Windy, 3 legged coyote down fast

[fratri]

I walked in from the farm house with the wind in my face just before first light. I cut right across the middle of the field and headed right to the tree stand. I figure with the strong winds I would position myself up high to watch the overgrown old orchard on my left and big hay field on my right. I setup my caller/decoy about 45 yds out. I walk over to my stand; tie my gun up on the rope so it could be pulled up. Climb the stand, get my gear ready, turn on my caller/decoy, lift my gun up and before I could un-tie the rope from the gun, I see a coyote standing in the field looking at my decoy. Now I haven't even turned on the sound yet nor loaded my gun. I gentle pull the bolt open, slide a bullet in and point it toward the coyote.
It must have been in the far end of the field or just dumb luck had this guy just out of sight of me. I gave a couple kissing sounds, he came closer and then started running toward the decoy. I yelled out "wolf" as he neared the decoy, he stopped and I took the shot. He spun a few times, and ran/limped off looking really hurt.
I continued to call over the next 45 minutes but nothing else showed.
This coyote only had 3 legs. The missing leg below the knee was completely healed and it didn't look like it was slowing him down as he was in good shape.




3 legs only, I put a stick to help show where his leg was supposed to be

 

[Superbrad]

Great job!.... Heading out for the afternoon.... Could use some of that luck for sure

 

[DFarmer]

Good job fratri. One of the first coyotes I ever shot was 3 legged also, but he was missing a front leg from the knee down. He was also in good shape.
Coyotes must be tough to survive this type of injury. Wolves on the other hand, aren't able to keep up with the pack and don't last long with a leg injury. Probably not related to toughness, as much as their way of life.

 

[nowarningshot]

You killed stumpy!!! LOL. He was pretty fast, but always ran in circles.

Always a good read. Doing your part to protect the deer and upland populations.

 

[dutchhunter]

Good one
.wonder if he got his leg shot of in the deer hunt ..Dutch

 

[Budweiser2]

Congrats fratri ! Keep up on the varmit control.

 

[FLHTCUI]

Obviously his name wasn't Lucky!
Great shooting and thanks for the report and pictures.
Rob

 

[CV32]

Nice!

 

[fratri]

Good one
.wonder if he got his leg shot of in the deer hunt ..Dutch

No dutch, at least not this year. His leg/stump was completely covered by fur and looks like it has been like that for years? Tough critters for sure.

 

[titch--]

Nice job on partial coyote.

Looks like you had nice view from your stand there.

 

[kjohn]

Years ago, I watched a three-legged wolf run off into the bush near a fishing camp on the Hansen Lake Road, near Deschambault Lake. It was in the winter, IIRC.

 

[Royzo]

No dutch, at least not this year. His leg/stump was completely covered by fur and looks like it has been like that for years? Tough critters for sure.

They can live a quite normal/healthy life once healed up after loosing a leg. Survival is a strong driving force.

 

[jkc]

What is your sucess rate? Seems like everytime you are out, you get one. Nice work.

 

[fratri]

What is your sucess rate? Seems like everytime you are out, you get one. Nice work.

Sorry but your statement made me chuckle.....
I only post my successes... If I posted my failures (when I had a dry set) my post count would be 10 times what it is now....

Sometimes I get lucky and get back to back days that produce coyotes, but most of the time I go out, coyotes don't show up. One thing I try and keep in mind and at times it's hard to keep the faith and believe................................. but after every unsuccessful set, the next one is even more likely to produce.

 

[jkc]

Thanks for being honest. Been out calling a few times this year with zero success. Just have to keep the faith.

 

[Adrian J Hare]

Congrats Frank, they are tough. I won't post the pic, will not railroad your thread but I killed one 2 years ago with not even a stump and had no idea when he was running he was on 3 lags...