Coyote Hunting - Fun and profit

So, deer season for most of us is coming to an end. Unless you have a trip planned to the deep south for the Whitetail rut down there, many of us start getting the blues about now. However, there is plenty of challenging hunting to be had. In the upper Mid West where I live (Wisconsin) now is a good time to start thinking fur. The weather is turning cold and snow is soon coming. These two factors can make for some great coyote calling. Predator hunting can help fill the void when deer season ends. Not only is it fun and challenging, it can also pay for some gear you purchased earlier this year.

According to the North American Fur Auctions heavy coyote pelts are expected to do well once again, selling in the price range of $49 - $52. Now I know many guys out there say, "I can't eat it so I don't shoot it" the fact is in many states coyote populations are way up and rising. This simply is not good for any eco system any more then on over population of deer in any given area. Some areas where I hunt , large coyote populations means less small game i.e rabbits, pheasants and the like. Because of the over abundance of coyotes, most states have an all year hunting season for them.

Once the temps turn cold and the snow is falling seems to be a good time to start calling. I think those weather conditions can make it a little harder for them to find food. When that coyote's stomach is empty he is more likely to come to a call. Oh, don't be fooled into thinking this means it will be easy. Coyotes can be one of the most challenging animals you may ever hunt. They have a keen sense of smell, can see things from a great distance and their hearing is not to be over looked either. All this adds up to a very worthwhile opponent.

When setting out to take a crack at these guys do not over look a thing. Hunt the wind and take every precaution to reduce human scent. Your gear list should consist of a few basics. You will need a couple mouth blown distress calls and should practice before using them. If you can afford an electronic call all the better. As far as firearms, most .22 centerfire rifles will do the job. If you hunt thicker areas, a 12g with #4 buck shot will stop them in their tracks. Head to toe camo will be required and of course matched to the terrain you are hunting. When hunting snow, use camo that is suited for those conditions.

These critters are not to be taken lightly. They will pick you off in a heart beat. Then again, that is what makes it so much fun. If you have thought of trying your hand at predator hunting, give it a try. If nothing else, you will find a cure for that post deer season cabin fever. Beware though, it can be addictive.

The Long Shot

Growing up hunting the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and now the wood lots and farm fields of Wisconsin, I have never had to shoot much past 100 yards. Now that I am thinking of heading out west and trying my hand at Mule Deer or even Elk, I know I will need to practice shots at a much longer rang. With practice I think a comfortable shot might be 200-300 yards. In an attempt to find more info on improving my shot distance, I turned to the internet as I often do. Recently I came across some sites offering videos and DVD's that claim to have you shooting and hitting out to 800+ yards. HMMMM?

My first thought was the usual one for me, some guys trying to make a buck selling their products. Then I gave it a little thought. I know there are modifications you can make to your rifle and it will perform better. I know you can find or load your own cartridges that will perform better in that gun. You can also buy optics that perform better then what you already use. So, is it possible to learn to shoot and hit targets out to 800+ yards? I guess it can be done.
Many of our fine highly trained military personnel are trained to do just that. Although I am not sure that is the kind of instruction you will get from a video or DVD. Then I also pondered the idea, even if you never shoot out to 800 yards, maybe 400-500 is attainable with the right instruction and practice.

Now that was a long first thought. On to my second thought. I know some people and sure anyone that reads this does too, the guys that probably should never even attempt shooting that far. I am talking 200-300-400-500 or more yards. I am afraid that shooting courses being offered in a video format, may in fact have some people believing they can shoot whatever they can see. This of course, will lead to allot of misses or worst yet, wounded unrecovered animals. Is this something the sport of hunting needs? Just as sure as I'm sitting here writing this, someone will be thinking "I can shoot a mile if I learn what this video teaches.
Now, I am not saying you can not learn from a video or even that they are poorly done. I have not seen one of them yet. I just happen to know a little about human nature and tendencies.

With that knowledge, I can see many long range shots being taken in the field that should probably never be tried. Just because an instructor on a video can shoot 800 yards, does not mean everyone should, or can. I sure hope they also teach people to be responsible enough to know their limits...

Kids Just Want To Shoot

Taking kids hunting can be one of the best ways there is to enjoy time in the field. You know they just love to tag along with you each and every time out. They want to be there with you but they want to shoot too. I have often wondered if sitting in a blind or tree stand for hours seeing sometimes nothing, is fun for them. I love hunting and yet, I can find myself getting bored when there is nothing to do but sit.

Now, my kids love to deer hunt but I came to the conclusion, it can get old sitting for hours with nothing to show for it at the end of the day. One way I found to get around this, "Small Game". It dawned on me one day a few years ago while sighting our guns in for the up coming deer season, just how much they like to shoot. They like to hunt too, so why not try something that will accomplish both for them. Squirrel hunting seemed to be something that fit the bill. It gets us out in the woods together, they can actually move around, the gear list is pretty small and they get some shooting in.

Ok, I had to talk myself into missing a day of deer hunting at first but we have a blast. We get to talk because we are not affraid of spooking deer, we are not sitting looking at the same peice of real estate for hours and I think they really feel like they are hunting. I get a big kick out of watching them trying to put a stalk on a squirrel. The best thing is, you can tell they are not bored. They are having fun.

They are always smiling while we are hunting small game. I even noticed the excitment in their voice when they tell the stories after arriving home. You can not shut them up. This is not always the case after a day of deer hunting. Just listening to them tell their stories puts a smile on my face. I know it was good for them, they had fun and they got to shoot.

Deer Season Ends

WOW! I didn't realize I have not put a post in here since October. I have been away on sabbatical, I like to call it "Hunting". Well, it is mid December now and all but a few weeks of late season bow hunting are gone. We didn't get Mr. Big but did get to see him. Then again that's true reality hunting. Some times you get him and some times you don't. At least when your not being pointed in the right direction by a guide or outfitter that's how it is.

The season wasn't a complete wash though. My son got his first deer this season and I managed to put two from archery season in the freezer. I spent allot of time behind a camera trying to get my daughter's first deer on tape. It never happened though. Oh, we saw deer and some really close up. That seemed to be enough for her. We did get to spend some real quality time together though and that is what it's all about in the first place. Isn't it? I mean we all head to the deer woods every year looking for that Whitetail Buck of a life time and I think sometimes that can even prevent us from seeing the big picture. We all hunt because there is something we enjoy about it but when we let the pressure of getting ole mossy horns get in the way of that, then we need to rethink why we are out there.

I know I love to hunt and that's putting it simply. I have however, came home disappointed because things didn't work out as planned or I just didn't see any deer at all. That disappointment leads to frustration over time, if things continue that way. When that starts to happen, I like to take a step back and try and remember why I like to hunt in the first place. Because it is enjoyable first and foremost. When I come home feeling disappointed or frustrated that I didn't get a deer, there is nothing enjoyable about that.

Although I'm not old, I am not getting any younger either. The time I spend in the field these days seems to be all that more enjoyable and certainly is becoming more precious. I look more at the laughs and jokes, the stories everyone has about their hunt at the end of the day and the time I spend with friends and family in the deer woods. Yeah, I'm still looking for a P&Y buck every time out but that just isn't all there is to hunting.

Now I know some people are going to be reading this and say, "These are just the ramblings of a guy that didn't get his buck this year". The fact is though I am truly learning to love hunting for all that it is and not just how big a rack I bring home. I know I'm not the only guy who has came home feeling empty when once again the deer were not moving. When you catch yourself feeling that way, take a step back and remember ALL the things you like about hunting. I will bet, everything that made you fall in love with this great thing we do, is not just bringing home a deer. Take the pressure off your self and just ENJOY!!!