|
Author
|
Topic: Finally!!! (long)
|
Krustyklimber
prefers the bunny hugger pronunciation: ky o tee
Member # 72
|
posted February 04, 2004 06:44 PM
OK since crossposting is out, I'll just say:
I called one in finally, and I actually fired my weapon ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif) (but it ain't dead).
I am going to write the story for PM's Hunter of the Month contest... watch for it there, I guess.
Krusty 
PS Writing it here, now, gimme a few!
[ February 04, 2004, 09:44 PM: Message edited by: Krustyklimber ]
--------------------
Think about how stupid the average person is, then realize that half of them are stupider than that!
Posts: 1912 | From: Deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Tim Behle
Administrator MacNeal Sector
Member # 209
|
posted February 04, 2004 07:05 PM
What the hell do you mean it's not dead?
You spent this much time calling for one, the least you could do was kill it.
Tell me what happened here, and I'll never know you crossposted it someplace else. Screw manners, first coyote is a first coyote. You can post it on every board you find.
--------------------
Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take
an ass kickin'.
Posts: 3160 | From: Five Miles East of Vic, AZ | Registered: Jun 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Norm
Knows what it's all about
Member # 240
|
posted February 04, 2004 07:22 PM
Krusty, I don't go to PM; tell us about it, we'll help you edit it and then you can enter it..
--------------------
Carpe Diem
Posts: 778 | From: Phx AZ | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
brad h
Knows what it's all about
Member # 57
|
posted February 04, 2004 07:25 PM
Great!
I'm looking forward to hearing this.
Need a link for your site too. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Brad
Posts: 346 | From: Glendive MT | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Locohead
World Famous Smoke Dancer
Member # 15
|
posted February 04, 2004 07:26 PM
LOL LOL LOL
I did get very lucky and call in a coyote my first time out. It too wound up keeping its hide.
Congrats on your first coyote (kinda)! ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
If you get really frustrated, I think I might know where a blind coyote lives; if you'd like to take a trip down to Colorado, I'll help you find him.
[ February 04, 2004, 07:32 PM: Message edited by: Locohead ]
--------------------
I love my critters and chick!!!! :)
Posts: 2219 | From: CO | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Krustyklimber
prefers the bunny hugger pronunciation: ky o tee
Member # 72
|
posted February 04, 2004 10:21 PM
What the hell...
I am fooling myself if I think any story I wrote would win a contest on PM... the moderators vote on who wins, and I am not exactly their favorite member.
Here goes:
Me and Red decided to go to the desert near Yakima, Washington. We went to the LT Murray Wildlife Area.
We drove in the south gate through the elk fence, and across the cattle crossing, at 4:23 AM, it was still dark and was going to be for about an hour and a half. We got dressed, had a snack, and ready to head in the main road.
Before we went in, I got out my cowhorn howler (given to me by BearmanRic) and I let out a single long howl.
Nothing...
Waited about three minutes and did it again.
Still nothing...
I was just saying to Red "see it don't work..." when the desert exploded in song.
There were at least 5 groups of coyotes, and three very pissed farm dogs.
This was gonna be a new kinda day...
Once fat and warm, we headed north on the main road on about six inches of snow... four of it frozen hard, the top two fresh and powdery.
Perfect looking place, and conditions...
In about two miles we came to a big hill, too steep to go down, and way too steep to come back up.
We parked the truck there, as the last pullout was over a mile back (even though this would leave the truck in sight of the five mile bowl we were on the rim of).
We waited about twenty minutes, then we left the truck. We headed to the northwest, crossing the wind (which was hardly blowing at all, to the south)
We skirted the rim, staying below the skyline, setting up or first stand among a group of sagebrush, about a hundred feet below the rim, with a wide open view of the whole bowl and the cottonwood choked creek in it's bottom.
We sat a good long time, waiting for enough light to start calling... the heavy snow laden clouds were black as ink, and blocking the moonlight.
When I could wait no more, I let out one lone (lonesomest sounding) howl I could. Immediately the desert again exploded in song. I was thrilled!
One group to the south, one to the north, one big pack east of us over the ridge.
Red started the stand then, with a lipsqueak, in the quiet of the morning and the frozen air, it carried all throughout the bowl. We sat until well light then we made our way to the second stand.
We worked our way around the bowl, and across the creek. I headed up a thicky brushed ridge, leaving Red and the shotgun below neaer the brushy bottom. I was huffing and puffing my way up, postholing through the drifts... I had just about made the top when I hear Red break into rabbit distress. I hurried back down and into the wind a bit, looking for a place to hunker in, I just ended up sitting right out in the open.
After a good stand in that local, we moved one more time.
We kept contouring our way around the bowl... like that last Cherio as you chase it wth your spoon... heading up the ridge and on around straight north across from the truck now some three miles across the bowl... we were getting a little tired, and decided we'd make a couple more stands and go back to the truck for a snack and a nap.
We were about 200 feet below the rim to our east, facing south down into another brushy draw.
I sat on the south side of a very large sagebrush, and Red layed down on the east side between the large one and a smaller beside it.
I was doing the calling, and Red was intermittently sleeping and glassing the far rim to the south.
I opened this stand with my cowhorn howler, one long howl two short sharp barks, and another long howl... waited a few minutes and went to woodpecker distress on my Carlton's Lonesome Cow.
A couple series of them, and I pushed the rubber tube down on the call, and did a few sharp crow calls, and a few short choppy howls with my RAW.
I was just sitting there, kinda sleepy, with my .222 leaned up against the sage to my right (at a long arms reach).
Suddenly a coyote comes in from my left, which I never saw until his face popped out from behind the small sagebrush not ten feet in front of me, and we were looking at eachother eye to eye.
He was soft and fuzzy looking, and had the look of a pup about him... he was beautiful.
I didn't dare try to search for where I had set my rifle... so I whispered to Red "shoot it"...
Red woke up with a bit of a start, and says "huh" in an audible voice...
"shoot it!" I say again with a little more authority, the coyote tips it's head, obviously confused by this talking bush, and takes two baby steps backwards...
"There's a coyote to your left, SHOOT IT!" I whisper to Red...
With that Red swings up and onto his knees, looking clear out over the coyote... coyote hangs a u-turn and hits the afterburners... there is a sonic boom as he breaks the speed of sound...
NO it's Red's shotgun burping out it's load of #4 buck!
The sagebrush next to the coyote sends snow flying up into the air... I now have hold of my rifle and stand to fire over the brush... nothing but fur, Bang!
I didn't lead far enough.
The coyote switches to light speed, weaving through the sagebrush... BOOM!!! Red fires again, the bush to it's left flies to pieces, and the coyote hangs a hard right...
I jack the bolt and chamber a second round, draw right down on it, now 50yds away, and forget to lead it, Crack! The Duece reports... still running... and losing elevation fast, heading into the draw below and left of us...
Boom! Red's shotgun barks one last time...
Does the thought of failure even enter my mind? NO WAY!!!
I am STOKED!
I did get up and walk over to the coyotes tracks, and throw my mask and hat down there... then I went after it... I had to see if we'd winged it, but I never found much of it's outbound trail.
I did follow it back up to where it had come in from, but never saw any sign of blood in the snow.
We made a spiraling search, but found nothing.
Now excited, I decide to head back to the truck for food, and to move to a new spot... all thoughts of a nap were now gone for me... I was wound up like a two dollar Mickey Mouse watch!
We headed on up around, past the elk feeding yard, and into the west gate.
Seeing 500 elk was a nice treat, we get pretty used to seeing game like that, and sometimes forget how blessed we are. I talked back and forth across the valley with "the girls" with my Carlton's cow call for a while, as Red glassed over the six trophy bulls in the herd. The spikes were acting like teenagers fighting and chasing one another about, and the bulls were being bulls, straightening the spikes out when need be.
We watched for a half hour or so as we ate lunch.
Red did all the driving, so he was tired enough for his nap... I hadda make some more stands, I knew this was my day!
I headed up over the ridge, which overlooked a small dairy farm, hoping at least to cut a few tracks in the snow.
I was soon pleasantly suprised to find a lot of deer sign, and some very big, very fresh, coyote tracks.
As I gained the top of the 500 foot tall ridge, I rousted a whole herd of deer, from it's south facing top, and saw even more coyote tracks where it had been in with the deer.
I made my way around to the north, setting myself up on high, with the sun at my back, and the wind blowing softly to the northwest, looking over another very choked brushy draw, a saddle and another hump of the ridge across to the north.
There were at least 50 mule deer now milling about below, and heading up the far slope to bed down again in the sun which was now warm, and blinding me in the snow.
I pulled my hat down over my eyes, and let the green go away, so I could see to call again.
Snowblindness, just like frostbite, is easier to get after you've had it before, and is a big problem for me.
After a few minutes I could see again and was ready to call... now confident in howling, I opened up with a single long howl. I was soon answered by deer scattering everywhere, and the howls of at least six seperate groups of coyotes... seemed like each draw had a pack of coyotes in it.
Not five minutes later I see a fourwheeler making his way up into the draw where the most coyotes spoke, to the south... cheater!
I decided to move the opposite way from the quad, figuring the coyotes would too. This took me right down into the deer and across to the knob north of me.
I skirted around and on top of the knob, giving me a second view, of the brushy draw, and yet another knob north of me. I got into a perfect spot in a U of brush and settled in.
After my snowblindness subsided again I went at it, with a howl or two, and yellowhammer distrees on my cow call again.
These were the hardest two stands I have ever sat on... there was brown fur moving everywhere, and I damn near shot a bunch of deer. Too many perfect shots LOL.
Then I saw the most bizarre thing I have ever seen... I though I saw a small deer pop ober the knob across from me, but then as I raised my rifle to look... IT WAS A COYOTE!!! JUst as I clicked the saftey off, and was contemplating a 300yd shot, three deer "bum rush" this coyote, both front feet pounding the ground as they go, coyote peeled back over the ridge before I could get a clean shot between the deer.
Dang deer!!! That's how they repay me for quitting deer hunting, and trying to help them?!?
I was going to kill that coyote for them... sheesh!
I headed down to the truck, through the brushy draw, being passed by the hunter on his quad just before I hit the road. I got back to the truck, woke Red up, and we went and made of few more blank stands before heading home.
I never could have done this without the help of so many of you guys...
BearmanRic, has been totally supportive and generous in all his help.
Bofire never lets me get down, or even think about quitting.
Tim Behle has also been supportive, offering much advise, and keeping me grounded in reality.
Bob Addy, has proved to me time and time again, my calls work just fine, and given me the confidence to try em.
Then there's the "I told ya so" guys, who helped me most... by saying I couldn't/wouldn't do it.
I would have thrown in the towel a long time ago, but I was not going to let some of these guys have that satisfaction.
Ya know, I am really glad I posted this here.
Leonard has made me feel like this place is part mine too, I am glad to get to share such great times with friends.
Thank you all so much, now I have to decide if I can quit now.
Krusty
--------------------
Think about how stupid the average person is, then realize that half of them are stupider than that!
Posts: 1912 | From: Deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Greenside
seems to know what he is talking about
Member # 10
|
posted February 05, 2004 04:40 AM
Great Story!
Hey, maybe the curse is off?
I've been wondering when you were going to give in and make the drive! What's a tank of gas and a few hours of lost sleep mean if your getting into coyotes?
H.O.M.? Maybe!
Dennis
BTW: I did notice a major mistake in your post. You let Curt and the whole internet know that there's a shit load of coyotes near Yakima!
[ February 05, 2004, 05:06 AM: Message edited by: Greenside ]
Posts: 719 | From: IA | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
varmint101
Knows what it's all about
Member # 41
|
posted February 05, 2004 09:14 AM
WeeeeeeeHaw Krusty!! Congrats on having an awesome day! Having fun like that is what ya do it for! Nice!
Matt
--------------------
"From my cold dead hands."
#135663262
Posts: 60 | From: Seymour, IN | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
|
posted February 05, 2004 09:19 AM
Geeze, what a project! It's been a long time, a comin' but we earned it, didn't we? Take a bow, everybody! You too, Krusty.
Seriously, I'm very happy for you. It's nice to know (you) are doing something that works.
As far as a writing award, I think it will be hard to top, but you do have a bit of baggage over there, and you know how that can effect worthy entries? Maybe a screen name? Craig Boddington would have wrote something very similiar to "chasing the last Cherrio", and that sells magazines.
I recall telling you to get down off those mountains, numerous times. Learn what you are doing, and THEN apply it to your local situation. I think your "adventure" bears that out, don't you?
Well, congratulations ARE in order. Next step, killing one. Hurry, hurry.
Good luck, LB
Forget about the crossposting crap, I said it only applies to duplicate questions, cut and pasted to different forums and different boards. Tooting your horn is a different deal altogether.
--------------------
EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
brad h
Knows what it's all about
Member # 57
|
posted February 05, 2004 09:34 AM
Krusty
The "You'll never call one it" guys are great motovation, aren't they?
Looks like they'll have to change thier slogan now.
That's one hell of a story.
I'd like to see this story on PM. I'd be willing to bet the number of friends you have there overwhelms the number of enemies.
Congratulations.
Brad
Posts: 346 | From: Glendive MT | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Crow Woman
Knows what it's all about
Member # 157
|
posted February 05, 2004 01:29 PM
Krusty... Krusty... Krusty...
I'm so danged proud of you!!!
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
--------------------
Sheri L Baity
Lord, Please give me peace, because if you give me strength, I might beat someone to death!
Posts: 720 | From: Covington | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
jerryboy
Knows what it's all about
Member # 231
|
posted February 05, 2004 03:33 PM
Congrats K man! You deserve it Dude. jerryboy
--------------------
Boom!!!!!! Whop!!!!!!!!!!
Posts: 39 | From: Innnnnnnndiana | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lonny
PANTS ON THE GROUND
Member # 19
|
posted February 05, 2004 04:19 PM
Krusty, I knew one of these days we were going to see a post like this from you. Your over the hump now.
It was just what everyone was telling you all along, It wasn't you or your calling that was the problem it was the country and lack of coyotes that was keeping you from success.
Now you need to work on keeping that rifle butt within 6" of your shoulder at all times when on stand calling.
Good story.
Posts: 1209 | From: Lewiston, Idaho USA | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
tonlocus
Knows what it's all about
Member # 254
|
posted February 05, 2004 05:20 PM
Hey Krusty, CONGRATS
Go get em man.
Posts: 76 | From: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: Dec 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Krustyklimber
prefers the bunny hugger pronunciation: ky o tee
Member # 72
|
posted February 05, 2004 05:49 PM
Thanks again everybody...
I did learn a lot that day, mostly it's all Red's fault! LOL
I will keep a tighter reign on the firearm, I will probably go back to carrying a shotgun and the rifle (which I did while Red was nappin in the truck)... but we never expected to each need a shotgun in the wide open desert.
Red knows now, not to get up, but to shoot from his napping spot... he could have just shot it between his feet, but he had no idea it was so close.
But it did come in on his 180° of the stand, next time he'll be facing the other way, we were both watching the part of the bowl we hadn't walked through yet.
Matt,
It was fun! And it has been quite a while since I did have any fun calling, I was getting pretty complacent about anything happening, and some days would come up with any excuse to not go.
Dennis,
You give yourself too much credit lol... I never believed in any curse. I have put too many on dudes, that never worked, to believe someone could get me with one
We got lucky, and the ol' man loaned us his nice Chevy truck, to make it over the passes... Red's lil truck has a sick carb and the "Rally Hunter" (Ford Fiesta) has a bad wheel bearing, we woulda gone a long time ago, but we just couldn't make it.
We didn't give any secrets away, there was an article written in the Fishing and Hunting Lies (I mean News), it was about a father and son who take about 75 coyotes a year (it was recently reprinted in TP&C I think)... it was a map feature page, and said park here, call there... everybody knows.
Besides, it a quirk of mine... I don't believe in hogging a spot, honey holes, or keeping secrets from other people who share my sport. We have over 2,000,000 acres of public land in Washington, I think we can all find a spot to call.
I didn't even care when dude rode his quad out to where I'd howled up them coyotes... I couldn't have walked all the way up there anyways.
I was glad to have helped him.
Leonard,
I know you guys kept telling me to get out of the woods, and go over the hill... but I don't regret trying over here one bit.
When and if I ever get a mountain coyote from the wetside, it'll be a feat I can truly be proud of.
It has been a long time coming... just under 200 stands, before I ever fired a shot.
You are absolutly right about my adventure confirming what we all know... it is way easier to call coyotes in Feb. in the desert, than in June in the big timber, when they are stuffed full of berries, apples and released pheasants.
The worst part for me, is I now have to admit that howling can work (Mr Higgins owes me a swift kick in the ass!)... that's a bitter pill to swallow. I hate being totally completely wrong about stuff.
Hehe, I have a very distinct IP... they'd know if I tried making up a clone, and that'd probably be the last straw... I am still on a probation over there, and I have no idea if it will ever be lifted... cloning is strictly prohibited in their TOS (even though several members have more than one screen name).
I don't think I'll bother with posting it over there at all, my friends mostly come here, and they are the ones I wrote it for.
The crossposting thing was more of a tongue in cheek joke at you... I have always said I feel like I belong here, and that means a lot to me.
I don't feel that way over there, plain and simple.
Brad,
I know, among members of the sites I visit, I have many friends (and nobody I would consider an enemy)... this isn't the case with the Staff on some of them though.
And that's cool... I know I have been a thorn in the side for some of them, and I do have my trollish moments... oh well... (not like I never had my cage rattled when I was a 'spert, it goes with the territory)
Sheri,
I am bursting with pride still myself, I could hang it up now, and never look back... I am not a failure anymore! Yippee yahooyee doowee do!
Jerry,
You are among my best friends on these sites, and you have helped me more than you'll ever know, thanks just for being you dude.
You are an asset, to the boards you visit, for sure!
Lonny,
Thanks for your faith in me, that means a lot to me too.
Sometimes it was hard to believe I could do it, but I knew I had lots of friends pullin for me, and that helped keep me goin'.
Like Leonard says: This victory (which I fully see it as) belongs to all of us!
I get by with a little help from my friends!
A coyote will die, with a little help from my friends!
With a little help from my friends!
Krusty
--------------------
Think about how stupid the average person is, then realize that half of them are stupider than that!
Posts: 1912 | From: Deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
|
posted February 05, 2004 06:36 PM
Ringo couldn't have said it any better.
You'll get one soon enough. LB
--------------------
EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bryan J
Cap and Trade Weenie
Member # 106
|
posted February 05, 2004 06:44 PM
Alright Krusty! Isn’t it cool when they step out from behind the bush right next to you like that? ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
I liked the story. Thanks for sharing.
Posts: 599 | From: Utah | Registered: Feb 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lone Howl
Free Trial Platinum Member & part-time language police
Member # 29
|
posted February 05, 2004 10:02 PM
Cngrats Krusty! I just bagged my 217th coyote of the season today!
Just kidding
Lesson#1:Do not lean firearm up against tree or bush, thats when the critters will come in.
I know a guy that has killed(harvested) more deer around here than anyone Ive ever heard of and he harvested 4 or 5 of them in his career while "relieving"himself in the woods, both #1 and #2 ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif) , but he always held onto his rifle at all times. Hardcore huh?
--------------------
When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.
Posts: 2083 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Dezertyote
Knows what it's all about
Member # 176
|
posted February 06, 2004 04:01 PM
Way to go Krusty,
Great story, sounds like you and Red had a good time on the other side of the mtns. Glad to see that you didn't give up, it'll only get better each time now (well can't say that about the crack shots that you and Red are.) Did you and Red's legs get a little rubbery or you think you sould take that scattergun to the range and re-adjust that bead
Krusty I'm glad for ya, you more than earned it, with all the time you've put it.
Won't be long and you'll become a bonafide killer.
Posts: 11 | From: Vermont | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Curt2u
Knows what it's all about
Member # 74
|
posted February 06, 2004 07:06 PM
Congrats Krusty. Glad you had some action. Gets the ol' blood moving, don't it? I'm envious. Haven't been calling in a month or so now. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Later, Curt
Posts: 236 | From: NW | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
DOD
Knows what it's all about
Member # 308
|
posted February 08, 2004 02:03 PM
Congrats Krusty, I got my first last weekend after weeks of trying, and I know how it can get to make soooo many stands and see nothing. I kept hoping to just see one, let alone get a shot off, when it did happen and everything worked out, I took a huge coyote. Went back to the same place today and got a Red Fox.
Posts: 26 | From: New Hampshire | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
|
posted February 08, 2004 04:18 PM
Welcome to the New Huntmasters, DOD. Glad to have you on board. Thanks for the email.
Good hunting. LB
--------------------
EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
NASA
Knows what it's all about
Member # 177
|
posted February 09, 2004 09:45 AM
WTG Krusty! See, it's just like everybody has said. You just have to keep at it.
BTW, that's a great post. If you don't post it on PM I'll do it for you. It's definitely a contenda'! There's only 1 or 2 who like to pick at you over there. Two out of eight thousand isn't exactly "persecution". Go for it, Buddy.
BTW, I was blowing one of your calls this weekend. Didn't do as good as you, but put a lot of air thru it, LOL!
Posts: 1168 | From: Typical White Person | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Jay Nistetter
Legalize Weed, Free the Dixie Chicks
Member # 140
|
posted February 09, 2004 12:26 PM
Well I be....
Welcome to a new and exciting world. I knew you could do it.
--------------------
Understanding the coyote is not as important as knowing where they are.
I usually let the fur prime up before I leave 'em lay.
Posts: 1006 | From: Arizona | Registered: Feb 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
bearmanric
Knows what it's all about
Member # 223
|
posted February 10, 2004 08:37 AM
Good job Krusty. you just have to keep at It. I'm going to Matheney this Weekend If you want to try for Cougar's. Let me Know. Bofire and me are going next Weekend. I Havent posted on the other board for two week's since I got in trouble.. Take Care. Rick
Posts: 78 | From: Tenino Wash. | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
