Westerners Ice Problems yote hunting ?

[Adrian J Hare]

Did you fellows get that rain and ice that covered everything ?


My season has not started on a good note at all. We got 3/4 of an inch of ice on the top of 2 feet of snow. This makes it impossible to walk into a place and do a set without them hearing you coming. Its like large sheets of glass breaking with every step all the way in.

Had yotes barking and howling this morning at my calling from about 300+ away, but they would not come in

 

[sheephunter]

Yikes, not good for deer herds. Almost no snow south of Calgary but way too windy to call. Sounds like parts of Alberta are getting the same rain.

 

[blargon]

Its like large sheets of glass breaking with every step all the way in.

We must have gotten more rain here, I can walk on it without breaking though...

Yikes, not good for deer herds.

Not going to be a good winter. The deer can walk on this crust, but when being chased, won't fair out too good.

 

[j_06]

It's been raining in central bc sine Xmas eve

 

[Bland]

We had an excellent start to the ice first week of Dec. (Babine Lake) with some -25C temperatures. Went above freezing and rained. The ice is sketchy now. Back country is setting up for high avalanche hazard. There is a solid ice layer with snow on top. Not the best way for winter to start in the mountains.

 

[heavyBullet]

I went dog hunting this weekend and had the same problem, in fact I had to get out of the woods because big branches were still falling from the weight of the ice, I've never heard the woods so loud, not to mention sliding down embankments with a rifle in your hand is not much fun.

 

[oldspice]

I'd say the ice crust is a gift to you.

Dog's will come in from much further away when they can run across the crust without poking through. It's much easier for them to move to a call if they dont have to run through 2 feet of snow.

If I was you I would try using a rabbit decoy along with your call. If they can see somethign dying, they will come in easier.


Downsides to crust is the noise you making going in. If possible beat a trail with a snowmobile a week before you want to call an area. If not, I wouldn't worry about getting to close anyways. they will come.

Another downside of crust is the coyotes will be well feed on deer that can't move through the crust that well. So stick to early morning and dusk when they will be hunting anyways. It's tough to make a bedded down coyote in the middle of the day come to a call if they are stuff with venison from the night before