I got after the coyotes pretty steadily after Christmas and have had a great time. The day after Christmas I got out with a friend of mine, Wes, and got closer to a coyote than I really need to be. I had set the new FoxPro Spitfire and Mojo Critter out in front of us about 30 yards. Wes had settled in next to a cedar tree probably 100 feet to the north of me. I too scooted in by a cedar and got ready for the action, or so I thought.

The call had run all of maybe 2 minutes when I spotted movement through the small cedar I was sitting by. And when I say through, I mean I really wasn't looking through the tree but saw movement "at the tree". I'm not sure who was more surprised, me or the coyote but he was literally no more than 5 feet from me when we spotted each other.

The bark I made as he approached top speed really didn't sound like much of a bark but he stopped about 40 yards out and looked back. When the 222 Ruger cracked he went down, spun around a few times and took off. The second shot I fired didn't connect but I wasn't surprised. I still had not regained composure from having a coyote in my lap.

He quickly put distance between us and I was not able to make a 3rd shot. Somewhere around 200 yards he disappeared into the brush and I sat there scratching my head. I let the call run for a few minutes and gave it up. Wes and me rendezvoused and discussed what had transpired. Wes had not seen any of it take place and didn't not see the coyote depart.

We walked to the spot the yote had been standing for the first shot and we found fur, lots of fur but no blood. We followed the path I believed that the coyote had taken but never found blood or a coyote.

Two days later I connected with one at 100 yards. He was facing me which is a small target but deadly if you connect. He dropped in his tracks. Making the shot only took place after talking myself down to a controllable trimmer and really working hard at making a good shot.

FoxPro Spitfire

On January 4th I called one in that proved to me something that I have thought for many years. JUST BECAUSE YOU CALL AND DO NOT SEE A COYOTE DOESN'T MEAN NOTHING CAME IN !

I was sitting with the sun at my back watching about 40 acres of corn stubble with a tree line along the left side. I love hunting with the sun at my back but it creates some interesting views. Shortly after I started calling I noticed a bright colored post or stump out about 350 yards along the edge of the tree line. I looked at it suspiciously but did not think the binoculars were warranted. I continued calling and watched the acreage. When I checked the stump again it was gone. Instantly I knew it had been a coyote and thought I might have blown it. So I quickly scanned the tree line closer to me and there he was. On the move but in no hurry.

Carefully I puffed a couple of squeals through the call as I raised my rifle. I cranked up the power a quick turn and found him in the crosshairs. Coyote fever was in full swing, I was shaking like a leaf. With my elbow on my knee I steadied the rifle as much as was going to happen and squeezed the trigger.

The coyote jumped and trotted out into the field a few steps, sniffed the ground and then turned to face the same direction he was headed to begin with. This time, the same standing side shot was presented but I was able to squelch the trimmer and anchored him in his tracks. When I went to retrieve him I stepped off 202 paces.

Open reed call

The next day I wasn't able to get a response to the call but decided to drive through the property to check things out. As I crested the 1st hill I spotted Mr. Yote standing in the lane 200 yards away.

Of course I was anxious when I layed the rifle across the hood of the truck but realized I had time so I took it. Calmed down and squeezed the trigger. The first shot rolled him like a sack of manure. Then he got up and waited for the second shot. I obliged and again he rolled. This time he got up and headed a few steps to the nearest ditch.

As I drove towards the ditch I watched for him to escape. It didn't happen. I found him on the ditch bank he didn't even make it to the bottom.

No Call

In between these productive stands were days with nothing. Again, it doesn't mean they weren't there, I just didn't see anything.

This afternoon (1/14/2012) I made a stand using the FoxPro and Mojo. I was all set to start the series when an owl swooped down and grabbed my Mojo. Luckily it was stuck far enough into the frozen ground that he did not leave the scene with it but he stopped a short distance away and had a puzzled look on his face.

I moved to a second stand after 20 minutes and before I could start the series the same owl or one of his buddies grabbed the Mojo. Again, it was stuck too far into the ground but it did fall over and so there I sat with my call 30 yards away and the Mojo flopping on the ground. I went ahead with the series but did not see anything.

When I gathered my stuff, I spotted the owl watching me from a nearby tree. Bet he's still wondering WTF?

Bill