my first coyote

[boltman223]

so today I got my first coyote and I am pretty excited about it and I am hooked for sure.

I was out in the hills by 9:30 a.m.. There is a couple of spots that I have seen coyotes before so I headed there first. After about couple of minutes being in my calling spot and not being fully set up yet a coyote walked up out of a wash and into plain view. He didn't really seem to care that I was there and he was nice enough to let me get into a prone position and range him with my range finder. I ranged him at 247 yards, a little bit of a shot but not to bad and there was no wind. I thought this was going to be it, hahaha. In the excitement I forgot where to hold on my reticle. so I held where I thought was right and pulled the trigger. As the rifle came back from recoil I watched a big beautiful cloud of dust fly and the yote hauling you know what. dang it! oh well next time.

so off to the next spot. as I was crawling over the crest of the hill to look into a little ravine a coyote about 80 yards away spotted me ant took off and never looked back, but to my delightful surprise he had a buddy not to far behind. As the second coyote was running up the hill( I thought he was gone too) I yelled, he stopped and turned sidways at the top of the ridge just long enough, and since I was already was laying down I was able to get off a good accurate shot and down went the coyote. He was kind of a small one though.

I must tell you about my second outing of the day. I actually got a chance to try calling in a coyote. I have been out a few times before, but with no luck. So I was in my spot calling with the rabbit in distress, after whaling on it for about 30 seconds or so I waited. Not even five minutes later 3 coyotes came in they were moving pretty fast too. before I could get a shot off they were out of site (still coming my way) I waited motionless not sure which side of me the yotes were going pop up on. well there they were out of nowhere on my right side about 30 yards away. It took about half a second for one of the coyotes to notice me. knowing I was busted and knew it wouldn't be long before the other two saw me I turned and took aim. As I pulled the trigger the coyote took off he moved just in time for me to miss him.

Even though I missed a couple of yotes I still had a blast. Also I must say it is way more exciting calling them in. thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed it.

 

[M700]

Congratulations! Seems you had a lot of fun. You're hooked now...

 

[TheSnake]

Thanks for the story and congradulations on your first! Did you take any pictures you can share?

 

[Larryh128]

You also found out why at lot of guys carry a shotgun with #4 buck in it as well. You could have raised some havoc at 30 yds. I also see by your name that it must have been a turn bolt rifle, BUT AR's have a big advantage clling in multiple dogs at one time. Nonetheless, good job removing a fawn killer.

 

[boltman223]

Larryh128-

yeah I used a bolt action, it's in 221 fireball. that would have been nice to have a shotgun, I think I could have gotten two of them. I would like to get an AR-15, I have wanted to get one for a long time, but I think my next purchase is going to be a shotgun.

M700-
I am definitely hooked!

 

[Johnybr]

Cool I saw a really cool table pedistol cyote mount today

 

[Rtheurer]

I am right handed and that turn to the right is very hard for me to do quitely and smoothly. I hate when they pop up on that side.

Congrates. sounds like you have very very little pressure in your area and the coyotes respond well to calls. I remember when it was like that in my area. Now... not so much. A rabbit distress sends them the other way at Mach 2. Seems everyone is Yote hunting ( calling) and missing shots and they are a whole lot smarter now,They will circle you getting down wind before they get withing 500 yards. I had to turn in my 223 and opted for a 243 AI and 95gr VLD's smokin right along.

I can see it now. You lookin at them and them lookin at you....

RussT

 

[ballistic64]

M700-
I am definitely hooked!

Yep, pretty soon youll be leaving your warm bed to venture out before light in -0 weather, sniffin different bait lures to put by your decoy,come home still wanting to listen to your foxpro and have a wife that wished you were normal and stayed home and watched the NFL. ;D ;D ;D

 

[boltman223]

hahaha yeah thats kinda funny, us both looking at each other thinking oh $h!#. I think you are right they must not be under a lot of pressure. I haven't heard of any body hunting near where I do. last saturday morning I saw coyotes on three different occasions totaling six in less than a 1/2 square mile. I dont have much experience so i dont know if that is normal. I hope missing the one I shot at doesnt make them to nervous next time i call

 

[221 FIREBALL]

Hi Boltman 223, what's load/recipe are you using in your 221? I hunt Fox/Coyote here in S.Central Pa. And the Fireball's my favorite hunting at nite, for my style of hunting it fills the bill nicely. I also took a small female coyote early in the season here, and it worked well and fur damage is minimal. I'm using 45 gr Sierra FBSP with H4198 around 16 gr. with Federal small rifle. And have a pile of 223 cases that will become 221's in the near future.

 

[MrMajestic]

Great job boltman! Thanks for sharing.

 

[boltman223]

221 fireball-

yea the 221 is a fun gun to shoot. It's all wide open country here in southern Idaho so something with a little more reach would be nice, but the 221 works good for me. I use remington cases with CCI 400's, 18 gr IMR 4198 and 40 nosler B tip's. I shot the coyote at an angle through the shoulder and it came out the neck. there was a tiny exit hole. I think most of the bullet fragmented off inside when it hit the shoulder. it was at 175 yards and it was DRT.

 

[boltman223]

ballistic64-

waking up before its light, man I don't know about that haha, but I can see it coming though

 

[221 FIREBALL]

Boltman 223 I forgot in my post to say congrats on the Yote!! I've seen dvd's of guys hunting out west for Coyotes and you fellas got some real nice country to hunt them in. It's on my to do list to go out west some day hunting them, along with a P'dog trip. (some day) Those critters (Coyotes) seem to be a real challenge in here to hunt, so used to fox coming to the call the yotes have a similar approach but if the set up isn't absolutely perfect forget it they're gone. I pretty much always hunt at night with a red light, i'll do a little bit of daylight hunting in mid February. What rifle is your Fireball? I have a Rem LVSF for hunting, and a laminate Rem (looks similar to a 700 Mountain Rifle for paper and Ground Hogs. Love'm both.

 

[boltman223]

fireball-

I have the LVSF also, it's one of my favorite rifles