T Bone
Well-known member
New years day I had the strangest day of predator calling ever. With a couple hours of sleep I headed out and hiked a couple miles into an area I know doesn't get any calling pressure.
1st set- Cottontail in distress. After about 3 minutes of waiting I spot two coyotes coming in on a run. The smaller dog hung up at about 200 yards but the big one came in fast. He stops at 80 yards quartering on. I'm on my shooting sticks, calm as can be and put pressure on the trigger thinking about the chance of doubling on the second dog. CRACK! The dog streaks out of view. Clean miss. I blame it on the lack of sleep and move on another 1/2 mile or so.
2nd set- Cottontail in distress. Coyote comes sneaking in the back door and gives me a broadside shot at 150 yards. I'm laying prone. Squeeze off the shot. Clean miss. I check the ring/mount screws..tight. I check the action screws. Loosy goosy. I finger tighten and hear some rattling around. At first I think its the scope rattling, then discover that the glass bedding has shattered. I tighten again the best I can and shoot a couple rounds. Very inconsistent. I'm spraying lead all over the place.
I head back to the car. At the last group of trees I stop and rest. I call one more time for the heck of it.
3rd set- 30 minutes after starting I start packing up the e-caller and pick up movement about 1/4 mile out. I glass and see one huge fat cat walking right towards me. I first thought it was a lion then it turns sideways and see it's boxy frame, sagging belly, blocky melon and bob tail. I've only seen a few bobcats alive and this by far is double the size of any I've seen. It stops at about 250 yards in a sunny spot under a tree and sits and watches me. Then he lays down. I watch for 1/2 hour as he sleeps.
I had the cheepo digi camera and snap a pic. The pic is poor quality, but you can see him laying facing away under the tree. Wish I had taken the better camera along with a functional rifle.
I try calling with the bunny in distress, woodpecker, cat in distress and he doesn't even move. Then I switch to fawn in distress and he is up and closing the distance slowly but consistently. He comes into 150 yards and turns broadside. I'm laying prone over my pack, feeling disgusted that I have this piece of crap rifle in my hands. I pull the trigger and he runs away, untouched. Unbelievable. Maybe I should have stalked him in his bed and clubbed him.
I got back to the car as the sun was getting low and headed home. Car breaks down. My wife puts the kido's and the tow strap in the car and tows me to town.
We walk in the house just in time for the BSU game. That was by far the best part of the day.
The factory bedding (Browing A-Bolt) was completey cracked and coming apart. Tonight I'm re-bedding in Accra-gel. Maybe I'll get another crack at the big fat lazy cat.
1st set- Cottontail in distress. After about 3 minutes of waiting I spot two coyotes coming in on a run. The smaller dog hung up at about 200 yards but the big one came in fast. He stops at 80 yards quartering on. I'm on my shooting sticks, calm as can be and put pressure on the trigger thinking about the chance of doubling on the second dog. CRACK! The dog streaks out of view. Clean miss. I blame it on the lack of sleep and move on another 1/2 mile or so.
2nd set- Cottontail in distress. Coyote comes sneaking in the back door and gives me a broadside shot at 150 yards. I'm laying prone. Squeeze off the shot. Clean miss. I check the ring/mount screws..tight. I check the action screws. Loosy goosy. I finger tighten and hear some rattling around. At first I think its the scope rattling, then discover that the glass bedding has shattered. I tighten again the best I can and shoot a couple rounds. Very inconsistent. I'm spraying lead all over the place.
I head back to the car. At the last group of trees I stop and rest. I call one more time for the heck of it.
3rd set- 30 minutes after starting I start packing up the e-caller and pick up movement about 1/4 mile out. I glass and see one huge fat cat walking right towards me. I first thought it was a lion then it turns sideways and see it's boxy frame, sagging belly, blocky melon and bob tail. I've only seen a few bobcats alive and this by far is double the size of any I've seen. It stops at about 250 yards in a sunny spot under a tree and sits and watches me. Then he lays down. I watch for 1/2 hour as he sleeps.
I had the cheepo digi camera and snap a pic. The pic is poor quality, but you can see him laying facing away under the tree. Wish I had taken the better camera along with a functional rifle.
I try calling with the bunny in distress, woodpecker, cat in distress and he doesn't even move. Then I switch to fawn in distress and he is up and closing the distance slowly but consistently. He comes into 150 yards and turns broadside. I'm laying prone over my pack, feeling disgusted that I have this piece of crap rifle in my hands. I pull the trigger and he runs away, untouched. Unbelievable. Maybe I should have stalked him in his bed and clubbed him.
I got back to the car as the sun was getting low and headed home. Car breaks down. My wife puts the kido's and the tow strap in the car and tows me to town.
We walk in the house just in time for the BSU game. That was by far the best part of the day.
The factory bedding (Browing A-Bolt) was completey cracked and coming apart. Tonight I'm re-bedding in Accra-gel. Maybe I'll get another crack at the big fat lazy cat.
