sureshot56
New member
Thanks Handgunr, hope ya had/have a top notch morning with the bow in your neck of the woods. A little breezy down here but a nice frost was in the air. Mark.
NYS Coyote Hunters
- Thread starter Handgunr
- Start date
YetiHunter
New member
Handgunr and WNYstalker, have either of you two used a handgun at night with any success?? If so what was the gun set up(calaber/scope)?
-Yeti
-Yeti
WNYstalker
Member
I haven't started using my conteder for yotes....yet. I have a hard enough time with the rifle or the shotgun. I have a TC contender in .221 fireball that I will try once I get some solid range time with the setup. I have an encore that I hunt deer with in 7mm 08. I have a bushnell scope on the top, and carry a shooting stick when I hunt. I am comfortable to about 125 yards with this set up. From the bench, that range would go up a bit....but not too much...maybe 150.
I wouldn't hesitate to use any of my handguns at night. I do almost all of my large game hunting with my encore, and may make the transition for predators this year. I make no distinction between night hunting and daylight hunting as far as weapon of choice goes. With my light setup, and a partner, it doesn't really matter.
Where abouts in Ontario County are you?
Bubba, It was good to see you as well. My father tells me he has been in recently too. I'm looking forward to getting some time to get together once your schedule slows a bit. (Usually it's mine that is prohibitive....lol)
WNYS
I wouldn't hesitate to use any of my handguns at night. I do almost all of my large game hunting with my encore, and may make the transition for predators this year. I make no distinction between night hunting and daylight hunting as far as weapon of choice goes. With my light setup, and a partner, it doesn't really matter.
Where abouts in Ontario County are you?
Bubba, It was good to see you as well. My father tells me he has been in recently too. I'm looking forward to getting some time to get together once your schedule slows a bit. (Usually it's mine that is prohibitive....lol)
WNYS
YetiHunter
New member
I am the Farmington area.
Yeti- I use a handgun contender in .223 10 " bbl but only in the daylight hours, skeeered of the dark you know. got to get out sometime with WNY some time and have him show me the ropes on night hunting, missed one this AM with the 223, had hunted hard all am walked the steepest gully I ever hunt, tired me out so I thought I would take a Jeep ride around a field I usually hunt, came around a hedgerow corner two stood looking at me, I jumped out needless to say they were gone! got lined up on the third one out of the brush as he saw me I voice howled he stopped, for the approiate amount of time, then took off I tried a Texas heart shot but missed. oh well good two know there are some around my territory. I think this is a group of female and two pups, tho it seems like they would be splitting up by now ???
Handgunr
New member
sureshot,
Nope........got skunked, but thanks for the thought.
Had a big doe (on my downwind side) wind me, and then blow, and blow, and blow, just to let all the other prospects know I was there. She had her yearling with her, and it was bringing up the rear when they left. I was watching upwind along a creek gully which was located in a swampy area about 800yds behind my place. I hunt on an island area out in the middle of that swamp where the deer like to congregate.
It isn't usually very active until the rut gets going good. From what I've seen so far, it's in it's very early stages around here. As in past years, it usually doesn't get going good until the 3rd or 4th week of bow season anyway. I had turkeys heading in, and if I'd've brought my call I probably could've arrowed one. Every year they show up.
Yeti,
Although I'm more comfortable with most handgun styles regarding hunting, I've never really hunted at night with one.
Mostly due to the optical issues, (and my eyesight failing) I guess.
Long or extended eye relief (handgun) scopes don't offer much advantage even in broad daylight, compared to rifle scopes, so nighttime would be tough.
You can only shoot as good as you can see, and nighttime would raise hell with them, even with a full moon.
Dot, illuminated, or other scopes like that might help, but most scopes work through light transmission, and with a closer eye relief, like rifle scopes have, that light isn't lost as much as it is through the longer eye relief scopes for handguns.
Now considering a layer of snow on the ground, this helps all scopes immensely, and even though rifle scopes are better at night because of the eye relief issue, a pistol scope will work much better in that situation also.
Not as good, but much better than without snow.
Full moon's always help.
I usually hunt those nights when there's both, a good snow covering, and a full moon. Nights when there's just snow is okay for the most part, but with both it's far better. I just started using a spotlight last year, and use to use one when I was coon hunting many years ago. With red lens & all, we didn't have much luck at night last year with it. But we'll see how this season turns out. Night hunting wasn't too hot last year, but, come to think of it, neither were daytime hunts either.
I have taken fox at night with my handguns, but it was within close range with snow on the ground, and on low power. A dot scope would've been ideal in that situation. But with a dot, if they're set on too high of an illumination setting, the dot itself can easily obscure your target.
FWIW.....
Take care,
Bob
Nope........got skunked, but thanks for the thought.
Had a big doe (on my downwind side) wind me, and then blow, and blow, and blow, just to let all the other prospects know I was there. She had her yearling with her, and it was bringing up the rear when they left. I was watching upwind along a creek gully which was located in a swampy area about 800yds behind my place. I hunt on an island area out in the middle of that swamp where the deer like to congregate.
It isn't usually very active until the rut gets going good. From what I've seen so far, it's in it's very early stages around here. As in past years, it usually doesn't get going good until the 3rd or 4th week of bow season anyway. I had turkeys heading in, and if I'd've brought my call I probably could've arrowed one. Every year they show up.
Yeti,
Although I'm more comfortable with most handgun styles regarding hunting, I've never really hunted at night with one.
Mostly due to the optical issues, (and my eyesight failing) I guess.
Long or extended eye relief (handgun) scopes don't offer much advantage even in broad daylight, compared to rifle scopes, so nighttime would be tough.
You can only shoot as good as you can see, and nighttime would raise hell with them, even with a full moon.
Dot, illuminated, or other scopes like that might help, but most scopes work through light transmission, and with a closer eye relief, like rifle scopes have, that light isn't lost as much as it is through the longer eye relief scopes for handguns.
Now considering a layer of snow on the ground, this helps all scopes immensely, and even though rifle scopes are better at night because of the eye relief issue, a pistol scope will work much better in that situation also.
Not as good, but much better than without snow.
Full moon's always help.
I usually hunt those nights when there's both, a good snow covering, and a full moon. Nights when there's just snow is okay for the most part, but with both it's far better. I just started using a spotlight last year, and use to use one when I was coon hunting many years ago. With red lens & all, we didn't have much luck at night last year with it. But we'll see how this season turns out. Night hunting wasn't too hot last year, but, come to think of it, neither were daytime hunts either.
I have taken fox at night with my handguns, but it was within close range with snow on the ground, and on low power. A dot scope would've been ideal in that situation. But with a dot, if they're set on too high of an illumination setting, the dot itself can easily obscure your target.
FWIW.....
Take care,
Bob
sureshot56
New member
Handgunr, had ALMOST the same here. Have a small brook about 150 yards in the back of my place 5 yards into the woodline. BIG doe with her 2 yearlings came in 3 days ago, about 0810. Same doe has been puttin out 2 babes per yer for the last 5 years here as far as we know. More of an asset to us than for shootin. 15 yard shot, but she gets a pass. About the same scenario yesterday. I'm out for turkey tomorrow. Wish you a good one. Mark.
Handgunr
New member
Mark,
Yeah, me too.....I'll give the does a pass. I won't take one unless my freezer's empty and it's very near the end of the season. Usually during late muzzleloader or bow seasons.
The thought of going a year without venison will usually override the concerns over maternal, or productive issues.....LOL.
I wish I'd have taken a turkey in the past with a bow, as I've had many good opportunities to do so. I use to watch a good size flock appear, and reappear, over and over throughout the last several years, but last year they never showed. Last year I heard them in the woodline, but they never came out into the swamp for me to get a shot. I think that the flock had reduced in size, or maybe it just split, cause it didn't seem to be as big as it once was.
Drawing a bow with 15 or 20 birds around you would be a tough thing without being seen. Their vision is extremely sharp.
Take care,
Bob
Yeah, me too.....I'll give the does a pass. I won't take one unless my freezer's empty and it's very near the end of the season. Usually during late muzzleloader or bow seasons.
The thought of going a year without venison will usually override the concerns over maternal, or productive issues.....LOL.
I wish I'd have taken a turkey in the past with a bow, as I've had many good opportunities to do so. I use to watch a good size flock appear, and reappear, over and over throughout the last several years, but last year they never showed. Last year I heard them in the woodline, but they never came out into the swamp for me to get a shot. I think that the flock had reduced in size, or maybe it just split, cause it didn't seem to be as big as it once was.
Drawing a bow with 15 or 20 birds around you would be a tough thing without being seen. Their vision is extremely sharp.
Take care,
Bob
sureshot56
New member
Bob, Remember turkey hearing is also very acute. If you know the general area the birds are in, built yourself a blind or buy a packable "pop-up" blind.A pop-up sets up in a minute or 2. You can get a 2 man for around $60.00. OR, set yourself up in your tree stand. In many states shooting turkey from a tree stand is illegal, but in NY there is nothing in the summary/reg book that sez it is here ( you can always call the DEC and check.) If you hear them start to yelp and cut aggressively. This can get on the older/larger hens nerves and she/they will come in to confront the hen that's pissing them off. If they hang up on you, start some aggressive purring to get them into bow range. Another good fall call is the Kee-Kee run. I usually end my runs with a slight yelp.This is a lost poult call and the jakes and hens will charge into this call if the urge gets them. If nothing else mix up your calls. Sounds more realistic. I think diaphams are best for the Kee-Kee runs. I use a good slate for most of the other calls in the fall. Good luck and good hunting. Mark.
Handgunr
New member
sureshot,
They were hanging in the hemlock's last night, as usual. They're behind me about 75-100yds north of my stand in the swamp.
I get a kick out of listening to them cackling and fighting with each other back there. I usually leave them to their squabbling as just the mere presence of them, calms the deer, and they seem to act more at ease.
Anytime the turkey's are out in the swamp, there's deer milling around with them. That occurs pretty regular until the rut gets going good.
Then the bucks start running circles around my stand while chasing doe's. It gets quite rowdy back there towards the end of bow season. Sometimes you have a hard time getting them to hold still to get a shot.
I know right where the turkey's roost & feed, so if I really get into nailing one of them, I can go it on the ground. The hemlock's are quite dark & concealling, so I can always arrow one on the ground. Back in there, I can usually call them to within just a few yards. I'd feel comfortable taking one at 20yds., or closer.
Try that PM again.
Take care,
Bob
They were hanging in the hemlock's last night, as usual. They're behind me about 75-100yds north of my stand in the swamp.
I get a kick out of listening to them cackling and fighting with each other back there. I usually leave them to their squabbling as just the mere presence of them, calms the deer, and they seem to act more at ease.
Anytime the turkey's are out in the swamp, there's deer milling around with them. That occurs pretty regular until the rut gets going good.
Then the bucks start running circles around my stand while chasing doe's. It gets quite rowdy back there towards the end of bow season. Sometimes you have a hard time getting them to hold still to get a shot.
I know right where the turkey's roost & feed, so if I really get into nailing one of them, I can go it on the ground. The hemlock's are quite dark & concealling, so I can always arrow one on the ground. Back in there, I can usually call them to within just a few yards. I'd feel comfortable taking one at 20yds., or closer.
Try that PM again.
Take care,
Bob
knockemdown
New member
OK boys..........
BOBCAT is open
WHO kills the first one??????
BOBCAT is open
WHO kills the first one??????
YetiHunter
New member
Nice!!!!! Were going out tonight too!!!
sureshot56
New member
Handgunr, seems I was "preachin to the choir" on your turkey knowledge /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif If more hunters realized the nonobligatory mutualism between turkey and deer, well, guess they would have a better season. Sounds like good hunting up in Wyoming. Regards, Mark.
sureshot56
New member
bhw, nice!!! I like the CZ's myself. Good hunting, Mark.
Handgunr
New member
Andy,
Nice going.....nice grey.....
The little one looks transfixed on that fox......future hunter in those eyes maybe.
I saw my first "Silver Fox" last season (after eon's of hunting them) and I'm eager to nail one for a once in a lifetime hunt & mount. We also spotted a full red male coyote in the same area, about a month ago, and it's pelt was really full for that time of the season.
Maybe the god's will smile upon us this year....it surely isn't for the lack of trying, that's for sure.
Mark,
When it comes to turkey's, they never cease to amaze me. By watching them, I learn something new every time.
The deer and turkey's, obviously, have developed a kinship, or a natural cooperation between themselves through their natural evolution together.
Turkey's can do their normal calls and scratching, or squabbling with each other, and the deer go about their business paying no mind. But let those turkey's give off a warning "putt", or show signs of being alerted to something, and the deer will correspond in the same manner.
That also goes the other way as well. Let a deer "blow", or stomp their hoof, and you see the turkey's freeze and stretch their necks to see what's going on.
Being that the turkey's don't smell as well as the deer, and the deer's eyesight doesn't compare anywhere near to a turkey's, they've seemed to have bonded together to create quite an alert system.
Knowing that the coyote can do all three (see, smell & hear) very well, is it any wonder why we get skunked often ?
Take care,
Bob
Nice going.....nice grey.....
The little one looks transfixed on that fox......future hunter in those eyes maybe.
I saw my first "Silver Fox" last season (after eon's of hunting them) and I'm eager to nail one for a once in a lifetime hunt & mount. We also spotted a full red male coyote in the same area, about a month ago, and it's pelt was really full for that time of the season.
Maybe the god's will smile upon us this year....it surely isn't for the lack of trying, that's for sure.
Mark,
When it comes to turkey's, they never cease to amaze me. By watching them, I learn something new every time.
The deer and turkey's, obviously, have developed a kinship, or a natural cooperation between themselves through their natural evolution together.
Turkey's can do their normal calls and scratching, or squabbling with each other, and the deer go about their business paying no mind. But let those turkey's give off a warning "putt", or show signs of being alerted to something, and the deer will correspond in the same manner.
That also goes the other way as well. Let a deer "blow", or stomp their hoof, and you see the turkey's freeze and stretch their necks to see what's going on.
Being that the turkey's don't smell as well as the deer, and the deer's eyesight doesn't compare anywhere near to a turkey's, they've seemed to have bonded together to create quite an alert system.
Knowing that the coyote can do all three (see, smell & hear) very well, is it any wonder why we get skunked often ?
Take care,
Bob
bhw
New member
Gang,
After hearing how the master of predators always seems to have the coyotes around him, I finally have a story of Clint proportions....
On Monday afternoon, I departed for a whitetail deer hunt. As I left my wife, who was busy raking leaves, I felt as if something big was going to happen. As I approached my treestand, I looked over a nearby gravel pit and saw a pair of coyotes making their way down a cliff. The sun shown right on them and they really stood out. I backtracked and ran back to my truck to fetch my CZ .22 Mag. I was really scrambling for my gear and, in fact, could not even take my trusty Foxpro call as it was all tangled with lanyards from the remote and mouth calls. I grabbed the first mouth call I could see... an old Circe that always freezes up on me!
I quickly made my way to a ridge overlooking the gravel pit and began to emit some sort of sound on the call. Suddenly, I saw one of the coyotes circling around me and a distance of approximately 200 yards. It stopped and I figured that it was "now or never" and let a shot go! Nothing! I did not see it run off. Instead, I heard it growl!!
I sprinted across the gravel pit, which was under 3" of water thanks to the weekend storm. There was the coyote, all 45 pounds of it!
200+ yards with a .22 Mag!!!! Unreal! Check out the impact in picture /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
After hearing how the master of predators always seems to have the coyotes around him, I finally have a story of Clint proportions....
On Monday afternoon, I departed for a whitetail deer hunt. As I left my wife, who was busy raking leaves, I felt as if something big was going to happen. As I approached my treestand, I looked over a nearby gravel pit and saw a pair of coyotes making their way down a cliff. The sun shown right on them and they really stood out. I backtracked and ran back to my truck to fetch my CZ .22 Mag. I was really scrambling for my gear and, in fact, could not even take my trusty Foxpro call as it was all tangled with lanyards from the remote and mouth calls. I grabbed the first mouth call I could see... an old Circe that always freezes up on me!
I quickly made my way to a ridge overlooking the gravel pit and began to emit some sort of sound on the call. Suddenly, I saw one of the coyotes circling around me and a distance of approximately 200 yards. It stopped and I figured that it was "now or never" and let a shot go! Nothing! I did not see it run off. Instead, I heard it growl!!
I sprinted across the gravel pit, which was under 3" of water thanks to the weekend storm. There was the coyote, all 45 pounds of it!
200+ yards with a .22 Mag!!!! Unreal! Check out the impact in picture /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Handgunr
New member
Andy,
Good goin'........
Great to be prepared for a change in plans, ain't it ?
Nice coyote, and at 200yds., nice shot with the .22 Mag. It's gotta be about spent at that range, but it did the trick.
I smell another caliber debate in the wings maybe.....LOL.
Anyway, seems like a nice start to the season.
Take care,
Bob
Good goin'........
Great to be prepared for a change in plans, ain't it ?
Nice coyote, and at 200yds., nice shot with the .22 Mag. It's gotta be about spent at that range, but it did the trick.
I smell another caliber debate in the wings maybe.....LOL.
Anyway, seems like a nice start to the season.
Take care,
Bob
