This story was brought on by a story I read at "Muskoka Outdoors". It seems they had a run in with coyotes that was similiar to my experience a few years ago. So I figured I would share my story.
It was quite a few years ago when I used to hunt with a good friend of mine Randy. We were hunting a parcel of the Natchaug State Forest in Ashford, Connecticut where we both live. We had been hunting this area for a long time so we knew it pretty well. This was a typical November morning until.
It was shotgun state land "A" season and we were heading for our tree stands which were next to the end of a thicket which also happened to be on the edge of a swamp and at the top of a ridge. It was a perfect area to catch deer going and coming from the different area's. Now for me and Randy we like to get into our stands for the hint of daybreak, especially in this area.
This morning was no different. It was November and it was quite chilly out with a moderate coating of frost. We had managed to sneak through the darkness from our truck to the stands which took a good half hour. My stand came up first and his was approximately 100 yards further so when we got to the base of my tree we stopped to chat for a minute.
We briefly spoke about the game plan and what we were both thinking the deer were going to do when all of a sudden it seemed like all !@## broke loose. To the east of us which sounded like it was under Randy's stand was a pack of coyote's that started howling. Now I have to tell you I never heard them before and it was very dark still. It sounded like there was more than I care to count. We quickly ended the conversation and I started to climb and Randy headed for his stand with gun and flashlight in hand.
By the time I climbed up and looked over toward Randy I could see he was at his tree. We were so early that we probably had an hour before shooting light. We heard them running around for awhile. We never did see any deer that day and both of us figured that that is what they were doing, chasing deer. I know in my area I have seen 40 pound coyotes before and now for the first time that day I have heard them.
I do say I don't want to have another run in with them like that morning. I literally was a bit scared. It sounded like they were right on top of us. Sinse then I have grown to be used to hearing them which fortunately is not that often but still does happen.
11 comments:
Great Story!! I will link back to it in the morning!
Oh man, I know what you felt Rick I dont think I ever had chills run down my back like the first time you run into those yotes!! good story!!
On the back side of that first field before where your stand was I saw 4 coyotes opening morning a few years back. First one came within 20 yards and stopped broadside. I let him go. Next one was in that field about 80 yards away. Passed that one also. Then had one almost run into me. No shot and finally number four was coming through in high gear. No shot. My son did shoot one there a few days later. He spotted it sitting on a fence watching him. Son slowly snuck up there but could't find it. He went back down by the lower edge of the field and got up in a stand. Five minutes later here he comes following Son's footsteps. One slug and down! I wonder if that might have been the same year? About 7-8 years ago. Place was over run with them.
Rick-we have lots of coyotes here. They got our dog about 5 years ago-still makes me MAD. Sometimes at night you can hear them on the ridge across from my house-a very errie sound for sure. If I'd been with you and your friend-I would have been scared to death.
We find 2-3 active coyote dens a year where we bow hunt. Just about every evening, they rally the troops down in creek bottoms. The sound echoes so loudly in the creek bottom that they sound like they are 10 feet away, when in reality they are over 100 yards away. There really is nothing like the sound of a pack in the dark.
Rick, we have them quite heavy here. If you wound a deer and do not get it that night, be ready for the haunches to be gone by morning. I will post later a series of deer kill pics by coyotes. As a cop, I have responded for years to roadkills/wounded. Some tears back we went to a call where a 70 pound coyote was killed. Most of the coyotes in Northern N.E. have a mix of coyote and wolf DNA (yes, they interbreed)There is a phone number to call in Mass. for submitting coyote sample too, to se if there is wolf DNA in them. Good story! Jack
mudly1, thanks for stopping by.
Nate, it was hair raising to say the least.
Allen, your right. There was quite a few a few years ago.
Tipper, I think I was scared enough for both of us.
Paul, I don't think I will ever forget that sound.
Jack, that is an interesting fact that I didn't know about the interbreeding. Thanks very much for sharing that fact.
We have 'yotes all over here in Michigan, and I heard them whooping and howling on kills, and while going after animals many times. We have also had to run them off of deer that we have shot. They are a royal pain, and hopefully one of these days I get a chance to end one of their lives.
Arthur, like you I hope to take one of those out of the woods.
Rick, Great story! I've had the chance to hear them a couple of times. One night after deer hunting when our group was BSing in the parking lot they all started up(must have found a dead deer). The other time was at my in-laws house I think a pack had a litter and you could hear the pups yelping too.
Ben, raises the hairs when you are not expecting it.
Post a Comment