Yesterday I spent the majority of the day hunting in central SD. I drove around the night before looking at the country and listening. Lots and lots of tracks everwhere. I saw a lot more jackrabbits than I’ve seen in a few years. I figured the dogs are probably eating pretty good.
My first two sets were a bust. I spent about 45 minutes at each sit using the jackrabbit pro hunt on the Alpha Dogg. I really wonder how you can see so many tracks and not see a dog. On my third sit, I finally spotted a yote about a mile from me.
This dog came up out of a slew/lake bed. It could hear my calls but man was she not interested. I threw everything at her. She would look then lick herself and sit or lay down. Finally some female invation calls got her on her feet and she moved about 300 – 400 yards closer. However that must have tuckered her out because she laid down and curled up in a ball. I decided she was not coming in and I had nothing to lose so I was going to try and sneak up on her.
Little did I know my right leg had fallen asleep pretty hard and when I stood, I ended up in a pile in the snow. After a few minutes of the blood flowing I was able to get to my feet. I was in plain sight of the coyote for at least a 100 yards but she was sleeping luckily. As I crossed the low spot I just knew there was no way this dog would be there given how loud it was in the crusty snow. As I started up out of this low spot I peaked and to my surprise she was still there, sound asleep.
I crept up to where I thought I could get a shot, but when I hit the ground wouldn’t you know it the small hill was still in my way. I got up and moved about 10 more yards closer. I could feel my heart racing and I kept telling myself to calm down. I decided the yote was about 200 yards yet. Having never shot a dog laid down I thought I’d aim just above the snow line.
Trying to calm myself I felt steady and let the 22-250 bark. Dirt flew and I couldn’t believe it when I missed short. The coyote just picked her head up and wasn’t sure what was going on. I quickly reloaded another Hornady Superperformance in the chamber and let it buck again. This time I hit the mark. She ran about 20 yards and stopped broadside. Not sure I had mortally wounded here I put a 3rd shot down range, connecting again. Nothing better than the WHOP of a bullet connecting. The coyote spun and expired quickly.
I hoofed it up to the coyote admiring the young female who had some neat colors but not very long fur. I’m guessing she’ll bring $15.00ish. She was right at 200 yards from where I shot here. Looking back to my calling position and then to the pickup, I was now darn near a mile from “home”. I grabbed the yote and started my trek back. After many stops I finally made it back. I was very proud of this one. I worked hard and finally it all came together after being 0-9 on my recent sits.
you will be in good shape soon if you keep that up 
