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If you love deer, you need to hunt coyotes

On January 22nd of 2015, I semi-conquered my fear of coyotes.  I went with Steve to his bait pile and we called in my beautiful 37lb male coyote.

My coyote from 2015
A few weeks ago, we went back to the same spot.  The coyotes had been staying close to the bait pile and their well worn trail ran just behind the shack.

When we got there, the wind was blowing and the temperatures were dropping.  It was a lot colder than it had been last year and for some reason, I had forgotten by good hunting boots and had to wear my 'normal' winter boots which were not big enough to get two layers of socks in.

Getting ready to head to the shack
There were fresh tracks when we got to the shack, which was promising. Steve set out the rabbit decoy and call and we got settled in.  I kept hoping that it would be like last year and one would come right in.  The full moon was two nights away but it was bright enough that we planned to have some decent lighting.


Steve setting up the call and a view of the field.
 We waited about a half hour then started to call.  I was prepared for that awful rabbit call and between that and the mating female, I was on guard and hoping that we would get a reply. Before too long, we did!

The entire pack called in response to the female call.  We called again and waited.  The pack waited.  It seemed longer than I am sure it was, but they called back a second time and were closer than before.  We listened and watched, looking for one or more coyotes to come into the field.  I would lean forward to look at the same spot where I had found my coyote the year before.  Nothing.

The temperature kept dropping and the response from the pack had stopped.  They were around, but not interested in checking out the decoy - or they came into the field where we could not see them, didnt see a coyote (even though they could hear one) and decided to leave.  Either way, we called it a night earlier than we had planned and headed for a vehicle with heat!


I am hoping that not getting a coyote is a good sign.  I shot one in 2015 but did not shoot a bear or deer.  In 2014, I didn't get a coyote but had a deer and bear...so, I am hopeful.



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Comments

  1. Robin FolletteFebruary 10, 2016

    My brother-in-law has taken six off one bait, three of them in 12 hours. That's a lot of deer saved.

    ReplyDelete
  2. JoeFebruary 16, 2016

    Wow!! Beautiful fur on your coyote. Big one also.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ErinFebruary 17, 2016

      Thanks Joe! I had the pelt tanned and it's hanging in my office. He is beautiful; light colored with streaks of black down his legs.

      Delete
  3. Aliesen SenadoFebruary 18, 2016

    Most of these shoes or boots certainly are a mix concerning military services in addition to looking shoes or boots and will produce adequate convenience pertaining to sometimes of such a pair of actions. They may be camouflaged in addition to combine normally while using the natural environment. go here http://survival-mastery.com/skills/scouting/best-hunting-boots.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ErinFebruary 19, 2016

      Thanks! I probably should get a good pair of hunting boots for when I'm not just sitting in my stands.

      Delete

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