of lots of birds, I slowly turned around and saw a coyote in the wash coming my way. I raised my rifle waiting for him to clear up the brush and as soon as he did...BOOM! droped like a ton of bricks; never knew what hit it! Luckly he never got my wind, got him at 67 yards. This is really a pretty coyot with a nice winter coat on it.

 

 

2ND STAND: One mile later I'm calling again. 15 minutes and nothing showed up, but when I'm getting up to take off I saw behind me a coyote standing broadside! he made 4 steps and stop to look at me, last mistake he made, BOOM droped him at 97 yards. 2 shots, 2 coyotes and both of them from behind or down wind. Cool what I way to start the morning!

 

 

3RD STAND: - 2 1/2 miles later and 15 minutes, they were invited but none showed up.

 

4TH STAND: - 3 miles later at the 8 minute mark saw 2 coyotes at full speed coming hard towards me, since they already were 90 yards from me and at full trotle I said: this will be a shotgun job but right at the limit of shotgun range they quickly stop and were looking around for the wonded rabbit. Oh s..t I said and when I was putting the shotgun down to pick up my rifle they saw me and took off running! I concentrated on one and BOOM! droped at 60 yards and saw the 2nd one goin down a ditch but knew he had to come up and when he did he was about 200 yards running and going fast and BOOM!! he rolled got up and did a couple of weird tuns and took off again. I knew I hit it but because he was running really good I knew that was not a good hit, BOOM fired one more time at him, missed and he dissapeared on the thick wash. (I know I hit this coyote on the front shoulder but way to much to the front) I almost got a double on this one! Wow 4 stands 4 coyots, 3 down and 5 shots (4 rounds left)

 

 

1/2 mile after stand # 4 saw a dead coyote by the high way...road kill.

 

5TH STAND: - Wind started to pick up but not bad at all and still in my face. I had to walk 300 yards to get to a small hill where a big brushy wash splits in to a "Y" Perfect for coyotes...but when I got there there was a problem...the wind was blowing in the opposite direction now and blowing a little harder. Oh no what should I do?? should I call any way or should I go back to the truck? I decide to stay and call...BIG MISTAKE! About 10 minutes in to the call 3 coyotes coming in hard! About 125 yards away they hit the brakes hard (I even saw their dust! ) and turned and out of there they were but one ran broad side to me......BOOM! missed...200 yards later BOOM! bearly missed him again and 300 yards more and BOOM! missed again! They got my wind that's why they took off fast!

 

Ok now I'm all exited! 7 coyotes on five stands but only one problem now....I only had one round left!

I had my shotgun, but did not want to take the risk of close shots only........so I went back to town to buy more ammo!

 

Went to wally world buy some ammo, went home to get the camera and to something to eat and off to the mountains again ( saw another coyot dead by the high way)

 

6TH STAND: - At the 15 minute mark saw this lonely coyote about 300 yards away walking towards me, he wasn't running, he had no hurry but steady walking towards me. 50 yards broad side BOOM he jumped straight up and did a 180 degree turn in the air and droped dead!

 

 

7TH STAND: - At the 15 minute mark saw a big and pretty bobcat coming! Oh man what a beautiful animal to watch! Slowly coming, stalking the prey. I could shoot him with my rifle but I wanted him to come closer and take it with the shotgun. When he was about 40 yards away I could hear behind me a truck approaching in the road, the road was about 200 yards behind me and I can tell was coming fast. I guess the bobcat saw thre truck ( I know he could hear it too) turned around and took off......so no shot.

 

Wow what a day, 7 stands 8 coyotes and one bob cat 4 coyotes down!!

 

Now here is my questions for you guys, I have being calling an area that is about 1 mile wide and about 10 miles long. In a period of one month (Thanksgiving till yesterday 12/26) I have taken 8 coyotes, missed 3, 2 that never get to shot at them plus the 2 dead by the high way. That's 15 coyotes for a 10 mile area! Is that normal?? Why so many coyotes in such small area? Or is because their breeding season is about to start and they are looking for their couple?? One thing I know for sure, I know there has to be plenty of wild life to support all this predators. What is your opinion??

 

Thanks guys let me know what you think and take care..........Ernesto C

[jwdodge01]

Way to go Ernesto keep after em. There are more coyotes then you could imagine everywhere across the state! I went to one of my spots that is about the same size as your area, in two days i saw 25 coyotes. killed ten between my friend and i. This is why we need more varmint hunters!

[Hunterjohnny]

What do you all do with the dogs? Leave them lay or skin them? Pelts worth anything these days?

[jwdodge01]

I skin em but pelts are not worth very much. maybe $15. bobcats are where the money is in fur.

[tontotom]

I thought your question would be "do they all come in downwind?"

 

Answer- 80% do so setup to look crosswind or downwind.

 

What I've noticed in my area is that really good areas for coyotes can be hunted hard. When some are taken out others will quickly fill the void. Marginal habitat not so much. This is a really good year for pup survival and food. That said, it doesn't hurt to give the area a break for a couple of weeks while you search for other honey holes just as good. Also, the quickest way to spoil a super area is to show it to others people.

 

Good day calling for sure- way to go.

[jonesface]

I have wondered the same thing. What I have found is the more food you have in an area the more coyotes. (Rabbits, Ducks, Veg, Cats ect...) I know an area that is 1/2 mile by 1/2 mile see how many coyotes you see in this area.

 

 

As long as there is food, water and cover they will be there and if you kill them more will come to take their place. I also agree with Tontotom with the quickest way to ruin an area is showing tons of people it. These honey hole areas will continue to produce year after year and they are hard to find. Enjoy it. Good job taking care of some coyotes.

[huntingfool]

What a day!!!

 

What I've noticed in my area is that really good areas for coyotes can be hunted hard. When some are taken out others will quickly fill the void.

 

This is consistent with my experience as well.

[lionhunter]

Great day of calling!!! I agree, give it a rest and tell me where it is...........

Whitey

[bonecollector]

What a day good job.

[Ernesto C]

Thanks guys and yes, I will leave this area alone for the rest of this "cold" season and will come back next year.

 

I normally take 2 or 3 coyotes a year from this same area cause I didn't want to "overhunt it" but after a phenomenal (sp) month I looks like I did nothing to the coyot herd on the previous years

 

Jonesface, that's a cool picture. I can see 5 of them did you took any?

 

Time to move to another area....but I will make sure I dont run out of bullets

 

Ernesto C

[tjhunt2]

Great story and pictures Ernesto. Congratulations on your success. I really don't know much about their breeding season or if it is the norm to have so many in an area of that size but I can tell you I have noticed much more coyote activity in all the areas I hunt. They caused one of my many excuses not to tag a cow during my archery hunt this year. I have to admit I'm a softy when it comes to shooting them. I shot one back in the mid 70's and almost cried. lol I just couldn't believe I killed something so beautiful and I wasn't even going to eat it. I will leave the thinning of these dogs to you predator hunters and shoot a few for me because I know we have way to many.

 

TJ

[firstcoueswas80]

Why not hunt it? They are still coming in, keep killing them!

[thegunsmith2506]

Thats a darn good day! Nice Job!

[jonesface]

Thanks guys and yes, I will leave this area alone for the rest of this "cold" season and will come back next year.

 

I normally take 2 or 3 coyotes a year from this same area cause I didn't want to "overhunt it" but after a phenomenal (sp) month I looks like I did nothing to the coyot herd on the previous years

 

Jonesface, that's a cool picture. I can see 5 of them did you took any?

 

Time to move to another area....but I will make sure I dont run out of bullets

 

Ernesto C

 

Your right 5. No I didn't shoot any. This is right in town. I have been told by G&F we have coyotes in downtown Phoenix.

[oz31p]

Thanks guys and yes, I will leave this area alone for the rest of this "cold" season and will come back next year.

 

I normally take 2 or 3 coyotes a year from this same area cause I didn't want to "overhunt it" but after a phenomenal (sp) month I looks like I did nothing to the coyot herd on the previous years

 

Jonesface, that's a cool picture. I can see 5 of them did you took any?

 

Time to move to another area....but I will make sure I dont run out of bullets

 

Ernesto C

 

Your right 5. No I didn't shoot any. This is right in town. I have been told by G&F we have coyotes in downtown Phoenix.

 

 

yes a few years ago my wife worked at the phx art museum on night shift she watched them all the time on the security cameras.

 

i think when your knocking them down like that we should be asking you the questions.