This is topic Live, from the Nationals! in forum Member forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.
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Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on November 04, 2005, 08:55 PM:
Windy all day, broken only by spritzes of rain and snow. Light snow sticking at elevations. I hovered around the check-in table and asked a lot of questions, trying my best not to be in the way. There's a lot of excitement at check-in. I can see the addiction now, Leonard.
Last call was 7:00 PM. They started trickling in about 6:05. 1 coyote, 2 coyote, then 3. There were lots of 2's and 3's. About 6:30 team #16 checks in with 4 dogs. 5 minutes later team #18 turns in five. These guys are beaming about being in first place. 3 trucks behind them is team #17, also with 5 coyotes. Hey, I've seen that guy before! ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
It's Calvin! Tied for first! Five minutes before the final bell, a Chevy Malibu pulls into the check-in line. Somebody's wife looking for hubby? No way. Two camo clad dudes jump out and pull a big plastic box out of the back seat! ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
Crammed in this makeshift coffin are 4 coyotes! One of them is just a dink, only 18.5 lbs. But good enough for "Small Dog". Big Dog went to a 36 pounder. Some of the fur was "really" nice. One took a going away face shot as he looked back over his shoulder. There wasn't much to fasten the block to, LOL. Gotta go, the beeeeer fest is starting.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on November 04, 2005, 09:15 PM:
Hey, great Tom. Glad to see that Cal had some luck today. I didn't realize the hunt actually started today. Maybe conditions will be better tomorrow? Go Huntmasters! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Good hunting. LB
PS, the chevy sedan was probably because of a breakdown of the hunting rig; seen that happen enough times.
edit: by the way, if Cal has the same kill tomorrow but is behind the other team, he doesn't tie, he gets second place.
[ November 04, 2005, 09:21 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on November 05, 2005, 05:39 AM:
I noticed a few things last night. Every carcass had its intestines temperature checked. Any less than around 71 deg. was given the third degree. Tongue and palate were checked. One had its stomach opened. Didn't get to find out what that inspection was about.
99% of the entrants have a quad in their truck bed. I hope to ask around tonight and find out just how that fits into the equation. Cal said, "The truck can't move with only one team member in it", remember? But maybe there aren't any "rules" about splitting up the team from a 4-wheeler? Maybe Danny is right afterall? The dropoff and pickup is done from a quad, and not the truck?
Everyone's heading out now. Tonight is the big event. Those are going to be the money dogs being tossed on the table.
[ November 05, 2005, 05:43 AM: Message edited by: NASA ]
Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on November 05, 2005, 06:12 AM:
NASA,
How many teams are there?
This is interesting. Never been exposed to contest hunting too much. Not that I want to jump in and do it, I dont think anyway, just interesting.
And, I wouldnt mind hunting that area someime. Just want to see how much pressure its getting right now....
Andy
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on November 05, 2005, 11:27 AM:
Andy, there are 38 2-man teams entered. You were wondering about the numbers of coyotes in this area? Hard to say, because no one knows exactly where these teams go to do their hunting. The professional contest hunters have already worked their deals with the local ranchers, and have exclusive rights to hot spots maybe 20-30 minutes from town. Others may have to drive 40-80 miles to get access to a ranch, if they're lucky. The rest (not able to get a gate-pass) are left to scrounge around the public lands for any leftovers the local high school kids haven't terrorized into the next state.
As for actual numbers, the teams turned in 49 coyotes. No details given on age or sex. The teams are also supposed to keep track of coyotes "seen". Not sure of the benefit of that. Who's to disprove any arbitrary number? Anyway, 159 were reported as sighted, with one team claiming 15 visuals.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on November 05, 2005, 12:35 PM:
Yeah, they do that at St Francis, too. Hard for me to understand why they want information on numbers seen? Some that we saw was the south end headed north at 600 yards.
Also, you are spot on about hunting areas and why it is completely stacked against anybody from out of town, unless they don't have a job or a life, and decide to spend a month and a half in the area for some serious scouting.
That's exactly why you probably won't see any California hunters, unless they like to waste their time participating in something that they stand no chance. It's a regional event, hardly a level playing field. But I don't have a solution?
Truth is, I'd like to try it, if I had some local access.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on November 05, 2005, 04:00 PM:
Just got back from a little plinking, myself. Missed the check-in. Deadline was 3:00PM. Thought it was 7:00PM. I heard 48 were checked in. I'l go down and get some numbers.
"Regional" is right. Only WY, UT, and a couple from CO. Yeah, some serious pre-hunt planning (and negotiating) is in order for this hunt if you're not a local.
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on November 05, 2005, 06:28 PM:
I need to do a retraction. There was also one entrant from FL, 1 from LA, ND, MT, and 1 from ID.
Today's tally: 143 spotted, 54 taken.
1st place= 11 coyotes
2nd= 10
3rd= 8
4th= 7
5th= 2 with 6 apiece
Couldn't find out Big Dog/Little Dog results.
I'll let y'all simmer with suspense until Cal gets on line and gives us a firsthand account.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on November 05, 2005, 07:58 PM:
You have a cruel streak, Tom. Can't wait, hope he did it. LB
Posted by Brad Norman (Member # 234) on November 06, 2005, 01:47 AM:
I'm not gonna wait for Calvin's response. Great job buddy. I hope I'm correct!
[ November 06, 2005, 01:49 AM: Message edited by: Brad Norman ]
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on November 06, 2005, 10:20 AM:
There oughta be a law against this much suspense
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on November 06, 2005, 04:40 PM:
Come on now, how would it be to steal away somebody elses story? That's like blurting out the punchline to someone elses joke. I'm a very ethical guy (a rapidly diminishing value. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
)
I'm waiting for Cal's story too. Didn't get to spend much time with him. Seems like celebrity has a price. He was pretty much in demand.
I did find out that he hunts one of the same areas I do. Which may go a ways to explain why I can only call them in at night up there. Cal don't hunt the dark.
Posted by Cal Taylor (Member # 199) on November 06, 2005, 06:00 PM:
I'm finally home, and there's not much for suspense. We ended up third, and Tom could have told you guys LOL! We fought 40 to 50 mph winds non-stop from first stand to last. Actually at the last I think we had some 60 to 70 mph gusts, and I was glad to get killed what we did. We called in every coyote we killed, but literally had to get in bed with them to get them up and coming. If they could hear you they came good. We shotgunned several because we were in the tight tall sage where they were hiding from the wind. We missed two coyotes,(1 each) at less than 200 yds just due to the wind, I shot one coyote at 120 yds with my 243 in a direct crosswind and held for the middle of the coyote and hit it in the head, to give you some idea of wind drift. It was rugged. I don't understand why they ask how many coyotes you saw, because I doubt if many teams tell the truth. If you have a decent area and are seeing alot of coyotes, I'm not sure why anyone would want to make that info public. As for 4 wheelers, you are supposed to be together there also, but I couldn't prove anyones honesty one way or the other. We don't use one. It was great to meet Tom, We visited at breakfast this morning, and I went over to finish eating figuring on visiting some more and I looked up and he was gone. I guess the prairie dog bug got to him. The team numbers were way down, 38 I think, and there's usually 70 or so, but the guys that usually do the best were all still there, so I don't think the contest was any easier, just less money to win. It is great to have some private access, but we don't have it exclusively, there are other teams that hunt the same area, Les Johnson for one, has permission in all the same ranches we do. There is actaully more public land around there than there is private and the contest has been won several times just on public, but it requires some serious scouting. Some of the guys that did well this year hunted all public. Anyway it was a decent year for us, but we have yet to win first there, but I'm sure we will try again. I'll post more later.
Posted by TRnCO (Member # 690) on November 06, 2005, 06:06 PM:
Still a darn good showing Cal. Congrats on sticking with it in the tough/brutal calling conditions! Lesser guys would throw in the towel!
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on November 06, 2005, 06:42 PM:
Cal, I needed to get going because I wanted to swing by that ranch we talked about. I took the back way in on the dirt roads. I noticed the speed goats were all hunkered down in arroyos or any depression they could find. That got me thinking. About 5 miles N. of the ranch house I turned in to check out a spot. Wind can be your friend. I was glassing a small canyon thinking there may one bedded down in there. There were 3 YOY's about 150 yds down from the ridge I was peeking over. Dirt and weeds blowing in my face. I touched off the Swift and missed. Two got up and started walking around. I racked another round and picked center mass of the one still on the ground. That got him. The other two bolted up the canyon without ever looking back. They didn't look much over 15 lbs. I waited another 4-5 minutes without moving, but nothing else showed. It was friggin' cold in that wind. I only saw one PD above ground in the area. But I did get my gate pass and an OK for night hunting, lol.
Posted by Q-Wagoner (Member # 33) on November 07, 2005, 08:06 AM:
Great job Cal. I called this weekend also and it was WINDY here as well. So who won this year? I haven’t seen it posted anywhere yet.
Good hunting.
Q,
Posted by Cal Taylor (Member # 199) on November 07, 2005, 10:01 AM:
Q, I didn't know the guys that won, but they were from down by Baggs Wy and hunted there and right on the Co. line. I went to write down all the particulars Sunday morning and the sheets were gone.
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on November 07, 2005, 10:09 AM:
Cal Taylor,
Congratulations on your good showing at the contest. I see a foxpro in your above photo. Did they allow you to use that caller in the contest?
Posted by Cal Taylor (Member # 199) on November 07, 2005, 11:33 AM:
Yes,Rich. Electronics and handcalls are both fine. I used the FoxPro and my Cronk call both.
Posted by Greenside (Member # 10) on November 07, 2005, 12:33 PM:
Congratulations Cal! They let you keep the coyotes? Did you use the dead coyote in the sp10?
Dennis
[ November 07, 2005, 12:34 PM: Message edited by: Greenside ]
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on November 07, 2005, 02:36 PM:
Dennis,
Yep, old Cal stuffed a dead coyote down the awesome maw of the magger and set off the charge. Whooeeee! what a mess.
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on November 07, 2005, 02:49 PM:
There was a buyer there who hauled all them stinky carcasses off. Don't know what he gave for them. Folks thought I was the fur buyer for a while, until he actually showed up.
Posted by Cal Taylor (Member # 199) on November 07, 2005, 03:32 PM:
You can keep your coyotes if you wish, but we always donate ours back to the hunt. I think they got 12 bucks a coyote and there was just over a hundred killed. I shot my Bennelli M2 12 guage for a shotgun. I had the first two shells Hevi Shot Bs, followed by 4 Hevi Shot Dead coyote, but I never got to a Dead Coyote shell. Both the ones I shotgunned were less than 15 yards, one at 10 or 12 feet.
Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on November 07, 2005, 04:28 PM:
Congrats Cal!! Good showing.
Were the fellas that won it tied for the lead on day one, or did someone come from behind? Reason I ask, I know I keep going back to fishing since thats the only good analogy I got to compare to, is in two day tournaments, the day one leader hardly ever wins. I always liked to be third thru sixth, about 3-5lb back (maybe like 2-3 coyotes?) after day one. Seems like thats the winners alot of the time.
Tell ya what though, in those conditions, with that level of competition, no matter how many teams, that was a good showing. You should be proud. I know Im proud for ya.... Im sure that, once again its like fishing, in respect that if they usually have 70 teams and only 40 showed up, there were probaly at least 30, maybe more, that are field fillers, for a lack of a better term, anyway.
Like you said, the same ones always seem to be near the top anyway. Still the same competition, just less cash.
Good Job
Andy
BTW, if I understood it right, and the buyer took em all for $12 across the board, that was a pretty good deal too, I would think. Dont have to skin or do anything, just leave em with the buyer....
[ November 07, 2005, 04:29 PM: Message edited by: Andy L ]
Posted by Rob (Member # 75) on November 07, 2005, 04:51 PM:
There is an article in this months Trappers World about Brenda Powell who bought all the coyotes from the Nationals one year..took them to her home in Colorado where her and the husband skinned and stretched 247 coyotes in 39 hours straight...Mike and Brenda are fur buyers from Trinidad,Colorado
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on November 07, 2005, 05:04 PM:
Damn! 247 coyotes, 39 hours of skinning and stretching...
I wonder if they are still married after all that?
Posted by Rob (Member # 75) on November 07, 2005, 05:19 PM:
Lonny..there's a picture of Mike and Brenda in the article...she's a looker!
Posted by brad h (Member # 57) on November 07, 2005, 05:42 PM:
So...How did ND coykiller do at Nationals this year?
Brad
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on November 07, 2005, 06:09 PM:
Wonder where you toss 247 carcasses? Also, wonder why it took so long? According to the "Two Minute Coyote" you should be able to do that many in eight hours, or so?
But, after a contest like that, nobody feels like pulling fur. I never did.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on November 07, 2005, 06:19 PM:
Andy, on the first day Cal (team #17) was tied for first with team #18. It was team #18 that won.
Total take for this years Nationals was only 103 coyotes.
[ November 07, 2005, 06:25 PM: Message edited by: NASA ]
Posted by Cal Taylor (Member # 199) on November 07, 2005, 07:23 PM:
Brad, I believe NDCoyote Killer won 10th with 4 coyotes, and they won the "small dog" contest also. Thats a sidebet pot for the biggest and smallest coyote.
Posted by nd coyote killer (Member # 40) on November 08, 2005, 09:00 AM:
Yes Brad H Cal is right we were able to place 10th and take small dog which helped with the gas. We had one bad miss and a lot of coyotes going way down wind in that hurricane level winds we had. We had a blast and just about got Cal up for Karoke on saturday night!
Posted by Locohead (Member # 15) on November 10, 2005, 10:25 AM:
Way to go Cal. Sounds like a blast. You'll get 'em next year. It seems you are a repeat champ' anyway!!! ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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