|
|
|
Time And Time Again |
Page 2/3
OK, so you got yourself out of bed and are now en route to your first stand. What goes through my mind is remembering what was in my log about this location and the sounds I used last time I was here. I carry a small backpack with my sitting pad, Sniper Styx, FoxPro and remote, and hand calls. When I arrive at the place, I park, get everything loaded onto my back and my gun on my shoulder, and head to the stand. As I am walking to the stand I am keeping all of my senses at full alert. I am scanning the horizon and I also am listening intently for any sounds. I also try to be as quiet as possible. If I am with a hunting partner I use hand signals or talk very softly. Most of my stands are from 400 to 800 yards from my vehicle. I have only a few places where I can park closer because of the wide open spaces where I tend to call coyotes. There is one location that I use where I have to walk in half a mile. However, this has been one of my best locations on my route. I have a very high success ratio at this location.
While walking to the calling location I try not to skyline myself. Coyotes are not generally stupid and usually are aware of their surroundings. I also try to walk into the wind, but I may not have any option, as the wind can come from any direction. I also realize that I am not getting as many stands in a day because of the distances I am walking most of the time. Also, watch for tracks or signs of other hunters or farmer activity where you are walking. This is important! Several times after I did not see anything coming to my call, I left and saw a pair of coyote tracks come in from behind me. I never would have known they were there if I hadn’t been observant while walking in.
Once I arrive at my calling location, I set out my FoxPro about 60 yards from my location and sit down in a place with a good backing bush or rock. This helps to break up my outline and prevents an approaching coyote from picking me out. This, of course, is not always an option and then I will look for a badger hole, road track, or something to help conceal me from approaching predators. I also try to keep the downwind side of my stand location open for shooting. This is not always possible but I try to make the best of it. The wind blowing in my face is good, but I prefer a crossing wind for a downwind shot if necessary. Recently I have tried the Les Johnson method of lying back after the coyote is spotted and calling them in as close as possible. However, at my age, my back is arguing that sitting up may be a better way. With this in mind I tend to look for a backrest of sage and brush. I still will try the lying down method, but not as often. For the most part, the coyotes seem to still come in just as well.
Also, on the subject of walking in to your stand, several times a year I spook a coyote or fox while heading to my stand. If I can get the coyote to stop and I am fairly certain I can kill the coyote, I will. If the coyote has its afterburners on and is headed for the next county, I let him go. I have found that if I continue on to my stand, I usually, though not always, can still call in a coyote. If I kill the first coyote I spooked, my chances have just gone down, but I usually still head for my stand. It’s that whole persistence thing.
For my location I want good visibility of at least 70 percent or better of the surrounding location. I tend to choose a slightly elevated position, if possible. Approaching predators should be easily seen. (Yeah, right!) How many times have I been searching intently when a coyote just appears within 50 yards of me? How did he get in so close without me seeing him? And of course the ones that come in from the only blind spot in your setup are always fun! After my gun is set up and ready, I try to wait at least two to three minutes to let the area quiet down. Any birds or wildlife you may have spooked need to get back to the business of living. Let the area calm down before you start calling. This is that patience thing. Then I get busy scanning the surrounding hills and fields for unusual colors and shapes. I look for things that are brighter or darker than the surrounding area. After I have satisfied myself there are no coyotes watching me, I start the electronic or use the hand call.
Locations: I have stressed the importance of selecting a location that overlooks the surrounding area, but that is not always possible. I have seen video of predator hunters sitting on the side of a barren hillside. Coyotes still responded to their calls and still approached them. I still try to look for locations where my outline is broken up and I am not very easy to pick out. I use several brands of camo and tend to use a mesh facemask. I believe that this has helped me bring in those apprehensive coyotes the last 100 yards or so. Another good location is near cattle or large game herds. Coyotes tend to follow or stay in the vicinity of these two groups. Wheat fields that hold a lot of rodents near cattle are always a good bet. Calling around cattle can create a whole series of problems, however, that would involve another story. The short story is that if cattle are in the same field as you are, your best bet is to move across the fence. The same goes for horses.
Not all great locations are suitable for calling in coyotes, however. Do you have enough room at your location to quietly bring your rifle up to kill the coyote? Will you have to swing or shoot through heavy brush or trees? Such conditions must be taken into account. Can you swing your rifle freely without hitting a nearby bush if a coyote comes in from an awkward side? Again, try to have your downwind open and freely accessible for a shot.
<Previous | Home | Next Page >
|
|
|
|
Coyote Hunting Forum Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
