Post by: billythekidrock on March 12, 2009, 07:19:30 PM
~
Coyotes offer us a million different shot angles, so let's just take a typical broadside shot to use as an example to keep things simple. Before we continue any further, look at this first picture and tell me where you'd put your shot.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv519%2Fbenclawson%2F10ebb8a6.jpg&hash=eadb1f7f8f72c747a962ab738595803b0902df43)
Ok, now that you have chosen your shot placement, you may continue reading.
There are a thousand warnings on hunting forms like this one to stay away from the front shoulder or else the bullet will "splash" and you'll probably end up with a runner. However, there are a lot of coyote hunters, especially new hunters, who do not know where the shoulder really is. Many incorrectly think this is the shoulder due to the coyote's shape and fur color:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv519%2Fbenclawson%2F85d4f80a.jpg&hash=c8c4e5147edbc1241eb67c39592cc52e93634e1a)
So they pick a spot "just behind the shoulder" and aim somewhere around here:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv519%2Fbenclawson%2F7d8e400b.jpg&hash=a776383ace982348d71b62d8cf50510421732ca6)
I bet a lot of hunters here chose that yellow dot at their aiming point. Yes? That is probably a lethal shot, but it may not be the best location to aim at. If you could peel the skin back, this is what you'd see below your aiming spot:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv519%2Fbenclawson%2Fdd07c57d.jpg&hash=9c6d6045ea45238281d1d3180da550c19c9d3496)
If you aim "just behind the shoulder" like the above diagrams show, you're really aiming at the very rear portion of the lungs and the liver. Clipping the lungs results in spins and runoffs.
If you're having problems with dogs that run away, perhaps you should consider altering your shot placement.
Let's go back and start over. Here's the same coyote standing broadside.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv519%2Fbenclawson%2F10ebb8a6.jpg&hash=eadb1f7f8f72c747a962ab738595803b0902df43)
Where is his shoulder? Right about here:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv519%2Fbenclawson%2Fa446e733.jpg&hash=1be6d49a3cf09eda5bd9ecaa49645a08bba2ab64)
I don't have as many kills under my belt as others do, but I do have an extremely high rate of DRT's. That's my goal every time I go out. I credit very careful shot placement combined with caliber/bullet selection.
Where do I aim? I draw a line down the neck and another line up the front leg. It is very simple to visualize these lines in the field. The spot where those lines meet is the magic death zone.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv519%2Fbenclawson%2Fe14208de.jpg&hash=f02208ded237a509a2227d4a37859e3dfb93ebe7)
Why is that the magic spot? That's where all the goodies are! Look under the skin:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv519%2Fbenclawson%2F26a75db0.jpg&hash=52ef84c42a0a1d3998a2304f5cb49a5c3ac5e3b6)
With a fragmenting bullet, you'll destroy the heart and severely damage at least one lung, probably both. I've found that even slightly quartering to, or slightly quartering away, this shot is lights out with my 223 and 40gr Vmax reloads. Bang-flop, lights out! When I pick them up, you can hear the vitals sloshing around.
Even if you hit the front leg (femur) on a shot quartering towards you, you'll still blast right thru it and destroy the heart even with a light bullet. I'd still recommend staying away from the shoulder blade, but I have never hit one yet so I don't have any personal experience there.
You never know how a coyote is going to approach you, or what angle you're going to be presented with for a shot, but there are things you can do to better your odds. Practicing with your equipment from field positions, knowing your limitations, careful stand selection and your position on the stand, and stopping coyotes for the shot are helpful.
Don't aim "at" a coyote, aim smart, aim for his vitals. Now, let's go out there and DRT some coyotes!
~
Post by: Gutpile on March 12, 2009, 07:27:10 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F530%2F26a75db0.jpg&hash=883d236fa11002a5b78fad8c343b9ce42159951b)
Post by: littlebuf on March 12, 2009, 08:01:39 PM
Post by: rasbo on March 12, 2009, 08:11:35 PM
Post by: shoot-em-dead on March 12, 2009, 09:28:59 PM
Post by: Gutpile on March 12, 2009, 09:30:30 PM
Post by: Big10gauge on March 12, 2009, 09:33:55 PM
Where'd your pic go 10 gauge? Yer right. When I take the AR I can't hit a damn thing. When I take the swift it's a done deal. Thank god for 30 round mags, not that they help me any.
I didn't think you would see it since you went offline, well since you're back. :chuckle: :chuckle:
(https://hunting-washington.com/cpg/albums/userpics/11491/26a75db0__.jpg)
Post by: Gutpile on March 12, 2009, 09:36:44 PM
Post by: shoot-em-dead on March 12, 2009, 09:41:05 PM
Post by: MHWASH on March 12, 2009, 09:44:41 PM
Post by: Gutpile on March 12, 2009, 09:46:09 PM
Quote
So you guys are recommending a thirty plus clip to increase my odds. I'll check with the wife and see if I can convince her.It doesn't help me any. :chuckle: :chuckle:
That bullet your using should be fine. I used to use the hornady 50 grn SXSP and they were awesome but always passed through.
Post by: GEARHEAD on March 12, 2009, 11:25:43 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on March 13, 2009, 06:01:09 AM
Post by: Big10gauge on March 13, 2009, 06:10:28 AM
Great article Willie.
Yep, :tup: Kind of got sidetracked. The scapula blade does rotate up and down some depending on the humerus (upper leg bone)position.
Post by: billythekidrock on March 13, 2009, 06:20:28 AM
Post by: ICEMAN on March 13, 2009, 06:23:01 AM
Post by: billythekidrock on March 13, 2009, 06:28:45 AM
I take it back then. :chuckle:
Great article Willie.
Now you can't. Besides, I stated it at the top of the article and by reading it and replying you consented, agreed and became part of everything. :IBCOOL:
Post by: ICEMAN on March 13, 2009, 06:30:59 AM
Post by: billythekidrock on March 13, 2009, 06:34:07 AM
Okay. :chuckle: Anyway, those pics are fantastic. Very cool job by whomever. :chuckle:
Yea, he did a great job. The original post even has some photos of bone structure and vitals on cats.
Post by: Gutpile on March 13, 2009, 06:40:30 AM
Post by: Big10gauge on March 13, 2009, 06:45:06 AM
Post by: billythekidrock on March 13, 2009, 04:50:25 PM
Post by: billythekidrock on March 13, 2009, 05:39:37 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2Fbearanatomybones.jpg&hash=40b953efc82885f963e7aa8c8cb21b155a393c6e).