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Being able to spot Coyotes on open ground.....or having enough geologic structure to sneak into your set, but not knowing if there is a coyote within 3 miles?
The other day, I was fortunate to have had BOTH! A rare combo. A week ago, we saw a lone coyote mid-day, lounging out in a fresh planted field, keeping a keen eye on cars going up and down the road 1/2 mile away. So I drove in from the north this time, parked almost a mile up from "his" field, and walked south. On my way, another coyote jumped out of a ditch and stared at me a few seconds before retreating. I was on a road, and could not shoot him. Lucky day for him.
When it got to crunch time......I glassed ahead, and did not see anything in the suspect field that I was targeting. But confident that either I just could not see him yet, OR he would maybe pass thru the area in mid day if I hurried up and got concealed in the lone bit of nearby cover, a drain pool for irrigation water, surrounded by bamboo, brush, and some farm implements. This was my view of it, just before slinking in and laying down. The pool is on the left side of the picture, the water level (fortunately) is low right now.
Here is my view of the field. Little did I know, right after snapping this pic, I knelt down, and saw a tan head and two dark brown ears slowly rise from behind one of those cut troughs! Within range. Wow, there he is....I settled down, got the 222 ready , and in the prone position , took a good look thru the 12X setting on the scope. He only looked around a few seconds, then settled his head down again. Completely out of sight.
So here we are, both laying in the 1pm sun, just 217 yards apart, but cannot see each other. The steady 5mph breeze is straight into me. Not any hurry, we are both comfortable, and not going anywhere. I decide to NOT call him to his feet, as he is lifting his head every few minutes to scan around. When suddenly, he just looks my way, while Im glassing him. Why? I hadnt moved, made a sound, nor could he possibly wind me. Was there something behind me? A bird? Cattle? I was amazed yet again at the coyotes keen sense of awareness to know that it was now time for him to slowly get up, and walk further away from the brushy sinkhole I was laying in. As he stretched and yawned, I was noticing my heart rate had increased just as I was positioning my finger onto the Sako's trigger. He was cautiously looking my way, and knew something just wasnt right! Easy shot, broadside, ribcage... and down he went on the spot. One or two "rotor-tails" and the air was still again. Saw no others on the horizon, so I called it a day, picked him up and left the farm to recover and be quiet now.
Even though this one died, I am always amazed at their level of awareness and intelligence that keeps them at the top of the food chain in the San Joaquin Valley.
The other day, I was fortunate to have had BOTH! A rare combo. A week ago, we saw a lone coyote mid-day, lounging out in a fresh planted field, keeping a keen eye on cars going up and down the road 1/2 mile away. So I drove in from the north this time, parked almost a mile up from "his" field, and walked south. On my way, another coyote jumped out of a ditch and stared at me a few seconds before retreating. I was on a road, and could not shoot him. Lucky day for him.
When it got to crunch time......I glassed ahead, and did not see anything in the suspect field that I was targeting. But confident that either I just could not see him yet, OR he would maybe pass thru the area in mid day if I hurried up and got concealed in the lone bit of nearby cover, a drain pool for irrigation water, surrounded by bamboo, brush, and some farm implements. This was my view of it, just before slinking in and laying down. The pool is on the left side of the picture, the water level (fortunately) is low right now.
Here is my view of the field. Little did I know, right after snapping this pic, I knelt down, and saw a tan head and two dark brown ears slowly rise from behind one of those cut troughs! Within range. Wow, there he is....I settled down, got the 222 ready , and in the prone position , took a good look thru the 12X setting on the scope. He only looked around a few seconds, then settled his head down again. Completely out of sight.
So here we are, both laying in the 1pm sun, just 217 yards apart, but cannot see each other. The steady 5mph breeze is straight into me. Not any hurry, we are both comfortable, and not going anywhere. I decide to NOT call him to his feet, as he is lifting his head every few minutes to scan around. When suddenly, he just looks my way, while Im glassing him. Why? I hadnt moved, made a sound, nor could he possibly wind me. Was there something behind me? A bird? Cattle? I was amazed yet again at the coyotes keen sense of awareness to know that it was now time for him to slowly get up, and walk further away from the brushy sinkhole I was laying in. As he stretched and yawned, I was noticing my heart rate had increased just as I was positioning my finger onto the Sako's trigger. He was cautiously looking my way, and knew something just wasnt right! Easy shot, broadside, ribcage... and down he went on the spot. One or two "rotor-tails" and the air was still again. Saw no others on the horizon, so I called it a day, picked him up and left the farm to recover and be quiet now.
Even though this one died, I am always amazed at their level of awareness and intelligence that keeps them at the top of the food chain in the San Joaquin Valley.