Coyote: Buck Fever/Lucky/Bad Shot?

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Max115

Max115

Member
Jul 15, 2018
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1,558
BC, Canada
Merry Christmas everyone.

Let me know what your initial thought is after watching this video. Was this a case of a buck fever, lucky coyote or just bad shot behind the trigger moment?

I have been waiting over a year to shoot these coyotes and finally I got the green light from the owner last month. I haven't been back at this location for over 6 months because the rat population has been drastically reduced after several months of constant shooting and due to the vegetation over growth in the area. I have been collecting the rats that I shot and left them in the same area where the coyotes would frequent. I set up my trail cam for two weeks and I have collected some useful footages of the coyotes activities. Only recently that I purchased a Pard007S for my Impact MK2 and a game caller so I can use to assist me with the hunt. I set up my camo tent inside an open barn facing the open area with my shooting table and chair. I placed the trail cam 35 yards directly in line to my sight with the bait just 25 yards from me. This set up enabled me to see the tiny red lights lit up when the coyotes came into the sensor zone.

A perfect set up IMO. But how did I still failed?

Not to make excuses but these were the factors that I felt was the issue:

1) a case of "buck fever"

2) cold and long hours of waiting inside the tent (6 hours)

3) too much adrenaline

4) lack of experience with night time coyote hunt

5) it wasn't her time to go (lucky)

6) or simply a bad shooter behind the trigger

Anyway, I hope you will enjoy watching this video and perhaps learn a few things about what to expect and how to plan for a night time coyote shoot.

Thank you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXA6rPWFLV8&t=1051s
 
6hrs in the cold, coyote wasn't very still, head bobbing etc, and it was so quick to leave. all this and snow and a dark nite. To me your hunt was more than 80% successful you baited it to your hide, it came and you had it in your scope but I would have waited for that the good headshot. There are guys that might have made that shot but that yote was suspicious of you and kept moving. You might have missed , wounded it or got lucky and anticipated where it would move it's head to. You got em in your sights but he wasn't holding still. Always bobbing and weaving. That's like an elk I "had " a shot at, before I could pull the trigger he was gone.
 
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A few tips: Fix the light setup, of course. Get a pair of ATN binos, an ATN 3-14 4k Pro (no I don't get paid or receive anything from them), and a Benjamin Bulldog .357. Why? More comfortable scanning and better FOV for shooting. The base mag on the PARDs is too high, resulting in a narrow FOV, and one of the reasons I sold my 007 and 008. The Bulldog can shoot a slug and will allow you to take a body shot also. Mine shoots the 120gr Mr Hollowpoint beautifully after Brian at Veradium worked his magic. When you have a known shooting distance, have several points ranged ahead of time. Always wear rubber gloves when picking up the bait and tall rubber boots whe placing it. Don't always walk the same way when placing the bait. walk a little farther left and right-you are letting them pattern you, trust me, they know. Don't be afraid to place a coyote target out during the day at a few of those ranges, and practice some quick shots.
 
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@GBGunner. Thanks. Yes it wasn't a 100% fail thats for sure. Definitely learned a lot from this outing.

@cmatera. Agreed. I will do more practice and give it another go when the weather is better.

@6600. Thanks. I have dropped two coyotes with temple shot and one with direct impact to the frontal above the eyes. Lets see if I get another chance. I have been baiting and collecting trail cam footages since and they were back feeding, so my chance to have another go is good. Wish me luck.
 
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@max115 You’ve got more experience coyote hunting than I. From what I saw watching the video the main thing to me was the timing of your shot. When animals are wary they still seem to have patterns. I notice this in your pesting videos with birds and rats. There are patterns to how they move and the patterns create a rhythm. 

When the coyotes in the video walk, stop, and look there seemed to be a rhythm. It appears to me that you didn’t time her up-and-down head movement well. Maybe an adrenaline rush got to you. When animals bob their heads in a pattern I generally think it’s best to take a shot just as they pop their heads up. After observing them for a while I get the sense that I have felt out their rhythm and have somewhat of an idea of how long it will be before they dip their heads down again. From there it’s really more so about confidence and shooting ability. Do you notice patterns with any of your pest animals’ movements? Also, do you notice that there’s something that this yote (and others) can see when it comes to IR lights whether they are on your trail cams or scopes? I also think a body shot would have been a good option if you were using a larger caliber gun. At least I think that it would have been if I were in your shoes. You’re a better shot than I am. The person that comes to mind that I’ve seen drop a coyote with an airgun body shot is @jwrabbit123. He has a video where he folded one with a heart shot. I think it was with a .30 caliber and slugs. I don’t remember if it moved too far, if at all after being shot.

Watching the male coyote’s behavior in your video made me think, “someone’s gone after him before.” Then after reading the above comments I think they may be able to smell you. They seemed aware of your presence as evident in them looking back towards the barn.



I also agree with @cmatera that the Pard007 limits our field of view because of the zoom settings. I did want to ask, did the IR from the trail cam have a similar white washing effect on your view through the Pard?

I think you will get your yote eventually. Considering that you all are watching one another, it would appear that you have more resources at your disposal to outwit them. You also have a community of airgunners to bounce ideas off of and you tend to adapt well in the field during pesting situations. At least that’s been my impression from what you demonstrate in your videos. Thanks for sharing. You’ll nail them. Happy holidays to you and your family. 
 
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@Ezana4CE. I agreed. My timing was definitely off that night. I just wished I had been a bit more patience but it was a rough long night with the cold and ankle pain. Not a total lost because I learned a lot from this mishap. They are very smart creature so I just have to outsmart them and use whatever aid I can muster. 

I only have .22 calibre and my only choice of shot is the head/temple as I know that will drop them effectively. I do not want to wound them unnecessarily, either a head shot or no shot. In a way I am very glad I missed its head completely without injuring her.

They definitely caught my scent, but the free meal was just too much for them to resist even though they might have suspected I was in the area. I don't think the IR bothers them at all or they even see it. Yes the IR from the trail cam would blind out my Pard007S if I am directly in line with it.

I believe I would be in good odds to tag one of them eventually as they are still coming back to the area to look for free meals. I did capture some awesome trail cam since that dreadful night. Footages showing them eating the rats in the afternoon right in front of the camera. They didn't leave until all the 9 rats were gone. So pretty bold move from their part. Wish me luck as I have been told by the owner to target the Male coyote only.

Thank you all for the feedback and have a safe holiday. Cheers.
 
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Oh, by the way, it’s several things that usually lead to choking. Those several factors of dotting all the I’s and crossing all the T’s can lead a guy to being wound too tight. Most of us do our best work when we don’t overthink the hunt. For instance, if a coyote just happened to show up the first night you were testing and playing around with your new Pard, it’s dead. Nothing scripted 100 times in your head. Just wow, a coyote, crosshairs placed and a slug in the noggin. Then you’re just sitting there saying I can’t believe that just happened. You anticipated all this happening for so long that you were wound too tight.
 
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Great video and it's always a good thing when we're honest with ourselves missing the mark and willing to share our experiences. I've watched more than a few of your videos and I know that you know what you're doing, so just do it. I'm hopeful that on your next outing, you're feeling much better and everything will be in your favor. Timing can be our best friend or our worst enemy when it comes to what we find ourselves doing, whether it's this or something else.
 
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@Vetmx. I agreed. You often learned better from making mistakes and I have plenty of time since to analyze and plan my next outing when the weather permits. You are absolutely spot on with your comment about over thinking the whole process. The three coyotes that I shot were not planned out and I definitely did not over think about the shot, especially with coyote#3. It just happened and I shot without hesitation. I will be much prepared next time out. Thank you for your comment.

@Simplyhooked. Thank you very much and I am glad you enjoyed my contents. I try to be as real as possible and sharing my experience as it unfolded. I actually have another location (new pigeons permission) where there is a den at the property line. The owner has showed me the access point and told me he would leave out a dead calf (when there is one) in the open field so I can do my set up about 50 yards away. I am looking forward to that hunt when the time comes. Hopefully I will get one coyote at the current location before moving on to the new spot. Maybe 2022 will be a better year for me.

Thank you all for your input and support.
 
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I am not a fan of hunting videos, so I rarely watch them. But I am a fan of iguanas, because they’re dramatic and exotic. I support anyone who hunts coyotes. They are a worthy adversary. You’ll catch a dummy from time to time but you’re hunting a hunter. It changes things even if you try to appeal to their need for food. Good luck and keep it up.
 
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If you bark at them, they'll normally stop and stare in your direction for a few, brief seconds. You are supper close. Lip squeaks are likely better than barking. It'll do the same thing. Stop the head swivel and make them focus.

Coyotes are always spooky. It is their survival default and is hard wired. She's taking the food and eating somewhere she feels safer.

Small baits spread around or large baits wired down.

If your IR omits a red glow, it's making them nervous. The brighter the red glow, the more unsettled they get. Your trail cameras should be Blackout IR or low glow models.

Great video.


 
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