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Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on August 03, 2006, 07:55 PM:
Why do they have calling contests? If i had a good area for calling coyotes i would want to keep it to my self and a few of the locals. To me its more fun to go out and call in a dozen or so coyotes in a day than go out calling for a week and only call in half that. Just wondering, makes no sense to me.
Posted by Jrbhunter (Member # 459) on August 03, 2006, 08:41 PM:
I'm sure there are those who prefer throwing a tennis ball against the garage door.... still somehow competetive tennis is popular.
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on August 03, 2006, 09:00 PM:
Jason, what a great analogy. It even included a terrific zinger. If I had a hat it would be off to you. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posted by Jack Roberts (Member # 13) on August 03, 2006, 10:34 PM:
"call in a dozen or so coyotes in a day"
Good Luck!
Jack
[ August 03, 2006, 10:35 PM: Message edited by: Jack Roberts ]
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on August 04, 2006, 08:51 AM:
Jack, back in the good old days, believe this if you want, I have (a number of times) called over 50 coyotes, vicinity of Wells and Elko. (in a 24 hour period) Utah road hunters have pretty much turned me against hunting that area these days, but it used to be good for a dozen on a mediocre day.
Yes, human nature being what it is, we will develop contests for just about any activity. Ever hear of Olympic Curling? Higgins told me that he used to hustle Canadians in Curling, when he was in college....as well as Paso double'.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Cal Taylor (Member # 199) on August 04, 2006, 09:32 AM:
I love it when Jack comes over here and posts snide remarks. Those kinds of remarks in other places will get you suspended. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on August 04, 2006, 09:59 AM:
Yes, Cal. But over here , he's our lovable, cranky and irascible curmudgeon; and as such, a genuine "treasure."
Don't know what we would do without him? For sure, it would be a duller place, eh?
Good hunting. LB (we love ya, Jack)
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on August 04, 2006, 12:20 PM:
HA! Actually Leonard , I did compete in Ballroom dancing back in the 70s and Paso Doble (not double) was required.
You guys that know me now.... how's that for a mental picture.
Posted by UTcaller (Member # 8) on August 04, 2006, 01:10 PM:
Ah, come on Jack you just have to get out and hunt alittle to kill a few.LOL Although I wouldn't say a dozen is a mediocre day in some places in Nevada,I would be bold enough to say 10+ coyotes in a day is quite possible if you hunt hard enough.Been there done that. Good Hunting Chad
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on August 04, 2006, 01:55 PM:
Leonard,
I've been meaning to ask for a long time, can you change Jack's title from Senor Member, to "Resident Curmudgeon"?
Posted by Bryan J (Member # 106) on August 04, 2006, 02:21 PM:
Some of my best days of calling have been in contests. Probably because my partner and I are focused on putting up numbers, and have done some amount of homework before those days, when we are calling recreationally it is more about the experience, and perhaps learning something new for contest day.
Why do I hunt contests? Well, over the past few years I have met some quality predator callers at these events. Second, I believe it has forced me to pay attention to the little things thus making me a little more effective in my calling and shooting. Besides it is a great excuse to spend a week in the field scouting and hunting, and wrap it up at the banquet with good company. Having seen 28 coyotes get checked in after a day and a half of hunting keeps me from being skeptical when some one makes claims of calling X number of coyotes in a day.
Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on August 04, 2006, 02:22 PM:
True story. The last time I called in a dozen coyotes in one day, was two years ago, within less than 30 miles of Jack's front door, on public land that I had never set foot on before that day.
- DAA
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on August 04, 2006, 04:12 PM:
As Bryan alluded, it is my belief that hunting contests will improve a man's skills and visa versa.
And Rich. I knew that. Even better mental picture would be the camo "quick step".
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Cowboyvon (Member # 854) on August 04, 2006, 06:01 PM:
I could never see the point in competion hunts ... of course I team rope and compete most every other weekend during the spring and summer.. which brings me too ..
JRB thats one of the best posts I've ever read..
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Posted by Jack Roberts (Member # 13) on August 04, 2006, 06:29 PM:
The last big contest here in Elko had some big name callers entered and as I recall the winning team averaged 3 coyotes a day.
Since the state tacked that "predator control fee" onto the hunting licenses and uses all the money to hunt and trap coyotes, they are a lot further apart than they used to be.
Jack
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on August 04, 2006, 07:49 PM:
Jack, that's an excellent point. LB
Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on August 04, 2006, 07:56 PM:
Ahhh, senor~ Higgins, yet another thing we have in common, I took three years of ballroom dancing myself. Albiet, not as an adult, but a teenager, my mother was intent on givng me some "culture". I don't think it took though,do you?
Posted by UTcaller (Member # 8) on August 04, 2006, 08:45 PM:
Jack,
You failed to mention the year before that they posted some big numbers.Winning team shot 26 coyotes I think.
If I remember right weather played a part in the low numbers last year.Good Hunting Chad
Posted by Cal Taylor (Member # 199) on August 04, 2006, 08:47 PM:
At the World hunt there in Elko the numbers were a little better than that Jack. My numbers weren't, , but the winning teams were.
Posted by brad h (Member # 57) on August 04, 2006, 09:06 PM:
The state keeps the numbers down here too. But I've found that a 150 mile give or take drive north and east of here has a very undisturbed population.
It's not inconceivable to call in a dozen in a day.
Shooting and killing a dozen is a different story.
Brad
Posted by Jack Roberts (Member # 13) on August 04, 2006, 10:44 PM:
A friend of mine just bought a new supercub and is thinking about going for one of the aerial contracts. I think he is nuts since he doesn't need a job and already has 2 airplanes he doesn't fly. I can not use a shotgun as I only have one good eye. I did agree to fly the airplane while he shoots.
Crazy stuff and once we both realize it means being out the door by 5:00 AM every day we will give it up.
Jack
Posted by Cal Taylor (Member # 199) on August 05, 2006, 07:58 AM:
Jack, A good friend of mine is the Wildlife Services pilot at Elko. They rack up some huge numbers in northern Nevada. He has been out there for a few years now but is originally from near here. It runs in the family for these guys, his dad and uncle are also WS pilots.
Back to the World contest, it was won by Barnes and Barnes last year with 13 coyotes in a day and a half of daytime calling only.
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on August 05, 2006, 11:32 AM:
Can't use a shotgun because I only have one good eye. I agreed to fly the airplane though. Is that an Oxymoron?
Posted by The Outdoor Tripp (Member # 619) on August 06, 2006, 05:21 AM:
A one-eyed pilot?
Now that's good readin'.
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on August 06, 2006, 09:40 AM:
TA17Rem, I never did reply directly to your question of why compete in contests.
My take on the issue is simply that contests can be a good measure of your abilities compared to the other contestants. It establishes a pecking order that changes constantly. During the two days or so of the contest we are more focused, more aware, more alive, than during the rest of the month. The uncertainty adds a little spice as does the comaraderie, the buzz, stories, elation or disappointment at check-in. Very few calling contests are conducted on a level playing field but the regulars know and understand that and the the solid callers get their props, their due, even if they don't win.
There is a fairly new club in the Phx area that now has about 50 members that has the most fair agenda that I have heard about. They hold monthly contests and all contestants are required to hunt in the same designated hunt unit. They are all required to camp together on Sat. nite. Very level field with all hunting in the same general area with the same densities and pressure.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on August 06, 2006, 09:50 AM:
Along those lines, Rich. I once proposed that we have a State sponsered hunt in which all the contestants meet and camp in the same location and hunt on foot, as near or as far as they cared to walk, there and back, to all points of the compass. The proposal went nowhere.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on August 06, 2006, 10:31 AM:
It's absolutely impossible to make a "hunting contest", fair,or have a level playing field. The variables are so broad in scope,it just can't be done. A level playing field would mean all participants would have exactly the same conditions,targets(coyotes),opportunities etc, as every other competitor,and thats not possible given the nature of the endeavor.
In other forms of competition,I'll take shooting, because thats what Im most familar with, every competitor faces the same number of targets,same size,same distance ect. Each competitor can then choose how,when and in what order they wish to engage each target and how fast they can accomplish that task. So the competition boils down to who actually is the best on that particular day.
Without an artificial setting, it's just not feasible to expect a hunting type competition to have a level playing field, and Im sure most who participate understand and deal with that.
They are what they are,and those who engage in them, know the deal. A good caller and hunter is sure to show well, but all it takes is someone to have a few sections of private ground tucked away,where others might be compelled to hunt worked over public land,and I think that changes the variables greatly?
I enjoy competition, so I can understand why guys who like coyote hunting contests play the game. It's always enjoyable to be around others who share your passion for whatever it is you like to do.
Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on August 06, 2006, 11:35 AM:
Eeegads... Camping with up to 50 other club members?
A good overnight camping spot on a weekend calling trip, is one where if I have a heart attack and die, nobody is even going to find my truck parked there for several years.
I don't think they give out prizes for contest hunts big enough to get me to trade one night alone in the desert for a camp surrounded by humanity.
I just hate crowds. Try my best to avoid schedules and socializing too. And that's in every day life, trying to make a living. Then there is all the good old fashioned cheating and political garbage that I have to deal with most every day in the corporate world. Bringing that stuff into my coyote hunting is a purely alien concept to me. Just can't even imagine why I'd want to? For you guys that are into it, more power to ya, but I'll stay away - far away.
- DAA
Posted by lanceb (Member # 916) on August 06, 2006, 04:53 PM:
when you hunt contests it is not just the competion . it is meeting new people with the same interest. i hunted the midwest coyote calling event and met some of the nicest people around. just a thought. and when it comes to a fair event how can it not be.private or public you can call anywhere you can drive to. thanks
Posted by Jack Roberts (Member # 13) on August 06, 2006, 06:23 PM:
Shame on you Rich!
You did not do your research.
All pilot records are open to the public online.
You can look up every license, rating and certificate I hold.
Tripp,
FYI There are many one eyed pilots. Except for an ATR rating only one eye is needed. When I sold my 185 the guy who bought it had lost an eye to cancer years ago.
Jack
Jack
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on August 06, 2006, 07:30 PM:
Jack Roberts,
I know you are a pilot, and I am sure that you are a good one. I should not have made that wise crack. I always close one eye when aiming a shotgun, so only having one good eye is no reason not to shoot a scattergun. I also shoot running coyotes with one eye closed, and that is with a scoped rifle. Sorry about that bad eye, but at least you don't have to squint that one when looking at pretty girls.
Posted by Locohead (Member # 15) on August 06, 2006, 07:30 PM:
Jack,
I was inclined to think it sounded dangerous too. It probably is not! I truly know nothing about that. However, I'm still curious. In my immense void of knowledge, I would think worsened depth perception would be a problem. Isn't it all while flying? ![[Confused]](confused.gif)
Posted by Locohead (Member # 15) on August 06, 2006, 07:34 PM:
Shame on you Rich!
Shooting a shotgun with one eye closed!?!?
Aiming with a shotgun?!?!
[ August 06, 2006, 07:54 PM: Message edited by: Locohead ]
Posted by Jack Roberts (Member # 13) on August 06, 2006, 10:19 PM:
Locohead,
I do still have two functioning eyes. It is just that since an injury, my dominant eye does not have the best vision. This a real problem with a shotgun since whichever shoulder I shoot from the dominate eye with the worst vision wants to aim it.
It also causes a big loss in binocular vision which only works out to about 15 feet anyway. Major problems stepping up on a curb, can't tell if it is 3" high or 12". Also big deal parking a car, can't tell if it is 3' or 6' to the car in front of me. With practice you learn to adjust and not get too close. Flying a plane it made no difference because you never look at those close distances. Even when landing, 50 yards is about the closest you ever look.
Jack
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on August 07, 2006, 05:42 AM:
Ok, I'm gonna get on a plane for the first time in a couple of weeks, I wasn't really thinking about it tooo much but hearing you talk about not being able to park a car but you can fly a plane?????
After thinking about it further, edited to add: OH MY GOD!!!
[ August 07, 2006, 05:46 AM: Message edited by: TOM64 ]
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on August 07, 2006, 07:12 AM:
As long as he doesn't try to parallel park while in the air there should be no problem.
You're safer flying with a one eyed pilot than you are driving on the freeway to the airport.
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