A Little Montana Photo Journal Adventure...

[Big Skyz]

My friend Len Backus (owner of longrangehunting.com) came out to hunt coyotes with me last week. I did have a couple concerns though. First off, much of the land I hunt had been flown by a government hunter just the week before. Plus our first day of the hunt was a brand new full moon. However the wind was good so we decided to give it a try. As the sun came up we were up around 5000 feet. I let off with a howl and we had several coyotes howl back. So apparently the chopper gunner didn't get them all.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/LenBackusrifle65-284_zps4d3710d6.jpg

Len was completely at the ready the whole time. We were expecting Wiley to show up at any second. We were hoping he could unleash his super cool custom made 6.5-284 on a local deer killer.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/LenBackusRifle_zps56e0ca37.jpg

However after calling all day this was all we ended up seeing all day long. Just beautiful views void of coyotes.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/LittleBeltsJohnsons_zpsf2300ef5.jpg

Continued...

[Big Skyz]

The next day we gave it another whirl. Len really wanted a long range shot on a coyote and I did find him one bedded at just under 700 yards. However by the time he saw it, he was all cramped up from laying prone. He ended up rushing his shot and missed it by just a whisker. Oh well that coyote will live to see another day. We hunted for a few more hours and never did have a coyote come readily into the call. Worst luck I've ever had in a two day period with perfect wind.

I suggested we try another area. When we arrived we discovered that there were rock chucks (marmots) in the area. Since coyote hunting totally sucked we decided to switch gears and shoot chucks. Here I am glassing from our lofty perch.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/TroyRockChuckHunting2_zpsf6358e77.jpg

It was a comfortable place to glass from. I knew it wouldn't be too long and I'd find a worthy target.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/TroyRockChuckHunting_zpsb21d1f15.jpg

Sure enough I found one at 290 yards for Len to pick off. I'm sure after not seeing many coyotes his trigger finger was getting more than a little itchy. He killed the little chuck as he was laying there soaking up the sun. However when Len hiked over to picked it up he decided to just take a photo rather than walk out onto the cliff the rock chuck had died on.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/LenBackusRockChuck_zpsede0c381.jpg
Continued...

[Big Skyz]

Shortly after killing the first one, I spotted two more rock chucks and Len lit them up as well. Both were on the same rock at around 200 yards.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/LenBackusRockChucks3-26-13_zps02a2791f.jpg

I couldn't let Len have all the fun so I introduced a couple more to my Ruger Predator rifle in 22-250.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/TroyRockChucks3-26-13_zpsdb98f642.jpg

Finally we wore out our welcome with all the rock chucks in the valley and nobody else wanted to poke their noses out. We went back into town for lunch and then decided to go try another ranch that afternoon. Shortly after arriving at the new ranch we jumped a coyote I got out to go through a gate. I grabbed my rifle while Len barked at the coyote. The coyote stopped at just under 300 yards, but all I could see was the hair on his back as the roll of the land covered his body. The dirty rotten bugger stayed low and slipped away unscathed. Had he just taken one little step uphill I would have put a hurt on him. I don't think he knows just how close to death he came. Coyote calling remained fruitless so we went and found another large pasture with rock chucks that were hanging out on rock piles placed here and there around the pasture. I believed I killed the first one at 200 yards, then Len showed me up and killed one at 360 yards. He later promised me I'd get to try out his rifle on the next long shot. Eventually I spotted one at 390 yards. The wind had started to pick up, but Len called the wind correctly and I made the adjustments on the turrets. Just as I was ready to shoot the rock chuck turned towards me presenting me with a much smaller target than when he was broadside. However everything felt right and I let'r fly. Hit him prefect. He was the last chuck of the day and great way to end the day. Eventhough we ended up coyote-less we did manage to kill 10 rock chucks and 1 feral pigeon. So while not quite as fun as coyote hunting the hunt was not a total loss.

Last rock chuck of the day shot at 390 yards. The End :)
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/LenBackusRockChuck300yds_zps9d84414f.jpg

[Bwana]

Looks like you fellers turned the lemons into lemonade in a big way.

As for the lack of coyotes, I HATE full moons! MIght be just me but I have had VERY tough luck calling them during the day where there is a full moon.

[Big Muddy]

Great hunt report....btw, what the heck is a feral pigeon???

[Big Skyz]

Bwana I'm starting to take stock in the idea coyotes don't like to cooperate during the day after a full moon. I've never had such great calling conditions and end up with zero coyotes coming into the call. Drove me pert near crazy.

Eddie...feral pigeons are domestic pigeons that have gone wild or were originated from domestics, but were born in the wild.

[Captain]

That looks like a LOAD of fun!

Wildlife better be happy you and I don't live within easy driving distance. :D
Take Care, Captain

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[Big Skyz]

Captain that thought has crossed my mind a time or two. It would certainly be tough to survive as a critter betwixt the two of us. By the way I picked that pigeon off with my 22-250. It was facling me at 170 yards perched on top of a cliff. Weren't a real big target, but it's real dead now. :D

[Bwana]

I'm guessing there was quite the feather show upon impact too.

[Captain]

I bet it looked like a feather pillow busted when it hit!

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[LJ3]

BS, that is some very nice photography! For reals.

[Buckrub]

Your friend, the "Owner of Long Range Hunting"????
Seriously?

Are you Thump???

Man, the guys on this site sure do know a lot of big wig folks! I don't know anybody!!

Wow.

[Bwana]

Coming from the guy who went on a big time duck hunt last fall with some high roller.

[Buckrub]

Once in a lifetime. Someone I ran across due to a letter to the editor in 1976. Not a "friend" that I can call on. He'll not remember my name ever again.

This is impressive.

[Big Muddy]

Sky, I guess they would be what we call "bridge pigeons", down here....they reside under old bridges, mostly....'course they will take up residence in old barns and abandoned houses and out-buildings, too....they'll even invade my farm shed roofs, during nesting....but, not for long, when they start crapping on my equipment, as I've gotten fairly accurate with my pellet gun. ;)

When I was a kid, some buddies and I plucked the breasts from a couple of young squabs, and my Mom fried 'em for us....sorta gamey and stringy meat, but not really too bad to eat.

[quercus alba]

This guy any kin to Jim Backus

[Big Skyz]

Eddie yeah that would be the same pigeons. They also have a nasty habit of setting up camp in old grain bins that have the top lid removed. Unbelievable how fast they can breed and reproduce.

Quercus Alba I have no idea.