We went by Chimney Rock and little did we know at the time that we would later be hunting on the back side of it. More on that later.
We met up with Dean around noon before we got to Torrington and introduced each other and headed out to check out a location to shoot some prairie dogs. Some people I’ve talked to question why we shoot pd’s but if they could see how they devastate a property, they might understand. There wasn’t much left in this pasture for cattle to eat. We shot here till late in the day and then headed to the motel to get checked in.
The next morning we met up with Dean and headed out to one of his spots to try and call up a coyote before we started shooting pd’s. Just before we got there, we saw two coyotes out in a grassy field so we went on past them and set up on a big basin to the south and started calling. There weren’t any takers so we went to the north of where we had seen them and tried again. I took the backdoor and didn’t get to see what happened but shortly after they started calling, I heard a shot and Dean connected on a coyote with his Rem. 22-250 AI.
We spent the rest of the afternoon shooting more pd’s. One thing Wy. has is wind and plenty of it. 25-30 mph winds were common making for some tuff shooting on the longer shots. The next morning, Dean’s dad Don, went with us to a ranch run by Judy, a 62 year old lady that ran the ranch by herself. I would loved to of had the time to sit and visit with her and talk about the history of the area. Judy’s family owned the land that Chimney Rock is on and sold the Rock to the state way back when.
L-R is Dave, Lucas, me, Judy, Don, Clint and Dean.
While talking with Judy, two of her pet Longhorns had to check us out probably thinking we had something for them to eat.
We got out our guns and gear ready and headed out to try and call up a coyote when Don told us to keep our eyes on the ground because there were rattle snakes in the area. We didn’t go 100 yards when we saw the first one and then another one soon after that. Before the day was done, Dean almost sat on one.
We set up and started calling and after a while, a coyote showed up on top of a hill 466 yards away. It didn’t seem too interested in our calling and finally disappeared into a low area out of site to only re-appear on the side of a hill at 347 yards. The coyote stood looking our way for a while and then lay down like it didn’t care about our calling. Dean decided to take the 347 yard shot and it appeared that he hit it. We went and looked for it or any sign of blood but didn’t find any. When I got home I reviewed the video and I’m certain he hit the coyote. Notice Chimney Rock over the hill. Judy's family owned Chimney Rock at one time and here we were hunting on the southwest side of it.
We then moved deeper into the basin and set up again below the hills on a small rise between the hills and the flat of the basin. With the wind as strong as it was, I could barely hear them calling because I was on the other side of the rise watching the backside overlooking the basin. I figured there wouldn’t be anything coming from my way so I set my rifle down beside me and had my camera out taking pictures and looking at the far hills with my binoculars imagining in my mind what it would have looked like 200 years ago with buffalo roaming the plains. The sun was popping in and out when I noticed a tiny spec way out into the basin. I looked through the binos and saw it was a coyote that had worked its way in from the right out of a low spot and I could tell from this distance that it was mangy. I couldn’t get the rangefinder to give me a reading but I’m guessing it was out there around 800-900 yards.
Lucas had the video camera and was between the others and me so I whistled to get his attention and then got on the howler to try to get the coyotes attention. Even with the high wind, the coyote heard me but would not commit. Dean then started in with his distress call and the coyote started our way but in no hurry. It was working its way in but circling to my right and when it got to a small rise, it saw the trucks and started heading back out in front of me. It was still out there over 300 yards but I was hoping it would start coming back to us but didn’t. It was straight out from me heading to my left into the wind and I decided I’d better try a shot before it disappeared behind a rise 200 yards out in front of me. I howled with my voice to stop the coyote and held high for the distance but didn’t hold into the wind enough and just missed the coyote to the right. The shot was around 320 to 340 yards. The coyote started running quartering away from me so I lead the coyote and pulled the trigger and the coyote dropped instantly. We walked out to the coyote and the 39 grain Sierra B.K. hit the coyote in the head. I ranged the spot on the rise where I was sitting several times and got 380 yards. I’m glad it’s on video and there were witnesses because this was a long shot. After seeing this coyote up close, I can’t help but believe that God had a hand in this shot to stop the slow miserable death this coyote would go through in the months ahead. I was shooting my CZ 527 Varmint loaded with 39 gr. Sierra B.K. We then finished the day shooting more prairie dogs and bucking the wind.
I took this picture before I had seen the coyote.
This story wouldn't be complete without some pictures of prairie dogs that smiled too long at the flash.
Of all of the dead prairie dogs I saw, Clint gets top honors for the best "splat factor". He shot this one with a 32 gr. V-max and blew it up into the fence.
When I came across this, I wanted to bring it home.
The next morning we met up with Don and his wife to go down toward Cheyenne and shoot pd’s. at another spot. When we got there, the wind was blowing so hard that it was picking up dirt and blowing it in our eyes so we decided to call it quits. We loaded up and headed for Dave’s house and of course we had to stop at the “Mother Ship” of Cabela’s at Sidney, Ne.
We originally had planned to shoot until noon on Sunday and then travel to Dave’s house and spend the night and then leave for IL. the next morning but since we were leaving earlier than planned, we would just drive straight through to IL. Dave called his wife to meet us at York, Ne. on I-80 which would cut about an hour and a half off of the trip. There were severe storm warnings out for the area and just as we pulled back onto I-80, we saw a huge brown cloud to the south of us and we didn’t get a mile down the road when a dust storm hit us. All of a sudden the road ahead disappeared and Clint immediately pulled off and shut the truck off so the engine wouldn’t suck up any dirt into the breather.
We got back home around 2:00 am on Monday but it was all worth it.
Dean, we really appreciate you inviting us out to call some coyotes and shoot some prairie dogs with you and your dad. We had a GREAT time and look forward to more time shared with you guys. We had a lot of fun poking fun at each other and launching prairie dogs.
I’m sure I’ve missed some things so Dean, Clint, Lucas or Dave, feel free to add what I’ve missed.
