Coyote Madness 10/1/09 - 2/28/10 Results

[MtnMuley]

The final 2 for the contest.  Congrats to Big 10 and crew and Gringo and crew for really stacking up the dogs this year!

[Big10gauge]

2 for SBA. Took a guest out "Hambone"  , started early today cause the dogs around here seem to just quit responding around 10am. First set we called 2 in but the female didn't really want to commit so the male kept hanging up on us. Finally coaxed it in to 157 yards and I put it down. It was a nice male in the low 30lb range, the female was long gone. Couple more sets were dry Then we just got up from a 24 min set and didn't get 20 yds when I spotted a coyote coming to the call over the top of a ridge. We hunkered down real quick but he knew something was up. I knew it was quite a way out there but since it was the last day I thought what the heck. Didn't have time to range him but figured about 360 yds. I lowered my bipod and got in the prone position and thru the scope I saw that it was starting to leave. I gave him a bark and when he stopped I put the crosshairs 4 inches over his shoulder and pulled the trigger.  He went down but then back up spinning and jumping, Had to finish what I started with another shot. Ranged it afterwards between 424 and 437 yds. Ended up being my last coyote for the year. It was a great contest this year and as MtnMuley said, Congrats to all for putting a lot coyotes down.

[dontgetcrabs]

Good job everyone! Lots of dogs went down this winter.  Winning team signing off. 

[shoot-em-dead]

Good job everyone! Lots of dogs went down this winter.  Winning team signing off. 

What do you mean- we won We are indisputably the WINNING team.

[shaneman153D]

Nice finish Muley! 

[turkey slayer]

Well done guys

[Gringo31]

It didn't dawn on me till after church today that today was the last day.  So I called up Swag and we decided to give it one last run.  First stand called 4, no shots fired.  Swirling wind is my only answer.  Second stand Swag couldn't take it anymore and decided that the dog were were having a staring match with wasn't coming any closer.  At 354 yards, ol' Wile E lives on to tell the story.   5 dogs seen in 2 stands.....very nice....all others stands were dry.  Did pick up an "opportunity" dog.  He must have thought FALFire was around. 

Anyway...one last female...

[Bullelk]

Not able to make it out today, had a bowling tournament today. Did make it out yesterday and was able to call in a trio, but was only able to put the hammer down on this 30# male. Nice job everyone it was a great year and a lot of fun!!!  Can't wait until next year.   

[firecrotch]

great job guys way to finish up its been a fun year!

[VarmintVentilator]

Congratulations to all the teams that participated.  It was alot of fun, and looking forward to next year.  I can't believe the number of coyotes that were taken.  Amazing.   A BIG thank you to Big 10 and Bullelk for letting me bang a couple for you guys.  You're both a class act  (I would say pretty darn good shots as well).  Until next time.  

[FALFire]

Well, today was quite a day, absolutley beeeutiful with a light breeze blowing from the east presented us a cool sunny morning as the sun slowly peered over the horizon and the dogs were singin' from hilltop to the valley floor.

VarmintV and I started out at dawn but sometimes even on the best of days things just don't go well. So we came in early so he could go to church. I grabbed up one of my wifes fresh baked brownies and a quick swig of hot coffee then switched up rifles, putting the 6.8 away I grabbed up the Savage 308. Somehow I was able to talk my wife into tagging along with me. We only have to walk a very short distance to be in some very good hunting ground, so out the door we went.

We walked about a mile and setup on a rock bluff overlooking a nice draw letting things kind of calm down for about 15 minutes or so we listened to a woodpecker pounding away on a nearby tree. We watched the geese lifting off from the pond only a 1/2 mile away, we glassed several of the local mulies meandering through the trees, what a morning.

I started things off with a good long howl, then a few more along with a couple of yips to get the attention of anything with fur and paws. After about 10 minutes my wife spots movement several hundred yards out, through the binos we confirm two coyotes and they are headed our way.

Minutes later I switch over to a few pup yips and before long these two have covered a fair amount of ground in short order. I go silent and whisper to my wife if she would like to try her hand at one of these dogs, surprisingly, she agreed. So I set her up behind the Savage 16 and told her to wait until she has a standing shot if at all possible.

Now I switch up to my little blue coaxer and watch as they continue coming our way and reassuring my wife to take her time but get up on glass and be ready. They round this small rock outcropping and one stops behind some brush not offering a shot. I laser the one I can see and whisper 89 yards get ready. I call out again with the coaxer and the male appears from behind the rocks and trots up to 78 yards and looks back at his mate. I whispered to my wife do you have him, she said yes, I said take him when it feels right.

 As I watched the young male through the binos, the 308 roared to life sending the 125gr Speer TNT spinning with full force at a chrono'd 3100 FPS, smashing through fur and splattering on the rocks behind dumping the young pup where he stood. The female turned and ran for dear life never looking back I was so pumped, just like the day when she killed her first deer a couple of years ago, she is pretty darn good behind the trigger, must be all the excellent training I gave her 

Here is a photo of the pup she shot, it really don't matter if it gets in the count for SBA, but it was a test for her and I and it seemed to come together at the moment. I guess patience and good calling really does make a difference some of the times. VarmintV are still shaking in our boots after being almost trampeled the other day when two came screaming into us only to stop at 15 feet for a quick stare down then a fast boogie exit stage left.

Here is my bride and the 78 yard coyote....she makes me proud.



Later on this afternoon VarmintV and I went back to the same general location and we spotted one dog at 416 yards but just couldn't get him to commit. All we had was a Foxpro E-caller and only used a couple of howls as the night drew to a close. Nothing for either of us ending todays hunt with a spectacular sunset indicating a final hunt of this seasons contest.



Again I would like to thank Big10guage and Bullelk for their kindness in allowing VarmintV and I the opportunity to hunt with such a class act. I want to congratulate all those that really put forth the effort to call and kill coyotes, my hat is off to each and everyone of you. Great job guys  maybe we can do this again with you all next year.

Till then, happy callin'

[Big10gauge]

Nice going Mrs. Falfire,  Anybody that can make brownies and shoot a gun has got to be a keeper in my book. 

[Swag]

I wont even go into the embarrassment of the last week, lets just say it hasn't been the best for me but fantastic for the coyotes...

You guys put on a hell of a show, the SBA's are some of the most hard working dedicated yote hunters I have ever had the opportunity to compete with.  I would say that I have a new respect after seeing the time & hard work that every one has put in.

I was so exited & proud to have the "Opportunity" to be included in this derby, & compete along side a group of individuals who have a passion for a sport that I have loved for years. Embarrassed by my performance at something that I used to be fairly good at.  (pitiful!!!!! )  
I am sad but also extremely relieved that it is finally over.  I am extremely exited for next year, thanks again for the opportunity..

[Swag]

Man I don't know how you guys who have been doing this for 5 month's got treated tonight!!!  When I got home tonight my wife was grilling me a sixteen once ribeye with lobster & grilled mushrooms..

I think she is more relieved that it is over than I am, but some how I don't think she is looking forward to next year..

[FALFire]

Nice going Mrs. Falfire,  Anybody that can make brownies and shoot a gun has got to be a keeper in my book.  

Thanks Big10, yep she's a keeper all right. I'm sure VV will testify to the roast beef, mashed potato and gravy dinners or even the spaghetti dinners ready for us when we return from a days hunt. Not to mention the french toast, bacon and egg breakfasts she prepares for me before I head out the door with you know who

After 28 years of marriage it just keeps getting better. VV and I watched her kill her first mulie buck at 189 yards with a rifle she had never fired before, that was an unforgettable day. You can see the trickle of blood on the bucks neck where she planted the 95gr Nosler BTip from my 243WSSM AR15.