2012 Was Fair to Midland (Pic)

[Big Sky]

I'm not sure where to post this because there are 3 different species in the photo. I guess here is as good as anywhere. 2012 in Montana was a fair to midland year. I've had better and have had worse, but overall it wasn't bad. Having my own beetles to clean skulls makes things a little more fun. Although all the coyotes I killed last season aren't in the photo it wasn't bad. Called in and killed a little over 50 coyotes, 1 bear, and 1 mule deer. Normally there would be an antelope in the picture as well, but I haven't been lucky enough to draw the last 2 years. Drew 16 years in a row and then nothing the last two. Oh well, I should be about due to draw this year. Anyway it took a while to get all the skulls cleaned up. Hope some of you enjoy the pic.

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BestSkullCleaning.com
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[albertakid]

I'd say ya did alright nice buck did he come out of the breaks or sydney area?

 

[Big Sky]

Neither, Little Belt Mountains.

 

[albertakid]

Really I used to hunt arrow creek breaks over by denton quite a bit and a little out of stanford. I hear tell there are some big bulls running in the belts, but never have hunted over there. Nice buck no matter where he came from

 

[Big Sky]

I've killed a number of critters in the Arrow Creek breaks. There are some bulls over there, but not tons and tons of elk. Drawing a rifle tag is pretty difficult as you probably well know.

 

[albertakid]

Yeah I have only ever hunter mule deer seen some huge bulls though.

 

[nightowl]

That's one awesome pic!

Nice work. Keep crushing those 'yotes.
What were you using to kill them, by the way?

 

[Big Sky]

Most of the coyotes were taken with my Ruger Hawkeye Predator in 22-250 with Hornady 50gr Superformance ammo. The other third were taken with my AR-15 shooting 55gr Nosler BT's.

 

[Len Backus]

Very cool picture and a great year!

 

[Big Sky]

Just finished visiting with a guy from back East that bought all the coyote skulls in the photograph. Life is good.

 

[kcebcj]

Almost got into the beetle thing a few years back but just too busy. Neat picture. Did you go out and collect the beetles yourself or buy them?

 

[Big Sky]

No I didn't collect them. I got starter colonies from both Alaska and California beetle breeders.

 

[HUNTNMT]

Very cool picture!! I have put boot marks and counted coup in the bench area as well. Curious to what a coyote skull is bringing. They look cool!! I want one with my own buck shot holes in it.