Baiting
- Thread starter Cougar Jim
- Start date
wildflights
Active member
That is the ol' 243 running 55gr Sierra BlitzKings. I have some 75gr Blitzking #1510 Varminter and 85gr #1530 Gamekings to do some load development but it's hard to move away from those 55 SBK for coyote.
The backup daytime rifle w/light is a 223 running 40gr Vmax. That has a standard glass scope so there is never video to post. It's primary purpose is sorting the barncats from possums and raccoons. Something about possums on bait make them look cat like through the thermal to my eyes. I think it's the way they eat. When they're running that dart looking butt end and movement is a giveaway.
The backup daytime rifle w/light is a 223 running 40gr Vmax. That has a standard glass scope so there is never video to post. It's primary purpose is sorting the barncats from possums and raccoons. Something about possums on bait make them look cat like through the thermal to my eyes. I think it's the way they eat. When they're running that dart looking butt end and movement is a giveaway.
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coyote_thumper
Active member
Hey Guys. I've been absent from here for a while. Just checking in. Nice to see the thread still going. I'm still dumping bait around my house from time to time when I suspect coyotes may be around. I'm at 16 or 17 for this year. It's been quiet for a while though, even when I put bait out.
wildflights, what part of western WA are you in? I'm in Port Orchard on the kitsap peninsula.
wildflights, what part of western WA are you in? I'm in Port Orchard on the kitsap peninsula.
wildflights
Active member
Originally Posted By: coyote_thumperHey Guys. I've been absent from here for a while. Just checking in. Nice to see the thread still going. I'm still dumping bait around my house from time to time when I suspect coyotes may be around. I'm at 16 or 17 for this year. It's been quiet for a while though, even when I put bait out.
wildflights, what part of western WA are you in? I'm in Port Orchard on the kitsap peninsula.
I think we've PM'd about your NV setup and motion alarms on the local forum. I'm just down the road from you on the south end of Ft. Lewis.
wildflights, what part of western WA are you in? I'm in Port Orchard on the kitsap peninsula.
I think we've PM'd about your NV setup and motion alarms on the local forum. I'm just down the road from you on the south end of Ft. Lewis.
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6mm06
Well-known member
Last night was a good one. I stayed at the shack two consecutive nights in hopes this big male coyote would return. He did, and I did - squeeze the trigger that is. He dropped like a sack of potatoes from the Bergara .308 and 110 gr. Varmageddon. This is my largest coyote to date, weighing in at 40#, 6 oz. He is already in the freezer awaiting my son's taxidermy work.
This coyote is the large male (I think) that was with the female I shot in early November. He has been a very wary customer at the bait, coming very sporadically and with long waits inbetween, generally. He showed up on December 11 after being gone 29 days. I began hunting on the night of the 15th, making it four days after his most recent visit. Last night was the 5th night.
As I was preparing to take a shot, he turned toward the shack, facing me and noticed the red glow of the scope mounted IR. I took a straight on chest shot, dropping him. The bullet didn't exit, and I couldn't even find the entrance. Perfect for taxidermy work. The illuminator shut off on the shot, but I had a 940nm spotlight on so I didn't lose video. Not sure why it shut off.
wildflights
Active member
That's a Booner coyote
Cool video. Do those 110gr normally fragment? I might have to dust off the ol' 30-06.
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6mm06
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: wildflights….Do those 110gr normally fragment? I might have to dust off the ol' 30-06.
Wildflights, this is only the second coyote I have taken with the .308 and 110 gr. Varmageddons, so the verdict is still out about fragmenting. The first coyote, a much smaller female, had an exit wound, but it was minor, maybe the size of a quarter. She hit the dirt instantly like this big male did. My experience so far has been great with Varmageddons. I first used them in a 6.5 Grendel and all coyotes hit the dirt, no running, jumping, flopping around. I have some 55 gr. ones to try in a .223, so that will most likely be my next experiment.
coyote_thumper
Active member
Wildflights: Ok, I think I remember that now. Glad to see you are knocking them down. Nice videos. I see you made the jump to thermal. I haven't entered that arena yet. I did just get a couple new lights/illuminators for my setups. I got a sniperhoglights Coyote cannon with IR850 and White LED's. I also got an odepro KL52-plus with IR850, Red, Green, and White LED's. The odepro is small and light weight and brighter than the previous illuminators I was using (T50 from ebay). Have you thought about getting/using a suppressor. I shoot suppressed and there's no going back for me. I noticed the shots were ringing pretty loud in your video.
I have some Hornady 110 grain Z-max (zombie branded V-max. Same bullet but with a green tip) that I loaded up for my .308 with coyotes in mind. I haven't taken a coyote with one yet. I'll let you guys know how it works if I do.
I have some Hornady 110 grain Z-max (zombie branded V-max. Same bullet but with a green tip) that I loaded up for my .308 with coyotes in mind. I haven't taken a coyote with one yet. I'll let you guys know how it works if I do.
spotstalkshoot
Well-known member
I have been out one night since I went thermal on the rifle. I decided to use my TC dimension, 204R with 40gr BIB, suppressed. One large male, pale/red. Have a HOUSE to go to tonight, coyote have been entering the yard about 8pm. Owners not happy about seeing them with flashlights, weather permitting I will change some coyote habits.
wildflights
Active member
Originally Posted By: coyote_thumperWildflights: Ok, I think I remember that now. Glad to see you are knocking them down. Nice videos. I see you made the jump to thermal. I haven't entered that arena yet. I did just get a couple new lights/illuminators for my setups. I got a sniperhoglights Coyote cannon with IR850 and White LED's. I also got an odepro KL52-plus with IR850, Red, Green, and White LED's. The odepro is small and light weight and brighter than the previous illuminators I was using (T50 from ebay). Have you thought about getting/using a suppressor. I shoot suppressed and there's no going back for me. I noticed the shots were ringing pretty loud in your video.
I have some Hornady 110 grain Z-max (zombie branded V-max. Same bullet but with a green tip) that I loaded up for my .308 with coyotes in mind. I haven't taken a coyote with one yet. I'll let you guys know how it works if I do.
It was a short, fast drop down the thermal rabbit hole. I had been shooting about 6 a year with a gun mounted light and bought an "inexpensive" Pulsar XM30 Key to scan. The very first coyote I spotted with the XM30 bolted so fast when I lit him up with the light that I never saw him through the scope...
...So I bought a NV scope (PARD 008) and while it worked, it was frustrating trying to find coyotes through the NV that were so obvious through the XM30. That is magnified with the ever present fog and rain that we have. Contrary to NV, the Pulsar(s) don't care if they're peering through "pea soup" fog or heavy rain.
...So I bought a Pulsar Trail 2 XQ50 and my coyote/possum/raccoon/skunk tally jumped well over 300%. I like the Trail and the XM30 but if I had a do over, I'd jump right to a 640 scope and scanner. That is where the rabbit hole leads.
A suppressor is on the wish list but the wait time and tax stamp have held me back. That and I don't own a rifle with a threaded muzzle. Sounds like another rabbit hole to dive in
I have some Hornady 110 grain Z-max (zombie branded V-max. Same bullet but with a green tip) that I loaded up for my .308 with coyotes in mind. I haven't taken a coyote with one yet. I'll let you guys know how it works if I do.
It was a short, fast drop down the thermal rabbit hole. I had been shooting about 6 a year with a gun mounted light and bought an "inexpensive" Pulsar XM30 Key to scan. The very first coyote I spotted with the XM30 bolted so fast when I lit him up with the light that I never saw him through the scope...
...So I bought a NV scope (PARD 008) and while it worked, it was frustrating trying to find coyotes through the NV that were so obvious through the XM30. That is magnified with the ever present fog and rain that we have. Contrary to NV, the Pulsar(s) don't care if they're peering through "pea soup" fog or heavy rain.
...So I bought a Pulsar Trail 2 XQ50 and my coyote/possum/raccoon/skunk tally jumped well over 300%. I like the Trail and the XM30 but if I had a do over, I'd jump right to a 640 scope and scanner. That is where the rabbit hole leads.
A suppressor is on the wish list but the wait time and tax stamp have held me back. That and I don't own a rifle with a threaded muzzle. Sounds like another rabbit hole to dive in
weekender
Well-known member
Did some bait gathering but the coyotes on our new spot don't seem to be fond of pork. They were all over a deer carcass but have shown no interest in the hogs. On our SC lease where we hunt the hogs, a carcass is immediately consumed by coyotes. I guess maybe you have to develop a taste for it.
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wildflights
Active member
Looks like you were right on top of that first hog. Wow, really close shooting.
coyote_thumper
Active member
Originally Posted By: wildflightsOriginally Posted By: coyote_thumperWildflights: Ok, I think I remember that now. Glad to see you are knocking them down. Nice videos. I see you made the jump to thermal. I haven't entered that arena yet. I did just get a couple new lights/illuminators for my setups. I got a sniperhoglights Coyote cannon with IR850 and White LED's. I also got an odepro KL52-plus with IR850, Red, Green, and White LED's. The odepro is small and light weight and brighter than the previous illuminators I was using (T50 from ebay). Have you thought about getting/using a suppressor. I shoot suppressed and there's no going back for me. I noticed the shots were ringing pretty loud in your video.
I have some Hornady 110 grain Z-max (zombie branded V-max. Same bullet but with a green tip) that I loaded up for my .308 with coyotes in mind. I haven't taken a coyote with one yet. I'll let you guys know how it works if I do.
It was a short, fast drop down the thermal rabbit hole. I had been shooting about 6 a year with a gun mounted light and bought an "inexpensive" Pulsar XM30 Key to scan. The very first coyote I spotted with the XM30 bolted so fast when I lit him up with the light that I never saw him through the scope...
...So I bought a NV scope (PARD 008) and while it worked, it was frustrating trying to find coyotes through the NV that were so obvious through the XM30. That is magnified with the ever present fog and rain that we have. Contrary to NV, the Pulsar(s) don't care if they're peering through "pea soup" fog or heavy rain.
...So I bought a Pulsar Trail 2 XQ50 and my coyote/possum/raccoon/skunk tally jumped well over 300%. I like the Trail and the XM30 but if I had a do over, I'd jump right to a 640 scope and scanner. That is where the rabbit hole leads.
A suppressor is on the wish list but the wait time and tax stamp have held me back. That and I don't own a rifle with a threaded muzzle. Sounds like another rabbit hole to dive in
Nice. Yeah I've researched thermals a few times....and then started thinking about how much stuff I would need to sell to afford one...The price always boots me out of the rabbit hole. Maybe in 5 or 10 years the price will drop a bit more or I'll find a good deal on a used unit. I'd love to try one out, but it's just not feasible for me right now.
I just upgraded my lights and IR illuminators, and I'm pretty satisfied with my NV setup for now. Even though I know thermal would be much better in some situations.
For suppressors, I went the Form-1 route and built my own. Still had to pay the $200 tax stamp, but shorter wait time. Suppressor cost under $100 in materials, instead of $400-$1,000 for commercial cans. I have a gunsmithing lathe so I thread my own barrels. I understand the intimidation of first going down that rabbit hole though.
I have some Hornady 110 grain Z-max (zombie branded V-max. Same bullet but with a green tip) that I loaded up for my .308 with coyotes in mind. I haven't taken a coyote with one yet. I'll let you guys know how it works if I do.
It was a short, fast drop down the thermal rabbit hole. I had been shooting about 6 a year with a gun mounted light and bought an "inexpensive" Pulsar XM30 Key to scan. The very first coyote I spotted with the XM30 bolted so fast when I lit him up with the light that I never saw him through the scope...
...So I bought a NV scope (PARD 008) and while it worked, it was frustrating trying to find coyotes through the NV that were so obvious through the XM30. That is magnified with the ever present fog and rain that we have. Contrary to NV, the Pulsar(s) don't care if they're peering through "pea soup" fog or heavy rain.
...So I bought a Pulsar Trail 2 XQ50 and my coyote/possum/raccoon/skunk tally jumped well over 300%. I like the Trail and the XM30 but if I had a do over, I'd jump right to a 640 scope and scanner. That is where the rabbit hole leads.
A suppressor is on the wish list but the wait time and tax stamp have held me back. That and I don't own a rifle with a threaded muzzle. Sounds like another rabbit hole to dive in
Nice. Yeah I've researched thermals a few times....and then started thinking about how much stuff I would need to sell to afford one...The price always boots me out of the rabbit hole. Maybe in 5 or 10 years the price will drop a bit more or I'll find a good deal on a used unit. I'd love to try one out, but it's just not feasible for me right now.
I just upgraded my lights and IR illuminators, and I'm pretty satisfied with my NV setup for now. Even though I know thermal would be much better in some situations.
For suppressors, I went the Form-1 route and built my own. Still had to pay the $200 tax stamp, but shorter wait time. Suppressor cost under $100 in materials, instead of $400-$1,000 for commercial cans. I have a gunsmithing lathe so I thread my own barrels. I understand the intimidation of first going down that rabbit hole though.