Post by davep on Nov 5, 2008 22:09:38 GMT -5
Had coyote on my "to do" list for this year.
And since my WVA bear hunt w/ hounds sort of fell apart, and since one of my boys just HAD to help catch a coyote, and since I NEEDED to get away from everything for a couple days, we headed on up to Garrett county Sunday. (sent in my absentee ballot couple weeks ago ;D)
Had spent a few hours looking at maps and Google Earth, and talked to a few folks, and hit State ground.
Greeted by unseasonably warm temps (near 70 Monday!) AND snow left over from the week before. Couldn't get into a few areas I planned on, and another had JUST been clear cut. Got a few sets in Sunday evening.
Sunday night, camped in the truck. Stuck cooler UNDER truck bed, wedged against receiver. KNEW I shouldn't but figured since bear season had just ended, they'd be too spooked to mess with it.
Wrong.
Woke up sometime before midnight, TRYING to figure out what the thumping UNDER my feet was, and WHY the truck was moving!
Between my Ninja-like reflexes trying to get untangled from my sleeping bag, spinning in circles, smacking my head on the gear shelf I put in, and me screaming like a little girl, the poor thing ran off!
Got a few more sets in Monday, and then took the boy to check out a few waterfalls and squirrel/grouse hunt a bit. Even got in a few sets HOPING for a fisher, plus a couple weasel boxes.
Tuesday, EARLY, visited with a buddy I used to hunt up there with 20 years ago.
Left his shop a couple of eight, and stopped to check two nearby sets we made the day before on state land, CLOSE to the entrance,in a small opening in a very thick patch of brush in a cutover. Gates were locked, so hadn't been able to get back to where we had wanted.
Anyway, not 100yds from the truck and hear chain!
Once I got within 20 yds could see a coyote!
And once we got closer, could also see it was about to pump the stake right out of the ground!
I quickly leveled the gun and fired!
And missed!
Next one between the eyes, and dropped it like a rock!
Went over, admired it for a minute or two, then went to check the other trap about 15 yds away in another small opening off the same trail. Nothing, so pulled the set.
Round the brush to the first set, and who is up to greet me, but the coyote! This time I waded right in and took care of business.
When skinning, saw that first shot had literally bounced off the skull due to flat angle and had simply knocked it out.Glad it hadn't come to when we were kneeling over it!
So pulled that set, then ran around restaking and remaking earlier sets, some went with double stakes, others with 24" rebar, and put in a few more for the last night.
Also, had "Coonzilla" at one set.
This was by far the biggest coon I've ever caught. Wish I had a scale!
So, learned a whole lot, caught my first coyote, and most importantly, we had a blast!
Next time, FISHER!
(and weasel ;D)
And since my WVA bear hunt w/ hounds sort of fell apart, and since one of my boys just HAD to help catch a coyote, and since I NEEDED to get away from everything for a couple days, we headed on up to Garrett county Sunday. (sent in my absentee ballot couple weeks ago ;D)
Had spent a few hours looking at maps and Google Earth, and talked to a few folks, and hit State ground.
Greeted by unseasonably warm temps (near 70 Monday!) AND snow left over from the week before. Couldn't get into a few areas I planned on, and another had JUST been clear cut. Got a few sets in Sunday evening.
Sunday night, camped in the truck. Stuck cooler UNDER truck bed, wedged against receiver. KNEW I shouldn't but figured since bear season had just ended, they'd be too spooked to mess with it.
Wrong.
Woke up sometime before midnight, TRYING to figure out what the thumping UNDER my feet was, and WHY the truck was moving!
Between my Ninja-like reflexes trying to get untangled from my sleeping bag, spinning in circles, smacking my head on the gear shelf I put in, and me screaming like a little girl, the poor thing ran off!
Got a few more sets in Monday, and then took the boy to check out a few waterfalls and squirrel/grouse hunt a bit. Even got in a few sets HOPING for a fisher, plus a couple weasel boxes.
Tuesday, EARLY, visited with a buddy I used to hunt up there with 20 years ago.
Left his shop a couple of eight, and stopped to check two nearby sets we made the day before on state land, CLOSE to the entrance,in a small opening in a very thick patch of brush in a cutover. Gates were locked, so hadn't been able to get back to where we had wanted.
Anyway, not 100yds from the truck and hear chain!
Once I got within 20 yds could see a coyote!
And once we got closer, could also see it was about to pump the stake right out of the ground!
I quickly leveled the gun and fired!
And missed!
Next one between the eyes, and dropped it like a rock!
Went over, admired it for a minute or two, then went to check the other trap about 15 yds away in another small opening off the same trail. Nothing, so pulled the set.
Round the brush to the first set, and who is up to greet me, but the coyote! This time I waded right in and took care of business.
When skinning, saw that first shot had literally bounced off the skull due to flat angle and had simply knocked it out.Glad it hadn't come to when we were kneeling over it!
So pulled that set, then ran around restaking and remaking earlier sets, some went with double stakes, others with 24" rebar, and put in a few more for the last night.
Also, had "Coonzilla" at one set.
This was by far the biggest coon I've ever caught. Wish I had a scale!
So, learned a whole lot, caught my first coyote, and most importantly, we had a blast!
Next time, FISHER!
(and weasel ;D)