Author Topic: Large predator in my backyard again!!  (Read 3806 times)

Offline only1harry

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Large predator in my backyard again!!
« on: February 10, 2010, 04:33:30 AM »
Around 3am the Ding Donger came on so I turned it off and went to check the window in the other room.  It was a skunk eating the dry cat food.  Since it was snowing, I had put the bowl under a table outside so it was completely dry.  

I went back to bed but forgot to turn on the Ding Donger!  Around 5am my wife wakes me up and says there is a large animal out there that looks like a dog but could be a Coyote so she was very quiet!  I said how do you know?  She said she heard a noise and went to the next room to look outside.  I jumped out of bed & grabbed the .25 Condor.  Loaded a 31gr and quietly went to the next room.  There is plenty of light outside reflecting off the snow-covered ground and I can see pretty well without the gun light because it had stopped snowing for a little while.  

I am watching in great disappointment as a coyote is walking away from the table where the bait is!!  It took one of the trails up the hill and disappeared into the darkness!  Oh my god..!!  I cannot believe my luck, and with only 6 days left to the season.  I ran back to the bdrm to check the Ding Donger and found it OFF.  Just my luck!!  I was so PO'd..  A good size coyote eating the cat food for god knows how long and I missed out on it.  

What had happened was, the coyote had tried to move the steel bowl and had hit one of the plastic legs of the table in the process which my wife heard because she was up already and getting up to get some water.  The bowl was about 18" from where I left it and not under the table any longer but out in the open getting snowed on.  There was also some cat food on the snow so he had definitely picked it up and moved it (even closer to the house).  I think this could be the same animal I saw a couple of weeks ago, thinking it was a fox, but I had my doubts because it looked bigger than a fox.  This was definitely a coyote.  He ate at least half the cat food and I had put a lot out there this time, so he was around for a few minutes.

I am getting dog food next so he can hopefully come back sooner because I think he only comes around every couple of weeks.  This is not the 1st time I found the Ding Donger off in the morning.  I forget to turn it back on a lot after a skunk interrupts my sleep.  Luckily the skunks don't eat a lot, maybe 30% at the most of what I put out there, so I don't bother with them anymore.  There 's still plenty of cat food left after they are done because I have increased the amount.  I just have to remember to turn the Ding Donger back ON!!  I wonder if the seemingly increased Coyote presense is why I have not seen any raccoons this winter.  Last time I saw a coon it was in the Fall, 2-3 days before hunting season opened.  Anyway, I just thought I 'd share my 2nd missed opportunity on a Predator with my GTA friends.  Trying to keep a positive attitude.. hopefully he 'll be back before the season is over.  

If I see him after.. hopefully it will be because he is trying to eat my cat or the neighbor's in my backyard, and I 'll have to take some action to preserve a pet's life  ;)  8)

Ed:
It's been a long time since you sent some ZEN my way, hehehe.  I think I need some now buddy!  :D
Springers:
Diana 36 .177
Diana 350 .22 (donated by Timmy!)
Diana 350 .177
PCP\'s:
Air Force Condor .22 (Airhog)
Air Force Condor .25 (Talon Tunes)
Air Force Condor .25 (Lemak)  
CO2/Pump:
RWS Hammerli 850 .22
Crosman 2240 Custom .22
A few Crosman pumpers .177

Offline airiscool

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RE: Large predator in my backyard again!!
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2010, 06:48:34 AM »
Harry,
That's cool you've got a Yote coming in and something with enough 'umph' to wack one.

".......... I cannot believe my luck, and with only 6 days left to the season. ......"

Fear not, your good for Yotes  until March 28 this year. Take a look on page 51 of the 2009-10 Hunting Guide.

"Coyote Hunting
Statewide except Long Island
and New York City:
 Oct.1 - March 28."

And Squirrels are good until Feb 28.

Paul.
Benji Trail NPXL 1100, Gamo .22 Whisper, Crosman 760 Pumpmaster, Crosman 66 Powermaster, Crosman .22 revolver, Daisy model 102, Daisy early Model 25.

Offline TheKnot

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Re: Large predator in my backyard again!!
« Reply #2 on: February 10, 2010, 06:56:51 AM »
Good luck harry i have to say i was pumped when i got to the part where you grabed the .25 condor  and 31 grains for the task

Offline atchman2

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Re: Large predator in my backyard again!!
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2010, 07:11:45 AM »
Wow! That IS tragic!  I would have LOVED to see that on the forum!  Have you thought about calling?  That might work. Go to predatorquest.com

The two states I hunt in TN and Kansas don't have "yote" seasons so that is my next quest after Feb 28 that and groundhogs.  Here is TN's laws below:

Armadillo Year Round   No Limit
Beaver Year Round   No Limit
Coyote Year Round   No Limit
English Sparrow Year Round   No Limit
Groundhog Year Round   No Limit
Nutria Year Round   No Limit
Pigeon Year Round   No Limit
Starling Year Round   No Limit
Striped Skunk  Year Round No Limit
\"These birds are crapping on you even when their dead those are some bad dudes....\" Wingman115

Offline only1harry

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Re: Large predator in my backyard again!!
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2010, 07:41:55 AM »
Thanks Paul,
I think raccoon season is over Feb. 15 and I confused it with coyote.  That's great news!  I was going to double-check, but you saved me the time. thanks!  Also crow season is longer this year too into March..

Randy:
You have some great "no limit" laws in your state!  Here skunks, coyote, and beaver are off limits outside the regular season (Late Fall/Winter).   Of course we don't have any Armadillos or Nutrias so I can't comment on those :)  They should really open up Coyote season to all year round.. but we got 6mos for a chance to shoot them so I guess that's a lot better than nothing.

Yep, another close call, but not as close as the 1st time, when I had the window 100% up and laid the rifle on the sill, turned on the light, and it took off.. probably from the clicking sound of the light switch.  It really bugs me I had the Ding Donger off.  It would have been a dead yote - I guarantee you that.  This .25 Condor is dead accurate and unbelievably powerful for a small caliber airgun.  It's good thing I don't have a lot of coyotes coming around, or I would have converted one of my Condors to .308 or 9mm big bore as some others have done.

BTW, a guy on the TAG (Talon Airgun forum) a couple of months ago shot a coyote at 85-90yds with his .25 Condor.  It knocked it down with a head shot.  It was still (barely) alive when he walked over so he finished it with another shot to the head, point blank.  Who needs .223 for coyote?  Get a Condor,  hehe  :)
Springers:
Diana 36 .177
Diana 350 .22 (donated by Timmy!)
Diana 350 .177
PCP\'s:
Air Force Condor .22 (Airhog)
Air Force Condor .25 (Talon Tunes)
Air Force Condor .25 (Lemak)  
CO2/Pump:
RWS Hammerli 850 .22
Crosman 2240 Custom .22
A few Crosman pumpers .177

Offline airiscool

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RE: Large predator in my backyard again!!
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2010, 08:20:09 AM »
Yup, Raccon, Possum and Fox only go to the 15th Statewide.  The Long Island guys get untill  Feb. 25th.

Yeah, a Condor would be nice, but they cost as much or more than My .223 and scope.  

If I'm lucky enough to have a Yote show up here, I guess I'll just have to "Whisper" in it's ear !  :D

Paul.
Benji Trail NPXL 1100, Gamo .22 Whisper, Crosman 760 Pumpmaster, Crosman 66 Powermaster, Crosman .22 revolver, Daisy model 102, Daisy early Model 25.

Offline dk1677

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Re: Large predator in my backyard again!!
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2010, 08:55:43 AM »
You will get him Harry!
Hammerli 850, Beeman RS3 ,Gamo viper express,Crosman 180

Offline gamo2hammerli

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Re: Large predator in my backyard again!!
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2010, 08:57:14 AM »
Harry, time to invest in a .223 .....none of these "bb" gun stuff for a coyote.
Gamo: Expotec .177 + Big Cat .177 + Viper .177 + Whisper .177, Hammerli Titan .177, Diana model 24 .177, RWS-Diana P5 Magnum pistol .177, Crosman: G1 Extreme .177 + Storm XT .177 + Sierra Pro .177 + 1377 pistol .177, Air Arms S410SL .22, BSA Scorpion T10 .22, FX Cyclone .177, Remington Air Master 77 .177 + BB\'s,

Offline only1harry

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Re: Large predator in my backyard again!!
« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2010, 09:53:19 AM »
Stanley:  Would you shoot a coyote at 22yds with a .22 rimfire if you didn't have a .223?  Wouldn't you take a head shot at it if it were that close?  

I can't shoot a .223 here.  All the neighbors will wake up and the cops will be at my door in 3min. or less.  Wouldn't you shoot one with rimfire in the head if you had the chance at a close-up shot?  You don't need a .223 for shot that close.

Well the Condor .25 at 90fpe muzzle energy has just over 3/4 the energy of a standard velocity (1100-1,150fps) .22LR rimfire bullet.  Believe me, their heads are pretty fragile.  They are not made out of steel.  They are slightly bigger than the head of a fox.  Timmy took many foxes with his 34 .177 at 15yds.  A good head shot is the key.  Their head is may be say 30% tougher/thicker than a raccon's.  I have taken coons with my .22 Condor when it was low on air with a Predator only shooting about 30fpe.  Even if it were twice as thick as racoon's it wouldn't be a problem for the Condor.

Coyotes don't stand a chance against my power-tuned .25 Condors or even my .22 Condor.  Trust me on this :)   They shoot through very tough pressure treated (for outdoors) 2x8" boards that are a lot tougher and thicker than a coyote's skull.  My 850 only penetrates the length of the pellet inside the 2x4" (or 2x8" I usually get) plus 1/8".  You can see the CP skirt inside the wood right past the surface. These are are very tough wooden boards made to last & used for outdoor structures like a deck, or a well-built home, etc.  The .25 pellet shot from the Condor pushes large splinters of wood outwards in the back of the board at 22yds with the 1st shot.  The 2nd shot if on top of the 1st, blows a hole right through the back, but usually if it's just clover leaf or ragged hole groups by the 3d shot there is a hole in the back of the 2x8".  These are the toughest 2x8's according to the guy at Home Depot.  I paid a lot of $ for these boards for my penetration tests  8) and a lot of $ for the Condors too lets not forget! hehehe.

And since you live in Canada, 2" translates to 50 milimeters or 5 centimeters thick of very tough pressure treated wood :)  A coyote can be taken with a head shot from an accurate PCP at much longer distances than what I plan on shooting it from..  The guys at the TAG have proven that over & over.  I think 90yds was the longest shot that brought down a Coyote with a Condor and that was recently, but there could be longer shots because I don't frequent that forum as often as I used to.  Hopefully I 'll make you a believer this winter.  If not, hopefully next Fall maybe :)  "We don't need no sticking .223.."  :p   :D  hehehe..
Springers:
Diana 36 .177
Diana 350 .22 (donated by Timmy!)
Diana 350 .177
PCP\'s:
Air Force Condor .22 (Airhog)
Air Force Condor .25 (Talon Tunes)
Air Force Condor .25 (Lemak)  
CO2/Pump:
RWS Hammerli 850 .22
Crosman 2240 Custom .22
A few Crosman pumpers .177

Offline shadow

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Re: Large predator in my backyard again!!
« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2010, 09:58:58 AM »
Sending some hunt Zen your way Harry and make the first one count bro, would make for a great trophy. :) Ed
I airgun hunt therefore I am... };)  {SHADOWS Tunes & Camo}  airguncamo@yahoo.com

Offline only1harry

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Re: Large predator in my backyard again!!
« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2010, 10:03:48 AM »
Thanks Ed!  That's all I needed!!  I 'm all set now, hehe  :)
Springers:
Diana 36 .177
Diana 350 .22 (donated by Timmy!)
Diana 350 .177
PCP\'s:
Air Force Condor .22 (Airhog)
Air Force Condor .25 (Talon Tunes)
Air Force Condor .25 (Lemak)  
CO2/Pump:
RWS Hammerli 850 .22
Crosman 2240 Custom .22
A few Crosman pumpers .177

Offline jake

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RE: Large predator in my backyard again!!
« Reply #11 on: February 10, 2010, 12:56:41 PM »
wow your backyard sure is full of all types of critters! that stinks you missed. i also left the ding donger off a few times. god knows what i missed. he'll be back dont worry!
if at first you dont succeed, re-load, kill count 2010.
(6)squirrel
()opposum
()skunk
()chipmunks
()squirrel
()raccoon
(1)starling
()grackle
()sparrows

Offline 1shotwander

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Re: Large predator in my backyard again!!
« Reply #12 on: February 10, 2010, 07:10:55 PM »
Talking about Timmy, where is that woodwork wonderer now days? hardly ever see him on here anymore...

Harry- you could always come in PA for coyote.. season is non ending.. but then you cant use a Condor, eighter way you lose if you think about it... I cant wrap my mind around a .308 Condor... shoot a squirre with that thing... HAHA! what squirrel? Thats gota be pretty loud also when it goes off
Big Cat 1200(.177)3-9x40 fine duplex scope, crosman premier hollow points (7.9gr)

Offline airiscool

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RE: Large predator in my backyard again!!
« Reply #13 on: February 10, 2010, 10:47:03 PM »
Here's hoping  Ed's mojo, combined with Harry's skill, produces an account with pictures of a large, furry variety critter taken in eastern NY last night !!!!!


Paul
Benji Trail NPXL 1100, Gamo .22 Whisper, Crosman 760 Pumpmaster, Crosman 66 Powermaster, Crosman .22 revolver, Daisy model 102, Daisy early Model 25.

Offline only1harry

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Hey Cody!
« Reply #14 on: February 11, 2010, 12:00:03 PM »
Nevermind Timmy.  Where have you been?  hehe.  You don't hang out here either like you used to.  

Timmy is just too busy making gun stocks now.  He can't keep doing the same thing for too long.  It gets old for him or gets bored and needs to do something new.  He shot a couple of bunnies and then felt sorry for them. He was even washing them and blow drying them to make them pretty for the pictures :)  Then he shot 4-5 foxes and felt sorry for them too and said he won't kill them anymore.  You should know Timmy by now..  Look how long his guns last.  They are usually up for sale 4-6mos later (I hope he is reading this, hehehe).  Timmy will be Timmy   :o  :D

Thanks Paul.  Nothing showed up with the snow storm last night.  Not even a skunk.  The skunk would probably not be able to walk on 7-8" of snow, but I was hoping the Coyote would show up.  No tracks around the bait area or the property anywhere - nada. Because of the dang wind.  35-40mph winds all night long making my old windows screech.  The critters don't like strong winds and usually stay home  :0
Springers:
Diana 36 .177
Diana 350 .22 (donated by Timmy!)
Diana 350 .177
PCP\'s:
Air Force Condor .22 (Airhog)
Air Force Condor .25 (Talon Tunes)
Air Force Condor .25 (Lemak)  
CO2/Pump:
RWS Hammerli 850 .22
Crosman 2240 Custom .22
A few Crosman pumpers .177