Got out with the boy.....

[Scottmisfits]

We went out with the intent of shooting some coyotes yesterday. It was me, obviously, my son, and my normal hunting partner.

We got to our first spot, park the truck and walk in to where we want to sit. It’s overlooking a pond with a long draw down to some flats. It’s a very tough walk but not the only one of the day. The wind drifts were very crusty and deep making it very hard to walk in.
I put out my little speaker (it’s an iHunt speaker that Ruger brands) and start playing some calls with the iPhone app. We see one coyote but he’s over 500 yards away. We’re there for a half hour and decide it’s time to pull out.

We drive to a couple of other spots, no luck in them.
Then we see a couple tracing a fence line. We try and cut them off. To do this we need to climb up a steep hill, only a hundred feet tall maybe, covered in snow drifts. Again, deep snow crusted over making it hard to walk through and slick. And my son is going through some really bad growing pains and his knees and ankles are taking a beating. But he just kept on trucking.
Anyway, we got to within 475 yards and he saw us and high tailed it out of there. The other one had just vanished.

We decide to head in to town and grab some lunch. Driving by another field we have permission in are a couple of coyotes bedded down. Lunch can wait, we get loaded up and ready and start walking in. There a snow bank from plowing the lease path and we head there. Got a range and it’s still 375 yards, to far for what my sone is comfortable with so we move up to the fence. We are now at 275 yards, Chase is comfortable at that distance, he has shot and practiced out that far before. But now he just can’t get into a comfortable shooting position. They wind us or spot us or hear us, not sure, it they get up and start moving away. Chase is not comfortable with the shot now as we are only seeing their tails and gaining distance from us. My buddy with us is still tracking the one through his scope. At 340 yards it turned to a quartering away shot and he pulled the trigger. That coyote did his dance and then ran 100 miles an hour on to a chunk of land we didn’t have permission to be on. He was successful though, we’re sure of it although no, we can’t be 100% because we didn’t find it down. The blood loss was substantial though.

One more location where we had seen quite a few dogs during bow season proved to be a bust so we called it a day. And we all went away with big smiles!

[58thecat]

Great times for sure!

[Wolftrapper]

Very hard to beat a day like that, out with your son.
Good job and thanks for posting.

[pikergolf]

Nice day! You might consider some snowshoes to help with that crusty snow.

[270person]

Very nice. Are you using a polarizer filter in the first two to get those dark blue skies?

[Scottmisfits]

Originally Posted by 270person

Very nice. Are you using a polarizer filter in the first two to get those dark blue skies?

I haven’t been taking my real camera out with us. These pics are just with my phone and have some “fixing” with Instagram filters.

[Scottmisfits]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

Nice day! You might consider some snowshoes to help with that crusty snow.

We have been talking snow shoes or CC skis. I’ve been looking at Costco and CT, Walmart, Sportchek etc, for snowshoes that will handle me. I’ve lost a bit of weight and when my body is empty after my morning routine, I am now down to 240lbs. Throw in my 12lb rifle and my boots, clothes, pack, etc, the shoes rated for 220lbs just don’t seem like they’ll cut it. Once I get back to working within my industry it is something I would like to try and find. Possibly MEC, and I know the U of C has all kinds of things as well.

[Dweb]

Nice way to spend a day , thanks for sharing

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by Scottmisfits

We have been talking snow shoes or CC skis. I’ve been looking at Costco and CT, Walmart, Sportchek etc, for snowshoes that will handle me. I’ve lost a bit of weight and when my body is empty after my morning routine, I am now down to 240lbs. Throw in my 12lb rifle and my boots, clothes, pack, etc, the shoes rated for 220lbs just don’t seem like they’ll cut it. Once I get back to working within my industry it is something I would like to try and find. Possibly MEC, and I know the U of C has all kinds of things as well.

I am heavy as well. Snowshoes don't seem to help much when the snow is loose,but when it gets blown and crusty my 225 rated snowshoes make a world of difference. That little bit of crust and you can stay on top.

[Scottmisfits]

Thanks Piker. I haven't put a lot of time into it because I can only remember one other year where I may have liked them but I think I will be looking a lot closer now.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Scottmisfits

We have been talking snow shoes or CC skis. I’ve been looking at Costco and CT, Walmart, Sportchek etc, for snowshoes that will handle me. I’ve lost a bit of weight and when my body is empty after my morning routine, I am now down to 240lbs. Throw in my 12lb rifle and my boots, clothes, pack, etc, the shoes rated for 220lbs just don’t seem like they’ll cut it. Once I get back to working within my industry it is something I would like to try and find. Possibly MEC, and I know the U of C has all kinds of things as well.

I went with snowshoes last winter. . I used to cross country ski, and I find the snowshoes with the built in steel claws much better for going up and down hills, and much better for dragging a toboggan, or a coyote. I have been wearing mine every day for the past few weeks to run the dog, and they make it much easier. I weigh around 200lbs, and went with the 30" models, even though the chart recommended 36", because the local store was sold out of the 36", and they have worked out quite well for me. The ratchet buckles are easy to use, and I found it easy to get used to using snowshoes.

[.257Weatherby]

Great pictures.
Those phone cameras do take some great pictures.
The blues and the greens reminded me of when I shot 25 mm coloured films using Fuji brand film.
Thanks for sharing.
assuming it was a smartphone you used.
Rob

[Scottmisfits]

Originally Posted by .257Weatherby

Great pictures.
Those phone cameras do take some great pictures.
The blues and the greens reminded me of when I shot 25 mm coloured films using Fuji brand film.
Thanks for sharing.
assuming it was a smartphone you used.
Rob

Thank you.

I love the old style filters. Everyone now a days is an armchair photographer. I really do wish I was better, but that’s why we have things like Instagram. I can edit it, post it, and it saves it to my photo app. If I really don’t want it on Instagram I can delete it. I’m sure there are some other apps that are better still.
I have my Canon DSLR with an aftermarket lense. It does pretty decent but it’s big and bulky by the time you have everything else. Especially with my rifle being over 12lbs, it becomes quite a bit to carry.

[threeforthree]

Great Memories, thanks for Posting.

[alpineguy]

Great looking day to get out with your son. Way to go Dad!!!
Thanks for posting

[roper1]

Now that is a great day. Congrats!!

[saddleup]

Thank you for posting, especially with pictures, of your great day. Good job Dad, those memories will last a life time for both of you. Nice to see such a positive post.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Sure do love to see that! Congrats!

[Grump]

Great memories! Thanks for doing us all a favour and getting the next generation invested as well!

[Battle Rat]

That there is the definition of quality time.
Love those pics.

[Pixel Shooter]

Great post. Thanks for sharing