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Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 24, 2009, 04:24 PM:
Well, I stole a look at my weather radio and just saw something I don't often see there where it usually says "TStorm Warning" or "Tornado Watch". It says "Blizzard Warning". Guess that means we'll get a white Christmas after all!!! I know it's blowing like the dickens outdoors right now and we've got about 3 inches of snow suspended in fifty mile an hour winds. Hope Santa Claus finds his way in the storm. The wife is crawling down the Interstate headed home from work 30 miles away. Once she's in the door, I'll settle down with a cold one and watch it snow in the glow of the Christmas lights adorning the house and front lawn.
May each and every one of you know-it-all bastards have a very Merry Christmas. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Hell, Martz, that goes for you, too. You all might be all uppity and such, but you're a top notch group of guys that I am honored to count amongst my friends. While I'm at it, Happy New Year, too!
Posted by Nikonut (Member # 188) on December 24, 2009, 05:11 PM:
Well Lance,
It's been a very long time since I've wished you a Merry Christmas and I'm not even going to try to remember when, just know it's been a while! Hope your wife makes it home very soon and your family is safe and warm.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, too!
Nikonut
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 24, 2009, 05:19 PM:
Good deal, Lance. Back at ya. Merry Christmas.
We had a hell of a wind storm two nights ago, picked up one of my umbrellas like a helicopter and dumped it upside down ten foot deep in the pool, shattered the glass top of a six foot table, exploded all over the place. I shouldn't have left it up, kinda stupid, I guess? I was sweeping up and hosing down glass shards all day long. Tempered glass, ya know? I had a heck of a time getting that umbrella fished out, it acted like a sea anchor on a boat, if you land lubbers know what that is?
We got a lot of snow in the local mountains but not at my level. I kind of like it when we do get snow here, but my tropical shrubs don't!
Good hunting. LB
Posted by CrossJ (Member # 884) on December 24, 2009, 06:14 PM:
Yep, snowing here too. Kids are outside now, but keep coming to the door to ask me to get the fourwheeler and pull them around on an innertube.
Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.
Maintain, Geordie
P.S. Going to get the fourwheeler now!
Posted by jwelk (Member # 2051) on December 24, 2009, 06:22 PM:
Blowing snow and bad roads here.Some drifts up to 2 to 3 ft.And everyone drives like an idiot!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 24, 2009, 06:31 PM:
Leonard,
I think the wind we're getting now is the same system that you had two days ago and which kicked up the dust storms in NM I read about on the news.
The wife got sent home early from work, made it in good time and is safely here with us bundled up in a Snuggie watching TV. She was raised in and around Laurel, Montana, and Craig, CO, so snow storms and driving in them are old hat for her. I have a new snow thrower in the garage that I'll use to wake the neighbors sometime tomorrow morning. Hehehe We don't get too many white Christmases, so this is a treat for all of us. That innertube idea sounds fun. I have a plastic toboggan we use for dragging deer out behind the ATV which might get some work this weekend. You can get about four average-sized 10 year olds on it.
I'm looking at Saturday night - growing big moon (~70%), should be straight overhead at about 8 p.m., and snow on the ground. Coyotes have been in seige mode and nocturnal since deer season and I have a surprise for them. LOL
[ December 24, 2009, 06:34 PM: Message edited by: Cdog911 ]
Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on December 24, 2009, 08:03 PM:
It snowed here big time last night and all day today and its still comeing down. I left this mourning to go hunting and got stuck for a half hour and decided to call it quits till it stops snowing. Have a forecast thats calling for two more days of it. The coyotes are gonna be easier to find but tough getting out to them so i'll have to digg out the snow-shoes..
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.....
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on December 25, 2009, 05:45 AM:
No snow here in the land of Tim & Vic, but it's 24 degrees outside. Thank Gawd for global warming; it would probably be in the low teens if not for AlGore.
Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!
Posted by Randy Roede (Member # 1273) on December 25, 2009, 07:31 AM:
Merry Christmas to all!!
A 50 MPH wind, single digit temps, about a foot of snow already and maybe that much more to come, 6-8 foot drift in the driveway, but I will always luv winter.
Geordie you wouldn't need a fourwheeler here, just put them on a tube and go pick them up somewhere southeast of where you let them go, fence, shelterbelt, Nebraska!!! You may be able to send one to Shaw from my house.
Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on December 25, 2009, 08:44 AM:
Merry Christmas to you all too! Gorgeous weather here, crystal clear,and 14 degrees this morning, first morning I had no water, but thawed up by 9am. Had grandkids down, they were up at 6, which meant so was I!
Posted by Lone Howl (Member # 29) on December 25, 2009, 08:53 AM:
Merry Christmas everybody!
Nice and sunny here in Kalifornia...yuck!
Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on December 25, 2009, 09:11 AM:
Merry Christmas to all.
Crisp this am about 37 will get up to 60 thats winter in this part of Az.
hey! Leonard wadyah get Rocky for Christmas.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 25, 2009, 09:36 AM:
I had to stop and go check, Paul. Up late and up early, still a little whupped. I'd hosting dinner today, first time alone, since Nanc died. It's a lot of work! I hope I can pull it off?
I don't know what the temp is? My thermometer says 80 but it feels like 60? Clear as a bell. Somebody told me it was down to 37, the night before last, but mostly, the overnight low has been in the low 40s.
Rocky. I checked, he didn't find the porkchop bones I buried for him, maybe they were a little deep, so I dug it up and a blind coon could find it now. It's the last of my stash of bones from a big dinner a few nights ago, from here on in it's raw eggs and lunch meat.
Merry Christmas, I hope everybody got what they wanted? LB
Posted by CrossJ (Member # 884) on December 25, 2009, 12:20 PM:
RR, they would probably be all for that. A little too much wind for me though.
quote:
You may be able to send one to Shaw from my house.
My youngest(the comanche) would like that. She is convinced if you rub Shaws head its several years good luck, your wish will come true, or something like that. LOL
Merry Christmas everyone!
Maintain
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on December 25, 2009, 03:16 PM:
It is pretty dang white here at the Cronk's.
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 25, 2009, 04:19 PM:
Looks like my backyard, Rich. Already been down the drive two times today with the new snow thrower. What a fun toy. For now.
The moon is right this minute straight overhead and at about 50% (It's 6:15 pm). 'Ceptin' for the gale force winds blowing all the snow sideways, it'd be a good night for yodelin'. Oh well, DVD night instead.
Hope everyone had a good one today. I started mine off with my teenage son telling me to something-or-other off, and that my entire family could burn in hell. Then he told me if I didn't want him around, I should just kick him out. I told him to gimme a present and be gone when we got back. Remember when you couldn't wait to hear them talk? You gotta love those kids. He's gone, but his crap is still here. Damn!
Oh well, it is what it is...
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 25, 2009, 04:35 PM:
Yeah, they always can stay with friends. They think. Eventually they figure out they can't do shit without mom and dad.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Dusty Hunter (Member # 1031) on December 25, 2009, 04:52 PM:
Out here in the west, the sun has gone down and the stars are shining. Supposed to hit about 20 degrees tonight. It was a good, restful Christmas for me and what a great year it was. Merry Christmas to all. Here's a good short video and song to end it with. Man, do I miss these actors.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBIKrDChgJc&feature=related
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on December 25, 2009, 05:03 PM:
We had two of our four kids here today, along with my Parents and our New Daughter-in-law. It was a great Christmas, with way too much food. My Mom and Wife really over did the treats this year.
Our water lines didn't freeze, but the pressure switch froze open. Joyce ran out of water in the Middle of her shower and I had to go outside and repair the problem in my robe and flip flops.
Sounds like a good weekend to slip out and kill something?
Posted by JoeF (Member # 228) on December 25, 2009, 05:05 PM:
CDog, I read your post at a bit before daylight today... right before I headed to work.
Fortunes have certainly changed in my camp in the last few years. Happy to have a job but it is kicking my ass at my (relatively young) age. It is a great day to be alive!!!!
Heck, I'll send a Merry Christmas cheer and salute out to old Sweet William myself.
Temp's have dipped in to the teens here with winds gusting in to the 40's. Not fit for man nor beast!
Posted by CrossJ (Member # 884) on December 25, 2009, 05:17 PM:
Posted by 32below (Member # 2075) on December 25, 2009, 05:56 PM:
Geordie, all you be missing is some tumbleweeds. Let me run out back and kick a few loose, they will be there in 10 minutes or so.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 25, 2009, 07:47 PM:
Man, I want one of those railroad hats! Huber wears one, so does Cal. I think that means real north country hunter. Never saw one west of the Pecos?
Looks like fun, sort of like tubing behind a ski boat.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by CrossJ (Member # 884) on December 25, 2009, 08:03 PM:
Railroad hat?!?! Man, thats a Stormy Kromer. Warm bastard with ear flaps. Ya gotta be pretty 'punchy' to wear one, but I'll put in a good word for ya.....LOL.
What color do you want?
Maintain
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 25, 2009, 08:04 PM:
Leonard,
Look for Stormy Kromer hats. I have one and they're gawd awful comfortable and warm. A bit pricey in today's world, but worth the money.
As a matter of fact,
http://www.stormykromer.com/
[ December 25, 2009, 08:05 PM: Message edited by: Cdog911 ]
Posted by JBinMontana (Member # 3544) on December 25, 2009, 08:09 PM:
We wear those hats now and then.... LOL
Posted by MI VHNTR (Member # 3370) on December 25, 2009, 08:21 PM:
Stormy Kromer hats, a great product made right here in the UP of Michigan. MI VHNTR
Posted by Nikonut (Member # 188) on December 25, 2009, 11:51 PM:
quote:
Railroad hat?!?! Man, thats a Stormy Kromer. Warm bastard with ear flaps. Ya gotta be pretty 'punchy' to wear one, but I'll put in a good word for ya.....LOL.
I've got to say that post brought back some memories...
First time I saw one of those was in the winter of 1972. I had just started working for the Norfolk & Western Railroad as a brakeman. Ironically, my conductor's nickname was "Punchy" Miller... he was a bare fisted prize fighter in his early years and wore one of those hats and a Macinaw all winter long as did many other railroad trainmen back then. When it got wet he would hang it near the oil fired stove on the caboose and man did it smell bad until it dried! LOL
That old guy sure had some stories to tell. He fought and trained(no pun intended)with some of the greatest names in boxing. That was like another world away from where we stand today.
Nikonut
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 26, 2009, 12:04 AM:
Hell, I thought they looked a bit Elmer Fudd, but then I saw my hero Huber wearing one, and started to pay attention. But, you have to drive about a thousand miles (from here) before you get into them. Now, (I guess) they must be the height of fashion in cold country?
If I had a black one, I'd wear it on the road, or maybe in Walmart, but I'd get stared at. They just don't know what's cool, do they?
Good hunting. LB
Your daughter is a real cutie, Geordie.
[ December 26, 2009, 12:05 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by Aznative (Member # 506) on December 26, 2009, 07:12 AM:
I thought all of that white stuff wasn't around anymore. At least that is what Al Gore told me. I heard Dallas Texas had a white Christmas for the first time since 1926.
How cold does it have to get to make the Global Warming freaks to shut up?
BTW: Hope all of you guys had a great Christmas. Ours was good but we are really waiting until Thursday to celebrate when Grandson will be around. All of our presents are still under wraps.
Posted by Locohead (Member # 15) on December 26, 2009, 11:52 AM:
Geordie, that looks like tons of fun for the kids and the dad!
Railroad hats? I always though they were Elmer Fudd hats too. Actually, tons of the ranchers and cowboys out in Eastern Colorado where those in the winter very en vogue out there.
Posted by TRnCO (Member # 690) on December 26, 2009, 03:24 PM:
I'm curious as to the percentage of the U.S. that is currently under a white blanket, and what the highest percentage all time is?
Posted by 32below (Member # 2075) on December 26, 2009, 04:02 PM:
http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/nsa/
Over half
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 26, 2009, 08:54 PM:
Says 60.4%. AlGore is a dumbass.
Posted by Patterson (Member # 3304) on December 28, 2009, 07:40 AM:
Merry Late Christmas to all!!
quote:
I'm looking at Saturday night - growing big moon (~70%), should be straight overhead at about 8 p.m., and snow on the ground. Coyotes have been in seige mode and nocturnal since deer season and I have a surprise for them. LOL
Lance, you shoudl get after em!! I was stuck in Missouri visiting my parents and missed out on the storm. I ended up shooting two coyotes christmas day and one on saturday(was looking/praying for bobcats). Skies never cleared till yesterday for me. Got home to the aftermath left by the storm ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
holy drifts!. Anyways, didnt get home till dark. Hung out with some friends till they left and as I was getting ready for bed I went to piss outside and saw that I could see 150+ yards easy. Got the urge and loaded up. Made 2 stands and killed a dog on each stand. Definately eerie calling them with just moon light. Killed both of them at about 30 yards.......both scared the crap out of me and got the heart racing when they proceeded to run AT ME after the shot. The first one I thought I missed somehow..... Started running straight at me as I frantically tried to get the scope on it again. Heart about jumped out of my chest thinking I had a wounded coyote about to come cuddle in the drift with me! But he cut to my right at about 30 ft from me and piled up lol. I loved the rush ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
. Heading back out tonight but starting earlier as I was losing light angle/brightness by midnight. Going to start around 7-8 and see where it takes me(if there are no clouds). GO get em!
[ December 28, 2009, 07:42 AM: Message edited by: Patterson ]
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 28, 2009, 09:54 AM:
I bet it's damned cold!
Posted by Patterson (Member # 3304) on December 28, 2009, 10:18 AM:
Last night was not to bad but...
Tonight
Bitterly cold. Mostly clear. Lows around 4 above. North winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the northeast after midnight. Wind chill readings as cold as 4 below.
Not awful but it will get them critters hungry and out since the wind will not be horrible. Im thinking it should be decent.
Born and raised until 1.5 years ago within 30 miles of the CO/WY border in Colorado. Dealt with these temps a lot. Nothing like the MN/SD/ND/WY/MT guys though
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 28, 2009, 02:59 PM:
Good to hear someone had some luck. We made six stands Saturday night and all I could call was a pair of owls. Oh well, made it out for four more stands Sunday morning and killed a nice male on the first setup, but didn't see a thing after that. Talked with a few folks from the areas we were hunting and they said the dog wagons have been all around them on a daily basis. I figured as such, but to not see anything Sat night was a surprise as we had decent light up to about 10:30 and I really thought that they'd be showing since it was the first time the winds had been below 30 mph for four days. But, they weren't. Most of our snow has melted today but I may try to get out on the north side of some hedge rows where the snow was shaded and see if I can do any good.
Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on December 28, 2009, 03:24 PM:
I had a white Christmas, white sand that is. ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
My business partner is spending the winter in south Florida, on the gulf side. He came home for Thanksgiving and I rode back down with him. Came home on the 10th. Loaded up my family and flew back down there on the 18th. Got home yesterday. I missed both big storms and cold snaps here. Its cold now, but not nearly as cold as it was. I got lucky I guess.
Toes in the water and ass in the sand for Christmas is pretty hard to beat.
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on December 29, 2009, 05:56 AM:
The county where I live has been declared a disaster area. Less than 25 percent of those county roads are passable. Grader opens the road, and wind blows em right back shut. Those guys who like to chase coyotes through the fields with 4x4 pickups are screwed too. Snow is too deep. My friend Mert did strap on his snow shoes and slipped in close enough to score a triple on coyotes yesterday though.
Posted by Patterson (Member # 3304) on December 29, 2009, 06:26 AM:
Lance, did you try locating at all or were they howling for you?? Both of the ones I killed the other night I was walking into an area to make a stand and they started lighting it up a complete 180 from where I was headed. So I turned around and went after them. Got to where I thought I was within 1/4 mile and started my stands. Second one came on the second series. Definately saved me hearing them the completely opposite direction. Well I didnt make it out last night. Weather man was strangely wrong.....went to sleep when I got off work at 5 and woke up at 9.....and of coarse clouded up and no moon what so ever. Maybe tonight or later this week.
Kinda got the toes in the wool socks and ass in the snow drift here for now. Not sure ive heard that version though ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 29, 2009, 11:05 AM:
I'm not a big fan of howling here away from the pasturelands. We included howls on most stands and didn't hear a single coyote light up all evening, whether in response to us or in general. Strangely quiet. Except for that barred owl that perched right behind us and carried on for fifteen minutes. That's always been the case around here. In other parts of the country, I can get them to yap their heads off. Around here, mum's the word.
You missed it last night. The clouds actually moved in here about 8:30. Before that, it was very bright. But, we had near 40-degrees yesterday and that zapped about 2/3 of the snow where I tried to hunt. Couldn't see chit.
Did make it out this morning. First stand produced a pair. The male came leaping and bounding the the Ultimate One while his girlfriend watched from a hilltop about 350 yards away. I shot at the male after he ran up to the caller and stuck his nose in the speaker and unzipped his paunch at about 120 yards. My rifle jammed (well, actually, I tried to double load it) and he was nice enough to stand out there chewing on his entrails strung across the meadow until I got another round in the chamber and shot him in the back of the head. Nothing like making every coyote exciting. ![[Embarrassed]](redface.gif)
Several stands later, enroute home, I passed a little stand of trees in the bottom of a shallow drainage off the blacktop that I have often looked at and thought just how perfect a spot that would be for a coyote to lay up in. Not big enough to draw any attention and open all around for their security. In full snow camo, I burrowed into the drifts and on the SE side and hit the "go" button. Immediately, and I mean right now, a young female came out of the bottom and checked up behind a cottonwood tree from where I sat at about 60 yards. I let the caller play and she made a couple more short advances while I waited for her to stop where I didn't have tree branches between us. Finally she did and I shot. She rolled, jumped up and came right at me, across the frozen creek and out of sight beneath a shelf right in front of me. I quickly reloaded and waited for her to erupt in my face thinking she was coming to the fenceline in which I sat to make her escape. She didn't appear. I stood and quickly looked left and right to see if she was going to the flanks and, ....nothing. Her tracks on the other side, coming down the snowdrift, were splattered with blood, so from my high vantage point, I followed the track until I found her rolled up and dead about thirty yards away in some bluestem grass.
Seven stands, saw three and killed two. That's fifty-one coyotes called this year and I've gotten 31 of them dead so far. Would like to end the season somewhere beyond 40, but 2 of 3 on average is doing pretty good for me.
Posted by Patterson (Member # 3304) on December 29, 2009, 12:53 PM:
Ya I was pretty pissed when I put all my gear on and stepped out and it was cloudy!
Im not a huge fan of howling either. Very rarely do I set out with the intent to howl on stand. Its usually ends of stands when Im bored and want to see if there are any around or if I know they are there but just not responding to distress sounds.
My percentages are no where near yours, and I should probly not tell all you pros but im sitting at 34%. Ive killed personally 9 of the 26 I have called in so far this year (mostly december). Of that 26 three were shot by someone else and probly another 7-8 I never got a shot at. Its taking some time to adjust to calling here vs. Colorado. I love it here and love calling here but I dont know the last time I have even seen a coyote at 300 yards lol. I am lucky if I get to see them before they get to 100 yards with the cover. There is a lot to be said about seeing a coyote coming from 300 yards compared to 100 or less. But its fun and exciting to make the decisions split second. Keeps me on my toes. I should probly get away from the CRP and brushy draws but coming from Colorado that stuff looks way to good!! Seems like I see a spot a coyote should be every mile around here with all the cover.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 29, 2009, 01:49 PM:
34% is nothing to be ashamed of, Amigo. There are locations and seasons where I have called one coyote all day long....more than once, and not killed him. Coyotes are never going to be a slam dunk proposition, even under the best conditions in prime areas.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on December 29, 2009, 02:09 PM:
I was meeting a client today up in Troon North shi shi upper scottsdale neighborhood. we met at the gates and proceeded in stopping in front of the house we all walked up the drive together
as we rounded the turn to the walkway the two ladies and one gentleman Let out a loud shriek and passed me in retreat. There lay a beautiful dead coyote ,dead as a hammer. she was yoy and in perfect condition no bulletholes or anything.
Realizing they were coming no closer to the savage beast I plucked it up and crossed the street to my truck and tossed it in just like Id been hunting. You would have thought Id killed a terroist for them a real life hero! on with the metting what is what I had in mind when I got there. Now after the meeting all I can think about is what the hell killed it so pretty no evidence of trauma maybe poison?
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 29, 2009, 03:15 PM:
IT'S OBVIOUS, DUNDERHEAD!
A seventeen Remington at 4100fps!
Or, maybe snail bait?
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on December 29, 2009, 04:33 PM:
Oh Leonard everyone know the Hmr does a better job! just finished putiing the fur up she looks to be a victim of an evil vehicle probably an S.U.V. Hope it was driven by a forever traumatized bunny hugger , lots of internal damage not even a broken rib....
Posted by TRnCO (Member # 690) on December 29, 2009, 05:33 PM:
I can't help but to admit that I still read quite a lot over on the dark side. Seeing Patterson's numbers reminded me of a very recent post where several individuals were going at each other about how all the contests were getting out of hand and how all the contestants are ruining the calling in and around "thier" calling grounds, and one person said something about the fact that he kills 90% of what he calls in and that the contestants never come close to that number because they get sloppy in thier stand selections and sloppy in thier shooting, taking shots that "he" would pass on so that he could call that coyote on another day.
90%............We all have a new standard to work on......or at least I do!! Raise your hand here if YOU too kill 90% of your called coyotes.
Posted by Kelly Jackson (Member # 977) on December 29, 2009, 05:41 PM:
I wish I killed 90% of the coyotes I call.
Kelly
Posted by 32below (Member # 2075) on December 29, 2009, 08:03 PM:
90%?
I do!
No warranties expressed or implied. Cross hairs must be on target when triggered pressed, chamber loaded and bullet strikes intended target.
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 30, 2009, 04:14 AM:
I'd be willing to bet that I don't even SEE 90% of the coyotes I call. LOL
Patterson,
To clarify, I don't hold a lot of faith in howling to locate prior to calling around here. Just not a reliable indicator of their presence because of their tendency to be tight-lipped. Not at all uncommon in country where these coyotes are relentlessly being shoved around by us, dog wagons, pheasant hunters, etc., ad nauseum.
But, as far as howling in general, I use it a LOT. Almost every stand, in fact. I've laid off of it for the last month or so just to let it cool down, but it is a critical part of my repertoire. You've noticed how, with those <100 yard coyotes who seem to just appear and be by you and gone, the hunting here is somewhat different than in Colorado. I hate that, too, but holwing is one way to minimize those occurences. When coming to just dinner, they'll hard charge and be there and gone before you can react. Start things out with 1 or 3 young female howls and it gives them reason to approach with some caution to check things out. Often circling downwind, at a conservative lope. Easy target.
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 30, 2009, 04:44 AM:
A few pics from the hunting the past couple days,
This first is the coyote I got Sunday morning behind a feedlot full of longhorn cattle. I'm using a factory load that is spot on accurate, but I've yet to see a bang flop with it. My prior handloads were dropping them dead with a mv of 3680 fps. These new loads are stated to be at 3500 fps mv and there is a difference in losing that 180 fps.
Second one is the 2 of 3 I got yesterday morning. Again, same load, the first unzipped and stood out there while I reloaded. He's the big one hanging. The one I'm holding ran at me about forty yards before piling up.
This last pic is of a pair I saw on the way to a dr's appointment. They're actually 300 yards away and then some, across a river. Used my camera's max zoom and wish they hadn't split to opposite sides of this cottonwood tree. I have permission over there, but didn't have a gun with me.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 30, 2009, 09:44 AM:
Lance, maybe I should remember what you are using, but I don't? 22-250? What is the cartridge and what's the bullet and who makes it? If the published velocity is 3500, how did you determine the velocity of your handloads and why did you quit using them? I just figure, once a handloader, always a handloader? Of the six or eight rifles that I use most often, none of them has seen a factory cartridge, ever.
I use howls very frequently, but like you, the coyotes don't often respond vocally. However, by "very frequently" I mean, on almost every stand, but only a couple times in a twelve minute stand.
I think the reason Higgins routinely gets them in close is because the coyotes are a lot more confident to approach in that heavier cover, and he is persistant and mixes it up nicely? The other thing is they will be downwind and he uses a lot of mist. I'm pretty sure he uses as much in the daytime as I use at night?
The axiom; the heavier the cover, the softer the call, the closer the approach, is a good one.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Patterson (Member # 3304) on December 30, 2009, 10:31 AM:
Thats why I love this site compared to all the others. Actual useful hints among all the BS(which I like, even the WT fiascos) from guys that actually know how to hunt them sucessfully and have years under their belts.Thats why I lurk here more then anywhere else .
I know a lot of guys like to howl to start a stand, but I really like your theory on why/when you do it Lance and Leonard. It does make sense. I have tried it to open a stand but the few times I have done it I got scenes of a coyote running the other way tail tucked engrained in my head. Might have been younger dogs but more then likely it was because I dont truelly understand howling all well. That will take time reading, learning, experimenting and doing to figure out. I dont even leave the truck without the shotgun around here anymore. In fact multiple times this year I have only grabbed the shotgun. I guess that is how I have combated the fast hard charger in tight cover issue using only distresses.
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 30, 2009, 03:43 PM:
Leonard,
I do use 22-250. I was running short on handloads this year that another guy does for me - 55 grain Sierra Blitzkings on those and he had them chrono'd. Despite my best efforts, I could not get any primers for him, so I went to Plan B and bought a bunch of factory stuff so I had ammo at least whose ballistics show a mv of 3500 fps. They're shooting 55 grn Vmaxes which I also like and, off the bench, I could put 5 rounds under a nickel at 100 (better than the handloads were doing). You can tell the difference in the recoil and report, and I can tolerate them running just a bit as long as they eventually fall over. All the shots I've made with this round have been from 30-200 yards with the same results. I'm curious about how this lesser terminal performance will come out on 'cats. I'll let you know if I ever get a shot at another one this season.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 30, 2009, 06:29 PM:
I use that same bullet, 55 VMax in a 223AI. I have not had anything but bang/flops. I have saved tapes out in the garage, chron'od through my Oehler, but for some reason I can't tell you what the MV is, exactly? All I remember is I get about 50fps over a stock 223Rem, hardly worth the fuss and bother? But, it's a good killer at that velocity and not (first and foremost) a particularly good fur bullet. Which is what I want in a coyote bullet.
I didn't realize that you don't handload, yourself? I think everybody with a centerfire rifle would be wise to handload, and it's not because of economy.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Nikonut (Member # 188) on December 31, 2009, 04:19 AM:
I tried shooting the 55VMax's from my 22PPC(1-14 twist)at around 3450-3500fps, they did the job and make jellied coyote at under 300yds but they also will splash if you hit a bone up close.
I really prefer the 50VMax's at 3650-3700 in my .22PPC but they can sometimes get real nasty on bone! They just seem to work better all around and are more accurate in my gun, too.
Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on December 31, 2009, 05:57 AM:
quote:
To clarify, I don't hold a lot of faith in howling to locate prior to calling around here. Just not a reliable indicator of their presence because of their tendency to be tight-lipped. Not at all uncommon in country where these coyotes are relentlessly being shoved around by us, dog wagons, pheasant hunters, etc.,
My coyotes are pressured just as much as youre's Lance and i'll also admitt there are a few that won't respond to a locate howl, but those that don't are far and very few..
I located alot of coyotes here at home all summer long and dureing the fall and winter. I know where they are and have called to many of them and still no response other than i got some to howl while i was calling at nite.. They had there chance to come in to the call and die like a coyote but they refused..LOL To date the crew and I have taken almost 3/4 of the coyotes i have located..
As far as locateing in S.D. it will put you onto alot of coyotes and i also found out you don't have to locate everytime out once you know where they like to hang and what the numbers are.. Another thing on locateing is you can get a good idea of whats there and by knowing this you will know what sounds you should use and what not to use..
My last trip i did a little howling on some stands and lost some coyotes for doing so.. On a good note i was still able to comeback and call them in the following day on just prey distress..
I still use howls on my stands but i save them for towards the end of the stand or if i know i'm calling to an older coyote.. Did i say i also use a WT???
From what i've seen on shot coyotes if a bullet is traveling 3700 or faster it seems to do a better job of putting them down than a slower bullet.. A hunter also needs to keep in mind when hunting the colder temp.s that you are going to lose more vel.. So if you have a cartridge thats comeing out of the barrel at 3500 dureing the summer its only going about 3200 in the colder temps, thats why i like to reload and use what Leonard calls hotrods....
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on December 31, 2009, 02:10 PM:
I haven't been enough yet this year to know nothing but I don't like to howl much. Knowing where they "should be" is what I concentrate on.
On boolits, I've always had better luck with 50's than 55's in the 22-250 or 223's.
Maybe I can find some time this weekend to try my theory out again.
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 31, 2009, 02:52 PM:
quote:
My coyotes are pressured just as much as youre's Lance and i'll also admitt there are a few that won't respond to a locate howl, but those that don't are far and very few..
When I refer to my coyotes being pressured, Tim, I don't simply mean myself and a half-dozen other guys calling them. I'd be willing to bet that most coyotes around here get bumped around and shot in the ass at least twice every week, and more like four to five times by people hunting just about everything, including pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, rabbits, and of course, coyotes. I'll bet that those SD coyotes don't see nearly the human presence in their country that mine do.
I'm just saying that, at this time of the year, especially in the wake of firearms deer season when these idiots around here will groom a stand site for a month then blow it opening morning by ripping a 300 yard shot at a mangy coyote across the field because they couldn't help themselves then wonder why they didn't see any deer. (Deep breath) Anyway, at this time of the year, there isn't a coyote worth his shit that will be seen in the light of day on open ground, and you can howl your fool head off before you're going to get one to answer you back. And that goes for the WT sounds, too. They're good, but they ain't fooling no ears around here enough to make them answer back. They'll come and check it out, but they aren't going to sound off first. On a very rare occasion, they will, but rarely after deer season.
As far as the value of howling in locating, I find my 30+ years of calling these spots more reliable because of the land use around here. Coyotes use the same pockets and trails now that they did when I started chasing them with my dad and grandpa in trucks 40 years ago. Even if and when I do howl, the results can be misleading. If one answers, they're there. If they don't answer, that tells you nothing. Maybe they aren't there. Maybe they are and don't want to answer. Do you pass up that spot and move on even though your gut and experience tells you that it's a good place to call? What if you get no responses? Call it a day and go home before sunrise?
I've tried a lot of different sceanarios as far as where I put a howl into my sequence and have found that at the begiining works best for me. It's been my experience, which may differ from yours, that howling tends to slow things down this early on and through most of fur season. Rather than running pell mell into me as with a distress sound, they tend to circle downwind and move in with some caution, head down, taking a few steps and stopping to raise their head and reconnoiter, then repeat. By my best guess, most times a howl will put the stand at a minimum 15 minutes and more like 20 minutes before they make an appearance, so I like to howl at the beginning rather than somewhere in the middle where all it does is put the skids to things, slow things down when the stand is mostly over and protract things to a half-hour or more of waiting. I keep my howls very high-pitched, somewhat long and tapering, and try not to elicit too radical a response. I just want them curious, not all radicalized like a panty bomber.
It's always interesting to see and read other guys' ways of using different sounds.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 31, 2009, 02:53 PM:
Coyotes and 50 grain .224" bullets don't mix, Amigo.
Eventually, you will find this to be true.
Oh hell, go ahead! Who cares?
Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on December 31, 2009, 03:00 PM:
Lance. The pressured coyotes i'm refering to are the ones here in Mn.. They also get kicked around likes youre's do for two to three months by farmers and other hunters, but most of them still respond to a howl at nite...
quote:
Even if and when I do howl, the results can be misleading. If one answers, they're there. If they don't answer, that tells you nothing. Maybe they aren't there. Maybe they are and don't want to answer. Do you pass up that spot and move on even though your gut and experience tells you that it's a good place to call? What if you get no responses? Call it a day and go home before sunrise?
I'm also like you i will call some areas even if i don't get a response, but i will work the areas where they did respond first...
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on December 31, 2009, 04:13 PM:
Sorry Leonard, I'll trust my own experience and know they kill better than any other weight in 22 caliber. I've tried 40's 45's 55's 60's and 77's in different brands in 222's 223's and 22-250's, many guns and many coyotes over the years.
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on December 31, 2009, 04:14 PM:
Well the 77's are impressive.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 31, 2009, 04:22 PM:
quote:
Sorry Leonard, I'll trust my own experience and know they kill better than any other weight in 22 caliber. I've tried 40's 45's 55's 60's and 77's in different brands
Yeah, okay. Just remember, I told ya. lol
So, I'm curious. Not arguing, just curious. What 50 grain bullet?
Good hunting. LB
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on December 31, 2009, 10:54 PM:
I've run the Nosler Ballistic tips, Hornady V-max's, Sierra Blitz Kings, Rem & Win soft points and now Federal Hollow points along with a few others.
My first coyote rig was a rem 700 in 222 and the 40gr NBT's were my choice, then the 50's. I've run em at just under 3000 fps in a 223 contender pistol and my hunting partner runs them in his 223 WSSM at just over 4000 fps. Yes my 243 AI kills better, so did my 25-06 but there's nothing wrong with the 50's especialy when compared to the 55's and they remain my favorite bullet weight in .224 caliber for coyotes.
Happy New Year!
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