Took the boys out for a run and a couple catches..graphic

Had some cool clear weather roll in and a little time on my hands...so I swung by a buddy's house grabbed his dogs ( mine are being leased to the USDA/OK Dept of Ag.) and headed out for some races .Got some good ones and had a total of 7 catches....pics look worse than it actually is. It's over pretty damn quick.

BTW...the first pic is the first one we caught. You can see the blue gyp and red stag closing in on it . Pretty rare to see that let alone get a pic right as they are getting ready to make the catch . Coyote is just a length in front of them.

A few more....

And not a bit of mange or blue on any of 'em...all destined for auction.:)

No real damage, LB...it looks worse than it is . Very rarely to I have to do any stitching.Best way to avoid it is to not run to many dogs and get there soon after the catch to keep 'em from playing tug of war.

Quote from pantoja

can you make a video next time ?

I've honestly never thought about it, bro... I'll look into that.

Quote from Dan

Thanks for posting it. The pics are interesting and revealing. How is the coyote located in the first place?

The coyote is located by simply watching crossings , Dan.

Quote from Dan

What are crossings, how do you find them, how many crossings can you watch in one day, and how much time do you spend watching each?

Do the dogs see the coyote before they're released?

A coyote will almost always follow a path of least resistance and use an area that affords him to use his greatest assets...his senses and speed. Thusly, they tend to use open areas to travel between hunting locations. Open pasture land, wheat fields, and such.

With a little planning you can watch several at once.... the name of the game is also covering alot of ground . Generally, you don't have to wait very long if an area is holding coyotes. I also will use a 'howler' in the pre-dawn as a locator. Step out and 'howl' and mark the replies on a map. Gives me a ballpark idea.

I wait until the dogs have locked on the coyote before I release 'em. Many times they see it before I do. So I spend alot of time watching them in the rear view mirror.:)

Alan,

Even the Tribe won't eat coyotes ...but between bounties and the hide , about $500 collected. That won't even cover the gas used. Bobcats, beaver and muskrats are furbearers worthy of the table. Serve with pinot grigio .

Sdeisen,
Southwestern Oklahoma.

Quote from Dan

Do they see it because they're elevated in the vehicle?

How far are they from the coyote when released? How much distance, over open ground, do they need to catch it?

I think being elevated helps ...but they are constanly scanning the horizon for a target.

Typical distance at release is around 400 yards. Race distance can be long at times and almost non-existant at others. Sometimes the coyote will stand their , unable to accept that he is now prey; but usually as soon as they see the truck stop they bolt. Than your looking at a run that'll go several miles. Sveral miles in a big circle.

Quote from Dan

Can a big one fight off the dogs?

Nope ... a denned one can be a buzzsaw . And one on one the engagement might last a little longer...but not much. They're Ninjas , I tell ya. Each dog seems to have a technique to administer the coup de grace, and they're pretty good at it.

Rolo,
The USDA is using mine to kill off some sheepkillers at a grazing lands research facility near my home.

Beav and PG is the shit. Tell your friends.:)