When my buddy Alfred (Sauce as I call him, Uncle Sauce as my 5 year old calls him) called to go out after predators, I almost said no. I've been under the weather for the past few weeks and the stress of work had me dragging. I reluctantly (not really) said "Fine, I'll go along." Sauce got the Power Dog from Primos and really wanted to see what she could do. This ranch had been tough on us. Our first few visits produced a Bobcat and a couple of coyotes over the past year, but the pickins were pretty slim. Sauce is somewhat new to this predator thing, and is still a little unsure where and how to set up.
With my infinite knowledge of predators, I generally choose the stands and which way each of us should face. (90% of the time I am wrong about where the predator will show up). I set us up on a small rise that would allow near 360* views between the both of us. There was only a small finger directly in front of me that, if a predator showed up, it would only be about 50 yards out. After thumbing between the Jackrabbit Distress and the Rodent Distress sounds a few times, in that small finger I noticed ears loping along. I got behind my Savage 110gv in .223 with handloaded 40gr Ballistic Tips and knew that it would be over soon.
The coyote stopped at about 75 yards only giving me "eyes and ears". I quickly hit the Rodent Distress sound and it was on the move again. When it got to the Power Dog call, it was about 35 yards, but I could only see the top line of its back. When his nose touched the call (I guess he didn't like my stink on it) he turned and was gone. No shots fired.
The second stand provided nothing.
The third stand, again thumbing between the Jackrabbit and Rodent Distress sounds was going on 35 minutes. With our backs against a deadfall, (because I was sure nothing would come in downwind, remember my infinite knowledge) I heard a twig snap not 10 yards behind me. I slowly turned my head and saw movement. I swung my rifle around and pointed toward the movement and let out a kissing sound. Not 22 yards away, though my scope, I spotted a nice Bobcat quartering away. Viewing through some small twigs I put pressure on the trigger. At the report, twigs went flying. When my rifle settled back, it just happened to be right behind the shoulder of the Bobcat, that had not even blinked. I cranked another round in and pressed the trigger again. The cat dropped.
The 40gr Ballistic tip entered just behind the front shoulder leaving a very small entry and a very small exit behind the off shoulder. The insides were mush.
I skinned her out for a life size mount....man I love my 40gr Ballistic Tips.
With my infinite knowledge of predators, I generally choose the stands and which way each of us should face. (90% of the time I am wrong about where the predator will show up). I set us up on a small rise that would allow near 360* views between the both of us. There was only a small finger directly in front of me that, if a predator showed up, it would only be about 50 yards out. After thumbing between the Jackrabbit Distress and the Rodent Distress sounds a few times, in that small finger I noticed ears loping along. I got behind my Savage 110gv in .223 with handloaded 40gr Ballistic Tips and knew that it would be over soon.
The coyote stopped at about 75 yards only giving me "eyes and ears". I quickly hit the Rodent Distress sound and it was on the move again. When it got to the Power Dog call, it was about 35 yards, but I could only see the top line of its back. When his nose touched the call (I guess he didn't like my stink on it) he turned and was gone. No shots fired.
The second stand provided nothing.
The third stand, again thumbing between the Jackrabbit and Rodent Distress sounds was going on 35 minutes. With our backs against a deadfall, (because I was sure nothing would come in downwind, remember my infinite knowledge) I heard a twig snap not 10 yards behind me. I slowly turned my head and saw movement. I swung my rifle around and pointed toward the movement and let out a kissing sound. Not 22 yards away, though my scope, I spotted a nice Bobcat quartering away. Viewing through some small twigs I put pressure on the trigger. At the report, twigs went flying. When my rifle settled back, it just happened to be right behind the shoulder of the Bobcat, that had not even blinked. I cranked another round in and pressed the trigger again. The cat dropped.
The 40gr Ballistic tip entered just behind the front shoulder leaving a very small entry and a very small exit behind the off shoulder. The insides were mush.
I skinned her out for a life size mount....man I love my 40gr Ballistic Tips.
