Diary of a Coyote Hunter—New Season

[windypants]

It’s been a while! I start my season count on September 1st, and it sure seems like a long time since my last entry. I took a drive this morning before daylight to one of last September’s productive long range lookouts. At first I was disappointed in not seeing anything, but finally spotted a couple of coyotes that had come up out of a draw and were heading across the road behind me. I knew they would be in 204 range by the time I hiked down the ridge to a place I could intercept them, but I chose to just go with the 300 PRC instead of switching. I had grabbed it because the shots from this ridge are generally pretty long. When I got to where I needed to be, I saw one coyote at only 275 yards. I dialed 2.0U and just held on the seam, with only a slight breeze from the right. It dropped, with fur flying in the early morning sun. Then I saw the other one going across a little farther out. I got a range, dialed 3.25, and woofed it to a stop. It dropped, again with a dramatic spray of fur in the sun.

So…two coyotes, no misses, no educated escapees. Off to a good start. Or so it seems. But when I went down to look, the first one was hit in the head??? That’s a pretty substantial miss from where I was aiming. The second one was a little high.

OK, now I have to figure out what’s going on there. I guess if this game was always easy, it wouldn’t be as interesting!

2 coyotes
0 (???) misses
625 yards

Not much for pictures—my camera shutter isn’t working and all I could do is take a still off of a video clip.

 

[FURMAN]

Nice!

 

[RBanta66]

Off to a great start. Really enjoyed this last year, looking forward to more.

 

[elkguide]

Life is good.
Windy is back at it!!!!

 

[MECA]

If it was easy, everybody would do it!

 

[windypants]

I got the fire forming load for my new 25 creed barrel.



And then just for fun I took it out to check drops at 1077 yards. I shot the lower three, adjusted, then four more. The wind blew the last one off.



I won’t be handicapped by the range limitations of the 204 this season!

 

[MECA]

Nice!

 

[windypants]

Man, this Krieger sure keeps impressing me! This was my fouling group yesterday at 300 yards.



So after cleaning again today I took it varmint hunting. The clean bore shot took feathers off a sky rat at 541 yards. Then I missed the wind call by one click at 6-something. It’s a blast watching that 135 arc it’s way over there in the low node. Out of targets now, I saw a rock way over across the valley and thought, ‘I wonder…’.

1650 yards. 60.5 up, 5.0 left. Why not?!

The rock was about 3 MOA wide x 2 high. I had to turn the power down because of the distortion from being dialed to the edge, so I didn’t see the bullet wake. It took so long to get there at 2750 fps that I thought I must have lost it in the grass. Then I saw the puff off of the rock, 1/2 MOA right of center!

I guess my dope is good!. Now I just need to find some coyotes.

 

[elkguide]

Add rock dust to your scorecard!

 

[windypants]

It’s pretty cool when you can find a coyote just by observing the effect they have on their surroundings, kind of like finding the source of ripples in a pond. I hiked over to one of my local snipering points this morning. At first I didn’t see any sign of a coyote. There were some magpies messing around in the brush. Not unusual. But then I noticed that some deer were on semi alert and very watchful. OK, that’s something. The magpies kept fussing around in the same area. Then after a bit, the deer put their tales straight out and did the stiff-legged walk up the hill, looking toward where the magpies were. Yep, they definitely see a coyote.

I got the thermal out, looking for a glow in the brushy coulee bottom. Nothing. Eventually the deer relaxed and went back to feeding. OK, the coyote is moving away down the draw. It was probably a half hour after I got there that I finally saw the coyote walk up on an open hillside. My rifle was set up in that general direction, so it didn’t take long to get a range and get on him. 495 yards (8.25 up) with a slight breeze on my right cheek (0 wind), a WOOF to stop him, and the 135 Berger is on the way.

The coyote snapped at his off side and took off, digging for all he was worth. Obviously a hit, but now all the questions and apprehension as I hiked over there. Did I rush the shot. Was my range good? Misjudge the wind?

But I needn’t have worried. It was a perfect hit with the typical reaction of a heart shot. And the reliable terminal performance of the 135.



3 coyotes
0 misses (zip, zero, nada!)
1120 yards

I know, I know—I’m due for a coyote humbling.

 

[elkguide]

Sounds like clockwork to me.

 

[Joel@LRO]

Well done! starting off the season strong.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

Love it!

 

[MECA]

Nice goin'!
Always pay attention to the birds, especially the Magpies, Jays and any Ravens or Crows in the area. They see and hear more than any animal does and can pick up scent just as good!
Maybe better!

 

[FURMAN]

Great start!

 

[windypants]

Now back to the coyotes. I was sitting on the deck having a cup of coffee, and writing the post about my rifle issues when I heard a deer snort down in the coulee. Right off I saw a coyote, and ran and got the creed and gear out of the gunship. When I got set up I could see there were two of them. I got a range and tried to get on them as they were working a patch of brush, trying to flush the deer out. But a fence rail was always in the way. I’d adjust my position and range again, but no clear shot. Finally they chased the deer up out of the bottom and ran up the hill where I could get a clear shot. The first one was 470 yards with no wind, and it just dropped and rolled over. The other one was circling farther up the hill. When it stopped I guessed a 2.0 hold and sent it. I saw fur fly and the coyote spun and ran back down into the brush. I figured I probably got it, but I knew I had pulled that shot a little left. I went down there and cautiously circled that brush patch. I heard a sound and then it ran out with a burn mark across the front of its shoulder. All I got was fur. I tried an offhand running shot at about 75 yards and missed. The first shot was about 550 yards, so I made a good guess on the hold, but rushed and pulled it left. Dang!



Anyway, I got my first miss(es) over with now, so that pressure is off.

4 coyotes
2 misses
1570 yards

 

[elkguide]

A running, offhand shot doesn't count in the miss column.

 

[MECA]

A running, offhand shot doesn't count in the miss column.

Definitely not!!

 

[Darkside]

Thank you very much for sharing the Fun ( I will call it) you are having tuning and practicing your shooting skills. I envy you for having a great place to do what you are doing.
You’re doing a fantastic job.
Thanks Again.

 

[windypants]

Thank you very much for sharing the Fun ( I will call it) you are having tuning and practicing your shooting skills. I envy you for having a great place to do what you are doing.
You’re doing a fantastic job.
Thanks Again.

Thank you! It’s fun sharing my little adventures. Glad you enjoy it!