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Autumn
was beginning to show in the trees as I strolled across the pasture.
Sweat dripped from my brow as I walked in the late afternoon shadows.
Only the sounds of the hay bailer at work disturbed the silence. Soon I
knew the farmer would retire for the day as we had planned. Then I would
begin the task of trying to reduce the number of coyotes that had been
harassing him.
Dozens
of hay rolls sculptured the landscape as monuments to the farmer’s
work. I savored the fragrance of freshly cut clover blending with the
cooling air. Minutes passed while I reviewed the field and noted the
wind direction. Then I elected a shady position to establish my point of
ambush. A spot providing me both a downwind location with full
visibility of the field.
In
minutes, I had unrolled the shooting matt and prepared my rifle. The
preparation consisted of merely snapping the Harris Bi-pods in place and
loading the gun. Then a few more minutes were taken to use the range
finder to mark some designated distances. This could become very
important as the length of the field extended beyond five hundred yards.
The
late afternoon sun had disappeared behind the adjoining trees, casting
shadows across the field. Slowly I scanned the edges of the field with
my compact binoculars. This would continue for approximately thirty
minutes before I suddenly detected movement.
The
coyote appeared at the edge of trees. Like a statue of stone the animal
stood carefully inspecting the field. Excitement surged through me as I
directed the rifle’s muzzle towards the predator. Though I had it
sighted, I would not prepare the rifle to fire.
Experience
now controlled my actions as I continued peering over the scope at the
coyote. This would continue for only a minute before it began walking
into the field. Then, before my eyes, four other coyotes emerged from
their hiding to follow the first.
Carefully
I inspected each animal through the riflescope. I was searching for the
largest animal, as this would be male. It would be this unfortunate
creature that would become the primary target. Then the next in line
would be the runner-up in size indicating the adult female. The
remaining critters would become targets of opportunity when the primary
targets were gone.
Time
slowly passed as I continued watching the family venture farther into
the field. Like vultures circling a rotten corpse, the coyotes worked
around the hay bales. Then with a sudden pounce, the leader captured a
field rat. This would quickly transpire into a game of catch as the
rodent was tossed into the air several times. Then after numerous
pitches the rat met its fate.
Darkness
was approaching as the coyotes continued their rodent rampage. Three
other victims had fallen prey to the canines during their venture down
the field. Now the coyotes had lessened their original distance by over
fifty percent. These actions had placed them in grave danger as I slowly
released the rifles safety.
The
leader now clearly filled the crosshairs of the rifle scope. Only the
squeezing of the gun’s trigger determined the time left of its earthly
existence. Instantly the coyote crumpled as I slowly began working the
rifle’s bolt. Moments of confusion would pass for the coyotes as
another deadly round fed into the gun’s chamber.
Realizing
something was not up to par, the big female coyote began trotting
towards the woods. Like her mate, the power of the .22/250 Remington
cartridge would prove to be more than she could cope. Now it was time to
reunite the family as I placed the first of three youngsters in the
crosshairs.
Like
its parents, the first dropped with the sound of shot. The remaining two
had now reached the edge of woods. Safety was theirs as I could not
match their speed at such a short distance. However, experience would
prevail as I knew their weakness for family connections.
Darkness
was quickly approaching when I retrieved the coyote howler from my
pocket. Immediately on producing a single howl, the youngsters appeared
from the woods. Caution was cast away as they both hurried into the
field with the leader filling my sights. These actions allowed me to
reunite it with its elders as the other spun away and escaped to the
safety of the woods. This did not bother me as I felt it had simply
bought some time and we would meet again.
Coyotes
are always attracted to freshly cut hay fields. The works of a hay field
provide abundant rodents and small animals for prey. The reduction of
cover reduces the protection for the prey. The works of machinery often
create easy meals for coyotes thus making the field even more
attractive. |
