Thx, baitpile. Have hunted predators on three ranches in three counties for past 20 years. Farthest (and my favorite) about 85 miles, others about 50. All three ranches owned by same family and all active cattle plus well managed hunting ranches 6 months or so out of the year, so all had "bone yards" where remains from game are taken regularly during hunting season.
Two of these bone yards are tightly surrounded by brush, so not user friendly for bait hunting, but the one on farthest ranch was a perfect setup. Did manage to ambush a few on trails coming from and going to the other two over the years.
Remains were dumped in a 50' long, 8' deep pit (white line @ lower center of pic). Prevailing wind from SE (Yellow arrow). Brush to SW is too close to try to slip into + sometimes swirling wind could alert the pit.
To the north of the pit is a 300 yard rollerchopped field. Depending upon rain & seasons, sometimes grass/bushes are too tall to see from brush line to the north, but dry winters, we would slip into position NW of pit before daylight (white route), set up our sticks (red X) and wait for enough light to shoot. Coyotes often would carry scraps out of the pit up onto the roadway south of pit and present an opportunity resulting in a number of doubles for my partner and I.
Another angle (white heart=shooting setup):
Used to hunt 3 days/week most of the year, but unfortunately, due to age related health issues, my partner and I are both fortunate to get out for an afternoon hunt only so odds not too good for repeat performances. We both still enjoy it immensely when the stars line up and we can get out again, however.
Regards,
hm
