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Author
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Topic: Night hunting Powerline Cut
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
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posted February 04, 2011 02:58 AM
Well I have decided to take Fred's advice and get out of the woods a bit. I have been hunting a powerline cut near my home. The powerline cut runs over a mountain, and the only structure around is a local television station with a tall radio tower. The powerline cut runs basically north-south. I normally hunt with my back to a rock, facing south, which gives me about a mile of calling area downhill until the cut reaches a highway.
The problem is, being this is high up on a mountain, the wind whips through there like crazy. The wind normally blows from the south to the north, so I am facing into the wind as I am calling. If I were day hunting, I would sit crosswind and put the caller out there 40 or 50 yards and watch the downwind side. Being that I am night calling, I am not sure how to orient the caller with the wind in mind, and being able to see eyes. Right now I am placing the caller ten yards in front of me, like I said with the wind in my face.
Any thoughts? Am I doing this the right way for a night calling scenerio?
Oh yeah...we have to use a shotgun in NJ at night if that matters at all.
[ February 04, 2011, 03:00 AM: Message edited by: 4949shooter ]
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knockemdown
Our staff photo editing Guru, par excellence
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posted February 04, 2011 06:10 AM
The 'shotgun only' part matters alot in how you set up. Although our coyotes are indeed more bold at night, the ones I've called at night here in NY will still tend to 'favor' the downwind, to a degree. Especially if they're not 100% convinced on trampling the call outright, or are overly suspicious for whatever reason...
That said, at night I've found that coyotes are more so likely to approach from anywhere, so don't push up in there too far! I've realized better success, both day & night not 'pushing the issue' and trying to get right in the center of the action, so to speak. That's "Coyote 101", as taught to me & holds true day or night!
More importantly, your approach to the chosen stand location needs considered. If you walk that powerline with your scent wafting down through the woods, there likely ain't no coyote gonna come to play from that direction. So consider your approach and the amount of scent your spreading into the surrounding woods. More "Coyote 101" there...
quote:
Right now I am placing the caller ten yards in front of me, like I said with the wind in my face.
Exactly!
Given a shottie's range is +/- 50yds max, keep that in mind & have the caller CLOSE to you! The last thing you want is the caller 100yds cross wind with a coyote sniffin' the dang speaker! With a rifle, that's great! But you just hamstrung yo' self with the shottie on a setup like that.
Heck, I'd put the call UPWIND of me on the edge of the powerline cut and sit where you can get the best 'swing' with the shottie. But here's one better yet...
If you've got snow, check for game trails. Seems like most animals will only cross those powerline cuts in a few places, so focus on those trails! Coyotes will run right in the deer trails, therefore will use them to get to the call most efficiently...
Use the coyotes' 'efficient' behavior against them & set a trap by putting the caller right near, or even ON an active game trail. YOu could put the caller in the center of the cut & sit downwind of it about 20yds or so, to where you can cover both sides of woods where the trail crosses the cut.
That's what I'd prolly do, anyway...
[ February 04, 2011, 06:19 AM: Message edited by: knockemdown ]
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
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posted February 04, 2011 09:10 AM
Thanks for the good ideas Fred. So you suggest putting the caller upwind of me and watching the downwind side?
I will check for trails as soon as this ice breaks up a bit. Right now we have an inch to a half inch layer of ice on top of the snow. I went out last night, fell about 5 times and got a frozen arse.
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Leonard
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posted February 04, 2011 09:30 AM
I think a bit differently as I understand the set up.
First you are above, looking down with the wind in your face, right?
I would disregard any sound bleeding over the hill, behind you and not worry about scent, at all. Pick a side, and put your speaker there somewhere in range? Just as you have to forget the ones behind you, anything approaching on the same side as the speaker, well, that's the chances you take, but any animal on the other side of the clearcut has to cross the open area and is likely to use the clearcut to walk uphill in the direction of the location you selected.
This sounds like a miserable, lonely, and not very productive way to spend an evening, but what do I know?
Good luck, LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
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posted February 04, 2011 09:45 AM
quote:
First you are above, looking down with the wind in your face, right?
Yes exactly Leonard.
quote:
This sounds like a miserable, lonely, and not very productive way to spend an evening, but what do I know?
LOL that's the story of my life. I am thinking of picking up and calling the other side of the mountain as well. It might be a little difficult right now with the ice the way it is. What else would you suggest?
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knockemdown
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posted February 04, 2011 10:05 AM
quote:
So you suggest putting the caller upwind of me and watching the downwind side?
Yep, caller upwind on/or close to a game trail crossing the powerline cut. Especially so if the snow is deep and the game trail is rutted out from traffic. A coyote ain't gonna 'break trail' if it doesn't hafta...
Sit far enough back to where you can cover & kill an approach on the trail from either block of woods into the cut. Of course, an uphill vantage point is a nice bonus!
If one is gonna circle downwind, it's gonna hit your approach track and booger anyway, so like Leonard said, you've gotta pretty much concede that eventuality. Heck, I've had a coyote circle me at night and actually POOP in my boot tracks!!!
Finally, worry about watchin' where you can actually KILL the coyote! That's "Coyote 102", as it's been re-beaten into my head as of a recent hunting trip ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif) (Thanks KJ & Jimzy!)
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tlbradford
Rimfires are MAGIC on COYOTES! If you do your part
Member # 1232
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posted February 04, 2011 01:13 PM
Am I missing something about caller placement? Doesn't he need the caller right next to him so the animals look towards the light and he can pick up their eyes?
I hunt powerline cuts exactly like you described, although during the daytime. I like to be in the middle of it to try to force a coyote to the edge of the timber, or into the clearcut, no matter what side of the cut he approaches from. There is usually a good stump, or the power pole itself to put my back against. I also agree with the others that you have to give up the uphill or dowhill side if the wind is blowing the same direction as the powerlines. If it is not windy, you are going to still have thermals moving air down the hill at night.
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"Dan Carey ain't that special" - LB
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Leonard
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Member # 2
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posted February 04, 2011 01:52 PM
That's a good point if using a spotlight. Having an animal look at the source of the sound, if it is not where you are, that means you need to look for movement or the shape of the body, and maybe he will give you a little flash? I sorta thought we were talking about snow-cover and the animal would stand out wherever he was?
Still sounds like not much fun, but I have never spent much time in Jersey. That might be a wonderful never to be forgotten evening, in New Jersey, for all I know?
Good hunting. LB
PS, don't trip over any discarded bodies!
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
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posted February 04, 2011 01:59 PM
Leonard a few years ago a female body was found off the highway, near to where we are talking about. It was a young female, apparently a prostitute if I recall.
Yes for now I guess with snow on the ground, but generally speaking, this whole issue with the wind and the caller at night baffles me. I have been trying to hunt windless nights to get around it, but the season in NJ will end mid March and I don't want to limit my possibilities too much.
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JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
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posted February 04, 2011 05:03 PM
I`m probably not as well versed as some at night calling but I have spent a hell of a bunch of nights with a spotlight in my hand.
Wind aint all that important at night, see the eyes, light em up, kill em. It`s a bitch to do by yourself if your on foot, and a shotgun to boot, yuk. Can you use a slug?
tlbradford is 100% correct about caller placement, why would you want the coyote to look elsewhere? Been there, done that, doesnt work. Another little tidbit...the closer the spotlight is to your head or line of site the easier it is to see eyes at a distance, in the brush, etc. Sounds stupid but I`ve experimented with this enough to prove it to myself beyond any doubt.
Find a partner that can shoot. Have fun.
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Jason
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What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
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posted February 04, 2011 05:13 PM
No slugs either JD.
Thanks for the advice guys. Any other tips would be appreciated.
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knockemdown
Our staff photo editing Guru, par excellence
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posted February 04, 2011 06:37 PM
Nick, point is that there are no hard & fast rules for caller placement at night,or day!
Regardless, you've got to tailor your setup based on:
the wind
your avenue of approach
hand calling or e-calling?
cover & terrain and how they will potentially affect a coyote's approach to your calls.
your firearm
Forgive me for elaborating on the obvious, but please allow me to briefly touch on each (again) to help explain why I offered that potential stand setup...
Wind: Coyotes still use their nose at night. For me, to assume they don't would be foolhardy. I've seen too many circling tracks in the snow on my walk back out to think otherwise! They circle at night. Trust me, they do...
Your approach: If your scent drifts down into where a coyote may be, he's boogered & gone! Also, if one circles & cuts your entrance trail, he's gone too. Hence, keep the wind in yo' face and don't push in too far to where you can get backdoored...
e-calling: I'm assuming you're not handcalling. If you are, I'd face to the right side of the cut if you're a righty and keep checkin' over your left shoulder for one coming across. That'll be an easy enough swing with the shottie...
Cover & terrain: A powerline cut is obviously more open than the woods surrounding it. Since you don't know for sure which side a coyote may approach from, it'd be in your best interests to cover both! That's why I recommended putting the caller slightly upwind of your position and in the center of the open cut. If you've got the call in your lap, you can't effectively cover that 180 degrees of both potential approaches. And by default, you'll be covering a kamikaze approach from right up the cut.
So then, if ya put the call just 10-20 yds out front, you'll still easily be able to pick up eyes on the approach with your light, the angle is not too much to miss them. Coyotes are ALWAYS looking around and it's easy to catch a 'flash' of eyes, as Leonard mentioned before. The only area you can't cover is the one you just walked through, which is already TOAST...
Heck, if you've got any moon up and clear skies, you prolly don't even need a light with that blanket of white for contrast. Just listen for them to come crunching along in the snow, or catch movement. Then light 'em up to confirm before the shot and whack 'em!
Also, a good bit of snow on the ground will indeed funnel a coyote's movements to a used game trail. When the snow gets real deep upstate, coyotes run the snowmobile trails, as do many other critters. Animals favoring the path of least resistance is not a new concept. So stay focused on the established trails that cross the cut...
Your firearm: Given the fact that you're toting a shotgun, obviously there's a limiting factor to how far you can effectively put a coyote down. If ya had a rifle, you're availed alot more options for caller distance & placement. Again, you only want that caller far enough away from you so that you can cover both potential approaches for the adjoining woods...
Finally, same as all stand choices, I'm hedging my bet that a coyote will do what I anticipate it might. That sure don't happen all the time, but I do my best to SWAG how a coyote will approach.
As callers, that's the game we play, and it's NEVER the same game! Ain't that why we keep after it???
Good luck, dude! I can think of alot worse ways to spend a winter night...
[ February 04, 2011, 06:48 PM: Message edited by: knockemdown ]
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TOM64
Knows what it's all about
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posted February 04, 2011 07:35 PM
We're stuck with stupid shotgun only with #6 shot at night here. Me and a friend was gonna kill em all one year and hunted quite a bit, here's what I found compared to my Texas hunts with a rifle.
First the shotgun with #6 shot needs them close, like 15-20 yards close and you better be shooting till they holler uncle. #4 birdshot ain't gonna be much better but it will work.
They almost always head downwind at night and ours would cut around about 75-100 yards. Putting the caller upwind would work but you won't see the animal's eyes, been there done that. Keep the caller close and hope for one with a cold or a dumb one.
Now hunting with a rifle and watch them come in, circle to the downwind side and stop them for a shot at 100 yards or so.
I won't hunt with a shotgun at night anymore but it can be done, just alot more work than a day hunt.
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Leonard
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Member # 2
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posted February 04, 2011 08:46 PM
If it's real windy, that tendency to always circle downwind is not a sure thing. Based on what was described, I wouldn't be concerned about wind, at all. Dead calm, a coyote is smart enough to know that he is wasting his time figuring out where downwind IS. Same with high winds. If you are on high ground and calling downwind, most of the time, they won't detect you because your scent is blowing way over their heads. If you decide to call into the wind, which, as far as I'm concerned, is not as good of a choice as is calling downhill and downwind, you are fighting the sound projection. You need a CS24L. Otherwise, you probably should stand at the very top with a buckethead. I'm not kidding. Rotate, watch both sides and keep the caller right next to you.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Field Marshall, Southern Minneesota Sector
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posted February 04, 2011 08:55 PM
quote:
watch both sides and keep the caller right next to you.
Koodoo's Leonard. Now youre catching on... ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
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Leonard
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posted February 04, 2011 09:32 PM
Wow! What praise coming from Mr Coyote, himself!
I might lay on my back and piddle myself! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
In fact, every post of yours, I print and keep in a three ring notebook so I can review them in the field before every stand. They are so helpful and I appreciate it SO MUCH!
Yea, that's a good one, keep it "next" to me! I'm surprised that I thought of it all by myself!
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Field Marshall, Southern Minneesota Sector
Member # 794
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posted February 04, 2011 09:45 PM
Youre welcome Leonard..
I know you have the caller close by when night hunting so you can pick up there eye when they come in.. Reason for the koodoo's is for mentioning it..
I know from calling them here at home at night without a lite I need to get them as close to the caller as possable so I can pick them up in the scope.. Since 49 is useing a shotgun he would need to do the same thing since his range is limited.. If 49 had the caller placed away from him say 30 yds and the coyote come from the far side and checks up at 50 yds from the caller that would leave him with a 80 yd shot with the shotgun..
[ February 04, 2011, 09:57 PM: Message edited by: TA17Rem ]
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
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fgf4
unknown comic
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posted February 05, 2011 12:04 AM
I would keep the caller close to me but not right next to me at night. Coyotes are likely to come from any direction in the dark. Pick good shooting lanes and why would you even want a scope at night, especially with a shotgun... sheesh?
Has anyone noticed that Leonard and Tim are the two highest posters on this board? Hmmnnn? ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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Leonard
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posted February 05, 2011 12:14 AM
Yeah, that generally means we know a lot, right?
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Field Marshall, Southern Minneesota Sector
Member # 794
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posted February 05, 2011 12:46 AM
quote:
Pick good shooting lanes and why would you even want a scope at night, especially with a shotgun... sheesh?
Never mentioned 49 needing a scope.
On the other hand I hunt at night with a rifle over snow with no lights..
If you don't use a scope youre not going to see alot of coyotes with the naked eye.. With no moon or very little exspect to see maybe 50 yds if youre lucky. On a full moon night with no cloud cover you can make out a coyote at around 300 yds or a little less.. But you new that. Right????
Edit to add. I did try a lite a couple of times over snow, would rather go without one... Too many shadows, glare...
[ February 05, 2011, 12:49 AM: Message edited by: TA17Rem ]
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
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posted February 05, 2011 03:07 AM
Thanks for all the replies guys.
I went out again last night. The wind was strong in my face, and every now and then I would get a blast from the right. My scorpion was dead, as I didn't charge up the batteries from the previous night (I didn't think I needed to?) so I used a hand caller with some distress sounds and a few howls mixed in for good measure. Nothing...not even a howl response. Due to the thick layer of ice on the snow I must have sounded like a Mack truck coming through, which I am sure didn't help matters any.
Fred, I will look for some game trails crossing the powerline cut. Gonna take a walk as soon as this ice breaks up. It is tuff walking around here now wherever there is snow.
Tom, #6 six shot only at night out there? Wow that stinks. I dumped a load of #4 shot into a coyote years ago at this same place on a day hunt, which I never recovered. Talking about using a rifle, funny thing is I actually could do so safely at this spot. I mean there is nothing around for miles except for the TV station which will always be at my back.
Leonard, I can try and call the other side of the mountain, which will put me calling down wind, if you think that will help. The wind here in NJ can be crazy. I know how often it changes direction from target shooting with rifles.
Whoops, the dog just got up. To be continued...
Frd
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
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posted February 05, 2011 03:56 AM
Okay I'm back.
Tim, I could actually get away with no lights here with snow, except on my SG for shooting. I use a headlamp and keep it on the medium or low setting. I would like to see some eyes if possible.
Nikon. I don't like to keep the caller right next to me. The loudness bothers my ears, and I would rather be able to see it if something comes in directly from the side. But I obviously am speaking from my lack of experience night calling.
Well anyways, I am getting frustrated and a little disgusted. I am thinking about going back to day calling next year for the winter, at least in NJ. PA I would probably keep hunting at night. I guess we will see how the rest of the season goes.
Thanks again for all the reponses.
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knockemdown
Our staff photo editing Guru, par excellence
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posted February 05, 2011 05:10 AM
What kind of headlamp are you using?
If it ain't throwing a tight spot, or at least has a shroud on the bell of the lens, you're wasting your time!
When using a headlamp,most any type of flood lens is gonna bleed light down onto you, & especially so if you're sitting. Your arms, legs & gun are positioned out IN FRONT of the light source,no good! If ya tilt ya melon down to look at your reomote, guess what? That light stuck on your head just lit you & your gun up like friggin' Times Square!
That's why most predator hunting lights ideally are shrouded to keep the light from illuminating your position. And that's exactly why I most often use a high capacity hand held flashlight to pan/scan. Or, on rare occasions, I'll drag out the 170 mounted to a swivel monopod.
With the flashlight, I keep the business end of it out beyond even my gun barrel. This keeps most all of the reflected light off of ME and in the critter's EYES where it belongs...
So....with your headlamp on all the time, and you panning around, you may be drawing attention to, and exposing your position to any approaching critter. Just a thought, since I'm stuck home doing plumbing work & not out hunting ![[Mad]](mad.gif)
[ February 05, 2011, 05:11 AM: Message edited by: knockemdown ]
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
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posted February 05, 2011 06:36 AM
I understand what you are saying Fred and you are absolutely right. To compensate for this I try to stay as still as possible, scanning with my eyes, and keeping the shotgun pointed in the direction of the caller in anticipation of a quick shot. Hopefully, whatever comes in will head toward the caller and into my view.
I usually try to let the caller go for around 45 minutes to an hour, without moving and without changing sounds. Sometimes it is so I get so sick of the same sound playing over and over again I have to make movement in order to change it.
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fgf4
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posted February 05, 2011 09:40 AM
I'm with you Nick, I don't like a loud caller rattling in my ear either... guess it's old age or something.
I usually don't turn the call up or even use loud hand calls at night. Sound seems to carry farther at night since there isn't as much background noise.
I use a 4-cell, 1watt, LED Maglite with a shroud made from a dark plastic bottle. Works great for me.
Moonlight on snow is when night hunting is at it's best around here!!! We just got another 6-8" of snow this morning and I'm itching to go... right after I shovel a few drives and plow several apartment complexes and business lots. ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
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