In the video of the 2 individual stands; I heard the coyotes during my previous stands and decided to move closer to them. Both groups immediately responded to my vocals. The group from which I got four was bedded down in a small drainage. I didn’t see them until I howled, and then they stood up and answered me. Observing family groups still together in early January reinforces everything I’ve heard and seen regarding “family bust-up versus pup dispersal.” Tory Cook discussed this topic in a Foxpro podcast a few months ago, explaining it in greater detail.
On that particular stand, as soon as I howled, the group stood up about 600 to 700 yards away and responded. The alpha pair sat back down, looking in my direction. After their group howl, the alpha male started yapping at me. I responded and then began making subtle social interaction sounds, low-volume growls and whimpers. This triggered the three YOYs; they came running in. As soon as they passed the alpha male, it triggered him. He picked up the lead and started to circle slightly, checking the wind. The three YOYs spread out but slowed their approach as the alpha male continued directly toward me.
The alpha female remained in the same spot, watching the group move forward. I was cautious about the alpha male approaching too quickly, so I lowered and paused the sound. As they got closer, the group started becoming more cautious. The alpha male would stop and glance back at the YOYs, noticing their apprehension. Each time I gave a subtle growl or whimper, triggering , prompting them to move closer again.
For a couple minutes, I drew them in, calling them with very subtle sounds. The three YOYs wanted to run but wouldn’t run past the alpha male. He would stop and look over his shoulder at them, causing them to halt as well. Eventually, I worked the alpha male into about 120 yards away and decided it was time to take the shot.
I shot him and immediately went into pup distress. the 3 young of year startled at the shot and ran a few yards but where also triggered by the pup distress. they wanted to come in but would not run past the alpha so they circled up wind to come in at a different angle. Excitement kicked in and i went into kill mode so as soon as the lead YOY stopped I shot it, I hit it low and it was whimpering and staggering, which triggered his litter mate to run to him. as soon as it stopped next to him I shot him, and then put a finishing shot into the other. I looked out and the alpha female was still sitting there several hundred yards out.
I went into a different pup distress and brought in 2 more young of year, I am pretty sure are from the same family group. they ran past the downed alpha male and I shot one of them. the surving 2 YOY ran back to the alpha female and i watched the 3 slowly run off. It was a family group of an alpha with 5 YOY. I do not think it is uncommon for a pair to birth 5 pups. At least that is how I interpreted what I just witnessed.
