Coon nonsense

[xschug3]

So, I decided to stay up last night and bait this coon that's been frequenting my trash for the last two weeks on a nightly basis. I set out some old frenchfries and popcorn sprinkled with a little dog food in a paper bag. It wasn't 30 minutes and the ol' coon s
aunters on over from across the street and is diggin in the bags of baited goodies. I was standing 20 yards away behind a tree in the shadows where I couldn't be seen. I waited about 30 seconds for him to raise his head and that's exactly what he did. He looked right in my direction and then, twang! I let a Predator loose from the Big Cat and hit him in the side of the head. He had turned his head right as I pulled the trigger so it wasn't a clean forehead shot unfortunately.

The fat coon went down and did quite a bit of twitching and flopping and to my surprise was able to jump up! He got up and slowly walked away. I reloaded and took another quick shot at him but missed because he was behind a fence in the shadows. He walked behind the neighbors house and crept off, staggering and moving very slowly.

I was soo mad! I was excited and thrilled until he jumped up and walked off. I went to where he was and looked for blood, sure enough there was a fair amount of blood splatter on the paper bag he was chewing on. So I know it was a good hit. I imagine he walked off and died somewhere. I grabbed a flashlight and walked around looking for him in hopes that he had laid down and died not very far but no luck. Bummer! He did quite a 'death' dance, but just didn't die (immediately that is).  Maybe I was too far from him when I took the shot, but I was no more than 20 yds. I'm guessing that since it wasn't a clean head shot, it just didn't get him exactly where it needed to...in the frontal lobe of his fat fusebox!

Well, there's more around I know that for sure. I've seen as many as 4 together in my neighborhood. I'll have to give it another try so that I can get a confirmed kill and post pics for all to see.

[Bogey]

Trey,   I always shoot anything bigger than a squirrel twice.  And for squirrels I usually wack them with a shovel  or (large stick )as soon as they hit the ground.  
            Deer shoot twice, coyotes shoot twice, hogs shoot twice.  Get the idea.  We got real tired of having to find game in the thickest boonies you  or the game could find.
            Guess it falls under the sectiion of : Never give a sucker an even break.
            Has anyone thought of a bayonet on an AG? LOL
            Better luck next time.

[tylorw]

Hey man that's nothing to get discouraged over  

I'll give you credit on that shot though - just a tough ol' coon  

I'm still trying to get my first night critter - they don't come out when I'm there

Anyway I hope you stay at it - it was just one coon there's plenty more to be had  

Take Care

Tylor

[xschug3]

Hey thanks for the advice and kind words guys. I'm sure you all can relate. It's a bit frustrating when you think you took the perfect shot and the sucker gets up and walks off after it...makes you feel a bit like a wuss. Lol. Anyway, you're right there's plenty more opportunity for another coon kill.

Thanks for the advice on the double shot Bogey. It's definitely something I'll make sure and do next time. I was standing there admiring my shot and gazing at the coon death dance and didn't think to reload immediately. LOL.

I had a blast on my first night hunt I will say. I can't wait to go at it again.
Thanks for your sympathy.

Trey

[shadow]

Wish you could have dropped em there buddy and those fusebox shot's need to be right on the money. I'm sure it was a fatal shot and he died in what he considered a safe zone, the yotes and other meat eaters will find him and get a free meal. I'm always ready and reloaded for a follow up shot and if need be move in on him with extreme caution and put another in him before he get's out of range. Wheres there's one there's another so lock and load and get your hunt Zen on brother. Ed

[xschug3]

Ed, thanks for the advice man. I know you're well versed in the night hunts. Love your posts of those as well as the pics too. That TAC1 get the job done eh?

[shadow]

Yup I do like the night life hehe. The more you hunt at night the more your senses will adapt and you'll be dropping em left and right. This is the TAC1's first year of night patrol and has performed flawlessly but I still switch off to the veteran of night patrol the CFX.22. Ed

[xschug3]

Shadow, would you say that you like the CFX better than the TAC1? Which is smoother to shoot? Is it true that the CFX is a more accurate rifle due to the fixed barrel?

[Dust]

gonna ask the same question.

[shadow]

The CFX and TAC1 are dead even in accuracy now but I did tune the TAC1 and gave it a recrown. The CFX is the only shooter in my collection that hasn't received a tune, she's bone stock and performed great along with accuracy right out of the box. I believe that if a shooters doing her job great don't mess with it until she show's signs of getting tired. I do like the loading ease of the CFX and it's been a dependable shooter from day one but I think that I'm still the only one that has a TAC1 and it was a great shooter out of the box but after many a hunt's she got a little tired and was ready fro a tune, she's back in fighting shape now. Ed

[gamo2hammerli]

Great shot at that tough coon.....too bad you didn't get to keep him/her.  Like the earlier posters said.....shoot twice to make sure with those bigger critters.