New Benelli MRl Is Varmint-Hunting Ready

Scout Without Doubt
• Dog Track
Coyote Sign ID
How docs one know the difference
between the tracks left by Wile E.
Coyote and his domestic cousin,
I'ido? It's really quite simple. A
coyote's tracks are shaped like
an arrowhead while his cousin's
are rounder. If a canine track
is longer than its width, you're
likely looking at a coyote or fox
print, depending on size. Another
telltale sign is the way the animal
walks. As Johnny Cash "walks the
line" so does a coyote. His steps
resemble a perfect dotted line
upon the interstate while Fido'S
tend to look like the town drunk,
staggered and wandering. In deep
snow, coyotes rarely drag a foot in
or out of his track. A dog will often
leave scuffs in front or behind his
lazy print, nearly connecting the
dots without intent.
48 ww HicritiiKMccw kimuhm
Another way to tell is often left Ix'hind to collect upon the
Vibram sole of your favorite hunting boots. Coyote scat is very
distinguishable from scat of a domestic dog. There's not a dog fcxxl
on the market that contains bits of bone and chunks of hair. It's
always interesting to see what passes through the bowels of
a coyote. One day in my travels, I was amazed to find an antelope
fawn hoof no larger than a pair of almonds. The shape is also a
dead giveaway. Coyote scat is segmented and drastically tapered
at both end, sometimes resembling a linked sausage with a
highly unpleasing smell. The older the scat, the harder it becomes.
When it's extremely old, it turns as white as Santa's beard as it
begins to decompose.
—- -
Where's Ihe Beef?
Coyotes and cattle are seemingly attached at the hip. When I find a
large herd of slow-moving beef in a rural area, I know there's a pack
of coyotes somewhere near its flanks. As a general rule, at anytime
of day or night there will Ix* a coyote within a mile radius of those
cattle. There are several reasons for this. Coyotes are very efficient
diners. They eat a well-balanced diet anytime they can. A cow pie
holds a lot of nutrients, including undigested grains and seeds, quick
and easy pickings for a busy scavenger — not to mention all the
other vermin and fowl that peck through the same pie. There's always
something for a coyote to fill his belly. During calving season, coyotes
indulge in a smorgasbord of afterbirth, stillborn calves, and even live
ones when they can get away with it. Coyotes are opportunists and
when the dinner table is already set, they can't resist.
My livelihood depends entirely upon my success while pursuing
predators. In a world with limited time and a diminishing dollar, it
is paramount that I spend both wisely. It's been my experience that
any time you have available to commit to scouting, will be time well
spent. If you follow these simple, but effective scouting techniques,
coupled with your own proven tactics, a world of opportunity may
unfold before you. Good Scouting!
Visit us online at www.PredatorXtreme.com for more info.
Coyotes fe«d on a
. 1 -large
variety of food
ound in and around
cattle grating areas. 1 Thoroughly scout these
r I locations !< for coyotcs.
fn'KWff'
NEW F9R 2010!
10 &12 GAUGE #4B I 88B
nXTENDED RANGES?
0UT T0 70 PLUS YARDS
W i / # * W N y M E T A L r
Mattrial Stitmtt f*r J BtHtr l/aml'
NEARLY TWICE AS EFFECTIVE PATTERNS
AS CONVENTIONAL LOADS. J L
For more information on HEVI'SHOT DEAD COYOTE!", Visit us online at www.hevishot.com