its taken me since february

[littlebuf]

but i got my first yote. went out to the same area ive been chasing this pack around since the snow and i finally connected.  the day started out early, i was in the woods at 5 am. just out of the truck and making my way into the tree line i hear the pack just explode behind me yippin and howling. i was in the worst possible spot, down below them wind at my back and sun in my eyes. needless to say they moved on. but i knew where they were going  so i went the long way to where i know they live, made a few sets with the foxpro on my way (thanks again adnahoundsman) and kept working towards them. on my way in to where i was sure was going to be the money spot i catch movement off to my left. about 40 yards sitting on a stump was a yote, she saw mw first and by the time i fliped the covers off my scope she was running. i didnt have a shot so i watched her go, but i didnt move. up at the tree line 175 yards away ( checked with the range finder afterwords) i see ears and thats all i see, then i look with the binos and theres the nose and eyes lookin back at me. i had no rest and when i went to a knee i couldnt see her. so standing at 175 with only a head shot showing i figured im either going to miss or killl a yote, no chance ill wound it. i get control of my breathing and squeeze off the shot. was about 50 50 on if i hit her but im a pretty good shot so i was optimistic, walked back around to the road and headed up. there she was , i hit her dead center just under the chin, bullet went out the back of her head. real healthy dog and the coat was still in good shape which surprised me. so im gunna have her tanned being its my first. oh and guess whos camera wouldnt work  ill post some pics of the hide but she was a beautiful dog i really wanted some field pics  and i was way to far from the truck to pack the whole yote 

[boneaddict]

Congrats.....was teh hide any good?  This time of year they tend to look like CRAP

[littlebuf]

it was actually pretty descent, im gunna tan it just because its my first and ive been working my ass off to close the deal. it woulda been better a few months ago, im probably done till there hides get better. but there is still a real big male walking around up there, i saw his track again today and i find deer bones every time i go up there soooo maybe ill go after um one more time  

[bowhunterforever]

Congrats on your first yote! What caliber of gun did you shoot it with?

[littlebuf]

i finally got to break in my R15 in .223. i reload and that 55 gr vmax droped her in her tracks. working up the load as meticulously as i did really paid off. a coyotes head at 170 yards is a pretty small target when thats all you can see 

[littlebuf]

heres the end result, dont laugh ive never tubed a coyote before nor have i been shown how, i think i did ok

[tlbradford]

It's tough to tell how well you tubed her since the eyes, ears, and front shoulders are the toughest parts, but it looks good from here.  Nice work on getting your first coyote.   

[littlebuf]

i messed the ears up a little, and the pic is after i talked to BLKBERAKLR and he told me to cut it up the middle before i fold it up (just doing a wall hanger) so its not  "tubed" in the pic, but all in all i was happy with skinning my first yote. i damn near fell over pulling on the thing and then as i was leaning all my weight pulling on the hide at the front shoulders i thought, man it would suck if the rope let go from around the tree and i got a face full of coyote meat 

[tlbradford]

You can sheath your blade and use the handle to help around the shoulders to make a little room.

[littlebuf]

thats a good idea, id sure like to skin a yote with someone whos got a lot of experience. i ended up just cutting the legs above the paws cuz i wasnt sure how to deal with them 

[tlbradford]

Go ahead and split the front legs the entire length of the foreleg unless your going to sell it to a taxidermist.  Then you can off the leg at the knee joint. 

I'll see if I can find my favorite you tube skinning video.

[tlbradford]

Couldn't find it on youtube but Google helped me out.

http://gallery.menoutdoors.com/gallery/data/1034/martin_s_coyote_skinning_video.wmv

[littlebuf]

well thats pretty much how i did it (i didnt have a hammer with me) like every thing practice practice practice

[rasbo]

thats a good idea, id sure like to skin a yote with someone whos got a lot of experience. i ended up just cutting the legs above the paws cuz i wasnt sure how to deal with them 

gimmie a call next time,Ill help ya out.I tube them.let the taxidermist cut it the way he wants.

[deaddog]

A big congrats on your first. That was a great story to,just hearing the story gets my blood going, now I want to skip work and go chasing dog, very addictive sport. Great lookin rig you got there too.