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Sniper John


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Ok I finally got a Crow hunt in this season.
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Every year I usually do one or two crow hunts in Oklahoma on public land after all other seasons end and have posted them on the forum the last 4 or 5 seasons or so. I work it out in such a way so I can involve my dog too. Due to family in the hospital I missed those hunts this year, so I had to catch up now in the Spring. In Texas this time.

But sorry, you will have to read through all the boring start of my morning and look at those pictures before you can get to the crow pictures.



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Sniper John


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The morning started with a Turkey hunt, but I did start with the scouting the evening before. Here is a Cottontail, bumped up by Blaze while I ran around like a crazy Indian the evening before trying to roost a Turkey. The bonus rabbit was included with supper. First shot with a new to me shotgun too. It is a light charles daly I put a youth stock on, light spring kit, and have a 22 inch barrel I will be putting on it. My son will soon be hunting with it and shooting Crows with me too. And yes Turkeys were found going to roost.





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Sniper John


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Here are the Turkeys coming across the field to my calling. My hunting lease partner Steve was actually in a field beyond those woods in the background. I set up against a tree typical Spring turkey hunting (other than the dog of course), dropped two decoys, Cleared a spot for Blaze behind my left shoulder, and started calling. Here they come! I almost messed up as I tried to take a picture of the Turkey close in before shooting it. With the sun in my face I must have flashed a glare off the lens. I had to drop the camera and take the shot on a moving bird so I missed the camera shot. The shotgun shot was farther out than I would have liked and through mesquite tree leaves. The bird was trying to get back up after the shot and looked like it might move on out across the field, so I sent in the catch dog. She hit the bird hard on her initial contact. I started taking Blaze with me on my Spring Turkey hunts after I lost a shot bird three or four years ago. By using the dog to secure the bird, never again will I lose or have to track a bird.



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Sniper John


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Immediately following our Turkey kill, I pulled the decoys, but left the now dead Turkey. I switched to an Arkyoter rabbit distress call and also used a fawn bleat, then had Blaze run along the edge of the field in front of me to draw any Coyotes in close as a decoy dog. Within minutes I got this great shot of the first Yote coming in before Blaze even knew it.



The Coyote stopped and barked a couple times then moved on to my right trying to wind us. It came in close, but I could not make the shot due to a large mesquite limb. Blaze barked and took chase into the field. I whistled her back and the Coyote followed her back in.

Again it tried to work to the right to attempt to get downwind. I took the shot, but I lit up the ground just under it. Shooting right handed it is a tough shot to make far to the right with a 10 lb+ shotgun.

So I bring the Turkey in and start picking up gear under my tree, when to my surprise there is now a second Coyote in the field and Blaze is out there playing "Dances with Wolves" running around with it. I sit down, make some dying rabbit calls to get its attention. Blaze again comes in with the Coyote on her heals. As soon as she clears from in front of me and out of the noise blast, I took a head shot on the Yote and bowl it over like a bowling pin.

I unloaded the gun and set it down. I then look up and the coyote gets up and runs, Blaze takes up chase, but quickly breaks off. I am certain it was a mortal wound, but unfortunately the Coyote did make it off the property. I should have known better considering I was shooting Turkey loads rather than Coyote loads. I should have treated it like a Zombie with Rule number 1. Double tap!!!

Sorry, that is the only Coyote picture I got. Working the calls, needing to keep good control of the dog, and everything going down so fast, I never got a chance to pick the camera back up. We are both still in training on the close range decoy dog concept. I watched a Murphy Love/Calvin Taylor Decoy Dog DVD for about the 5th time the night before this hunt.

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Sniper John


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Ok sorry, I know this is a Crow hunting forum, so "now for the rest of the story".

I finished picking up my gear and found my Lease partner Steve. we stopped off at the house for a coffee break, geared up again, and go for Run and Gun Crows. They have been wearing out our feeders and often harass me anytime I am hunting with the dog.

We had good success at every stop. Blaze retrieved for sport.







A simple setup that was quick to set up and take down. Three flocked Crow decoys, and one Owl.



Steve blending in well.



Double



And our eldest, Steve's Dad was at the lease today too. Hunting off our best stand. The front porch.



Good day, Good friends, Good times!

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SHANEDOG


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I vote this the best post of the month!!Great pics!!!smile



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Bob


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SJ, I liked the photo of the coyote in the background and you're dog in the foreground. I bet you had to have the camera at the ready to get that photo! It looks like the Texas hill country to me?

Bob A.

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Hizzoner


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Good pic's S.J.!!biggrin



-- Edited by Hizzoner on Monday 16th of May 2011 04:53:03 PM

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jonthepain


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awesome report!

wtg

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JBD


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Great story, thanks for taking the time to post it. Looks like some fine country!

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Gadget Bob


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Hi SJ,

Agreeing with Shane, Hiz, Bob A, JTP and JBD what an interesting post... 

I have likewise learned with yotes - "T" or 4 Buck is needed to drop them fast.  They can carry lots of 4's or 2's, even from a 10 gauge, into deep cover that is impossible to penetrate in recovery mode.  Lone Star Phil uses OO Buck to good effect, too, while Texas Matt deploys with his trusty RRA Predator Pursuit in .223 when the song dogs are on the TCP menu.

Really enjoyed reading this story and your photo's are excellent.

Good Luck and Good Hunting,



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Skip


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SJ: You nearly grabbed first place in the "mixed bag" category: turkey, crow, coyote! Regardless, what a hunt you had...and super photos..  Thanks for sharing..

 

skip



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8fishermen


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Skip wrote:

SJ: You nearly grabbed first place in the "mixed bag" category: turkey, crow, coyote! Regardless, what a hunt you had...and super photos..  Thanks for sharing..

 

skip

 

 Don't forget the cane cutter. Great hunt boys. Great pics and storytelling too.



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Lone Star Phil


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John:

I've been hard at work and other activities and just read your post and looked at all the marvelous photographs.   Outstanding field report!!  I'm jealous. 

As Gadget already commented, I'll not venture afield again without a couple rounds of 00 or #4 buck in my butt cuff!

 

Phil



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