HARDCORE

I wasn't prepared for this type of
hunt. Ixit we made the most of it.
Chocking tlx- wind and angle of the
sun. we sat against the base of an oak
tree- tlut was engulfed !>y a thkk tangle
of tall hlacklx-rry vines My slxxxing
sticks had bright red legs, my hat jetblack.
ami neither of us remembered
face masks, llul didn't stop us from
trying.
figuring if any shot opportunities
did present ilx-msdve-s, they'd come
at long-range: I tk several readings
with my rangefinder. Not 30 seconds
into ilx - first series of cottontail sounds,
we spotted two coyotes busting out
of the low-growing oak patch in front
of us, ISO yards away atxl closing
quickly.
As they dove behind some till grass,
then a small patch of Ixiars, I repositioned
tlx- slxxxing sticks. A second
later. Ixxh coyotes were in tlx- scope,
sprinting our way. Silting still as stone
statues, we watched litem rambling
into our laps.
Finally, tlx-v stopped, inside 20
yards, Ilx- dog on tlx- k-ft filk-d my
Trijicon 3x9. and connecting on that
shot was a slam-dunk, but as tlx- second
dog spun and beat feet across the
opening. I flat-out missed. Ii happens.
Secure Online
Ordering
The Approach
Ty Niclxils spends more time chasing
coyotes in tlx- (km- cover of western
Oregon than anyone I know. It's tough
country to hunt. Ixit tlx- predators arc
tlx-re—lots of ilx-m. Ty's main motivation
is helping ranchers in the
W'illanxtte Valk-y who suffer huge livestock
kisses from these efficient killers.
It's a year-round commitment, aixl Ty
learns something every tinx- lx- Ix-acLs
into lite field.
"Calling coyotcs in western Oregon
is far different than calling them in tlxopen
sagebrush country of eastern
Oregon," Ix-gms Niclxils. "In brushy
country. I always try to have six things
in place before I set up aixl call, first, I
clxvk tlx- wind to make sure it's I'lowing
into my face or across my body.
Second. I want the sun at my luck, but
that's not always possible in this lubitat.
Shade is tlx- Ix-st alternative. Third.
I !k for a slxxxing lane, keeping in
mind it can lx- very small. It might
come in tlx- form of a meadow, okl
logging roods, even rows of trees."
Normally, Nklxils looks for an elevated
spot front whkh to call, tlxxigh
that's not always possible when working
timbered ridges. " Ilx-re's no question
sound travels Ix-itc-r atxl you can
Toll Free
i Order Line
SSS 921-968}
i uperstore
J S g f f i S791 freecatawg
Call for FREE color C jataloj^
see fanhc-r when you're elevated.'
Nichols points out. "In densely wooded
areas, gaining elevation and still Ix'ing
able to see tlx- ground in front of you
can lx- in>|X*vsil)Je. so you just have to
go with what tlx- land gives you. Wlx-n
hunting logged units, it's easier to get
high and call aixl see whit's going on."
Fifth on Ty's checklist is a good hiding
spot. "I like something I can sit In
front of that Ixeaks up my outline,
blackberry ihkkets arc- |x-rfect. as ilx-ir
jumbled vines really create a gcxxl
three-dimensional blind."
Finally, w lx-n calling in dose-quarters.
which is often tlx- case in the
brush-laden land of western Oregon.
Niclxils keeps his lunds atxl face covered
in camo. -Our hunt was the
exception to this," Ty smiles. "On that
one, we went with w hat we had and
got lucky. Tlx- sun was in the coyotes'
eyes, aixl tlxxigh we had tx» camo. we
had a great luckdrop and staved still.
Tlut all played a role in our success."
The Sounds
When I first met Ty, neariy five
years ago. lx- was crafting custom
Ixiwlers from cow horn, each reed aixl
tone lx>ard haixk rafted to fit each Ixim
sound chamlx-r. On our hunt, however.
Predator Hunting Ghillie Suits
COMPLETE 4 PIECE
GB/LUE SUIT $69
t-—-— Desert / Grassland or
Woodland Camouflage —
• - Includes Jacket. Pants,
Head Cover, Rifle Wrap.
A Storage Bag. Imported
Massive Predator Calling DVD Selection - 99+ Titles!
FREE Custom Programming On FOXPRO'S - You Pick The Calls
SPITFIRE $199 SCORPION SCORPION $349 FX.1 $399 CS24 $499
TX-200 Remote
SAVE S150!
100 Calls Compact!
.VI Predator Xtreme | June 2010 | www.pfcdauxxtrcnx-.com
TOBY $599
he dklnT even base his Ixnvk-r
along
""Ilx- howler has Ixx-n overused
in our area." shares Nichols.
"Seems everybody starting
each stand with a howl. It's a lot
easier to nx-ss up a howl than
tlx- sounds of a dying animal,
atxl when you do. coyotcs wiseup
to tlut."
In places where public pressure
is high. Nichols prefers
offering coyotcs sounds tlx-y may
not luve Ix-ard Ix-fore. "lately,
I've Ixx-n hav ing great results
using raccoon as well as cottontail-distress
sounds." Nkhols
points out. "Jackral>bit-ditrcss
sounds are something I Ix-ar
a lot of calk-rs using, atxl we
don't even have llx>se in this
part of western Oregon. They
worked well years ago. Ixit arc
overused these days."
Cottontails arc indigenous
throughout western Oregon—in
fact, they're a prime l