coyote shot selection question????

[dawnpatrol]

Well tonight i called in my 4th coyote of my career.

i still manage to screw up my shots!!!!!!!! resulting in my 0-4 record w/ these crazy critters

Here's my question.......this one tonight was coming in on a string, but for some apparent reason when he stopped @ 150-200 (using a 22-250 sighted in a 100 yards) i figured it would be a good time to shoot and miss.....so here are my questions for you guys....

1. What redzone for shooting should i have pulled him into Yardage wise before peeling off a round?

2. I have had coyotes come in about everymood known to man......whizing and yawning(scope froze over).....on top of me (complete miss @ 20 yards) and high balling after seeing something it apparently did not like..........MY Question is what are some behavior to key in when they are coming in to help evaluate when i should pull the trigger?

3. do you guys have a sound you like to make to stop them?

any tips are appreciated.....i need to spend sometime shooting my rifle and get ready for the next time??


Thanks

the choker

[Decatur]

As far as a "red zone" that would be whatever range you know you can make a clean, one shot kill. 75 yards for some, 400 yds for others. Just because a 22-250 will kill a yote at 400 yds, sure doesn't mean I'd take that shot. Personally, I like shots under 200 yds. The second question is pretty much answered with what I just said. As soon as you have a clear shot, within you and your weapons range, whack 'em! The third question, my answer would be a mouse squeak. Either with your mouth, sucking on the back of your hand or with a bulb type sqeaker call. The sqeaker is also a good call to satrt out with when you first set up at a location. If there are any predators close by, they'll come in to the squeak.

[matahone]

Knowing when to shoot will come with time. What I mean by this is the body language they are giving when coming in. Pay attention to how they are acting evin in the off season or when ever you are near them toy with them. See how they act just before they bolt. Your biggest enemy when hunting them is movement. They will pick that up instantly. Also like Decatur said "what your gun and you are comfortable with".

To make them stop when they are in your shoot zone, make a barking sound with your voice. That is how I stop them. I have tried kissing at them and whistling and it spun them on a dime and sent them into the next County. Barking at them like a dog usually stops them but be ready to shoot as soon as they stop.

[oneshot]

You using shooting sticks? If not ya might want to give 'em a try.

[dawnpatrol]

oneshot,

lol, um........perfect rest on my bi-pod shooting stick.....next time im going to keep my eyes open.

DP

[Flatlander54]

Might wanna re-check the zero on your rifle. If it's zero'ed where you want it, then maybe you just need to get some trigger time in. Set up in realistic hunting situations if possible...if not then set up as close to realistic as you can on your shooting range. If you shoot with cross-sticks while sitting on the ground, then practice that way. Test yourself out at 200 yards...and be honest with yourself on the results. If your not hitting consistently enough while shooting in a relaxed setting at a range, then your most likely not going to fair any better when your actually lookin at your quarry through your scope and your heartrate and breathing rate goes up.
Practice as much as possible and get familiar with your rifle/scope/load and what they will do at different yardages....and look at it this way...Im a beginning coyote hunter also, but Ive yet to even call one in. ;D Good luck, hope this helps.

[bramer89]

The distance to shoot them is all up to where your sited in at and feel comfortable at. I prefer to get them into less than a hundred yards so i can if i miss hopefully get a second shot. To stop them when they come running in close i lick the top of my hand between my thumb and pointer finger and suck on it alittle to make it sound like a mouse squeaking. but if you shoot and miss and they start to bail on you you can sometimes get them to stop for a second shot if you just do a bark with your mouth. Kinda makes them think twice about what just happened and slow down sometimes. Good luck and i hope you can score one