It seemed like the perfect day, a beautiful -5*C, a slight northwest breeze perfect for closing in on some yote's. As I parked the truck at the edge of the dirt road trail , where the grader had turned around and left the dead end of snow 3' high, I remembered to grab a few extra shells for the 243 and stuffed them into the pocket of my coat. The 1/2 mile hike up the old road was made easier by the blown in snowmobile tracks, but as I turned off the trail and out to my first stand some 200 yrds into the pasture over looking a series of sloughs, and willows the snow deepend and I wished I packed my snow shoes. I waded out to the ol fallen down tree where I have had great luck in the past and settled in, caught my breath and scanned the horizion for dogs. Picture perfect this was going to be a great stand, I started with a lone howl, then waited and began on the cottontail in distress I wailed as long as my lungs would allow, then settled back into watching the horizon. The country side lit up yotes howling here and there, the sound carried and I was unsure of exactly where it was coming from, then I spotted one coming in on the run he was closing ground fast and wanted an easy meal. A howl from behind me distracted me for a split second, I lost sight of the first one, all of a sudden I was being over run i raised the rifle and click WTF hammer in another round boom one down, more are coming in , I am cycling and firing as fast as possible . I reach into my pocket and grab the few extra rounds I thru in now I am surrounded yotes snapping at me and circling from every angle, tryed to make a break for itn but the deep snow is like wading thru cement. Now I am panicing two rounds left endless rabid dogs coming at me if I could just get to the truck, I feel a sharp pain on the back of my calf, I spin and hit the Sob as hard as I can with the buttend of the rifle but he don't let go so I start swing as wild and as hard as I can. ..........
Then I woke up!! Cold sweat.
Then I woke up!! Cold sweat.
