Finally Dug Out!
Well I went to Texas over the Holidays, and boy did I miss a storm, sort of. I left on Sunday the 20th, the plan was simple. Go to Colorado and see my Aunt and Uncle, perhaps sneak in a little coyote hunting. This plan worked great, when I got there Bruce had 2 coyotes in the yard he had shot the day before. Got there early evening after catching up on some sleep I got up early to help Bruce do “Chores” this took about 10 minutes then we were off to get a coyote. At 9 am it was already pushing 40 degrees and it was getting warmer by the minute. We only saw one coyote and didn’t get a shot as he went out of sight, Bruce got a phone call and I had to get to Texas, so that hunt was over. I did however get a picture of the coyotes he had in the yard.
Arrived in Texas late on the 21st had the 23rd and part of the 24th set aside for some calling but the weather didn’t cooperate. The storm that was socking South Dakota reached all the way down to Texas. One thing is for sure, I’m glad we have the DOT that we do in South Dakota, Texas is clueless when it comes to snow removal. After a 2 and a half day trip home through some heavy weather, I got back to the Ranch in time for the dig out. 21 inches of new snow that the Good Lord piled up in huge drifts. Digging out the 1st day I shot a coyote but couldn’t get to him without a long walk. Got some trails cut and the cows fed, it’s amazing, you can’t go anywhere with a pickup or a 4wheeler, it’s Tractor or Snowmobile. I’ve been making trails with the Tractor so I can follow them with my pickup later, but the coyotes are using my trails as much as I am. They are having a hard time moving around as well.
Case and point, today I went 12 miles up the highway to Eagle Butte to get parts, on the way home I spotted a coyote about 300 yards off the highway, I pulled over to take a shot (in South Dakota it is legal to take a varmint from a road or right of way) he saw me stop and trotted off slowly, I led him perfect and dropped him in his tracks, after thinking about it a bit, I decided to leave him lay because the walk would kill me and a pickup wouldn’t make it. I went another 5 miles down the road and spotted another one this coyote was closer to the highway, I shot him, taked to my neighbor a bit then walked out to get him. I tell you walking in this stuff is a workout, you better be in good shape to go very far at all. I ran across some guys in the coffee shop the other day, they were going coyote chasing on Snowmobiles. This type of cover makes coyotes easy prey to snow machines, not the most ethical way to get them but effective. Well that gets us caught up since my last blog. I’ve made a few stands but haven’t had any luck, in fact I just got back from one where I blew a coyote out the other side without getting a shot. I’m going to start calling my trails as they seem to be a highway for all critters who get tired of plowing snow.
I’ll leave you with a picture of the Big Male coyote I shot today. Happy Hunting!
