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Author
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Topic: Another eastern falls, Yellerdog and Skinner 2
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Skinner 2
Knows what it's all about
Member # 419
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posted February 13, 2005 05:47 PM
I met Yellerdog at his shop as planned this morning. After a quick check of the weather forecast we devised our plans for the morning.
As we drove to the first calling site we watch the sun crest on the horizon. We had high hopes for our outing today. Last week we have called four stands without any responses. Our past history told us we were due for a coyote. We eased into the driveway of our first stand. We have called here many times before and today we decided to change the call site a couple hundred yards.
I followed Yellerdog out past the sheep barn and out into the field. We were heading to a ridge that was to be our new stand. Crossing the field we saw some old coyote tracks along with some deer. We had to be careful not stepping on the snow or ice as they were very noisy. We played hopscotch with dry grass and bare dirt. As we neared the ridge Yellerdog stopped and whispered to me (his 6th sense was kicking in again)
“This is the stand. I feel good we will get one today and right here!” A couple more steps and we were at the top of the ridge. We looked around to decide where we were to sit.
I looked at the far end of the field and there was our target. The coyote was moving slowly to our right. I whispered to Yellerdog there’s one and I dropped to a sitting position and set the gun in the shooting sticks. I took aim at the coyote but all was black, as I took the scope covers off Yellerdog said there is a second. Before we could do anything both coyotes had entered the woods and we could not see them. We did not know if they had seen us or not. They did not act like it but we were not sure.
Yellerdog informed me he was going to call. I told him to wait until I could relocate. I had a close chunk of yellow grass blocking some of my view. I quietly moved about 7 feet just to Yellerdog’s left side. I settled the gun into the sticks and told him to go ahead. Yellerdog never did pull his gun up just kicked in to his call mode and was the ever alert spotter.
Yellerdog had his newest call in hand, a prototype cow horn howler. This was to be the first time it was blown other than testing and tuning. Yellerdog let loose with a lonesome howl. Then a few barks followed by another howl. Nothing moved. Yeller again repeated the lonesome howl, as we both saw the coyote return to the open. The coyote entered the field and stopped. It was facing us straight on and a very long way out (for us easterners). The coyote stood perfectly still just watching. It looked back towards the woods then back towards us and stared. I cranked up the power on my scope and settled the crosshair mid chest. I squeezed, the report of the 223 was mild compared to the 243 Yellerdog carries. At the shot the coyote just stiffened then fell over. I jacked in another round as Yellerdog got on the call trying to coax the second coyote out of the brush but it wanted nothing of that. We called for another 15 minutes then got up to claim the coyote.
I could not see the fallen coyote without the aid of my scope. Yellerdog watch the coyote topple over at the shot. We guessed the shot to be over two hundred yards. After walking to the fallen coyote and admiring her perfectly black tipped coat (Wahoo no mange) I placed my crosshair on the tree I was sitting at. I cranked the power and adjusted the lens until I had a clear picture. I told Yellerdog my setting was between 250 and 275. I carried the coyote out and Yellerdog paced it off to 245 paces. This was our longest shot on stand and the sixth coyote this year from that property.
I would like to say we saw more but no. The wind was picking up and we made another three stands. Saw some old tracks but no takers.
28 pound female.
Skinner 2
Posts: 17 | From: Southeast Michigan | Registered: Oct 2004
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted February 13, 2005 05:57 PM
Good story, skinner 2. Thanks for sharing.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Yellerdog
Knows what it's all about
Member # 356
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posted February 13, 2005 06:20 PM
Skinner 2,
Good recount of the hunt. I fely like I was there. Oh, yeah! I was!
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Lee Smith
Remember, we meet at dawn.
Posts: 59 | From: Southeastern Michigan | Registered: Jul 2004
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Gerald Stewart
Knows what it's all about
Member # 162
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posted February 13, 2005 07:30 PM
Wait a minute....I did not think there was 200 yards of open ground in the east....has somebody been pulling my leg......?
Posts: 419 | From: Waco,Tx | Registered: Mar 2003
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Yellerdog
Knows what it's all about
Member # 356
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posted February 13, 2005 07:37 PM
Yep Gerald,
They're pulling your leg. Skinner 2 said that was "our" longest shot on stand. I've killed them farther than that on a few occasions. One Running at well over three hundred (because I missed the first time) and my personal best of 528 yards.
I also took a 650 yard poke at one once (missed). Just shows you can't believe everything you read!
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Lee Smith
Remember, we meet at dawn.
Posts: 59 | From: Southeastern Michigan | Registered: Jul 2004
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Skinner 2
Knows what it's all about
Member # 419
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posted February 13, 2005 07:47 PM
Gerald,
The trick is lining up with the corn rows not across.
Yellerdog and I call the farmland areas. We set up in the fields alongside the thickets. We both used to hunt the timber but found out we do way better getting outside.
Yellerdog has taken some long dogs at sheep ranches or farms we call them here. Most of our called shots run from 50 to 125 yards. OH and we don't hunt at night!
Skinner 2
Posts: 17 | From: Southeast Michigan | Registered: Oct 2004
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