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COYOTE SPECIAL
RING THE RIGHT DINNER BELL COYOTE-HUNTING SCHOOL SOLO CALLING COYDOGS: MYTH OR REAL? SHOOTING MULTIPLES
TREME
PLUS :
OPTICS ROUNDUP!
PAGE 44
INSIDE! PG. 72
SEE ON PAGE 20!
PREDATOR X
62
FEATURES
44 Product Roundup
Optics
By Jace Bauserman
Coyote School
By P. Garrett Leeberg
12 Lead Dog
88 Passport To Adventure
72 2014 Readers
PREDATOR XTREME
Choice Awards
R XTREM E
R XTREM
PREDATO
PREDATO
EDITORIAL
It all started forty ve years ago when I called in my rst coyote. This year is a celebration of my tenth year with Will Primos and Primos Hunting. We teamed up together and began designing predator calls and producing The TRUTH Calling all Coyotes Series DVDs. This video continues our tradition of educating and entertaining through our tactics and antics. Id like to thank the Primos family and all the people that have helped us along the way for ten years of Speaking The Language. 3 HOURS, 50 KILLS Randy Anderson
EDITOR Mark Olis GROUP MANAGING EDITOR Hilary Dyer DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR Scott Brown
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Subscription Rates (6 Annual Issues) USA $15.99 yearly Canada $22.99 yearly Elsewhere $27.99 yearly Subscription Customer Service: (866) 673-9391 Copyright 2014 Grand View Media Group. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the General Manager. Grand View Media Group is not responsible for researching or investigating the accuracy of the contents of stories published in this magazine. Readers are advised that use of the information contained within this magazine is with the understanding that it is at their own risk. Grand View Media Group assumes no liability for this information or its use. Grand View Media Group assumes no responsibility for unsolicited editorial, photography and art submissions. In addition, no Terms and Conditions agreements are recognized by Grand View Media Group unless signed and returned by the Editorial Director.
CREATIVE
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR/ PRODUCTION MANAGER Tod Molina GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Brandon Watkins Justin Lancaster TRAFFIC MANAGER Scott Nesmith
ADVERTISING
GROUP PUBLISHER Derrick Nawrocki PUBLISHER Mike Kizzire
ADMINISTRATION
GENERAL MANAGER Barry Lovette VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS Brent Kizzire EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Bob Robb VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING Hank Brown VICE PRESIDENT OF CONSUMER PUBLISHING Lee Hetherington VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE Brad Youngblood GROUP CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Delicia Poole NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Stuart Anderson SENIOR CIRCULATION MANAGER Ted Hannah
MARK OLIS
NEW BEGINNINGS
AS A YOUNGSTER, I WOULD SIT IN MY TREESTAND OR ALONG A DIRT ROAD WELL AFTER DARK WAITING ON MY FATHER TO COME PICK ME UP FROM THE EVENING DEER HUNT. My dad was wild about small-game hunting, but once deer season started, he just enjoyed being at the hunt club making improvements on the old trailer we slept in and cooking all of our meals. I, however, enjoyed hunting deer, and since we belonged to a deer-hunting club where small-game hunting wasnt allowed until after deer season, he would wait back at camp until the other members drove in from their evening hunts. That way he didnt risk getting his two-wheel-drive Dodge pickup stuck when pulling off to the side of the narrow dirt roads to pass an outgoing member. Naturally, I was left to sit quietly in the woods all alone for close to an hour after dark. It was during these quiet times that I would hear the yips and howls of coyotes emanating from the nearby thickets as they began their nightly prowls into the prey-rich bottomlands along the Tombigbee River in southwest Alabama. If they were close, I would sit with my rifle and flashlight at ready mostly as a defensive maneuver. A 12-year-olds imagination can definitely get the best of him in the dark woods all alone. It was during these times that I pondered how I might be able to hunt these wild and mysterious critters. No one I knew hunted them only shot them if they walked out during a deer hunt. It would be some years later, during my freshman year at Auburn University, before I would find the answer I was looking for. One afternoon after class, a friend and I watched a predator-hunting video. The guys in the video made it look so fun and easy. Just blow on a call and here they come running! It got us so fired up that we hopped in my truck and drove over to the local sporting goods store, where I bought a wooden Circe rabbit-distress call. We grabbed our camo and deer-hunting rifles and drove 25 minutes south to a hunting lease I belonged to. I had a particular secluded pasture in mind. The woods behind it dropped off into a thick swamp, and I had heard coyotes after dark in the area plenty of times after deer hunting. We managed to talk another buddy into coming with us, and the three of us walked up the hill to the pasture and sat down under a huge oak tree. We were perpendicular to the long pasture and the thick swamp was about 100 yards directly beyond that. I pulled that wooden call out and with my best attempt, blew a mournful chorus for about 30 seconds through the late November air. The sun was still 30 minutes from setting, and about five minutes into my set I blew on the call again. After tucking it back into my jacket, I looked up, and 80 yards straight out from our hide was a big red-furred coyote, sitting with its ears up looking for the ruckus! I whispered to my buddy, Theres one. He said, Where? I said, Im about to shoot. I put the crosshairs of my Nikon scope directly in the center of his chest and squeezed the trigger. The big male dropped, and so began my obsession with calling predators. While my batting average definitely dropped on subsequent hunts, my interest in predator hunting never did. I studied journalism at Auburn with hopes of becoming an outdoor writer for a living. Thanks to veteran outdoor writer J. Wayne Fears, I was given that opportunity right out of college. However, I would have never dreamed of becoming the editor of Predator Xtreme magazine. Im grateful for the opportunity and excited about working with some of the best predator-hunting writers in the world. Im perhaps more excited about hearing from you, the guys who spend their free time in the field, the ones who work to hunt. So shoot me an email (or send a letter) and let me know what articles you would like to see. Also, send in your pics and short articles for our popular From The Readers section. Not only do these articles appear in the pages of PX, but they appear on www.predatorxtreme.com, too. While there, check out all the online-only content and hunting videos. I look forward to serving you with the most entertaining and informational predator-hunting articles available. Our writers are some of the best at their trade. Heck, some of these guys make their living from predator hunting and are eager to share their expertise with you. So dont be shy. Lets hear from you. I cant promise to respond to every email, but I will definitely read them all and take your thoughts into consideration. So heres to many years of sharing predator-hunting stories and knowledge with one another. Oh, and good luck hunting! God Bless,
molis@grandviewmedia.com
LEAD DOG
Jim Young of Maine uses a bait site to lure in wary coyotes. He got this pair in the same day one early in the morning and the other one at noon.
MAINE YOTES
Up here in Maine we have started hunting coyotes to try help the deer herd. A friend called and said the coyotes were coming up on his deck and howling every night nearby. He was worried about letting his small dog outside. So we set up bait in a backfield across the road (calling is hard here with the thick woods). I took this pair in the same day, one early morning, and the other at noon. This brings my total to eight coyotes Ive shot from this one place. Some were close to 50 pounds. Im glad I got into hunting coyotes, its fun and helps the local deer herd, plus it makes the winter go by faster! Jim Young, Monson, Maine
If you have a predator-hunting tip, a unique picture, or a cool hunting story to tell, we want it. Your story and photo might end up in the pages of Predator Xtreme magazine or online. All submissions must include a picture. Send letters to Mark Olis at P.O. Box 698, Birmingham, AL 35201 or send e-mails to molis@grandviewmedia.com.
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LEAD DOG
COMMENTS FROM...
.COM
Yeah, but dont shoot them with a semiautomatic rifle, a rifle with a thumb hole stock, or a magazine holding more than 10 rounds. Also, remember to shoot them in a kind and gentle fashion using lead free bullets. Capn Jack Yep, the sanctimonious tree huggers have a breaking point when it comes to wild animals, dont mess with their lawns or golf courses. Dywlf
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LEAD DOG
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LEAD DOG
NEBRASKA SENATOR THREATENS GAME AND PARKS OVER MOUNTAIN LION HUNT
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) State Sen. Ernie Chambers has warned he will oppose all Nebraska Game and Parks Commission requests of the Legislature in the upcoming 2014 session, as long as the agency allows mountain lions to be hunted. Chambers, of Omaha, issued the warning on November 15 to Roger Kuhn, parks division administrator, the Lincoln Journal Star reported. Kuhn was before the Legislatures Executive Board with two requests to accept donations of land and a playground structure. Any land donation worth more than $10,000 and certain other donations offered between sessions must be approved by the board and others, including the governor. Chambers said he would vote against the requests, because he is upset that the Game and Parks Commission has approved a short, trial mountain lion hunting season for next year. I was told that fears led to the creation of a hunting season for these, what I consider to be regal animals, Chamber said. And these fears were engendered by the possibility or likelihood of these animals eating the grandchildren of Nebraskans. Last year, the Legislature passed a bill that would allow mountain lion hunting, after increased sightings of the animals around the state. At the time, officials estimated there were fewer than 60 mountains lions living in the wild in Nebraska. The Executive Board delayed taking a vote on Kuhns requests, because three board members were absent from the meeting. Chambers told the board that even if it approved the donations, he would offer a motion during the next legislative session beginning in January to undo that approval.
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LEAD DOG
NEW PRODUCT
FOXPRO is proud to present the FoxJack 3 electronic decoy. The FoxJack 3 is compatible with the FOXPRO SHOCKWAVE. Simply replace your existing battery door with the FoxJack 3, connect the power connector from the decoy to the SHOCKWAVE digital game call and youre ready to go. The FoxJack 3 comes with a bird topper (which resembles a woodpecker) with a whisper-quiet motor. The FoxJack 3 can be controlled remotely with your FOXPRO remote digital game call. The auxiliary button on your FOXPRO remote control starts and stops the action. The FoxJack 3 is backed by a 5-year limited warranty and FOXPROs unmatched customer support and is proudly made in the USA. For more information, visit www.gofoxpro.com. By Tim Davis
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COYDOGS:
MORE MYTH THAN REALITY?
young, solitary males seeking mates. (Researchers agree its highly unlikely a female coyote would mate with a domestic dog.) When female coyotes are in short supply, some male coyotes might seek female domestic dogs in heat and do something unusual: breed them rather than kill them. Even when that scenario unfolds, the hybrid progeny face uphill fights for survival. They dont make good pets for most people, and those that do arent likely to return to the wild. Even if the progeny reproduce, their coyote genes are soon swamped within the large population of domestic dogs.
NATURAL BARRIERS
Lets look at how common coydogs are and if they really are taking over the woods near you.
NEVER LET ANYONE TELL YOU THERES NO SUCH THING AS A COYDOG AND DISMISS IT AS A RURAL LEGEND OR MYTHICAL MUTT. DNA testing in recent years documents that wild coyotes have bred domestic dogs and produced hybrids that also reproduced. On the other hand, never let anyone tell you coydogs are taking over the neighborhood and pushing coyotes toward the Endangered Species List. The truth, however, isnt centered between those extremes. When biologists and geneticists discuss coydogs and their abundance in the wild, they align closer to the first statement than the second. Yes, coyotes breed with domesticated dogs, but nature has ways to make such pairings difficult and uncommon. After speaking with zoologists and reading research into coyote-dog hybrids since the 1940s, I think its fair to say coydogs usually result from unique circumstances. For instance, as coyotes expanded their range into Southeastern states during the past century, their pioneers were mostly
But what about those unusual cases where the mother dog is feral and gives birth to her litter in the wild? When her offspring mature, theyll likely be out of sync with the wild coyotes breeding cycle. Coyotes typically breed from late January to early March, while the coydogs breeding cycle starts two months earlier, primarily in December. Assuming some male hybrids survive, theyll probably struggle to find a female coyote in heat when theyre feeling rutty. Even if they do breed with a female coyote, their dog genes will soon be swamped. After all, coyotes prefer to breed with other full-bred coyotes. Yes, some coydog genes get passed along every time they breed with coyotes, but within a couple of generations their genes become unrecognizable without sophisticated DNA testing. Meanwhile, a female hybrid will also be out of sync with the coyotes breeding season. But if she manages to get impregnated during her December estrus
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CONCLUSION
Some coydogs, however, owe their existence to far more direct human intervention. Some breeders have held coyotes in captivity and bred them with beagles, terriers, German shepherds and other domestic dogs. Not surprisingly, dog breeders report that the offspring of these forced pairings are not playful or outgoing, and require expert handling. The take-home message from that seems clear: Humans should tread carefully when trying to defeat the barriers nature built around wild coyotes. When we breach those barriers, the progeny will probably be less predictable than what we expect from wild coyotes and domestic dogs.
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Three of the new Military Look semi-auto PCP air ries offered by Evanix: The GTL .357 (top), the GTL .22 (middle), and the MAX .25 (bottom).
PRO STAFF JIM CHAPMAN: Jim Chapman has been hunting with traditional firearms for more than 30 years. Over the last 20 years, most of his hunting has focused on the use of airguns. He has taken all manner of small game, varmints, predators, and, more recently, big game with both production guns and custom big bores. bullpup design; or incorporate a mixture of these design elements and position the airtank in the stock or as a bottle or tube under the barrel. Examples of the former are the Airforce Condor, Talon and FX Verminator, and of the latter are the Evanix Max, the new FX Bobcat, and the growing lineup of bullpup designs. There are also guns like the Evanix GTL series, which are quasi bullpups that use semi-automatic actions and offer many of the advantages of both design approaches. Ive been doing a lot of shooting with these guns, and a fair amount of hunting as well. Ill give you a quick run-through on several of these models and give you my read on them. My criteria is that the gun is accurate, powerful, fast to cycle and easy to carry; has flexibility to shoot from any field position; and has the caliber selection for the type of hunting I want to use it for. AirForce was the first American manufacturer to jump into the PCP market several years ago, with a design that is simple and elegant and from the very beginning had that tactical
BLACK GUNS!
Compact size and semi-auto capabilities make these airguns a varmint hunters dream.
ANYONE WHOS BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO FIREARM TRENDS OVER THE PAST DECADE OR SO HAS NOTED THE INTENSE INTEREST IN GUNS WITH MILITARY OR TACTICAL DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS. These guns have been broadening their appeal, at first with target shooters, and more recently with hunters. Predator hunters were the first to jump on the bandwagon with respect to the hunting community, but with the introduction of other calibers more suited to big-game hunting, there is growing interest from deer hunters as well. Airgunning trends often follow the same course as those seen in the powder-burning world, and while I have always been more of a traditionalist in my aesthetic preferences when it comes to shooting hardware, I must admit that these designs have a lot of appeal. While the term black gun has been applied to quite a broad range of guns, there are several shared attributes. These guns are usually compact, have an adjustable stock (telescopic or folding), utilize synthetic materials, incorporate a pistol grip, and have a number of options for mounting adjunct gear (lights, lasers, bipods). And whether youre hunting predators or varmints with firearms or airguns, these are useful features to have. There is a challenge when designing this type of gun based on a pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) action aside from anything you might want to do for the stock and trigger assembly, you need to figure out how to incorporate the air storage to power it. There are a couple approaches with variations on the theme: implement a design that uses a synthetic stock, incorporates a pistol grip, and uses a carbine-length barrel; develop a
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AIRGUN ADVANTAGE
The new Evanix GTL 480 S .357 PCP air rie is a predator-hunting machine!
military look and feel to it. Their Talon, Talon-P and Condor all use the airtank as the buttstock, use synthetic materials, and feature a pistol grip and a fully shrouded barrel. They have a carry handle with an 11mm dovetail incorporated to mount optics, and another Weaver-style mount under the barrel shroud onto which a light or bipod can be mounted. These guns come in .177, .22, and .25 with a wide range of factory and aftermarket options available. The AirForce guns are accurate and very powerful, they have adjustable power, and they can be broken down for transport. The only thing Im not crazy about is that they are single-shot and have a safety that automatically deploys when the gun is cocked. Lawyers like it, I dont, but it is easy enough to deactivate once you get the rifle home with you. There is a very active community of AirForce shooters that have their own forums, and there is a robust accessories market with a number of vendors and talented airgun smiths that can help you make the gun exactly what you want. Evanix is a Korean company that has made a strong push into the U.S. airgun market, and has differentiated themselves with innovative designs, reasonable pricing, and a strong value proposition. The Max was their first bullpup design, based on the proven semi/full-auto actions used in the companys Speed/Conquest product line. This gun uses a battery-powered electromechanical actuator to cycle the gun in semi or full auto, though a decision has been made not to offer the full-auto in our market, which in terms of a hunting gun is irrelevant. This gun is available in .177, .22, .25, and .357, using a rotary magazine housed in a protective
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cassette to deliver pellets as fast as you can pull the trigger. This gun uses a lot of metal for the action and forestock, and it has a hardwood thumbhole stock, which is compact although fairly heavy. Having said this, its still easy to carry with a three-point AR-style sling, and though its on the heavy side, the compactness of the gun moves that weight towards the shooters center, making it very stable to shoot offhand. Recently Ive been shooting the Evanix GTL 480 S rifles/carbines/ bullpup (not sure what to call it) quite a bit, and have found the .22 and .357 versions to be exceedingly accurate. The reason I cant decide how to classify this gun is that the action has been moved rearward so it sits behind the trigger and uses a linking mechanism, but the action is not
moved all the way back to the heel of the buttstock. So its not really a bullpup, even though it kind of looks like one. It uses a full-length 20-inch barrel, and because the action has been shifted rearward, the gun has a reduced overall length, but its a rifle barrel and not a carbine. The important point is that the guns are quite compact and have a good ergonomic design; not always easy with a bullpup(ish) design. Both of these guns are very accurate and powerful, and with the 480cc airtank bracketed by the forestock assembly, they offer a high-shot count. The distal tank stabilizer has a Picatinny rail designed in for easy mounting of a light or bipod. The only negative for this gun, in my experience, is that due to the extensive use of metal in the stock, they are heavy. However,
similar to the Max, the compact dimensions of the gun offsets the weight, making it easy to carry and easy to bring into action. There are several other guns in this class that have either been recently introduced to market or are on the horizon. One rifle Im very anxious to get my hands on is the new FX Bobcat, which is the Swedish manufacturers first bullpup design. The reason I am looking forward to this gun is that FX makes some of my favorite air rifles, from the takedown Verminator (which Ive written much about) to their mid-bore Boss .303, and every one that Ive shot is a tack hammer! There are also some interesting bullpup imports, such as the Russian-made Cricket and Edguns, that have had a very positive reception from American shooters since their introduction.
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AIRGUN ADVANTAGE
So even though my aesthetic sensibilities remain unchanged when it comes to a finely figured traditional wooden stock, after shooting these newer styles I have to appreciate what they bring to the table. Easily maneuverable and quick to bring into action, they are a great option for hunting in thick brush. Ive always felt that if something works in the field, it deserves to be used, and these guns work like a charm! This trend toward more tactical designs will continue, and I anticipate most manufacturers will come to market with an offering in the not-too-distant future. If you are looking for a compact and fasthandling predator or varmint gun, I can recommend you take a look at what this class of guns has to offer.
Jim lines up a shot with the AirForce Talon-P pistol/carbine. This gun is a compact .25 powerhouse, making it ideal for varmints and close-range predators.
THE POLITICAL CLIMATE OVER THE PAST SIX YEARS KICKED OFF A SUSTAINED GUN-BUYING FRENZY PARTICULARLY IN THE AR MARKET THAT IS COMPLETELY UNPRECEDENTED, EVEN ECLIPSING THAT OF 1994. For years, shooters have literally snatched up any AR they could, even if it wasnt quite the right gun, for fear that one like it might not ever be available again. Look, I get it. I did the same thing during Y2K and ended up with a wonderful garden-variety A2 that wasnt quite what I wanted, but would do in a pinch if all things electronic either croaked or went Skynet on us at midnight. But now its time to take a breath, assess what features you really need, and not compromise on your dedicated predator rig. The one Ive been looking at lately is the Mid Predator Pursuit from Rock River Arms, and the more I use this AR, the more Im convinced that theres little, if any, compromise for predator hunters. For one thing, it should be a given by now that the AR platform is ideal for predators. Theyre accurate, and they offer low recoil, potent chamberings, and quick follow-up shots for times such as when a pair of coyotes comes in and one meets 55 grains of awesome right away while the other runs off a hundred yards or so and stops to look back. This gun is a mid-length, meaning the gas system is shorter than a rifles but longer than a carbines. The length of the gas system and position
of the gas port are critical because if the port is too close to the chamber, pressure is too high for too long and can damage the gun. If its too close to the muzzle, pressure drops off before the gun cycles and it might short stroke. With its 16-inch barrel, a carbine gas system mechanically could work on this gun, but I think its better that Rock River chose a mid-length because its easier on the gun and should be reliable with a wider variety of loads. Another benefit is that a mid-length has a longer forend, and that gives you more flexibility positioning the gun for a shot from shooting sticks especially on uneven ground or if you have to shoot from an unconventional position.
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enough heft that you can hold it steady even if youre a little winded from blowing a long series of calls and is still light enough to easily carry from one calling location to another. Its heavy match stainless barrel has both pros and cons. The pros include there not being a lot of length wagging around that a predator can see, and being shorter means it picks up targets faster. Theres also a good argument to be made that shorter barrels are inherently more accurate than longer ones because they whip less when shot. The primary con to a short barrel is that you give up a little velocity over a longer one (for the .223 Rem. its about 30 fps per inch according to SAAMI standards). Some also might gripe that theres no muzzle brake on the Predator Pursuit, but Id ask them if theyve ever fired a 16-inch-barreled AR. Theyre loud, and with a brake theyre REALLY loud, and to me that just means having to put more distance between calling locations.
ACCURACY GUARANTEED
Rock River Arms offers a MOA guarantee on these guns, and while thats a really good guarantee, its also a safe one considering its accuracy-enhancing features plus Rock Rivers well-earned reputation for high quality at a good price. The match-grade barrels are air gauged to ensure bore uniformity, and theyre cryogenic treated. I was involved in an extensive cryotreating test in 1999 and, while it will never make an inaccurate gun into an accurate one, I found as much as a 98-percent probability that it could increase accuracy. Surrounding the barrel is Rock Rivers aluminum free-float tube, so theres nothing touching the barrel that could push it off from its zeroed position. When it comes to the .223 chambering, my opinion (and I rate it nothing more) is that there are 55-grain bullets and then theres everything else. Since your opinion may differ, Rock River gives the Predator Pursuit a 1:8-inch twist that should stabilize a wide variety of bullets. Bullet length is primarily what determines twist rate, and the longer the bullet, the faster a twist thats needed to stabilize it. Since most shooters view bullet length in terms of weight, the 1:8-inch twist lets you accurately shoot .223 bullets that are on the heavy side. The chamber is the .223 Wylde. Thats a match chamber relieved in the body and with a short match throat that safely fires either .223 Rem. or 5.56mm NATO ammunition. Many folks shoot those two interchangeably, but there is a difference, and the Wylde chamber lets you hunt with varmint ammo and practice with less expensive military surplus without worrying about it.
WWW.PREDATORXTREME.COM FEBRUARY 2014
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time to put it in the used-gun rack and get a dedicated predator AR instead. There are a lot of really good ARs out there, so consider what features are important to you and how you hunt. If Rock Rivers 16-inch Mid Predator Pursuit fits what youre looking for, and if my experience is typical, then I dont think youd go wrong with this one. More information is available at www.rockriverarms.com.
SPEC SHEET
MANUFACTURER: Rock River Arms www.rockriverarms.com (866) 980-7625 MODEL: 16 MID PREDATOR PURSUIT CALIBER: .223 REM./5.56MM NATO ACTION: Gas-operated semi-automatic rifle MAGAZINE CAPACITY: One 20-round magazine included BARREL: 16-inch, heavy match stainless, air-gauged and cryotreated, 1:8 twist TRIGGER: 2-stage match SIGHTS: None. Picatinny rail on upper and gas block STOCK: Fixed A2 with storage compartment OVERALL LENGTH: 3414 inches WEIGHT: 7.2 pounds OTHER FEATURES: .223 Wylde chamber, Hogue rubber grip, aluminum free-float tube fore end, winter trigger guard, 34-MOA accuracy guarantee MSRP: $1,190 (rifle only)
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PRO STAFF TOM AUSTIN: Tom Austin began his predator hunting journey at age 7, when his father introduced him to the sport of calling. Over the years his fever intensified. Hes finally found a cure as a professional guide, hunting predators 40 hours a week, using his experience to gain the edge over his quarry. doe, putting him on a perfect line toward my hide. I found the Benelli M4 resting across my lap and set the safety switch to red. The old male coyote was at a lope by the time he entered the zone of no return the kill zone. I slowly raised the stock to my cheek and found him in the EOTech sight. One shot was all it took, and the prime coyote was motionless only 7 yards from my boots. I had just lowered my gun and made it safe when I saw the doe running at me. She passed by me at arms reach and proceeded to stomp the already dead coyote even deeper into the snow with her front hooves. She looked at me again. Oh no, you dont, I yelled at her, standing up while unmasking my face. She startled and retreated out of sight. Awkwardly, I looked around to see who else had watched the scene unfold, but no one was there. I was hunting solo that day and doubted that anyone would ever believe me. A good friend of mine once said, solo hunting is an experience that only God and yourself get to witness. Its only
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extraordinary to the participant because words never really can do it justice. Theres something raw and real about going it alone. When I embark on a solo hunt, I take extra precautions that I normally wouldnt. Whether you hunt solo out of necessity or simply preference, enjoy your solo solace, safely.
SMART IS SAFE
If you happen to be the kind of person that doesnt want a tagalong, at least be responsible about it. Always let someone know where youre planning to go and when you hope to return, and make sure its in writing. Write someone a note, text or email describing the location of your travels in the event that you dont return. People can forget names of places easily, so the written word is
important. You dont have to give them exact directions to your honeyhole, just a known location so the Search and Rescue team knows where to start. Have a mechanic check your vehicle for any potential
hazards or problems. Top off all fluid levels and check the tire pressure in the spare. A sturdy shovel and handyman jack have gotten me out of some pretty sticky situations. Make sure your cell phone is charged
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If your hunting buddy cant make it, go alone. Fewer bodies on stand mean less scent, less movement and less noise, too.
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SOLITARY REFINEMENT
Solo callers can definitely enjoy some benefits that party hunters dont. Fewer bodies on stand means less movement to risk being spotted too soon, less scent to be spread around and less noise to spook your quarry. But theres actually even more to it than that. Too often while party hunting, everyone is trying to kill the same coyote. As a result, you shoot much earlier than you would if you had him all to yourself. Those long shots result in more misses, creating more errors. When solo hunting, you only have your own patience to compete against, so sit back and take your time waiting for the perfect shot opportunity. Another problem I see with party hunting is stand quality is usually diminished. A stand that looks great for a solo caller might not be feasible for two or three. Therefore, we pass by great-looking solo stands to pigeonhole our hunting party into a not-so-great stand. We try to overcome some of the obstacles weve created by having too many bodies, but by doing so, were taking ourselves out of the action. Solo hunters are generally more attentive on stand as well. No one likes to look over at their hunting partner at the 15-minute mark to see them making snowballs, playing Angry Birds or worse yet, sleeping. When youre alone, youre not just a member of the band, youre the entire show. You have to be at the top of your game or you go home empty-handed. A solo hunter cant be lazy or distracted like you might be if you were hunting with someone. Working smarter instead of harder is another technique that solo hunters seem to do well. For the most part, solo callers have streamlined their calling equipment to the point that everything has a purpose and a place. From the way they carry their rifle to the way they cross a fence, its always done the same. Their equipment is always organized and they only take what theyre going to use. No less, no more. Youd never think it, but fluidity makes a big difference when it comes to putting fur down. Possibly the greatest benefit that I see for solo hunting is what youll surely learn about yourself. Theres no one to shift the blame upon after a botched hunt. You learn rather quickly where your weaknesses are, be it calling, shooting, stand selection or even scouting. Feel free to be brutally honest with yourself. It will make you a better caller, one stand at a time.
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New Optics
PRODUCT ROUNDUP
OPTI
LOOKING TO KEEP YOUR SKINNING KNIFE OUT OF ITS SHEATH THIS SEASON?
Remember, if you cant see it, you cant kill it. Yes, perhaps the biggest piece of the predator-calling puzzle is having great optics. And Im not just talking about a quality scope that gathers every bit of light possible. Im talking about a quality set of optics hanging from your neck and even a worthy spotting scope that is sure to boost your predator reconnaissance. Savvy manufacturers know that toothy critters are most active during lowlight hours, and they have once again gone above and beyond to offer you, the predator-hunting fanatic, superior optics that will undoubtedly boost your success rate.
Alpen Optics
New and exciting from Alpen Optics is its pair of ED HD Rainier Spotting Scopes. The 851 ED 20-60x80 is available with a straight eyepiece and the 853ED 20-60x80 with a 45-degree eyepiece. Both boast extra-low dispersion high-definition optics that deliver incredible optic clarity and color fidelity. The UBX fully multi-coated optics, BaK-4 prisms and SHR metallic coating give these the brightest and sharpest image possible, allowing you to spy stealthy predators from a distance. The large objective lenses gather every bit of light available to provide you with maximum optic performance from the first twinkle of light to the last. MSRP $653-$826; www.alpenoptics.com.
Aurora Tactical
Rule the day and conquer the night with Aurora Tacticals 8010 Day/Night Weapon Sight. More time in the field means more dead predators, and thanks to the 8010 Day/Night Weapon, you never have to leave the field to change scopes. This innovative optic can be switched from a day scope to a night scope in the amount of time it takes to zip up your jacket. No tools. No shift in the point of impact. Just make the swap and youre ready to hunt. Aurora Tacticals special lens coating provides optimum light transmission in the light wave of 400 to 900 nanometers. Promising accuracy in the bright light of day or under the blanket of night is the triplex mil-dot ranging reticle. MSRP $4,995; www.auroratactical.com.
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Jace Bauserman
CS
Bushnell Burris
Always on the cutting edge of optic innovation, Burris offers predator hunters the C4 line of riflescopes. If you love customization options, youre going to love these scopes. The C4s Cartridge Calibrated Custom Clicker system allows you the ability to match elevation adjustment to your favorite predator cartridge, making pinpoint accuracy easier than ever. In addition, you can also order a free custom knob that matches your favorite load. The new C4 scopes are available in four models the 3-9x40mm and 4.5-14x42mm in a choice of 1-inch and 30mm tubes. All are constructed from premium glass and offer HiLume multi-coatings for optimal edge-to-edge clarity, sharpness and low-light performance. MSRP $299-$499; www.burrisoptics.com.
An industry leader in the optic arena, Bushnells new Fusion 1 Mile laser rangefinder and binocular are remarkable in every way. The Fusion 1 Mile is available in 8x32 mm, 10x42mm and 12x50mm configurations, and each feature BAK-4 prisms with PC-3 corrective phase coating. Adding some icing to this already sweet cake is exclusive XTR prism coating technology, allowing the Fusion 1 Mile to provide jaw-dropping resolution and image clarity regardless of lighting conditions. And, of course, the Fusion 1 Mile is Bushnell tough. The patented RainGuard HD lens coating causes moisture to bead up, scattering less light, and the rubber-armored chassis is as durable as they come. MSPR $999.99-$1,299.99; www.bushnell.com.
CenterPoint Optics
Focused on helping you make memories each time you chase fanged critters is CenterPoint Optics. Sporting a reinforced rubber armored body featuring sound absorption technology is CenterPoints 10x42mm Full-Sized Roof Prism Binoculars. Aside from being tough as nails and quiet as a church mouse, these stellar optics promise dawn-to-dusk clarity via their fully multi-coated lenses, which deliver exceptional sharpness and clarity. Not to mention that these optics were built to withstand abuse from Mother Nature. Wet or dry, these binoculars feel great in the hand. The comfort strap conforms to the neck and the large, fast, easy-to-focus knob makes target acquisition very quick. MSRP $60; centerpoint.crosman.com.
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New Optics
EOTech
Holographic Hybrid Sights have proven themselves in games like Modern Warfare 3, but the big screen is not the only place these innovative sights are making noise. The HHS1 and HHS2 combine the speed of the EXPS holographic weapon sight and the extended-range versatility of the G33 magnifier to give the predator hunter true two-eyes-open shooting. Ideal for long-range shots up to 500 meters, the HSS kits feature the G33s Quick Switch to Side magnifier mount. Lighter and smaller than the legendary G23, this magnifier is guaranteed to significantly extend your effective range. The eye relief has been extended to 2.2 inches to provide a more comfortable cheek weld while shooting, too. MSRP $1,059-$1,125; www.eotech-inc.com.
Hawke Optics
Target shooters have long enjoyed Hawkes illuminated mil-dot reticle, but hunters wanted something simpler something a bit more userfriendly. Hawke has delivered. Its 30/30 IR reticle ensures rapid target acquisition thanks to its open, uncluttered sight picture. It also features dual red/ green illumination on the bulletproof, glass-etched reticle. This illumination allows predator hunters to make killing shots no matter the lighting. This new reticle is available in the 2-7x32, 3-9x40 and 4-12x40. MSRP $119.99-129.99; www.hawkeoptics.com.
Kelblys
The Tactical March-F 3-24x42 FFP Scope with new MOA Turrets MIL Radian and Minute of Angle target ranging is easier and more accurate than ever. The scope has an 8X magnification ratio in the first focal plane, which is the highest magnification ratio in FFP to date. The March-F 3-24x42 comes in illuminated and non-illuminated models, and both standard- and low-illumination modules are available. With four levels of red reticle intensity that can be cycled through by simply pressing the pressure switch located within the focus dial on the left side, brightness and target acquisition are never a concern. MSRP $2,700; www.kelbly.com.
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Lucid L5
Lucid has a variable-magnification riflescope called the L5. Within the 30mm tube is a 6-24x50mm magnified imaging machine. Shockproof up to .338 Lapua, its equipped with a side parallax adjustment, 1 8 MOA click turrets that are lockable and zero resettable. The reticle is MOA graduated with multiple holdover and hold-off points for the discriminating rifleman. MSRP $499; www.mylucidgear.com.
Meopta
Meoptas ZD Tactic 4-16x44 RD riflescope with illuminated mil-dot reticle will have you puffing fur up to 800 meters. The scope sports an adjustable objective for setting zero parallax at distances from 3 meters to infinity, making the ZD 4-16x44 RD a true tack driver. Getting you on target are the ZD tactical target turrets, which feature .05 mil rad positive click-stop adjustments, and the elevation turret allows calibration of bullet drop to distances once thought unimaginable. Also impressive is the scopes seven levels of reticle illumination intensity. MSRP $1,259.99; www.meoptausa.com.
Nightforce
At the very mention of Nightforce scopes, predators start quaking in their paws and for good reason. Nightforce scopes are remarkable in every way. The latest addition, the 2.5-10x42 NXS Compact Riflescope with Side Parallax Adjustment, has been proven in the hands of the U.S. military and offers a level of performance that far exceeds its size. Ultra-effective in lowlight thanks to its larger objective lens, this lightweight (19-20.5 ounces) and compact (11.9 inches in length), 2.5-10x42 scope is one of the only 10X riflescopes on the market that sports side parallax adjustment from 25 yards to infinity. The scope also incorporates Nightforce DigIllum digital reticle illumination technology. MSRP $1,800; www.nightforceoptics.com.
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New Optics
Nikon
The new Coyote Special is available in 3-9x40 and 4-12x40 configurations in matte black, Mossy Oak Brush and Realtree Max-1. Boosting your sight picture and providing up to 97 percent light transmission is the fully multi-coated optical system with multiple layers of anti-reflective compounds on every surface. The Coyote Special features a quick-focus eyepiece for quick target acquisition and rapid focus. And, of course, the scope is paired with Nikons BDC Predator Reticle that utilizes ballistic circles that dont obscure the target. MSRP $279.95-$299.95; www.nikonhunting.com.
Steiner Optics
Offering predator enthusiasts topquality European optics with superior coatings in a durable, Americanmade housing at a price that wont break the bank, the Predator Xtreme riflescope line demands attention. Available in three models, the 2.5-10x42mm, 3-12x56mm and 4-16x50mm, Steiners riflescopes give hunters precision-ground lenses with Color Adjusted Transmission (CAT) technology. This CAT technology promises the highest levels of contrast and light transmission, making approaching predators pop and stand out against the landscape. All Predator Xtreme riflescopes sport the Steiner Plex S1 Ballistic etched reticle. MSRP $799.99-$999.99; www.steiner-binoculars.com.
Sightmark
Known for its tactical, target shooting and hunting accessories, Sightmark has hit yet another home run with its new line of Solitude XD Binoculars. Available in 7x36XD, 8x42XD and 10x42XD, the Solitude XDs feature phase-corrected, fully broad band multi-coated optics to maximize overall efficiency and improve the range of the visible spectrum. Each XD bino features extra-low dispersion XD glass, BAK-4 roof prisms and an advanced magnesium bridge that ensures amazing contrast and color fidelity. MSRP $419.99-479.99; www.sightmark.com.
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Trijicon
Wanting to make sniping predators at extended distances easier than ever is Trijicon and its TARS High-Performance Riflescope. The Trijicon TARS (Tactical Advanced Riflescope) is a seaworthy 3-15X variable magnification, 50mmobjective, illuminated-reticle optic designed to drop predators dead in their tracks. With premium optics and exact adjustments, the TARS is a breeze to sight in, and its fully multi-coated to better ensure maximum light transmission. With 3.3 inches of eye relief, you can peer through this scope for hours without getting a headache. As far as light transmission goes, the illuminated reticle features 10 levels of intensity, including two levels designed specifically for use with night-vision optics. MSRP $3,391.50; www.trijicon.com.
Vanguard USA
Introduced at the 2012 Shot Show, Vanguards Spirit XF 10x42 binoculars have quickly become a favorite of many. At just 23.6 ounces, these handy binos are ultra-light and ultra-comfortable. In addition, the Spirit XF 10x42 boasts twist-out eyecups that can be positioned at multiple points to better ensure maximum eye relief. Constructed from textured rubber, these binoculars are rugged, durable and ready to meet the demands of any predator excursion. Totally waterproof and fogproof, the Spirit XFs fully multi-coated lenses and BAK-4 prisms promise amazing edge-to-edge clarity and brilliant color images. MSRP $249; www.vanguardworld.com.
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New Optics
Vortex
Now predator enthusiasts can enjoy the benefits of two new additions to the manufacturers popular HD line of binoculars the Razor HD 10x50 and 12x50 models. These binoculars sport extra-low dispersion glass that delivers incredible resolution and color fidelity. Also sure to be appreciated are Vortexs proprietary XR anti-reflective coatings, which guarantee optimal low-light performance. Each exterior lens features Armor Tek, an ultra-hard optical coating that protects the lenses from dirt, sand and other lens-damaging debris. Ergonomically pleasing, both the 10x50 and 12x50 models have a magnesium chassis, which makes these new bino additions light and incredibly durable. MSRP $1,279-$1,499; www.vortexoptics.com.
Weaver
A household name in the optic industry, Weaver is ready to impress with its new EB-X Grand Slam Varmint Reticle. Minimizing frustrating holdover, the EB-X Grand Slam Varmint Reticle is customized to work with most varmint cartridges at your riflescopes highest magnification. Its easy to operate simply set your scopes zoom ring to its highest power position and sight in your rifle at 100 or 200 yards using the center of the crosshair. The reticle then graduates down and is equipped with 10 mph windage points to the right and to the left of the graduated reticle. www.weaver-mounts.com.
Zeiss
A name with roots that run deep in optics lore, Zeiss gives varmint hunters a rimfire option in the Zeiss Conquest Rimfire 3-9x40 Riflescope. Providing exceptional target clarity and generous eye relief, the Rimfire Riflescope has -MOA adjustments and features the Z-Plex 20 reticle in the second image plane for precise shot placements on small targets like fox. The Rimfire sports a compact, lightweight aluminum alloy 1-inch main tube with a scratch-resistant, hard anodized matte black finish. MSRP $555; www.zeiss.com/sports.
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COYOTES
A NEBRASKA COYOTE KILLER SHARES HIS CALL RECIPES FOR YEAR-ROUND SUCCESS.
I SLOWLY LIFTED THE REMOTE AND LOOKED AT THE TIMER5:11, 5:12, 5:13. THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES OF THE STAND HAD BEEN UNEVENTFUL TO SAY THE LEAST, MUCH LIKE THE PREVIOUS FIVE STANDS WE HAD ALREADY MADE THAT MORNING. Was I using the right sound? Was the sound carrying far enough? Were we sitting long enough? Were there even any coyotes within earshot to hear it? These were just a few of the questions that bounced through my mind while I sat there waiting patiently. It was late February and we were calling some of the most coyote-rich and picturesque country this great nation has to offer the sandhills of Nebraska. Optimism was high earlier that morning as we drove through the darkness on a one-lane paved road into the middle of no-mans land, but after ve dry stands and an increasing wind, our dedication and enthusiasm were being tested.
CALLING ALL
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Geoff Nemnich
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So what was the key to our success on this stand? Did we nally get within earshot of an unsuspecting coyote? Obviously! So why did this big male not come charging in to the screaming jackrabbit that was playing the rst seven minutes of the stand? Maybe he was making a slow approach. Possibly he had gotten a little bit of an education earlier in the season. Perhaps it was the mild winter we were having. So why did the coyote-pup distress invoke such a rapid and aggressive response? Maybe it was due to the time of year. Possibly we triggered an instinctual response that the coyote had no control over. Perhaps it was due to the area we set up in. Regardless, these are all great questions and ones that Ill discuss throughout the remainder of the article.
and taking turns dragging coyotes back to the truck, a good friend of mine and a coyote-killing veteran of more than 40 years shared his Triple F Theory. He said, Coyotes will come to the call for several reasons. To feed, to ght, or to . . . Well, Ill let you gure out what his third F was. He continued by adding, Its up to you to gure out what the coyotes are wanting that particular day and give them
the corresponding sound. As simple as it sounds, it was something that I hadnt put much thought into before that day. From that point on, I started categorizing the sounds on my call. In todays market of hightech e-callers and large, diverse sound libraries, its easy to get overwhelmed when picking and loading sounds onto your call. To simplify things, Ive classied all the sounds used
A prey sound will play on a coyotes hunger and curiosity. Thats one of the reasons why prey sounds call in more coyotes than other calls.
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specically for calling coyotes into three categories: prey distress, coyote and coyotepup distress and coyote vocalizations. Give yourself the most diverse variety possible within each category, but dont overload your e-caller with too many sounds from one category. In an ideal situation with an e-caller holding 100 sounds, loading 34 prey-distress sounds, 33 coyote/coyote-pup distress sounds, and 33 coyote
vocalizations would be optimal. Now that the three sound categories have been identied, its time to discuss the triggers. Although remembering the three Fs is probably easier, lets break things down a little further by identifying four triggers: hunger, curiosity, territorial and parental. Of the four, hunger and curiosity are responsible for calling in the most coyotes. Is it because these are the easiest triggers
to invoke? Or is it because the average coyote hunter is primarily using sounds that trigger these two responses? I believe its a little of both. Triggering territorial and parental responses can be very effective as well, but understanding certain coyote characteristics and coyote behavior is the key to being able to trigger these responses on a consistent basis throughout the entire hunting season.
Coyote Behavior
Before we can tie everything together into a practical game plan, lets discuss coyote behavior from early fall through early spring. During the month of September and the early part of October,
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the coyote family group is still intact. The pups are still in the general vicinity of their spring denning site, but they are learning to hunt on their own. Food is plentiful, with insects and plants still available for consumption. Hunting pressure is minimal and coyote densities and numbers are the highest they will be all season. In late October and into November, the family group breaks down and the pups head out on their own. During this timeframe, a good portion of the coyote population is composed of young, transient coyotes roaming the countryside looking for their own territory to establish. The food supply is minimized and easy meals such as grasshoppers are gone with the colder temperatures. The coyotes must now take to catching rodents, rabbits and birds. Hunting pressure has signicantly increased and the coyote numbers and densities are dropping. In December through the rst half of January, most coyotes have now established a territory. Winter has hit with full force, and keeping food in its belly is priority number one for a coyote. Hunting pressure is extremely high, and the coyote numbers and densities are continuing to drop. During the last half of January and February, the remaining coyote population turns its focus to repopulating. Mating is now the priority, and the females will come into heat sometime around the rst of February. Food sources are dwindling, and the coyotes must continue to hunt on a daily basis. Hunting pressure remains high, and many of the remaining coyotes have had some sort of educational experience during the previous
four months. In March and April the coyote pairs have established a den. Territory is now the focus. Defending remaining food sources from being eaten by other coyotes is important for the survival of the litters. The family group will spend the next six months in this location. Hunting pressure has dropped signicantly, and as long as 30 percent of the coyote population survived the winter,
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Example 1
Its early October and youre headed out to call your favorite piece of ground for the rst time this season. During the rst half of the stand, play a prey-distress
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When calling coyotes, you are playing a sound or sounds that will trigger a response. The four triggers are hunger, curiosity, territorial and parental.
sound. If theres a coyote within an earshot that is hungry or curious, youll get a response. If nothing responds halfway through your stand, switch categories to hopefully elicit a parental response. To do this, pick a sound from the coyote or coyote-pup distress category. Let it play for the remainder of the stand. If there was a coyote within earshot, chances are one of the three triggers you tried to invoke will produce a response.
Example 2
Its late January and youre headed out to call a piece of property that youve already hunted several times. By now many of the coyotes have received some sort of education and are more concerned about repopulating than eating. During the rst few minutes of the stand, use your favorite coyote vocalization sound. Next, switch sounds and pick something from the coyote and coyote-pup distress category. Let that play through the halfway point of your stand and then repeat with coyote vocalizations and more coyote and coyote-pup distress. This accomplishes two things. First, youve played sounds from two different categories, which have the ability to invoke three of the four triggers, which are relative to the corresponding coyote behavior that time of year. Second, youve played sounds that the average coyote hunter hasnt used up to this point in the season. Identify the triggers that you want to invoke and then ring the right dinner bell!
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Early-Season Enticer (Use mid-September through mid-November) Total Stand Time: 15 minutes Vole Squeaks minutes 0 - 4 Lucky Bird minutes 4 - 9 Coyote Pup Distress #3 minutes 9 - 13 Remain quiet and observant minutes 13 - 15 Mid-Season Mesmerizer (Use mid-November through mid-January) Total stand time: 15 minutes Lightning Jack minutes 0 - 7 Coyote Pup Screams minutes 7 - 13 Remain quiet and observant minutes 13 - 15 Late-Season Love Song (Use mid-January through mid-March) Total stand time: 20 minutes Coyote Locator minutes 0 - 3 Coyote Death Cry minutes 3 - 8 Coyote Pair minutes 8 - 11 Coyote Pup Frenzy minutes 11 - 16 Female Coyote Submissive minute 16 - 18 Remain quiet and observant minute 18 - 20
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Coyote School
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P. Garrett Leeberg
SCHOOL
Schools in session and an eastern Oregon coyote pro is leading the lesson. Grab your pen and paper and get ready for an education in coyote hunting.
COYOTE
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ATTENDING A COYOTE-HUNTING SCHOOL WASNT HIGH ON MY MUST-DO LIST UNTIL I HEARD ABOUT ONE OFFERED BY GARY MADISON WHO HAILS FROM BURNS, ORE. Dave Dalton, a friend from work who knows Gary, extolled his coyote-hunting virtues to the point that I had to become a student. I contacted Gary and learned that eastern Oregon has a small human population and a large coyote population, and ranches are measured in miles, not acres. I quickly booked a date for mid December.
Coyote School
the many questions I had. We discussed the importance of good predator-related reading material, including books, various magazines and continuing education in general through means of seminars, lectures and Garys favorite putting boots to the ground.
Field Training
Sleep didnt come easy as I anticipated the mornings hunt. Well before daylight, we were up getting our gear loaded, including two ATVs with which we would cover our hunting area for the next two days. Crystal xed us a great breakfast and we headed south to a private ranch with a healthy population of coyotes. Once at the ranch, it didnt take us long to don our camo, gear up our quads and head out on the prairie. Id never ridden an ATV before, so I was having a blast even before our rst
Coyote school is a great way to learn how to call and kill coyotes, while studying under a veteran coyote hunter who can help shorten the learning curve.
When I arrived at Garys, we went to the range and testred my Howa .223 Rem. rie topped with a Leupold Vari-X 3-9 power scope. The rst shot was too high, so we made some adjustments and headed back to the house for an amazing meal
prepared by Garys wife, Crystal. After dinner, we got into the classroom portion of Garys coyote school. A video serves as a foundation for instruction. Gary would routinely stop the video when he wanted to expand on something or to answer one of
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setup. We went through mud and snow, over rocky ground and hills, much to my delight. The noise from the ATV does not affect the hunting, as the local yotes were used to hearing machines and vehicles on the active ranch. Voices are another matter. Gary was insistent that no talking occurred above a whisper once we were en route to our hunt area. Our rst set was more instructional, as we put to practice the principles discussed the night before. We stopped at an area that was particularly unremarkable to me. It didnt look like a place Id guess to be a bonanza for coyotes, but Gary said it was typical of many areas wed be calling. It was at, open country full of sage and bitterbrush. In the distance we could see the Trout Creek Mountains and various wellknown buttes. Gary checked the wind and
determined what he believed to be the most likely place to summon a coyote. It was there he set his FOXPRO caller to work. He positioned me in front of a sage bush while ensuring that I had nothing in front of me to impede vision or movement. Seated on my Hunters Specialties pad in an area devoid of stickers, pointed rocks or undue mud, I was comfortable and capable of sitting still for 20 minutes or more. Youve got to be comfortable and capable of moving your gun well before we start the call, said Gary. My Howa rie rested on a Stoney Point Rapid Pivot bipod. I purchased the Pivot at Garys behest, as he told me Id be tickled with the results. He was correct. This gem is sweeter than pralines, as it connects to your front stock swivel via a device that comes with shooting sticks. Once we were comfortably set on the ground, Gary became
a screamer beyond belief. I was amazed at the chorus of sound he created using not one, but three different calls, two electronic and one tube. Ive been out before with coyote acionados, but Id never heard a sound quite like this. The electronic calls sang out the dying-rabbit blues in mesmerizing crescendo, and their song was intensied by Garys eventual use of his tube call. As I listened and intensely scanned the horizon as instructed, I couldnt help but think, Wow, this sound is dripping delicious to any coyote that can hear it! I got my rst lesson in coyote hunting early into my class patience. The rst two stands didnt produce a single target, but our third set did. We had been on stand for about 15 minutes when I saw a brown ash to my left. The coyote came in on a rope about 25 yards in
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Coyote School
front of us and stopped about 20 yards from the caller. Being a bowhunter, Im trained to pick a spot and go for the kill instead of watching wildlife. My gun swiveled into position as I selected my point of aim. At the crack of the Howa, the yote spun and started biting at his wound thinking something bit him. The bite of my 50-grain Hornandy bullet proved lethal in less than 10 seconds. Lesson number two came right after the shot keep calling. Gary didnt stop the call, but gave an approving nod. I chambered another round for our next visitor. Gary told me during our classroom session that such action would occur. It is likely that a second or third yote could be with the rst or en route to the call from another direction. We wouldnt want to disappoint a dinner guest with silence. His advice made sense to me, but didnt prove true on this set. After about 10 additional minutes of crying the blues, we shut down the set and proceeded to our prize, a mature male who sported a darker-than-average coat. Gary remarked that the yote died well and guessed his age to be about 3 years. At that point, I was thrilled with the victory and savored the moment. At midday on another set we had another taker. About 20 minutes into the set, a coyote approached from a distant position straight away from us. Gary saw him rst and tried to get my attention in a subtle manner. The screaming was a bit loud for any low-level whisper, so Gary nally exclaimed with authority, Paul! Ones coming! and pointed in the direction. I leaned to my right to see a different angle and picked up the yote coming hard toward the call. He was not as big as the rst one, but I wasnt about to be snide toward his advance. I let some lead y and made good on the rst shot. The song dog went down, but jumped back up like a cocky prizeghter. The rie cracked again, and the sound of the hit echoed our way. The bad boy jumped up again and tried to leave, but the third shot put him down for good. Thats when I realized I just learned my third lesson midday calling is effective, too. Gary continued calling, but Lady Luck would not kiss us again, so we shut down and proceeded to examine our prize. Gary estimated the dog to be a 2-year-old. Although I tried to turn him into burger with my Howa, we found a good photo angle to commemorate the experience. Like a good teacher, Gary would discuss what went well and what didnt after each set. In this case, I had failed to see the
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Coyote School
dog coming, and his signaling could have caused a loss of the opportunity. You know how I knew that coyote was comin in? asked Gary. I shook my head no. Gary indicated that the bird out in front of us told him. He explained that birds will follow coyotes as they travel along the ground. Magpies will utter overhead and reveal their location. Thats how Gary knew a coyote was coming to the call and he saw him before I did. Back at camp, we enjoyed another excellent meal and rehashed the days events. I felt good about the trip so far (getting two coyotes) and what I had learned about predator hunting in general. Let me highlight the salient points of that discussion with emphasis on stand basics.
Camouage
The key is to be as inconspicuous as possible. Wear large-pattern camo that has variable contrasts, which ensures the integrity of your camos effectiveness out to considerable distances. Small patterns fail and make you look like a dark blob at farther distances. Your camo should be made of material that is nonreective and quiet. You want to blend in with your surroundings. In addition, a facemask, cap and gloves also contribute to your invisibility. I prefer to cut a hole in my gloves where my trigger nger can touch the metal trigger without being covered.
Great Line of
Predator Calls
Diaphragm Predator Calls Dying Rabbit Distress Fawn Rodent Squealer Coyote Howler
Choosing A Site
Move quietly to the site while avoiding being sky-lined. Keep talking to a whisper. Pay attention to evidence of coyote presence (tracks, scat) and select a spot with good visibility, even when calling in close areas. You cant kill what you cant see. High ground is ideal for aiding visibility, so use that to your full advantage. The wind direction must receive signicant consideration in determining your site. Because a coyote will come to the call from downwind many times, the ideal site allows you to hold a crosswind position. Place yourself so that a predator must cross your path to reach the sound of the call.
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Setting Up
Always place your electronic call where you can see it about 25 yards from where you plan to sit. Use a decoy to give a visual conrmation to approaching coyotes. Feathers on a string, a piece of fur or a life-size decoy can distract or lure the dog long enough for you to sling lead. Seat yourself in front of something that breaks up your outline, such as sage or a high
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Coyote School
high bank. Look around to see if anything resembles a coyote, so you wont be moving later to verify a non-coyote shape. Position yourself to sit as still as a rock, yet remain comfortable. If you are right-handed, sit with your gun at the ready, pointing in the vicinity of the call while resting on your shooting sticks. Give yourself position to pivot the gun to your left if need be, and sit the opposite way if you are lefthanded. Start your calling at low volume, as a coyote hears way better than a gossiping neighbor. In fact, they can hear up to a mile (the dog, I mean). A loud call might alert a coyote in close proximity. Increase the call level over a 15- to 20-minute set, if need be, to reach ears in the distance. Scan your eyes back and forth while avoiding head movement. Remain alert at all times and avoid the temptation to snooze. Stay ready! If a coyote does come in and you make a mess of him, dont shut down the call. Keep calling, switching to a pup-indistress sound. A coyote coming from another direction might not identify the location of the gunshot and keep on coming. Youll be ready for a second shot opportunity. If the coyote needs to be stopped to give you a solid shot opportunity, give a bark sound (woof), which will usually stop him. Remember to be quick on the stand with decisions. When a dog is visible, you have about three seconds to make the dispatch or he will become history. Always watch for birds, as they often follow approaching coyotes. Gary said I hold the record for the quickest dog to his call. Without question, Garys coyote school proved to be the best money Ive ever spent on a guide. He and Crystal are friendly, affable folks, eager to ensure that students are treated well. As the experience of their hospitality unfolded, I tried to think of reasons to prolong my stay; it was that good. Their cordial reception made an indelible impression on me. I now consider myself schooled on song dogs.
Conclusion
I concluded my hunt with three coyotes. The third was a large male with a white hue, which came to the call after 40 seconds.
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Vais Muzzle Brake
Most muzzle brakes reduce recoil, but none as quietly as the Vais.
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MICK PFLUM, IN
M ARK S
, TN ESSIONS
R SAM ME
A EDITH, C
PREDATOR XTREME
TRE X R O T A PRED
R XTREM
ME
BRIAN & DA
NIEL, PA
GARY WILLARD, NM
CHOICE AWARDS
The ballots are in and the votes have been tallied. There were a lot of close races this year. Read on to find out what gear hard-core predator hunters rely on when they are in the field hunting the hunter.
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READERS
PREDATO
BRONZE: Bushmaster
BOLT-ACTION RIFLE
GOLD: SILVER: Remington Savage Arms
BRONZE: Ruger
SHOTGUN
GOLD: SILVER: Remington Mossberg
BRONZE: Benelli
AIRGUN
GOLD: SILVER: Crosman Gamo
BRONZE: RWS
SHOTSHELLS
GOLD: SILVER: Winchester Remington and Federal tied
BRONZE: Hevi-Shot
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CLEANING KIT
GOLD: SILVER: Hoppes Otis
HUNTING PELLET
GOLD: SILVER: RWS and Crosman tied Gamo
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CLEANING SOLVENT
GOLD: SILVER: Hoppes Butchs Bore Shine
RELOADING BULLETS
GOLD: SILVER: Hornady Sierra
BRONZE: Nosler
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BRONZE: Hornady
POWDER
GOLD: SILVER: Hodgdon Alliant
AFTERMARKET TRIGGER
GOLD: SILVER: Timney Triggers Jewell Triggers
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AFTERMARKET BARREL
GOLD: SILVER: Shilen and Green Mtn. Rifle Barrels tied Douglas and Krieger tied
BRONZE: Hart
RIFLE SCOPE
GOLD: SILVER: Leupold Nikon
BRONZE: Burris
RED DOT
GOLD: SILVER: EOTech Aimpoint
BRONZE: Burris
REFLEX SIGHT
GOLD: SILVER: EOTech Burris
BRONZE: Leupold
BRONZE: Swarovski
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BRONZE: Nikon
SPOTTING SCOPE
GOLD: SILVER: Leupold Bushnell
BRONZE: Nikon
ELECTRONIC CALL
GOLD: SILVER: FOXPRO Primos
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DECOY
GOLD: SILVER: Mojo FOXPRO
BRONZE: Flambeau
MOUTH CALL
GOLD: SILVER: Primos Critr Call
BRONZE: Kicks
SHOOTING BENCH
GOLD: SILVER: Caldwell RCBS
SHOOTING TARGET
GOLD: SILVER: Birchwood Casey Caldwell
BRONZE: Champion
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GUN CASE
GOLD: SILVER: Plano Allen
BRONZE: Boyt
BIPODS/TRIPODS
GOLD: SILVER: Harris Engineering Caldwell and Bog Pod tied
BRONZE: Vanguard
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OUTERWEAR
GOLD: SILVER: Under Armour Carhartt
BRONZE: Filson
CAMO PATTERN
GOLD: SILVER: Realtree Mossy Oak
HUNTING VEST/BACKPACK
GOLD: SILVER: Badlands Primos
SCENT ELIMINATION
GOLD: SILVER: Hunters Specialties Wildlife Research Center
MISTING SCENT
GOLD: SILVER: Tinks Porath
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GROUND BLIND
GOLD: SILVER: Ameristep Primos Double Bull
BRONZE: Ghilliesuits.com
TRAIL CAM
GOLD: SILVER: Moultrie Bushnell
BRONZE: Cuddeback
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GPS
GOLD: SILVER: Garmin Magellan
BRONZE: Bushnell
BRONZE: Midway
BRONZE: Fur-Fish-Game
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CALLING IN MULTIPLES
I RECENTLY CALLED A SPOT BY MYSELF AND FIVE COYOTES CAME IN TOGETHER. As it happened, I stuck to my plan and managed to kill two of the five. It should have been three, but I will take two. Its not common in our area of Arkansas to call in more than three on a stand, so needless to say, I was surprised when five came charging in. I shot the farthest one first, allowing me time to get a second before the others could get out of range. Coyotes dont normally give you time for indecision, so again I say, have a plan before the opportunity arrives. There are a couple of schools of thought when dealing with multiples. One school of thought is to take the sure thing. That is, take the sure shot on the closest coyote, get that one for certain, and hope to get another. There is nothing wrong with that line of thinking, though I personally feel there is a better way. My personal plan is to get the farthest coyote first, then get the
Always go to the ki-ki or pup-distress sound after the first shot. It will often stop the other coyote or coyotes so you can make another shot.
next one. This allows you to make the hardest shot first, and the closer coyote(s) have farther to go to get away, giving you more time to collect another. Always go to a ki-yi or pup-distress sound immediately after the first shot. Many times this will stop another
When multiples come charging in, the author tries to shoot the farthest coyote first. Then the more difficult moving targets are a closer shot.
coyote after the shot, allowing you to get more than one. Another very important matter to attend to beforehand is that when you hunt with a partner, be certain you each know which coyote is yours. On more than one occasion we have called in a group of coyotes only to find two of us shoot the same coyote. Normally, it is best if the person on the left shoots the coyote on the left and vice versa. If one is a much better shot than another member of the party, it is beneficial if he takes the farthest of the group. Its not important who shoots what, as long as everyone knows which coyote to shoot. Whatever works for you is fine, as long as you all know ahead of time what is expected of you. Take the time to get everyone on the same sheet of music before the hunt. If you do, it will pay dividends with more fur on the ground. Good hunting!
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Maybell, Colorado
THE MAP SPREAD ACROSS THE HOOD OF MY COUSINS TRUCK IS AWASH IN YELLOW. Blue squares and rectangles are scattered about. So are odd shapes of white, rectangles and jutting squares that appear to be part of some sort of electronic game of blocks. A wash of purple stretches across the bottom right corner, a splash of green on the right edge, three blue ribbons snake their way across the paper. We are studying a land status map of northwest Colorado, a massive region of high desert transected by two rivers and one that forms the southern border. Blue squares indicate state school trust land. The purple shows Dinosaur National Monument and the green a national wildlife refuge along the Green River. Some of those white
squares, private ground, are surrounded by a vast field of yellow, land owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Its that yellow we are studying as we trace red lines indicating roads and obscure four-wheel-drive trails. For the past five days, my cousin Shannon and I have been hiking up and down juniper-studded slopes and glassing vast stretches of sage flats in search of a bull elk. It took me 22 years to draw a tag in Unit 2, one of the most coveted tags in the country in one of the best public elk hunting areas. Three days into the hunt, I punched my tag on a monster bull. That left me three more days before I had to catch
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FAST FACTS
LOCATION: Moffat County, Colo., is located in the upper northwest corner of the state. It is bordered by Wyoming and Utah. Dinosaur National Monument stretches across much of the southern boundary of the area, which is closed to hunting. ACCOMMODATIONS: The county population is about 14,000, but most residents live in and around Craig, the county seat and the largest town in the region. Maybell, Colo., is the closest town near the bulk of the public land. However, it consists of a handful of houses, a gas station/convea plane home from Denver. Whats a man armed with free time, a rifle and surplus ammo supposed to do? The answer was obvious; elk arent the only game in this area. Coyotes are abundantly scattered about, too. That became obvious two days before elk season opened when my cousin and I were scouring the landscape for elk sign. An hour after we split up to glass different valleys on the first day of scouting, I heard two shots ring out from the general direction of my cousins truck. I heard coyotes howling, so I went back to the truck and got my call and rifle, said Shannon. Two came running in almost before I put my call down. He dumped the first one just 25 yards from where he sat; the second one turned to run. It didnt make it very far. Both trotted off private ground we skirted in our effort to find elk. Once I punched my elk tag, my cousin and I shifted our attention to coyotes. Finding
nience store, a post office and a few other businesses. The town does have a clean, affordable campground with showers and full hook-ups. Camping is available throughout the BLM land, but there is no potable water. LICENSE INFORMATION: Annual nonresident small game or furbearer license: $56 Habitat stamp (required for all hunters and anglers): $10 NEED TO KNOW: Most of the region is BLM land, but private property is scattered throughout. Get a land status map and pay attention to property boundaries. A GPS loaded with the perfect places to call was simply a matter of studying the map. Sometimes it took little more than windshield time and an eye on the landscape to find what we were looking for. Other stands were the result of careful consideration of terrain, proximity to private land (and cattle) or distance from the few well-traveled roads in the area. The only problem? It all looks good. But with 1,200 square miles of mostly public land, thats not really a problem. We didnt find a coyote at every stand. In fact, some areas creek bottoms that held water and rough country far away from public roads, for instance looked like they should have been crawling with coyotes. Despite our best effort, some spots simply didnt surrender even a sighting. But thats predator hunting, isnt it? The region is ideal coyote country: a vast mix of rolling hills, rugged and remote draws, large flats and rough
land status software will help you navigate around posted ground. County roads are gravel, but trails that cut across BLM land are dirt and can get nasty in wet weather. Some BLM roads cut across private property. It is illegal to drive across private ground to access public land. Four-wheel drive isnt mandatory, but it can help. RESOURCES: Colorado Division of Wildlife: www.wildlife.state.co.us Bureau of Land Management Craig, Colorado: www.blm. gov/co/st/en/fo/lsfo.html Craig, Colorado: www.craig-chamber.com
mountains that hold lots of elk, some mule deer and a handful of antelope. Juniper trees dominate the landscape, but tall pines dot the higher elevations and sagebrush and grass flats are scattered throughout. Water, however, is scarce. Most of it ponds, a few creeks and three rivers lies on the white, purple or green blocks on the map, but in many instances, huntable land comes close to the water. A few ponds and creeks are actually on public ground. Thats a good place to start. Water isnt just important to coyotes, its vital to the things that coyotes eat, including cattle. Coyotes shadow cows as they wait to pick off wayward calves or lame adults. Ranchers do run their herds on public ground, but those landowners who keep cows on their own property can be willing, even grateful, for a coyote hunter to keep the predators in check. Because its a mix of private and BLM land open to the
WWW.PREDATORXTREME.COM FEBRUARY 2014
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PASSPORT TO ADVENTURE
Northwest Colorado is littered with public land that is full of coyotes.
public, the region is laced with everything from rogue ATV trails to semi-improved roads maintained by landowners and the federal government. Thats not ideal for coyotes, which tend to shy away from human intrusion. The good news is that with one of the low-
est human population densities in the entire state, along with extremely light hunting pressure, the coyotes dont seem to mind those trails. We learned that after my cousin and I made a quick stand at the intersection of two Jeep trails, both with fresh tire tracks
in them. A coyote trotted in within five minutes of our first calls. The dog circled downwind through the dense waist-high sagebrush, offering only intermittent glimpses of his ears as he bounced through the cover. There was no doubt he would soon wind us and disappear. I considered a Hail Mary through the brush as I tracked the coyote in the scope, but there was no point in crippling an animal, not even an animal as reviled by some as a coyote. I backed off the trigger, lifted my head and watched it wheel and run through the sage. It might be a long time before I draw another elk tag, but I wont have to wait 22 years for another opportunity to hunt coyotes in northwest Colorado. All I have to do is buy a license and study a map.
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SHOPPERS GUIDE
Liberty ammunition
Liberty Ammunition has announced a second shift for production of ammunition. The .223 Silverado ammunition, Libertys first round in its new hunting line, is included in the increased production runs. The high demand for quality, American-made ammunition has increased over the past several months as several states have legislated strict laws regulating lead in traditional ammunition and California being the first state to ban lead ammunition.Libertys high-performance, leadfree ammunition has twice the effective range of standard ammo, provides up to 16% less felt recoil and is considerably lighter weight when carried in loaded magazines. www.libertyammo.com polymer tip which improves upon external ballistics by increasing ballistic coefficient from .373 to .420. The tip also improves terminal ballistics by increasing uniformity of performance and penetration when the projectile arrives on target. represents the proprietary chemistry named Copper Fouling Eraser, was developed for U.S. rapid fire military systems. Whatever your game is as a top gun competitor or target plinker you will benefit significantly with longer periods of top accuracy with less barrel cleaning time and minimal muzzle flash. www.hodgdon.com
www.black-hills.com
redding reloading
The 17 Hornet is the hottest new cartridge of the year and handloaders are excited to get going on load development. A serious problem is the apparent lack of a high precision BR type of powder measure to handle the very light charge weights. Redding solves this by offering their Competition Model 10x Powder measure, which has an operating range from 1 grain to approximately 25 grains of powder. 607-753-3331 www.redding-reloading.com
wolf ammunition
WOLF Performance Ammunition announces that its Brass case .223 REM. FMJ is now available. As with all WOLF GOLD calibers the .223 Rem. offers premium performance in a reloadable case. The characteristics of the .223 REM FMJ are: 55 gr, Copper jacket, Boxer primed with a Muzzle Velocity of 3240 feet per second. 888-757-WOLF (9653) www. wolfammo.com
Neco
NEW! NECO DaVinci Precision CNC Turned Soft Brass Match-Grade Bullets. VLD Design.Extremely Close Tolerances for Superior Accuracy. High B.C. High lubricity compared to copper. Precision Meplate with precise Hollow Point. Jacketed bullets cannot match CNC consistency. Available in .264 dia. 107 grain and 120 grain. 800-451-3550; www.neconos.com
K&m Products
K&M offers many precision tools for handloading. K&Ms inside neck deburring tool deburrs without leaving a wire-edge, is infinitely adjustable, and is guided. K&Ms flash hole deburring tool is equally excellent. The most popular tool is the outsideneck-turner (ONT) with the Dreaded Donut Remover pilot (removes pinch inside base of neck). Not only does the K&M ONT system allow one to size necks perfectly for ideal, concentric turning, but it also provides for precise and repeatable turned-neck thickness. 616-399-7894; www.kmshooting.com
Lightield ammunition
Lightfield Ammunition is causing hunters to squeal with delight because of the new 12-gauge tactical Boar-Buster sabot round. Packing a 465-grain pure lead slug that shoots flatter than a Kansas parking lot, this controlled-expansion slug uses an impactdiscarding sabot to punch through the thickest hide and bone, sending those tough tuskers off to hog heaven. Leaving the shotgun muzzle at 1600 feet-per-second, the Boar-Buster puts porkers in danger at distances that arent normally considered shotgun territory. Boasting over 2600 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle, the Boar-Buster retains more than 1000 pounds of hard-hitting impact at 100 yards.
ProGrade ammunition
ProGrade Range Grade Ammunition is a handpicked selection of ammunition chosen with the range and recreational shooter in mind. Delivering repeated consistency and accuracy, bullets in this series promise not to break the bank, an important factor when getting acquainted with a new firearm or spending a long day at the range refining your shot. The ProGrade Range Grade series includes a wide variety of calibers and bullet weights including an extensive range of lead-free frangible ammunitions. Like all ammunition selected by ProGrade, Range Grade rounds are loaded in the United States with the tightest tolerances in the industry. 435-865-5995; www.progradeammo.com
western Powders
Western Powders is pleased to announce the release of its new Reloading and Load Data Guide, Edition 5.0. With a new style and format, our guide provides data for some of the newest cartridges and powders, along with expanded sections for old favorites. The manual also features Blackhorn 209 in both muzzleloaders and classic black powder metallic cartridges. You can order the guide for $2.99 (to cover shipping and handling) at www.westernpowders.com
www.litd.com
Hodgdon Powder
Hodgdon announces a new addition to the CFE family of propellants called CFE PISTOL. Just like its rifle powder counterpart, CFE223, CFEPISTOL greatly deters copper fouling round after round! CFE, which
atK/Federal ammunition
Varmint and small game hunters require an accurate load that downs the critter in ts tracks. Two new offerings in the Federal Premium V-Shok lineup
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Precision relex
The PRI Run Out Rig (ROR) is a simple to use, rugged device that measures the concentricity or alignment of the bullet to the cartridge case and gives the user the means to correct the bullet alignment. Locating from the bullet tip and the base rim, the ROR is able to check and correct cartridges from the .221 Fireball to the .50 BMG. Cut your cost by improving cheaper ammos accuracy and tighten groups. 419-629-2603; www. precisionreex.com
Predator International
Predator International, said that the hottest category within the air gun industry is the larger caliber guns. Last year the .25 caliber guns took off like crazy and this year he expects the .30 and .35 caliber guns to do the same. He said that JSB, a Czech based manufacturer of high quality pellets, has begun manufacturing the .30 and .35 caliber pellets to match the demand created by these new monster air guns.
winchester
Coyote and varmint hunters all over North America are howling in approval of Varmint X, the new line of predator and varmint ammunition from Winchester. Varmint X combines the legendary excellence for which Winchester is known with todays latest technology, resulting in a cartridge designed specifically for the demands of predator and varmint hunters. just in time for prime coyote hunting. www.winchester.com
Nosler Inc.
Nosler Inc., announces its new Nosler DEFENSE line of handgun and rifle ammunition loaded with Noslers new Bonded PERFORMANCE bullets. Handgun bullets will be available in Nosler DEFENSE handgun
www.predatorpellets.com
armscor
Armscor is a leading supplier of .223 REM ammunition for Bolt Action Varmint Rifles and the popular semi-automatic AR-15 Platform. Perfect for law enforcement, home defense,
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SHOPPERS GUIDE
the Armscor .223 REM is also a popular and costeffective choice for avid target shooters. Armscor offers the .223 in both FullMetal-Jacket and Soft-Point Bullet options. www.armscorusa.com
barnes bullets
Barnes Bullets LLC is proud to announce a new 120 grain offering in addition to the current 110 grain TAC-TX in VORTX Ammunition and component lines. The new products will be made available in February 2014. Features of the 120 grain TAC-TX include a specially designed profile that ensures flawless magazine-length loading in AR rifles, a boattail base to increase the ballistic coefficient and the proven solid-copper construction pioneered by Barnes that ensures consistent terminal performance through barriers and thick skinned game making it an excellent choice for big game hunting as well as defense initiatives. www.barnesbullets.com
and other items for the popular Modern Sporting Rifle platform. The now-famous Brownells Dream Guns also appear in the catalog to help give customers ideas for personalizing their AR-platform rifles. To receive a catalog free of charge, simply visit the catalog section of the Brownells website. 800741-0015; www.brownells.com
Hornady
The Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder is designed for the Lock-N-Load AP reloading press. Sold as a complete unit for 22 caliber bullets, a conversion kit for 30 caliber bullets is also available, giving the reloader the versatility to load the two most popular calibers. Plus, its compatible with other presses and uses the industry standard 7814 die threads. The Bullet Feeder Die is case activated; the bullet will only feed upon contact with the case. One station is used to feed, seat and crimp the bullet. Turn your progressive reloading press into a bench mounted ammo factory! www.hornady. com
brownells
With a majority of its AR-15 parts and accessories in-stock and ready to ship, Brownells The Worlds Largest Supplier of Firearms Accessories, Ammunition and Gunsmithing Tools is proud to announce its long-awaited AR-15 Catalog #9 has been released. AR-15 #9 is packed with more than 2,600 of the newest and best-selling optics, accessories, magazines,
remington
Remingtons Hog Hammer line will be loaded for the .223 Rem., .300 Blackout, .30 Remington AR, .30-30 Win., .30-06 Sprg., .
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new products
.308 Win. and the .450 Bushmaster. The entire Hog Hammer line is loaded with the well-known Barnes Triple Shock bullet, which offers deep penetration and near double diameter expansion. www.remington.com smooth and stable movement from extreme angles left to right with minimal body movement. Combined with a tension adjustable up/down tilt function, the rest easily allows for precise alignment across the entire range of possible shooting angles. The upper portion of the rest adjusts in length and balance point to accommodate any gun or crossbow. The universal mounting base consists of two steel plates and a height adjustable center support shaft that securely attach to most any tree stand platform. 877-509-9160; www.CaldwellShooting.com This new Single Rifle Case is also available in 3i-4909-SR-T Tan or 3i-4909-SR-M Military Green and is made in the USA. 800-654-5992; www.skbcases.com/sports
utG
The D-grip quick release bipod grip from UTG is a foregrip that transforms into a bipod in a matter of seconds, perfect for taking the shooter out of a CQB environment and propelling them into one that requires precise long range shooting. The deployable legs fold out from the back with the push of a button. This grip is extremely durable too. Aside from being a heavy duty bipod, the foregrip is extremely comfortable with state-ofthe-art ergonomics and provides a non-slip grip with its rubberized surface. www.leapers.com
Sierra bullets
Customers have been asking us for years to make a 6.5mm and 7mm version of our very popular 30 caliber 165-grain HPBT GameKing and we are happy to say we have fulfilled that request. Just like their 30-caliber cousin, these bullets will be ideal for midsized game with standard and magnum calibers. The thicker jacket promotes deep penetration while the skives at the meplat provide reliable expansion. 800-223-8799; sierra@sierrabullets.com
New ProductS
The DeadShot TreePod provides true benchrest accuracy from any treestand. The innovative multi bearing swing arm system provides
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SHOPPERS GUIDE
NEW PRODUCTS
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outpost
Feather light carbon fiber bi-pods Simple Fast Effective Quick attach snow baskets Two models available
www.jbprooutfitters.com
Eliminate the Enemy - Recoil
NEW! Tactical Rie Brake Reduce Recoil by 65% on most .30 Caliber Ries!
$210.00
Williams Guide Series Brakes are blended to your Barrels contour so they look like part of the barrel. We also carry AR-15 & AR-10 Brakes. Varmint Brakes and Guide Series Brakes are available for the same low price. No gunsmithing AR Brakes .223 and .308 are $95.00. Custom Gunsmithing and Repair Services.
Williams Gunsight Co 7389 Lapeer Rd PO Box 329 Davison MI 48423 800-530-9028 810-653-2131 www.williamsgunsight.com
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H u N t e r S
c o m P a S S
Unlimited shooting on several of Wyomings premiere dog hunting towns 300 to 500 shots a day! LodgingisunlimitedinSheridan Other Hunts Available
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437CastleRidgeDr.Lewistown,MT59457
406-366-3858 LimitedBookingsAvailable
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JUDD COONEY
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