Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: crowinghen on January 01, 2019, 09:36:59 AM

Title: Didn't get a shot
Post by: crowinghen on January 01, 2019, 09:36:59 AM: I wonder how many times we call something in but we never see it?
Set up yesterday and Hubby was calling.. coyote didnt read the script and came in from the wrong ( unexpected) direction.
I just saw two big white ears and then he was gone, about 130 yards away. Never even got him in the optics, but happy to spot him.
Gonna have to up my game a little.
Title: Re: Didn't get a shot
Post by: PolarBear on January 01, 2019, 09:47:05 AM: A lot more than you want to know. Iv'e been calling in the snow to have nothing come in and as I am hiking out discover fresh tracks inside of mine only a few yards behind me. Had a big ol cougar do that once and freaked me out. He came within 40 yards of me directly behind where I was calling from.
Title: Re: Didn't get a shot
Post by: Cougartail on January 01, 2019, 10:42:53 AM: Call at night with a thermal scope and you'll be amazed at what you don't see during the day. Predators are really good at using cover!
Title: Re: Didn't get a shot
Post by: wolftrapper on January 01, 2019, 10:49:01 AM: I'm guessing that a solo hunter might see two thirds of the coyotes called in...maybe half. Countless time I have had coyotes heading away from me, that I'm certain were much closer when they turned tail. They seem to have a knack for approaching from 5 o'clock, or 7 o'clock...of course, we never see the 6 o'clock arrivals. I'm thinking about carrying a mirror....like a rear view mirror device. Maybe like bicyclists use.
Title: Re: Didn't get a shot
Post by: PolarBear on January 01, 2019, 11:41:07 AM: I have found that hunting predators from a treestand (30 feet up) allows you to see a lot more critters and if they do come from behind they are mor likely to pass right under you especially if you have a remote caller well out in front of you. Last year I shot 2 coyotes from my treestand that came from behind me. Shot one 10 feet from the base of the tree I was in and the othe that was eith it 5 feet further as it looked around wondering where ths noise came from.
Title: Re: Didn't get a shot
Post by: Cougartail on January 01, 2019, 11:56:06 AM: Quote from: wolftrapper on January 01, 2019, 10:49:01 AM
I'm guessing that a solo hunter might see two thirds of the coyotes called in...maybe half. Countless time I have had coyotes heading away from me, that I'm certain were much closer when they turned tail. They seem to have a knack for approaching from 5 o'clock, or 7 o'clock...of course, we never see the 6 o'clock arrivals. I'm thinking about carrying a mirror....like a rear view mirror device. Maybe like bicyclists use.

I'm liking this idea. Quick glances in a bicycle mirror would definitely help. One thing I noticed about using thermal scopes is that predators definitely like to circle regardless of wind direction to get better views before committing.
Title: Re: Didn't get a shot
Post by: wolftrapper on January 01, 2019, 03:43:40 PM: Quote from: Cougartail on January 01, 2019, 11:56:06 AM
Quote from: wolftrapper on January 01, 2019, 10:49:01 AM
I'm guessing that a solo hunter might see two thirds of the coyotes called in...maybe half. Countless time I have had coyotes heading away from me, that I'm certain were much closer when they turned tail. They seem to have a knack for approaching from 5 o'clock, or 7 o'clock...of course, we never see the 6 o'clock arrivals. I'm thinking about carrying a mirror....like a rear view mirror device. Maybe like bicyclists use.

I'm liking this idea. Quick glances in a bicycle mirror would definitely help. One thing I noticed about using thermal scopes is that predators definitely like to circle regardless of wind direction to get better views before committing.

Yeah, and maybe you would see that cougar sneaking in on you...
Title: Re: Didn't get a shot
Post by: Cougartail on January 02, 2019, 09:02:47 AM: I actually called one in the other night while using my thermal scope. Now I'm beginning to wonder how many times this has happened before? I would have never seen it if it wasn't at night with the use of thermal.

I move my E-caller even further from me now..
Title: Re: Didn't get a shot
Post by: gramps on January 03, 2019, 06:45:58 PM: Cougartail………..what kind of thermal gear are you using?
Thanks
Title: Re: Didn't get a shot
Post by: Cougartail on January 04, 2019, 11:08:04 AM: Quote from: gramps on January 03, 2019, 06:45:58 PM
Cougartail………..what kind of thermal gear are you using?
Thanks

Pulsar XQ38. Not a bunch of bells and whistles but a solid unit.
Title: Re: Didn't get a shot
Post by: Jonathan_S on January 04, 2019, 11:50:20 AM: I prefer not to think about it. I've made 500+ lion sets. Only seen one without a shot. I hate to think about how many might have snuck in and left.

Coyotes meh. I'll always shoot 1-2 dozen coyotes a winter so doesn't hurt my soul to think about like lions :chuckle: