Afternoon Hunt with a Coyote Clinic student

Yesterday I headed out for an afternoon hunt with one of the most recent Coyote Clinic graduates, Mike. Canyon hunting was our goal, to see if we could get a fox or a bobcat on stand. Our first stand had us both sitting high on the rocks overlooking a dry wash, and about 10 minutes into the stand a gray fox showed up. But he was acting a little odd - he would run to the edge of the rocks and look down at the caller and decoy, then he would run back up through the brush higher in the rocks and perch up on a large piece of granite, surveying the entire area. I was enjoying watching him run and bounce back and forth, which went on for about 5 minutes, all within shotgun distance. Finally on his third trip to the edge of the rocks, when he stopped to look down into the wash at the caller, he was less than 20 yards away and I dropped him with the 12 gauge. Mike had been able to see most of what was happening but wasn't sure if he could make a shot, as he mostly saw the fox either on the move or just his head as he'd peer over the edge. This type of behavior is not typical for foxes, as in my experience they either commit or they don't, and typically make that decision pretty quickly. The next fox that we had on stand would prove this point well.

Fox #1

Two more stands took us deeper into the canyon, but to no avail, so we headed back to the truck. At the very next stand Mike got a chance to see what true commitment looks like, or what I like to refer to as "coming in on a string". After jumping a rowdy group of javelina on our hike in, we setup in a small wash, with big hills all around us. Around the 5 minute mark, I heard Mike's rifle fire . . . . once . . . . twice . . . . three times. I didn't have much time to ponder whether that meant he missed or was shooting a triple, as a fox came busting through the brush to my left, about 25 yards away, headed straight for the caller at 100mph! I hit him with the shotgun, and after a few more minutes of calling but no more response, I signaled to Mike that we were done. What I found out then was what happened in the area that I couldn't see: the fox had come in with total commitment, as fast as he could run, and when he got close to the call Mike fired. The first shot didn't phase him and he continued in, so Mike fired again. That one changed his mind and as he headed away Mike took his third shot. It was a good lesson about zero distance and holdovers - with the type of predator hunting that I do here in AZ, most of my shots are well under 50 yards - in fact, a lot of them are under 50 feet! This makes a 100 yard zero and certain optics difficult to work with. But before Mike could beat himself up too much about it, the fox rounded the bush he had jumped behind and came back for more! That's when I saw him and helped him take a dirt nap. Another lesson learned about how just because there are shots fired, or even animals down, doesn't mean that the calling should stop.

Fox #2

Our last stand was a 'sundown stand', meaning that we just stayed there until the shooting light faded - unfortunately, no more critters showed up. All in all it was an enjoyable hunt with a great guy who is now hooked on predator hunting. We uncovered some new terrain, saw some beautiful AZ desert vistas, and put some fur in the dirt!

Happy Hunting!

First Fox! Coyote Clinic student gets some fur in the dirt!

It hasn't even been a week after Coyote Clinic ended, and already a student has dropped their first fox. Here's the story in his words:

No luck on my first stand so I moved around a thick and rocky ridge. Remembering the lesson about stand selection and E caller placement, I set up and started calling. 

The Fox shot in like he was on crack in about 45 seconds. I then realized my view was partially blocked by a bush and grass (amateur!) but he popped out on the other side and I got him in the grass. 10 yard shot, super fast.

Awesome job on stand selection and calling, and good shooting, Devin!

Happy Hunting!

Another Successful Coyote Clinic!

Another Coyote Clinic is done and in the bag, with more hunters ready to get out there and put some fur in the dirt!

Lots of different camo patterns to consider! AR500 coyote target provided by Mr. Target.

For the field day this time around, we had several foxes to skin, and after a quick demonstration, these hunters jumped right in to get the job done!

Jason, one of the hunters at the Coyote Clinic, couldn't wait to get out there and do some calling, and shared this with me the very next day on the Independence Training Facebook page:

I just wanted to give a quick shout out to Glen and thank both he and Independence Training for putting on Coyote Clinic this past weekend. I couldn't wait to get home and try using the principles taught in class right away. In fact, I didn't wait! On Monday evening (the day after training ended) I went out to the desert near where I live and used 6 of the principles I learned in class to call in a coyote in under 2 minutes. No joke! If you want quality training I definitely recommend you check these guys out. I couldn't be happier.

Excellent job, Jason! Next time, I expect you to drop the hammer and send me some pictures!

Happy Hunting!

5 Gray Fox in 5 Minutes

It's been awhile since I posted any predator pics, so here's a fun story from earlier this week.

I hiked back about a mile from the end of a dirt road in the middle of nowhere and into a canyon that looked like a good spot for some critters to be living in. It was a nice clear day, mid-80's, 1-3mph wind, around 1pm. I took my rifle instead of the shotgun because I was anticipating some longer shots, but when I got back there it was pretty thick. I setup my FoxPro and Quiver Critter decoy about 30m away in some tall grass where animals would be forced to expose themselves if they wanted to get closer, and started with some bird distress sounds.

About 3 mins in, fox #1 shows up and heads straight for the decoy - I shoot him about 3 feet from the decoy (red is fox, yellow is decoy and caller):

Less than a minute later, fox #2 shows up from the same location and runs to the decoy and attacks it - I shoot it off of the decoy (no bullet hole in the Quiver Critter - hooray!). Another minute and fox #3 creeps up behind me - I catch him from the corner of my eye and try to swing on him but he sees my head move and heads for the brush at 100mph. I got him in the scope but not lined up:

I switch to fox distress to try and bring back fox #3 (it's worked well in the past). Another minute and fox #4 (or #3?) suddenly pops up in front of the decoy - shot to the neck and he's down. Fast forward another minute, and here comes fox #5:

I got it all on GoPro (first time I've used it for hunting) so that video will get edited at some point. 5 foxes showed in 5 minutes, and 4 went down with 5 shots (shot fox #2 twice - turned out to not be needed but I didn't want him running off). I didn't have to move much for the shots - they were all killed within a 10ft radius, as evidence by my ejection pattern:

All in all, it was a helluva stand, and a great opportunity to test out my new SJK Carbine 2500 pack, which I had been hiking with that morning. It carries the carbine easily, as well as all of my other gear, which was nice considering that I had to carry 4 foxes a mile back to the truck, which was out of the canyon, through several washes, and brush busting through some nasty stuff.

The foxes with one of my favorite decoys, and survivor of a straight-up fox attack, the Quiver Critter from Lucky Duck.

Taking a break about halfway back to the truck - I only had one pelt packer, so all four foxes' feet are jammed in the carrier loops.

Happy Hunting!

Western Whitetail article: Silence is Golden

The new issue of Western Whitetail is out (Early Season 2014), and my "Make The Shot" column in this issue takes a look at why using silencers/suppressors for hunting is a huge benefit to everyone, including those who don't like suppressors or don't own any (yet). You can read the article in full by clicking here or on the image of the first page below.

Want more info about Western Whitetail magazine? Visit their website.

Standard subscription rate is $12.99, but if you're interested in a FREE subscription to Western Whitetail, Independence Training can help you with that! Contact us to find out how to get it - Contact Info Here.


Happy (Silent) Hunting!

An Oldie But A Goodie: Coyote takes Cat from backyard in Scottsdale, AZ in broad daylight

It's 4 years old, but interesting nonetheless. Just another reason that coyotes need to be thinned out as much as possible, though it seems to be a fight we'll never win.

Video imbed wouldn't work for this one, so you'll have to click the link. The comments below the video are priceless: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXYOvqt48VE

Happy Hunting!

Red Fox and Natural Camo

I have been on a quest for a red fox for awhile now. I live in AZ, where red fox are only in a small portion of the state, and even there they are very uncommon and difficult to hunt. I travel to CO every year to see family, but it's always in the summer time, when red fox pelts would not be good for keeping. Only once have I been there during the winter, and in two days of calling all we called in were stinking coyotes! Last week I was in CO and spotted this red fox out in a field - too much of a summer coat to want to do anything about it, but in observing him (almost drove right past) I was interested in how well the natural camo of the fox helped to blend him in with his surroundings.

So often when I'm out hunting I wear neutral colors with some basic (usually mil surp) camo. Often I hear hunters talk about how important it is that you have the latest and greatest camo, but based on my experience (which is rather extensive) and plenty of opportunities to see critters like this red fox blending in very well with no Multicam, I guess I'd have to disagree.

(click for larger image)

Happy Hunting!

Western Whitetail article: Basic Gear for Precision Shooting

The new issue of Western Whitetail is out (Spring 2014), and my "Make The Shot" column in this issue takes a look at how to set yourself and your rifle up for success before and during the hunt. You can read the article in full by clicking here.

Want more info about Western Whitetail magazine? Visit their website.

Standard subscription rate is $12.99, but if you're interested in a FREE subscription to Western Whitetail, go here and enter the code GETWWFREE: http://www.magzter.com/coupon/redeem 


Happy Hunting!

Coyote Clinic 2014 - Sept 27/28

Coyote Clinic is back for 2014! September 27 and 28 in Prescott Valley, AZ, and this session will be better than ever! Click on the image below for a larger version so that you can get all of the details. You can also view a PDF version of the details by clicking here.

*Youth discounts and Active military discounts are available.*

(click on above image to enlarge)

Don't wait until it's too late to enroll - Register Today by sending a message here: http://www.independencetraining.com/contact-us/]http://www.independencetraining.com/contact-us/

Coyote Clinic graduates have more success in the field! Check out just a few of their success stories and pictures: 

Triple Fox - http://rizzoisready.blogspot.com/2013/01/first-fox-turns-into-triple-fox.html

First Coyote - http://rizzoisready.blogspot.com/2013/12/another-coyote-clinic-student-bags.html

First Coyote - http://rizzoisready.blogspot.com/2013/11/coyote-clinic-graduate-drops-first.html

First Coyote - http://rizzoisready.blogspot.com/2013/10/coyote-clinic-graduate-dumps-his-first.html

You can read a little about our last Coyote Clinic, back in Sept 2013: http://rizzoisready.blogspot.com/2013/10/coyote-clinic-2013-another-successful.html

And the year before that in May 2012: http://rizzoisready.blogspot.com/2012/06/coyote-clinic-2012-round-2-success.html

Coyote Gets Dumped at 1860 Yards

I just realized it's been a while since I posted on this blog (I've been busy with training), but here's something I wanted to share. While it may not be my style of hunting, since I like to get as close as possible, this type of shooting is impressive.

Happy Hunting!