2022-2023 Predator Hunting Season--Thrills, Kills and Video

[JamieZ]

Went out last night, saw nothing. Packed up our stuff, walked 30ft and looked in the field behind us. 3 of them were trying to circle us.

They stopped in the middle of the field over 300yds away.

I started lip squeaking them because I wanted them to come closer and get away from the houses that were right behind them, which one of them did. He was still to far and I should of waited longer but didnt. Took a shot and missed.

He ran back to his brothers and sisters in the middle of the field, they hung out for 5 more mins and then cut through the hedgerow right into the back yards of the houses. So we left.

So first shot of the year for me, 300 to 350yds and a miss

 

[Shoots100]

Backup rig still got the job done, but I needed more ammo.
Only one recovered, but three more were hit with good blood trails into the swamp.
The bugs need to eat too.

SJC

 

[Tisto]

I couldn't get out Friday night, but I went out with a friend for the Saturday morning sunrise. As we were walking in we had two come across the pasture towards us. They didn't seem to notice us mixed in with the cows. When we got across that pasture to the field we wanted to set up at, we saw one more trotting through the same pasture. We set up in a bunch of big round hay bales, which was nice because they provide concealment as well as a nice platform from which to shoot. We settled in quietly for a while then began the calling. About two minutes after the first noise was made, one came to investigate and my friend took the shot. It spun and fell but then got up and bolted towards the woods. It fell again, and again got up and ran. It fell a third time, and neither of us saw it get up again, but I saw a pair coming down a tractor trail towards the one that had just been shot. Somehow they just disappeared before they were in a position to be targeted. Things got quiet again and after a while we started the distress noises again. As the skies started to brighten, one more coyote worked it's way through the pasture as the cows were all heading towards the barn for morning milking. Other than stopping to look in that direction a couple times, it seemed uninterested in the "free meal" being offered by the Foxpro. Once it was light and farm activity increased, we picked up and went to find the one that Joe had shot earlier. We found the spot where it was shot. A huge amount of fur and blood was there, and we followed the trail to where it fell the second time. Again, a massive amount of blood was on the ground. As we went toward the spot where it fell the third time, the blood trail faded and disappeared. We found the spot where it had fallen the third time. There was some blood, but the coyote was gone. We spent more than an hour looking for it. Somehow, after losing all that blood, it had gotten up again and made it another 100 yards into a field of tall goldenrods. Once we found it, the whole front shoulder was missing. The bullet had entered just behind the left shoulder, and blew out the whole right side. How it didn't die on the spot, I'll never know. Due to the rather graphic nature of them, pictures have been witheld.

Looking to go out this evening while all the rest of you are watching football. The Zoom came in, and I'm excited to try it out!

 

[Tisto]

While the rest of you were eating pizza and chicken wings and watching football, I went out to deer camp. I climbed up into my favorite stand overlooking a large field on the top of a hill. It was 58° with a light but steady breeze when I got settled down just before 6:00 this evening. There was no action in the field until well after dark. A few deer came out then wandered off. Finally I watched as a coyote appeared from the far corner of the field. It worked it's way towards me along the edge of the field, trying to catch mice. I watched it through the new Zoom spotter, and captured a few minutes of video. Once it got within about 100 yards I set down the spotter and picked up the rifle. I watched as it got closer and closer. Then, as I was about to punch it's ticket, I knocked my glasses off the seat and onto the wood floor of the stand. It turned to look toward the noise for a second, and that was it - gone with a capital "G". I didn't even see which way it went. I spent another 90 minutes or so there watching the deer and mice.

The new spotter is pretty damn AWESOME. I like the fact that it has the exact same button layout as my Rico scope, and the menu is almost identical. The spotter has a microphone that actually works, so if I ever figure out how to post a video there will be audio attached. Also, the video captures all the data fields in the scope, something the Rico does not do. Only the reticle is captured on the Rico.

After a few more outings with the Zoom, I'll give a full review. Right now, I like everything. The ONLY thing I have to get used to so far is, the focus ring is very stiff. Luckily, it's not necessary to constantly focus it.

 

[JamieZ]

Tisto,,,, all this high end, expensive crap and no photos or video? C'mon man

 

[Tisto]

Tisto,,,, all this high end, expensive crap and no photos or video? C'mon man

You do realize that I'm a knuckle dragging dinosaur, right ? I am the poster child for techno-morons everywhere. The first and only computer I ever had is this $200 phone that I bought almost three years ago and am typing on right now. I managed to figure out how to transfer still photos from the scope and spotter to the app, and then get them to the picture gallery on my phone, and then post them here. That's a major victory for me. I can't seem to figure out how to do video because the size of the file is too big and it won't let me transfer it. The one time it did happen ( and I don't know how I did it ) it got all messed up with pixilation and freezes.

 

[Shoots100]

Got this male right before I was packing up to head back after a long long day.
Was in the city at 5 Am and ended the day up at my land under the stars at 1 Am.
Got this dog just after midnight and even though I was up for 20+ hours, I was instantly awake when I spotted it moving through the field in my direction.
Once it stopped and started to lose interest, I put the hammer down.

 

[JamieZ]

You do realize that I'm a knuckle dragging dinosaur, right ? I am the poster child for techno-morons everywhere. The first and only computer I ever had is this $200 phone that I bought almost three years ago and am typing on right now. I managed to figure out how to transfer still photos from the scope and spotter to the app, and then get them to the picture gallery on my phone, and then post them here. That's a major victory for me. I can't seem to figure out how to do video because the size of the file is too big and it won't let me transfer it. The one time it did happen ( and I don't know how I did it ) it got all messed up with pixilation and freezes.

Its possible depending upon what phone you have, that you can download the videos off the scope to a SD card, that you can purchase and put in your phone.

Maybe I could help you out with my limited technical knowledge.

What model phone do you have?

Reason for putting it on the SD card, it would eliminate the video taking up space on the phone, which should help you transfer it faster and with limited difficulty.

When you transfer the video from your phone,,, transfer it to a YouTube account or a Vimeo account. This way you will have the videos forever and they can be easily transferred to whatever forum you may utilize.

 

[Tisto]

Its possible depending upon what phone you have, that you can download the videos off the scope to a SD card, that you can purchase and put in your phone.

Maybe I could help you out with my limited technical knowledge.

What model phone do you have?

Reason for putting it on the SD card, it would eliminate the video taking up space on the phone, which should help you transfer it faster and with limited difficulty.

When you transfer the video from your phone,,, transfer it to a YouTube account or a Vimeo account. This way you will have the videos forever and they can be easily transferred to whatever forum you may utilize.

It's a Samsung J7 Star. I don't know what difference that might make. I don't have YouTube or Video accounts, nor do I have any of the other social media accounts.

When I get a still photo, I can share it to the photo gallery on the phone, but it won't do that with video because of the file size. It won't let me share it to a text message either. The options it does allow me to share it to are all things I don't know anything about. Hell, I'm clueless about 90% of the apps on the phone, all of which came pre-installed. I think I only added two or three.

 

[JamieZ]

It's a Samsung J7 Star. I don't know what difference that might make. I don't have YouTube or Video accounts, nor do I have any of the other social media accounts.

When I get a still photo, I can share it to the photo gallery on the phone, but it won't do that with video because of the file size. It won't let me share it to a text message either. The options it does allow me to share it to are all things I don't know anything about. Hell, I'm clueless about 90% of the apps on the phone, all of which came pre-installed. I think I only added two or three.

You can put up to a 400 gigabyte SD card in your phone

I picked this one because it has a 160mb speed.

https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-microSDXC-Expanded-MB-MD256KA-AM/dp/B09B1J3BK2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3GPL680NYQ3GA&keywords=200+GB+sd+card&qid=1667380718&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjE0IiwicXNhIjoiMi4wOCIsInFzcCI6IjEuMzgifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=200+gb+sd+card%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-7

If you want, purchase this card and we will install it and I will show you how to download to it.
Then I will setup an account for you on Vimeo or Youtube to transfer videos too.

Owning the high end thermals you have will be much nicer being able to save memories and share them.

Will what Im saying work?

Im not positive but its only $29 to at least give it a shot.

I think the more space/memory you have, the easier things will work.

Im sure someone with more technical knowledge will confirm or deny after reading this.

 

[Tisto]

You can put up to a 400 gigabyte SD card in your phone

I picked this one because it has a 160mb speed.

https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-microSDXC-Expanded-MB-MD256KA-AM/dp/B09B1J3BK2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3GPL680NYQ3GA&keywords=200+GB+sd+card&qid=1667380718&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjE0IiwicXNhIjoiMi4wOCIsInFzcCI6IjEuMzgifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=200+gb+sd+card%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-7

If you want, purchase this card and we will install it and I will show you how to download to it.
Then I will setup an account for you on Vimeo or Youtube to transfer videos too.

Owning the high end thermals you have will be much nicer being able to save memories and share them.

Will what Im saying work?

Im not positive but its only $29 to at least give it a shot.

I think the more space/memory you have, the easier things will work.

Im sure someone with more technical knowledge will confirm or deny after reading this.

All the photos and videos are saved on the InfiRay app. I would bet there's a way to transfer them from there to wherever you want, but I don't know how. The only thing I figured out how to do was download the stills to the phone. The videos are a different story.

 

[JamieZ]

All the photos and videos are saved on the InfiRay app. I would bet there's a way to transfer them from there to wherever you want, but I don't know how. The only thing I figured out how to do was download the stills to the phone. The videos are a different story.

If the App is on your phone,,, do you notice the phone lagging at all? Seeing how the video's are on the App.

Either way,, if you aren't having issues with downloading the video's, only transferring,,,, we can work that out, when you come out here in December.

 

[Tisto]

We went out for a couple hours Saturday night, even though I thought it was a bad idea. It was very windy. I couldn't hear the train go by, much less any critters calling back. Then the monsoon rain started and we high-tailed it for the truck. I lost my mouse squeaker somewhere, and both of us were soaked by the time we got back to the truck. Tell me again why I think this is "fun" ? At least it was warm out.

 

[JamieZ]

Went out for about a half hour Friday night because I knew the wind was blowing in the wrong direction.

I called in a fox and I probably would of shot it but couldn't get it any closer than about 250yds because it smelled me and started heading in the opposite direction.

Most of my time has been spent getting our deer hunting sheds completed. Which now they are and have been trailered out to the 2 spots we chose for them. They can be moved if need be, they are mounted on running gear.

My coyote season has been abysmal

 

[Tisto]

I went out to look at a new property yesterday after receiving a call from the owner. I hunt his brother's property and his brother gave him my info. He has turkeys, and has lost several this year, so I went to look around. I would love to hunt there, but there is a house in every direction and his yard is only about 3 acres. The turkeys take up half of that. The best I could do was to tell him to put up a good fence, and that he should bury it deep enough to keep them from digging under. Even if it was safe to shoot there, I'm sure his neighbors would call the cops about 12 seconds after the first shot was fired. It's a country, but upscale area. Big beautiful houses set way back off the road, close enough to walk to your neighbor, but not so close you hear their television.

 

[JamieZ]

Went out last night to test my buddies new Foxpro X24. Purchased from MFK with every sound they make and some of them haven't even been released yet. He paid like $900 for it.

First set within 5 mins a fox came in to Female Coyote Howl. I asked Keith if he cared if I shot and he didnt but probably would of, if he knew I would miss It was at a 150yds which should of been an easy shot but low and behold, I missed. Im thinking my shot could of messed up any further interactions in that spot. We hung out for about 15 mins and made our way a half mile down the road.

2nd spot seemed like it was going to be a winner but we saw nothing but possums and deer.

As Im watching Keith through the thermal, while we were walking out to our spot, he walked right up to the big old possum and stuck his barrel out. The possum leaned in and sniffed the end of his barrel and then decided something wasnt right. I so wish I knew at the time how to record video because it was the funniest thing watching it happen. I believe I have to push 2 buttons at the same time or something, to get the recording to work.

 

[JamieZ]

Well,,,,,, my predator season isnt getting any better.

Tonight around 6pm I decided to go sit in one of my new deer sheds.

I played Lucky Pecker first and then Coyote Pup Howls and then Sig Kicken Azz 3,,,, immediately a coyote came jumping through the hedgerow full blast into the tall grass right in front of me. It was maybe only 40-50yds away. I dropped my scanner that was around my neck, grabbed the gun that was leaning up against the wall, looked through the scope and couldn't find it. It must of took off. WTF

Im thinking it had to of heard me moving around in the shed or something.

Either way, there was no shot and I was bummed. So I picked up the caller and brought it in the shed. Fired up the heater and sat out there till the rain stopped. Did I happen to mention how loud the rain was, in a uninsulated, metal roof shed?

Then walked through a field of gushy mud back to the truck.

 

[Tisto]

All this rain SUCKS !! I spent all of Friday afternoon and night babysitting my two sump pumps. Then Saturday I went out and bought a new mouse squeaker because I lost mine last week somehow, thinking I was going to go out for the afternoon until midnight or so. As I was loading the truck, it started raining like a bastard again. One of my friends was going to go with me, and he called and said forget it, so I started an indoor project. Then the sump pumps started working overtime again. Luckily the rain tapered off to a manageable amount, so only one pump has to run.

 

[Shoots100]

immediately a coyote came jumping through the hedgerow full blast into the tall grass right in front of me. It was maybe only 40-50yds away. I dropped my scanner that was around my neck, grabbed the gun that was leaning up against the wall, looked through the scope and couldn't find it. It must of took off. WTF

Subconsciously you let it go because 40-50 yards is to close of a shot for you.
Do you think a coyote is going to just hang out till you get your rifle ready to shoot it ?
#1- Set rifle up
#2- Set call up
#3- Shoot coyote when it comes in
I have an issue with my Fuzion spotter.
Sharp rocks and germanium glass don't mix.
Amazingly the unit still works great and only has a couple of dead pixels.
I saw the dead pixels and tried to repair them with no results and I noticed the lens damage when I was cleaning the lens.
Seems the lanyard I use works great when I'm standing up, but is a bit to long when I'm kneeling down.

 

[JamieZ]

Subconsciously you let it go because 40-50 yards is to close of a shot for you.
Do you think a coyote is going to just hang out till you get your rifle ready to shoot it ?
#1- Set rifle up
#2- Set call up
#3- Shoot coyote when it comes in
I have an issue with my Fuzion spotter.
Sharp rocks and germanium glass don't mix.
Amazingly the unit still works great and only has a couple of dead pixels.
I saw the dead pixels and tried to repair them with no results and I noticed the lens damage when I was cleaning the lens.
Seems the lanyard I use works great when I'm standing up, but is a bit to long when I'm kneeling down.

You teach me how to shoot out of a deer shed and I will teach you how to use a lanyard properly.

That looks like a pretty good size chip. Send it in under warranty and tell them it cracked in the cold,,

Im not a big fan of my Fuzion,,, humidity kicks its ass. My Super Hogster is 10 times better in high humidity.

At least I can still sell mine if I want to get rid of it.

Think I would like to sell the Fuzion LRF and the Super Hogster and buy a Super Yoter LRF.

That would give me a Super Yoter LRF and the Taipan TM15 to use.

Think I would much rather have the LRF (range finder) on my scope instead of it being on my scanner.

 

[Shoots100]

You teach me how to shoot out of a deer shed and I will teach you how to use a lanyard properly.

That looks like a pretty good size chip. Send it in under warranty and tell them it cracked in the cold,,

Im not a big fan of my Fuzion,,, humidity kicks its ass. My Super Hogster is 10 times better in high humidity.

At least I can still sell mine if I want to get rid of it.

Think I would like to sell the Fuzion LRF and the Super Hogster and buy a Super Yoter LRF.

That would give me a Super Yoter LRF and the Taipan TM15 to use.

Think I would much rather have the LRF (range finder) on my scope instead of it being on my scanner.

I don't hunt in boxes for that reason, especially boxes with heat, wifi and a toilet, as I would also be letting coyote walk by and pee on it like you do !
I've had no issues with my fuzion in any weather condition, and the fact that it's working good even with a gouged lens gives it a big thumbs up from me.
If you can get a good price or trade in your optics for a Super Yoter LRF, go for it.
Unfortunately we don't have a vast amount of stores that carry thermal optics for us to try before we buy here in NY state.
I would look into the AGM varmint 640 LRF scopes and get away from using the outdated CR123's and external battery packs for some 18650 goodness.

 

[JamieZ]

I don't hunt in boxes for that reason, especially boxes with heat, wifi and a toilet, as I would also be letting coyote walk by and pee on it like you do !
I've had no issues with my fuzion in any weather condition, and the fact that it's working good even with a gouged lens gives it a big thumbs up from me.
If you can get a good price or trade in your optics for a Super Yoter LRF, go for it.
Unfortunately we don't have a vast amount of stores that carry thermal optics for us to try before we buy here in NY state.
I would look into the AGM varmint 640 LRF scopes and get away from using the outdated CR123's and external battery packs for some 18650 goodness.

I dont want a cr123a optic again. So we shall see Dec 15th what Bering comes out with.

I have 2 AGM scanners, I still like the Taipan and I sort of like the Fusion but Im not a big fan of AGM's scopes. I dont like the reticle brightness, I dont like how they dont sight in with precision. I would have to think about it but I believe there was one more thing about the Rattler I wasnt impressed with.

Just remembered,,, I dont like the fact that you have to sight in all the reticles to the same x and y, to be able to use them at the same zero. If you do switch all the x and y's the same,,, you cant switch the scope between different guns if need be.

 

[JamieZ]

Started walking out to our deer shed this morning around 530am

Walked in to the field we shot 3 coyotes in last year.

Immediately I see a deer about a 150yds away. I decided to walk to the right, to go around him, walked maybe 50yds and looked back at him to see if I spooked him. It started moving and I instantly knew it wasnt a deer but a coyote. I was looking through my Taipan Thermal monocular. I would of shot him but only had my 6.8 AR with a daytime scope on it, so I wouldn't of been able to see him.

I started walking back towards him and he just continued mouse-ing till I got 30yds away from him. He was looking at me and just slowly walked to the hedgerow where he sat and kept looking at me before he went into the hedgerow.

Think I might try to call him in tonight

 

[Tisto]

Today is the first time in over 30 years that I missed opening day of regular big game season. I don't ever care if I take a deer since I can't stand the taste of venison, but I still manage to make it out for opening day every year. Not this year. I can't even get out there to hunt coyotes tonight. I talked to the neighbor and he said that there was no way I would get in the driveway. Damn snow ! He said that after the storm dies down on Monday he would take his big tractor and open up the driveway for me. One of the other guys tried to go down there yesterday, but had to turn around due to closed roads. He gave up on the idea of spending the weekend down there because of all the snow. I can't honestly think of any place I could get to to hunt coyotes tonight. All my hunting locations are within the area getting this snowstorm. I spent the last two days messing around in the reloading room.

 

[JamieZ]

2nd time Ive seen him in 4 days. 1st time trying to hunt him.
This is only the last portion of the time he spent out in front of us.

At one point he came running in like a bat out of hell and then stopped right at the field line and turned around.

Untitled video - Create and share your videos with Clipchamp

 

[JamieZ]

Sorry about the link. Its Microsoft software that I used for the first time. All I did was right click on the video on my computer and it came up.

Tried to embed it but something didnt seem to work. I should of gave it more time but its morning and Im hungry.

 

[JamieZ]

2 Video's from tonight's demon dogs that wouldnt die.
Same dog was hit with a 204 and a 223,,, at least 3 times. 1st video is from my gun,, second one is from my buddy Keiths gun.

 

[Shoots100]

You need to stop hunting with those pipsqueak calibers in areas you don't need to hunt with them.
Wipe the dust off that 6.8 upper and show them who's boss !
I also made the mistake of thinking a dog was down after hitting it two times with the 20 practical and not making sure it was anchored before looking for another target, only to see it running away seconds later and hitting in one more time before it disappeared into the woods.
I went out two times and only had a couple of coyote call back, but never saw any.
With the crunchy snow on the ground it wasn't worth the effort to try and close the gap and they were probably thinking the same thing.
Luckily I didn't see any, as when I went to clear the rifle before heading in, I found that I never chambered a round.
Snow is gone, so hopefully I'll have better results this weekend.

 

[JamieZ]

You must of watched my video if you are commenting about me thinking the dog was down, right?
That's exactly what I did when I shot him the second time when he was running away. Thought he was done and swung to the right thinking I could possibly shoot another one. When we were all done shooting we walked out there and I kept telling Keith, I shot him, he is right over the rise in the field. The ones running off in the distance, I didnt think it was the one I was shooting at. Obviously didn't find shit.

This is Monroe County, so 20cal is all that's allowed till after deer season. I wouldnt use any other caliber anyways. They normally drop with the 204.

It made us both happy but Im thinking Keith was really happy. He called one in with his new loaded MFK X24, 2nd time using it.
It was a high pitched cottontail sound

Was gonna go out tonight but its raining off and on and wellllllll,,,, I'm dry and comfortable at home

 

[JamieZ]

You need to stop hunting with those pipsqueak calibers in areas you don't need to hunt with them.
Wipe the dust off that 6.8 upper and show them who's boss !

I just ordered 40gr V-max bullets this morning.
Tisto and I tested the 40gr Vmax and they shot real well through the new barrel.

I like V-max's when it comes to accuracy but I'm not sold on the plastic pointed tip. I would of rather had Berger 35gr hollow points but Berger isn't making any 20 Cal bullets till after the new year. I emailed them and that was their response.

Guess until the 40gr bullets get here I will switch back to the 32gr Vmax's I have loaded up and leave the 26gr Barnes for summertime chuck hunting.

I need to fire off a bunch of loaded rounds,,, so that I will have brass to load the 40's.
Cant buy anything but junk Nosler brass or some off the wall shit called Dogtown
Still cant find IMR 8208 either,,, so maybe I will load these 40's up with Benchmark,, since I have 4 or 5lbs of it sitting around

Im doing all this and I still dont think the 26gr bullets had anything to do with them running. Im thinking just bad hits, not in the right spot. Shot placement isnt the easiest thing to do with thermals and fast moving yotes.