The first week in May, I am planning a trip to the Klickitat area for some hunting. I live near Vancouver, Wa. I have been hunting for Coyotes for the last year here on the west side. I have always wanted to try out the east side. I will be driving from Vancouver to the Goldendale area looking to try my luck.
Last year I met a couple that live not too far from here. They had been hearing coyotes at night, just below their 10 acre property behind the house. Very nice people. I met them last year in April. I was there at 2:00 pm, and they pointed me to their property. I got my gear and heading down the hill. Nice thick area, full of Alders.
I found this nice trail, and figured if they came up, they would travel this trail. So I backed off the trail about 16' and tucked behind a stump and some brush. Was in very good cover, and could see the trail both left and right. I was using my Foxpro, with the rabbit distress playing. Then I would switch it up and use my Lil Hot dog hand call. During this time, the land owner was mowing his lawn, and his wife was out doing some yard work. I was only about 75 yards away from their house, down inside this thick cover.
After about 8 minutes, out pops this coyote about 40 feet to my right. It looks right over at me. I freeze. Then I lip squeak it over. It jumps out of the brush onto the trial and stands right in front of my about 16'. It can't tell what it's looking at, but I am covered in camo, and there are branches, and small bushes I am looking through, and it is trying to figure out whats in their. I couldn't move, if I did, it would have bolted. I couldn't swing my rifle over to get a shot either.
This lasted about a minute, finally it gave up and moved over to my left, where I had my rifle pointed at the trail. Sure enough, I had a shot, lifted my rifle and looked through my Simmons Aetec 4-14 x 44 (I had it on 4 power). All I saw was fur and I pulled the trigger. I fired a 40gr Vmax through my ER Shaw 16" Bull Barrel, that I had built. Down she went.
I saw the bullet exit her on the other side and hit the ground. She was Dead Right Their.
This is the rifle I was using. I built this from an ER Shaw 16" 1-10 Bull Barrel, on a Stag Upper. Shoots very well
Then later that month, I was up an old logging road and found a clear cut bowl. I set up on top of this road. I was using the same Foxpro Rabbit Distress, and I was switching back and forth using my Lil Dog hand call.
It was about 10 minutes and I see movement off to my right. I see this coyote coming down the logging road about 400 yards away. I was behind a few fallen trees, and got myself into position. It took its time, coming my way. It would stop and sniff the ground, looking all over the place. Once it stopped and took a "P". At the time I saw it, it never stopped coming down this road, so all I had to do is wait. No calls or lip squeak needed at this point, it was coming perfect.
At about 75 yards, I lined up the cross hairs and fired a 40 Vmax. Thing ran off to the left down a hill. I figured I had missed,
Nope, it flopped on its back and was kicking in the air.
Really nice fur on this female.
I was planning a trip over to the east side. I have a weeks vacation. If anyone would like to join me, that would be great. Or have some ideas where to hunt. I not looking for your favorite spots, just looking for any great advice on where to go. I might also head over to the Tri-Cities area, or maybe up the Yakima, haven't decided yet.
Cheers
Lastcat
lastcat@comcast.net
