Wow! What a great hunt with a wonderful group of guys. wv_yoter, his friend from PA Mike, and I left WV early Thursday morning for the 9 hour drive to LBL. Mikes friend Donnie was to join us later. Even the drive down was fun as three enthusiastic coyote hunters discussed hunting tactics. We brought too much stuff!!!

On Friday morning the alarm went off at 4:00 AM. At breakfast we met some of the other guys at the hunt. Great bunch of guys. We were on stand in area 7 about 7:30 am. Jason (wv_yoter) and I hunted together and Mike and Donnie from PA teamed up. At about 9:00 AM the cell phone buzzed. Donnie had killed a dog on their second stand at about 8:30 AM. It was his first. Way to go Donnie. Here is Donnie's dog hanging in front of our cabin:

Jason and I did eight stands on Friday with no success.

We enjoyed dinner at the restaurant and got to meet some more of the guys. You couldn't ask for a friendlier group. On Saturday morning it was up again at 4:00 AM and after another fine breakfast (that lady at the restaurant was great!!) We decided to try Area 1. On our second stand of the morning we set up along a horse road. Jason set up facing the upwind hollow and I setup across the road from him covering the downwind. Jason's Foxpro was in the road between us. Jason was going to do some howls then go to the Foxpro. Before he could begin and before I was really set we heard a pack of dogs really cut loose below Jason on his side of the road in the hollow below him and on the ridge across from him. I decided to change locations to Jason's side of the road and a little further out from him about 40 yards where I could see down into the next hollow past him and see out the road a little ways. Jason still had not begun calling. When he did do some howls the dogs lit up again. This was great. We are not used to dogs vocalizing in the day time in WV. About 15 minutes into the stand Jason was playing "chicken distress" on the Foxpro. Thought he would try something they hadn't heard! The coyote came up the road to my right. I had set up my shooting stick in that direction because it is the most awkward direction for a right handed shooter to shoot. Here is a photo of where I was sitting

As soon as the dog came into view it hesitated, the sun was shining right in it's face and the wind was in my favor, but that dog still knew something wasn't right. It started trotting from my right to left moving away from me down the ravine I was facing. At about 30 yards it reached a place where I had a clear shot through the trees.

The dog was quartering away from me when I shot her behind the left shoulder. The 60 grain .223 V-Max from the AR bang flopped her on the spot. You can see the dogs white belly in the center of the photo above.

Above is the dog as it fell. This was nice healthy female.

Here is Jason with the dog. He did the calling, I just did the shooting, that's the easy part.

Our hero shot:

Thanks Jason for calling this dog in front of my gun. We did twenty two stands over three and half days and this was the only live coyote I saw, although we did hear several other packs bark and howl. We enjoyed the chili dinner and the drawing of donated gifts on Saturday evening. Thanks to all F&F guys who helped put this event together and to all those who donated items for the drawing. Thanks guys. It was neat getting to meet you guys face to face. Everyone was very friendly. I had a great time and look forward to returning next year.

Do we have time for one more stand!?

Jim