Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: SEMO_HUNTER on October 06, 2010, 06:40:00 AM
-
I almost had my first Trad kill under my belt yesterday evening. I found a new spot that looked good to me so I did what I always do and build myself a nice cozy little ground cubby out of natural surrounding materials.
There are so many acorns this year that it's hard to find the exact trees they are feeding on, so you just have to get in an area that has lots to chose from, lots of deer tracks around, then put your time in and hope for the best.
The trails leading into and away from this area tell me the deer are using it, but once the deer enter this buffet of acorns O'Plenty, the trails turn to meandering tracks that are randomly scattered throughout this ridge adjacent the river bottom.
It was about 6pm yesterday evening and the squirrels went nuts about 40 yards right behind me. I tensed up and started glancing over my right shoulder expecting to see a deer coming and there was nothing. Then I made a full scan all the way around to my left shoulder and nothing. The squirrels were still barking and screaming bloody murder on the little ridge behind me, and I knew something was on it's way so I just sat tight making as little movement as possible.
After about 5 min. of waiting and listening to the squirrels bark their guts out, I made another full sweep from my right to left and all out across this ridge I'm sitting on and there it was! A big Coyote cruising across the ridge about 50 yards out! I watched as it slipped past me thinking that it had to have came from behind where the squirrels were raising cain and circled me from around my left side. As it began to disappear forever, I sat watching the last opening that I had to my extreme right waiting for the coyote to pass through that opening, but it didn't. Minutes passed and the coyote never hit that opening that it was head straight toward...hmmmm interesting. As I sat there staring intently in that direction I last saw the coyote I daydreamed about how great it would be that my first Trad kill would be a coyote, that would be sooo awesome! Then I was suddenly snapped back to reality when here it comes!! It must have made a U-turn and that's why I didn't see it hit the opening, but it didn't matter cause this big boy is coming and angling right straight toward my cubby blind!! Keep coming....oh yeah that's it....keep coming....another 40yards....oh yeah keep coming......and suddenly I realize that this is going to happen. I'm going to get my first shot at a coyote. When it disappeared behind a big oak, I raised my bow and drew.....when the coyote stepped out from behind and stopped, nose down smelling something at 25 steps!!!! I kept telling myself over and over....remember your anchor....pick a spot....remember your anchor....pick a spot......then I let er fly.........Right over it's back just like I planned it!! :scared: :knothead: :banghead:
But Man what a Rush!! I think my heart was pounding harder than any deer I've ever put an arrow through before in my life, except for maybe my first one. Something about having that coyote in close range with bow in hand just gave me an adrenaline high like I haven't felt for years!
WOW ...is the only way to explain the feeling.
-
cool, i have not arrowed a yote either. someday...
-
Great story and better luck next time.
-
Cool encounter and a fantastic trophy it would have been! I put an arrow in one a few years back, hit right where I was looking, dead center, which was too far back. Wish I had missed. They are incredibly tough!
-
For what it's worth, I had almost the same scenario last year. Only difference was I was about 13 ft up in a tree.
If I recall correctly, there were about 3-4 coyotes moving through the woods somewhat spread out (laterally moving together). The average size coyote stopped about 20 yards from me.
The shot placement was almost exactly as you described- and about 6-8" high over the spot I wanted to hit.
I can blame my miss on one very basic error:
I did not pick the spot, and I should know better than that by now.
-
Isn't it an awesome experience!
This past Saturday I was watching 3 turkey and 2 deer work through a clearing in front of me. They were all about 50-75 yards out in varying directions. All of a sudden the turkey explode in a fury. A coyote busted through. It chased off the deer and then headed my way. I rushed the shot. The arrow banged a branch loudly on its way. That coyote had turned and run 10 yards I think before that arrow hit the ground. They can turn on a dime and are so fast.
I would have been estatic to have a coyote as my first trad kill. I clearly rushed the shot. I would've had a better shot had I waited 5 seconds. Lesson learned.
-
Good news, you had a cool opportunity:thumbsup: ...
bad news, opportunities at coyotes are increasing at an alarming rate. :scared:
-
Yes, they are thick around here in South Missouri, so another shot oppurtunity may come along sooner than I think?
Here's something pretty funny though, I went back to the same spot this morning to sit in my natural cubby hole and I kinda cleared a little path through the brush so I could sneek in and out easier. While walking in this morning it was dark so I couldn't see real clear, but when I came out of the woods at about 9:30am I noticed a big pile of coyote crap right in my path. I'm surprized that I didn't step in it this morning on the way in. :rolleyes:
Maybe the coyote is also trying to tell me....Ha, you missed me didn't ya? Better luck next time arrow flinger! :banghead:
-
(http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo195/m0r3land/hero%20pics/SCAN0005.jpg)
-
Oh my goodness Mark, you just had to rub it in didn't you? :thumbsup: :notworthy:
-
them coyotes can get your heart pumping real fast.
doug77
-
Great story, thanks for sharring.
-
Yup, those Oh-So-Close Shots are almost as good as hitting the Critters!! Just wait until the NEXT Chance comes!!
-
Dogs are a worthy of a frist trad kill. I know last year I had plenty of almost dogs. Thanks for the story. :campfire:
-
Good read. Better luck next time. They do provide a hunter with a big rush! :goldtooth: