Yotarunner
CGN Regular
- Location
- Eastern Alberta
So with low fur prices plus work and family taking so much time I haven't been able to get after the coyotes like I usually do but I have made and documented a few stands here and there so I figured I may as well share.
Dec 10. Discovered that oil companies had plowed a trail out past some pretty nice country next to a series of sloughs and lakes.
First stand overlooking a willow patch and large pond resulted in one lone dog crossing the pond with zero intentions of coming my way.
Knowing this spot was good I moved over 500 yards to the next hillside which overlooked a large brush patch with a lake out behind it. The bush was only 30 yards from me but with the wind if they wanted to smell me they had to cross into the open or come out the bush into my shotgun.
PXL_20221210_211608613_exported_8486 by brad harder, on Flickr
Started the stand off with some jackrabbit and not long after spotted movement on the lake. It appeared that these coyotes had played this game before because they had left the lake edge and were leaving the area. Knowing distress wasn't going to work I switched to my howler and let out a loud series of aggressive pup distress/fight sounds. By now they were so far that I had to use my rifle scope to see that one coyote had turned and was headed my way.
After what seemed like an eternity the young male crested a nearby hill where a few lip squeaks were all it took to keep him coming in. I readied the shotgun with the knowledge that the bush line would be leading him right into the muzzle. Sure enough he ambled up and 25 yards he stopped giving me a perfect shot.
This is where it all went sideways. With a mix of too many clothes disrupting the fit of my shotgun and first stand jitters I only managed to graze him. At the sound of the shot he jumped, yipped and went into the trees. 3 more shells later I managed to stop hitting branches enough to get pellets where they needed and he was down. Picture of the call is one of the calls I made and the one that called him in.
PXL_20221210_211810959.PORTRAIT by brad harder, on Flickr
PXL_20221210_212411922.MP by brad harder, on Flickr
Dec 15
This nice cold evening I managed to sneak out of work early. With a new property nearby I decided to make a random stand in a blown in backroad just to see what was out there.
Hurriedly I walked in and set myself deep in the snow on the edge of the trail. Starting the stand I let out a fairly quiet series of squeals and wails on a closed reed and set to looking.
Not long after I put the call down i spotted a magpie dipping and diving over a bush. Knowing this is often a good sign I looked under the bird to see a furry head cresting the rise at a fast trot to my left.
Once again ready with the shotgun I waited to turn knowing that too much movement would ruin my chances with the scattergun. I sloowllly moved myself into position to shoot when the magpie saw me and flared his wings and took off. The coyote who had his head down hadnt seen me but knew something was off. So when he turned to leave I swung fast and caught him with the shotgun at 40 yards.
PXL_20221215_232833705.MP by brad harder, on Flickr
PXL_20221215_233038233.MP by brad harder, on Flickr
PXL_20221215_233423132.MP by brad harder, on Flickr
As always if you like my photos and want to follow along check out @trophycountrycoyotes on Instagram or to see the calls I'm making and how I make them @trophycountrycalls
Dec 10. Discovered that oil companies had plowed a trail out past some pretty nice country next to a series of sloughs and lakes.
First stand overlooking a willow patch and large pond resulted in one lone dog crossing the pond with zero intentions of coming my way.
Knowing this spot was good I moved over 500 yards to the next hillside which overlooked a large brush patch with a lake out behind it. The bush was only 30 yards from me but with the wind if they wanted to smell me they had to cross into the open or come out the bush into my shotgun.
PXL_20221210_211608613_exported_8486 by brad harder, on FlickrStarted the stand off with some jackrabbit and not long after spotted movement on the lake. It appeared that these coyotes had played this game before because they had left the lake edge and were leaving the area. Knowing distress wasn't going to work I switched to my howler and let out a loud series of aggressive pup distress/fight sounds. By now they were so far that I had to use my rifle scope to see that one coyote had turned and was headed my way.
After what seemed like an eternity the young male crested a nearby hill where a few lip squeaks were all it took to keep him coming in. I readied the shotgun with the knowledge that the bush line would be leading him right into the muzzle. Sure enough he ambled up and 25 yards he stopped giving me a perfect shot.
This is where it all went sideways. With a mix of too many clothes disrupting the fit of my shotgun and first stand jitters I only managed to graze him. At the sound of the shot he jumped, yipped and went into the trees. 3 more shells later I managed to stop hitting branches enough to get pellets where they needed and he was down. Picture of the call is one of the calls I made and the one that called him in.
PXL_20221210_211810959.PORTRAIT by brad harder, on FlickrPXL_20221210_212411922.MP by brad harder, on FlickrDec 15
This nice cold evening I managed to sneak out of work early. With a new property nearby I decided to make a random stand in a blown in backroad just to see what was out there.
Hurriedly I walked in and set myself deep in the snow on the edge of the trail. Starting the stand I let out a fairly quiet series of squeals and wails on a closed reed and set to looking.
Not long after I put the call down i spotted a magpie dipping and diving over a bush. Knowing this is often a good sign I looked under the bird to see a furry head cresting the rise at a fast trot to my left.
Once again ready with the shotgun I waited to turn knowing that too much movement would ruin my chances with the scattergun. I sloowllly moved myself into position to shoot when the magpie saw me and flared his wings and took off. The coyote who had his head down hadnt seen me but knew something was off. So when he turned to leave I swung fast and caught him with the shotgun at 40 yards.
PXL_20221215_232833705.MP by brad harder, on FlickrPXL_20221215_233038233.MP by brad harder, on FlickrPXL_20221215_233423132.MP by brad harder, on FlickrAs always if you like my photos and want to follow along check out @trophycountrycoyotes on Instagram or to see the calls I'm making and how I make them @trophycountrycalls
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