Had some vacation I needed to burn before the end of the year so I took this week off to do some calling. Today’s weather was supposed to be light winds in the morning picking up late afternoon.
First stand had a double come screaming in to some howls. At 100 yards I started whistling to get them to stop, at 75 yards I started barking, by 40 yards I was basically yelling and finally had to take the running shot at 30 as they were going to just blow right by me luckily rolling the big male. Wish I’d have packed the shotgun with.
Second stand was a dud but did cut some fairly fresh mountain lion tracks. Did get some howls about 1.5 miles away so I headed that way.
Third stand I set up in a rock pile on a rolling ridge that I could cover where I figured the coyotes were going to come from plus I could still see my downwind side. About 10 minutes into the stand I hear a rock roll behind me and just as I turn my head there’s a streak of fur bearing down on me 6’ away. I thought for sure it was the mountain lion and I was a goner. Turns out it was a coyote that had to have come running right by the pickup as it was the only way he could get to that spot. My extremely manly squeal made him turn tail and run. I got him to stop at what I thought was about 350 but after I shot over him I ranged it and it was closer to 300. Here’s the path the coyote took and where I was sitting
4th stand had a double coming in hard again to some pup whimpers. Finally got the little female to lock up at 40 yards. Dumped her and swung on the other coyote but it kicked on the afterburners and blew right by me.
Next two stands were a bust and then the wind started blowing pretty hard. Was a really fun day having them come in so hard. Just don’t get those hard chargers on public land in eastern Montana very often anymore. Ended up with just the two. Should have had the third. If I’d have packed the shotgun I could have probably added two more.
First stand had a double come screaming in to some howls. At 100 yards I started whistling to get them to stop, at 75 yards I started barking, by 40 yards I was basically yelling and finally had to take the running shot at 30 as they were going to just blow right by me luckily rolling the big male. Wish I’d have packed the shotgun with.
Second stand was a dud but did cut some fairly fresh mountain lion tracks. Did get some howls about 1.5 miles away so I headed that way.
Third stand I set up in a rock pile on a rolling ridge that I could cover where I figured the coyotes were going to come from plus I could still see my downwind side. About 10 minutes into the stand I hear a rock roll behind me and just as I turn my head there’s a streak of fur bearing down on me 6’ away. I thought for sure it was the mountain lion and I was a goner. Turns out it was a coyote that had to have come running right by the pickup as it was the only way he could get to that spot. My extremely manly squeal made him turn tail and run. I got him to stop at what I thought was about 350 but after I shot over him I ranged it and it was closer to 300. Here’s the path the coyote took and where I was sitting
4th stand had a double coming in hard again to some pup whimpers. Finally got the little female to lock up at 40 yards. Dumped her and swung on the other coyote but it kicked on the afterburners and blew right by me.
Next two stands were a bust and then the wind started blowing pretty hard. Was a really fun day having them come in so hard. Just don’t get those hard chargers on public land in eastern Montana very often anymore. Ended up with just the two. Should have had the third. If I’d have packed the shotgun I could have probably added two more.
