Fawn eater

[billythekidrock]

I took off for the coast Friday after work to do some spring bear hunting / scouting and was able to get in a couple stands before dark. The first stand was a blank, as are most when calling for bears, but the second ended with a coyote down.

I wasn't sure where I was going to set up, but it was getting close to sundown and I knew I wanted to make one more stand. I found a replanted clearcut that was actually too open for bears, but I was calling into a large section of reprod that seemed to have a swamp on one end. I set up with a cross wind that was coming from the North West and from my left to right (blue arrow) and slightly in my face. After picking my spot I quickly set the fawn decoy and Foxpro Scorpion electronic caller about thirty yards out and a little to my left (red arrow).



I was using some Foxpro fawn/goat distress sounds and while they sound good, they don't have the volume, tone and urgency that I can get from a hand call. After 22 minutes with nothing moving I decided to supplement the Scorpion and started in with my hand call. Within seconds I saw the coyote taking off. Apparently it was very close to the decoy and when I started in with my call it got startled. It came from up wind (my left) and when it took off it headed to my right and angling away (yellow arrow). It bolted real quick but as I followed with my eyes I never saw it pass a thick tangle of brush. It took me about 30 seconds to find it staring in my direction, but not at me.

I quickly debated on picking up my camera or my rifle. It was nearing sundown and I really didn't think a bear was going to come in so I grabbed my rifle.  As I raised my .270 I noticed the coyote had me pegged. Through my scope I could see that he was getting antsy and that I would have to sneak my bullet under a wrist thick branch that was just a few yards in front of him. As I settled the cross hairs, the coyote took one last look to his left and as he started to look back at me... BOOM!

After the shot I could not see the coyote nor could I hear anything. I turned off the Scorpion, grabbed my camera and rifle and headed over for a look see. I walked it out at 90 paces. I took a couple pictures of the coyote then went to take some in the direction of my stand location but the batteries were dead. So I grabbed the "wanna be fawn eater" and carried it to the decoy then went to pick up my daybag and get extra batteries.  I took a bunch of pics and packed back to the truck. At the truck I took a few more pics, cleaned up and ate while watching a great sunset. I slept in the back of the truck and though everything was frozen (including the condensation) I awoke to a great sunrise to start another day.











Sunset


Sunrise

[Red Dawg]

great kill.

[bucklucky]

Man , Looks like fun! Great pics and story.

[archery288]

great pics and story!! Atleast it wasn't an unsuccessful trip! 

[DOUBLELUNG]

Sweet.  Care to share a recommendation for a hand call?  Trying for bear this coming weekend.

[bobcat]

Good job! You probably just saved several fawns with that kill.

[Bearhunter]

Awesome story, did you see any bear or sign?

[billythekidrock]

Sweet.  Care to share a recommendation for a hand call?  Trying for bear this coming weekend.

I was using one I made but I really like the Burnham Brothers C-3 Long Range predator call. Also site member Bearmanric makes some awsome calls.

[billythekidrock]

Awesome story, did you see any bear or sign?

Yea,  I saw a little fresh sign. I will post a thread with some pictures in the bear forum.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Great Pic's!  Man that looked like a nice looking coyote.   That .270 sure made a mess of him.  

[billythekidrock]

Great Pic's!  Man that looked like a nice looking coyote.   That .270 sure made a mess of him.  

Yes, it still had a nice coat and if the exit hole had been a bit smaller I would have considered doing something with it.

[257 Wby Mag]

Nice work Billy!! Your pics illustrate your story well. Looks like he's got good hair for this time of the year, the ones' I've been killin are pretty ratty. Congrats.

[billythekidrock]

Nice work Billy!! Your pics illustrate your story well. Looks like he's got good hair for this time of the year, the ones' I've been killin are pretty ratty. Congrats.

Thanks.
The retelling and pic work was almost as fun as the hunt.

[bearmanric]

i'm going to head up around wed or thur's. got to turn a couple call's. i have the same decoy. great going. and great story. Rick

[saylean]

Man, great story, cool pics. Thanks for the write up...