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Newbie first Hunt--pic heavy

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:18 pm
by DirtyDog
Alright gents - always wanted to get into dog hunting and this year decided to do it. I live in Colorado Springs so I am gonna hunt CO. Decided to go to the mountains to an area I am a little familiar with. Elevation ~9K'. Temps ranged from 3-23 F. Not much of any wind to speak of.

Got down to area late Sat morning so we decided to get the camp set up for the night. Used buddies Kifaru floorless Sawtooth and stove. It was an absolute mother to get the stakes in the frozen mtn ground.

Re: Newbie first Hunt--pic heavy

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:20 pm
by DirtyDog
shot of shelter for the night. Kifaru Sawtooth and medium stove.

Re: Newbie first Hunt--pic heavy

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:22 pm
by DirtyDog
After getting camp set up and gathering enough firewood for the night we decided to get out and around in my buddies Jeep to see if we could cut any tracks in the snow. Hopped outta the Jeep and did some humping around and found lotsa dog tracks...some looked pretty fresh. Did a set and some cottontail in distress calling...nothing. It was getting late in afternoon so we headed back to camp and had lunch.

Got back out about 1500 and hit another area to the North. Found lotsa fresh tracks and set up on edge of the timber and did some more calling. Nada.

Walked about another qtr mile to the North and set up on the edge of a large canyon and began calling. After about 30 minutes of on/off calling I catch movement in the distance to my right. Its a dog and he's moving parallel on the ridge to the East about 500 yards away. I turn and get set up and he stops and glares our way. I am totally pumped up and excited that I just called my first dog. I am trying to get on him and determine est proper holdover while my buddy is trying to catch it on camera. He cannot get on him and we are wasting VALUEABLE time. I finally tell him, screw it, I am gonna take him...I get on him again and he turns around and begins walking through the timber. I pick out a spot I think he will go through and get ready. He walks in it, I do my best holdover job and let one rip. WHIFFFFFF!!! He hauls arse outta there 120 mph. Disappears after 1-2 seconds in the timber.

Though I missed I consider the evening a success as we called in our first dog...regret not taking him when he was stopped. I won't make that mistake again! :) Head back to camp, hit a couple more spots to no avail. Night was cold...woke up to 3 degree temps.

Here is a shot of the area we called him outta...he was on the far ridge on the edge of the snow.

Re: Newbie first Hunt--pic heavy

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:39 pm
by bucksnbears
cool, nice story and pics. have never hunted your country but i would guess the snow is deep and powdery. if thats the case, it may take alot of time for them to come in if at all. how far are you going between set-ups??

Re: Newbie first Hunt--pic heavy

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:40 pm
by DirtyDog
Had a nice evening and woke up 2-3 times and restoked the stove...dang it was cold!

Got out at sunup and dogs were howling in all directions. Walked out about .5 mile south of camp and set up. Let out a few cottontail in distress calls and some howling afterwards. Dogs were howling in many directions. One was barking which seemed not too far to the West of our set up - NOTHING. Setup 3 more times throughout the morning - NADA.

Any recommendations at sunup when dogs are lighting up in all directions?

Had a good time, lotsa to learn...I am hooked!

Pic of morning set...

Re: Newbie first Hunt--pic heavy

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:43 pm
by lyonch
great story and thanks for sharing!!! Oh and welcome to your newest addiction :D

Re: Newbie first Hunt--pic heavy

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:17 pm
by DirtyDog
Snow was mostly crusted on top from winds. It ranged from 1-8" pending on terrain and sun penetration.
We moved about qtr to half mile increments when doing sets.

Like said, any and all input is appreciated\\!

Re: Newbie first Hunt--pic heavy

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:25 pm
by bucksnbears
depends how loud your calling but if its loud, you may want more space in between sets.. i'd really like to see some close up pics of dead coyotes. i bet their NICE!!!!!!

Re: Newbie first Hunt--pic heavy

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 5:55 pm
by lyonch
If you have one that is doing a lot of barking at you, I wouldn't pursue that one unless you know it is trying to challenge you. It possibly was a warning bark that the coyote was giving you. Since you haven't shot a coyote yet, i wouldn't attempt any howling at all!!! It onle takes one small slip up on your howling, and you it will hurt you more than help you. If it is a calm morning and you hear a lot of them howling, i would be looking at an aerial map of the area and trying to pinpoint where they are howling from for reference later in the day. If they keep howling and wont shut up, you can keep moving closer to them after every stand until you can either get a visual on them or get in their comfort zone. I would stick with 100% distress and try to put in a lot of stands in one day. Keep the wind in your face, sun at your back, and your down wind side as open as possible. If you have a hunting partner, set them up down on the down wind side and have them watch specifically the down wind side and you might be shocked how many coyotes are trying to sneak in behind you from a ways off! I would make 30 minute stands at the longest, then i would get up and leave unless you can see one working you. If it is windy out, i would make 15 -20 minute stands at the longest and then move on. If the area you are calling is wide open, i would move about a mile before i make another stand. If it is brushy thick area, i would move .5 miles. If it is windy you can move shorter distances and if it is calm i would put more distance between the stands. I think the one thing that you need to do is strictly stick with distress no matter what until you get some coyotes under your belt. I hope this helps and keep us updated on how the trip goes!!!!

Re: Newbie first Hunt--pic heavy

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 12:19 pm
by 223sav
lyonch- maybe I'm missing something, but why would you tell Dirty Dog to keep the howler in his pocket just because he had never shot a coyote. Have you heard him howl?

Granted, howling is different than blowing a distress call, but the best advice that seems to be pretty universal is get out there and do it, and learn from mistakes while in the field.
Good Hunting!!!!

Re: Newbie first Hunt--pic heavy

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 12:27 pm
by Tbush
Nice camp set up always fun to camp in the cold and snow :D .... I agree with lyonch, drop the howling and just use distrees IF your area has cotton tails use it moderatly or try some bird sounds I always try and use a distress based on my area ie; woods =birds, open mixed = bunny,rodent wide open = jackrabbit,fox, just look for tracks of prey species.

added a pic of a night in AZ camping in the snow :D

Re: Newbie first Hunt--pic heavy

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 12:36 pm
by DustyC
:shock: for the love of god!!!!!!!! Don't you guys know that they have hotels all over this country with heat and a bar? If I was camping with a buddy in those conditions, it would lool like a scene from BROKE BACK MOUNTAIN!!!!!!

Re: Newbie first Hunt--pic heavy

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 12:39 pm
by Critrgtr
DustyC wrote::shock: for the love of god!!!!!!!! Don't you guys know that they have hotels all over this country with heat and a bar? If I was camping with a buddy in those conditions, it would lool like a scene from BROKE BACK MOUNTAIN!!!!!!

:lol: :lol: :lol: My thoughts exactly. lol

Re: Newbie first Hunt--pic heavy

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 12:40 pm
by Critrgtr
Or at least I would use a camper. Something with a little thicker walls.

Re: Newbie first Hunt--pic heavy

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 12:55 pm
by Tbush
Babies :lol: Well dustyc... NOW i know not to ever camp with you near you :shock:....and 223sav Howling...imo...is over rated I only howl maybe 20% of my stands and used to ruin more set ups trying :( BUT I do understand you do only get better by trail and error, and I get what lyonch was saying "Get a couple on the groung first" :D