It Ain't All Roses...

[Big Skyz]

Today I was up before the dawn. I had a day off from work and I was excited to go coyote hunting all day long. Mother Nature had different plans and unleashed her fury on me all freaking day long. I was relentless as well, and kept making stand after stand, hoping to get lucky. The only break I took was to run home once to clean and dry my rifle and e-caller off. Once that was done I headed right back out. I had it all today mud, snow, rain, sleet, freezing rain, and fog. I hiked more miles that I can remember. Finally on the last stand the snow let up for a few minutes and I actually heard some coyotes howl at me. I spotted 3 of them over a thousand yards away on the opposite side of the canyon. I tried a number of sounds to bring them in but they wouldn't budge. Finally I tried something they liked and they began to mosey my way. It took them over a half hour. As they were doing this the temps were dropping and the snow was picking back up. I was getting covered in snow and soaked to the bone. It would all be worth it if I could get the shot though. At around 400 yards they dropped into a low spot and I got myself ready. Unfortunately they circled wide and came out way further to my left than I expected and I was turned too far to the right. They came into view at around 75 yards and closed to about 50 yards and I couldn't get around for the shot. Eventually the lead dog spooked as it got too close to the caller. I spun around to try and get a fleeting shot, only to have them evaporate over the crest of the hill, and out of my sight and life. Somehow the hike up out of the canyon, through the mud and snow seemed longer than a mile and a half. About a half a mile before reaching the truck it started raining and sleeting heavily. I was soaked from the rain and from sweat because of the steep ascent out. When I finally got to my truck I decided to capture the moment when I finally conceded defeat. Normally I like success photographs, but today Mother Nature and the coyotes totally beat me. If you haven't had days like this, you just haven't hunted enough. I've had many good days, but today was the bad and the ugly. My butt is totally kicked, my truck is a mess, I'm a mess...and a day or two from now I'll be ready to do it all again. :)

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Troy0Coyotes32-20-15_zps32a65f37.jpg

[Big Muddy]

Well, Sky, look on the bright side....you got a "dependable" truck with a good heater to haul yo cold wet azz back home. ;)

[Thumper]

You look like shit! ;)

[Big Skyz]

It was that. I mostly glad it didn't get stuck and got me back home. It got a little western-wild in a few places getting out of the ranch and back to the county road.

[Thumper]

Well, Sky, look on the bright side....you got a "dependable" truck with a good heater to haul yo cold wet azz back home. ;)

Whatever you do ... just don't try to change the spark plugs! When the plugs get old ... it's time to trade the truck! :D

[Big Skyz]

Thanks Thump, I felt worse than that. ;)

[Big Skyz]

You are about 2 years late on your advice there Thumpy. Changing them was a real Hillary Clinton, but now they are changed it runs pretty good. Wish I could say the say for Hillary.

[Thumper]

Ha ha! Yeah, she's running a little rough these days. Well, I guess she's ALWAYS been rough. :hair

[jb]

I hurt just looking at you.

[Buckrub]

I think you're insane.

I love you though! :) And I'm more than a little jealous.

Come to think of it, I'm more than a little jealous of most everyone here................hmmmm......

[Chicken Dinner]

That pic is the definition of drove hard and put away wet.

[HideHunter]

Yeah - you look a little rough.. ;) If it's any consolation - I live 6 miles out on a gravel road. My truck looks like that pretty much year round. The wise thing is - most of us have trucks the same color as yours. We call it "Gravel Road Gray". ;)

[DeputyDog]

My truck has been "road salt white" for the past couple of months.

[Big Skyz]

On a side note after I posted this photo I had a little freak out moment. Note right above my license plate that the bumper looks funky. I thought; "oh no, don't tell me I busted a chunk out of my bumper today too!" I ran outside and checked my truck. It was fine and I was a little baffled. I looked closely at the photo again and realized it was snow/slush hanging off the bumper. Whew, that was a relief!

[Fido]

That pic says just 4 words, "THE AGONY OF DEFEAT"!!!!!

[Captain]

That looks like tough duty sure enough.
I'd been right there with ya.

[Chicken Dinner]

It must be something about hunters 'cause that sounds like a great day afield to me as well. Some of my most memorable hunts were in the absolute worst conditions and results weren't necessarily productive.