MT_Sourdough

Dog gone it!!! 1-800-psychic was wrong.

Once the packs become established, then the pack sends off rovers every year. They're usually males and they can wander hundreds of miles. They venture off to find new area to repopulate. They are like trailblazers. Once they go through an area others will follow the same path, even years later. Don't think these desert wolves are going to hold up at these targeted reintroduction areas. Due to the scarcity of game herds in this part of the country, I'm thinking they're going to lock onto each herd they find until they've obliterated it. Much more big country (water sources, cover, mountain ranges and vast road-less areas) in places like Idaho, Montana and Wyoming then what you all have down here. I think the impact here is going to be more significant here then up there.

1-800-psychic says Monday at 3pm

Ok, I went and relaxed, took a deep breath and let rational sink in. Wolves can have and probably will have an impact on AZ numbers. This is very true, but when I saw those numbers 750-1000 my head nearly exploded. I've been through this before back in Montana. Folks just say "Don't worry". When I hear that this time around, the hair on the back of my neck starts to stand up.

When I think about it, I do not think there is any way in H-E-double hockey sticks that this state could sustain a 1000 wolves. Just no way. That's gotta be a mistake. I've seen the damage a dozen wolves can do on wintering herds. Yikes.

Oh, I forgot to mention. It's our money that's paying for this. My face is a bit red right now.

Heck, you think coyotes are decimating the numbers of game in the state? Just wait till the wolves take over. No more hunting. No more shooting. Buy a BMW and take up golf. Excuse me I just threw-up in my mouth.

I did not expect to be drawn so I wasn't that anxious up until the card got hit, but now I am gnawing at the bit waiting to see what I drew.

I heard it was $20 for every point you don't have. I couldn't afford that so I threw in gift certificates for all you can eat buffet.

Man I want to know where I drew fer, 'cause I wanna go scout'n right now!

I have a whopping 2 points and I got hit. Of course that is because my name begins with a B, I used a cc and I used the secret "insiders code" with my app.

Way to go! 7 year drought? Your perseverance is inspiring. I am not seeing a single pig for a second javelina season and I am a bit frustrated. I am not giving up and I know I am getting closer. 3 more days Thanks for sharing your story and congratulations.

19a for me. Been scouting the area for almost two months and then everything changed about two weeks ago. I think the dry conditions are making them move. I found an area today with plenty of fresh sign so I'll be on point at sun up. I'm using my Marlin 444 with a 187gr Chino Valley bullet doing about 2000fps on the dot. The "javelina" round is loaded down using the 187gr CV making a load for the 444 ballistically similar to a 30-30. It stays flat to 100 yards which is plenty for the purpose. The only weakness is wind. A low ballistic co-efficient and low velocity makes it a sail. With crosswinds above 10mph, I'll want to keep the distance to under 80 yards. I hope I get to report some terminal ballistics.

I have been out scouting for javelina and I have seem to notice that when cattle are moved into a new range, the javelina relocate into a surrounding range where the cattle are not. So, I was wondering if other folk have noticed the same thing or is there a different explanation that is eluding me?

That is interesting. I was thinking about a subtle competition for food sources, but your story seems to suggest the probability of a more direct conflict. hmmm...? It seems that javelina are more of a competitor with cattle than are mule deer. I still have a lot to learn about these desert pigs, but this could be valuable knowledge if it is true.

Attacks are not that rare at least not where I am from, Western Montana. We have had several conflicts between humans and cats, but despite being tough mofos, they are scaredy cats. One 9 year old was attacked and his 13 year old brother fought the cat off with a stick. Most of the serious issues are with children or smaller adults. I am not afraid of cats because their track record is not scary. I haven't seen a lot of sign lately but my first couple of years here in AZ, I got stocked on a few occasions, but that is what cats do. They are curious. They are around people way more than people realize. They're really slick.

I have a question for ya'all. Now I have definitely located a pack den, but they might have been spooked. How long should I let them cool down before I go after them again?

Somebody's got some fox skills. That's awesome,a sleeping-in triple.

Furs look clean, what did you shoot them with?

Today, I got my first confirmed response to my Primos Alpha Dogg. The changing wind had me wandering off into a different direction than I was planning and I was having a difficult time finding a good place to set-up. I tried a couple different sets early, but ended them quick, because I realized they weren't any good. Too tight. But on my third and final set, I had immediate response from a coyote followed by a serenade of multiple coyotes. They were really close, but they were down wind of the caller and I believe they caught wind from the caller cause they were a coming. I had the set up anticipating approaches from my left or directly in front. For that reason, I set the caller and decoy more to the right side of my window. The coyotes came from the right and I didn't have a view to the direction they were coming. So, I am getting close. No Cigar, but I am going to get a kill soon. I did get plenty of exercise.

I will say that my impression of Primos customers service is not great as many have already suggested. FoxPro has an e-mail tech support, Primos does not. Plus, I have tried a couple of occasions attempted to download sounds to my Alpha Dogg to no avail. I am not the most computer savvy person, but they sure make it a fairly easy to pay for their sounds, but like with their product, they seem to care less once they get your money. Obviously I am quickly rethinking my purchase of the Alpha Dogg, not because of the call itself, but largely based on the culture of the Primos Corp.

While I am still just lurn'n myself how to hunt predators, I have not had any problems with my Alpha Dogg. Not loud enough? Are you kidding me, this thing is loud. I have never turned the volume up all the way yet. The range with the remote is longer than I have used it and I have used it out to around 100 yards while it was tucked in bushes. As far as sound quality is concerned, I do not know how it rates to a Fox Pro. It's good, but does sound kinda like it's coming from a tunnel. Foxpro may sound similar I do not know. There is nothing better than sound emanating from a more organic source as in mouth calls. It takes time to practice with those mouth calls. They aint as easy as press'n a button, plus you need a place to practice. One thing that bothered me yesterday, is the Synchronizing. I am not sure if it was because I tried to dowload sounds or if I changed batteries or what, but my Alppha Dogg needed synchronize at my first set yesterday morning. It takes several minutes to synch and because I didn't know what was going on, i kept restarting. I ended up messing that set up, but I had a hawk come in. Lesson learned- test call before I go to the set, if it needs to synch do it before I go to the set.

I went to the range today to pin down my final load for the 22-250. Dialed it in with repatable 3/4" groups for 5 shots measured center to center and shot at 100 yards. That is exactly what I was hoping for. If I wanted better, I would have bought a rifle with a heavier barrel. I wanted to start with an easy to carry rifle that will be good for coyotes out to 300 yards max. I hope to keep shots under 200, but with the right shot opportunity, I'll be willing to stretch it out for pokes at coyotes if it wont come in any closer. So the only pieces of the puzzle, still needed are the 2014 licenses/tags and scent masking things. I am getting excited knowing I am getting close to scoring my first "called" coyote. When I was a kid living on our ranch in Montana, I was able to call in coyotes by imitating their calls/howling. Back then, I never knew anybody that could do that besides myself. My friends from town would come visiting and on a couple of occasions, I'd scare the heck out of them by calling the coyotes down to where we would be standing. The coyotes would come running out of the trees and I would turn around to see my friends making a mad dash for my house. Of course, my voice changed and I was never able to hit those pitches again. I bought a predator call (some sort of rabbit distress) back then, but I never was able to bring one in with it. 30 years later and I am finally about to get serious.

So, before I go again, I gotta go get my 2014 licenses and pick up some de-stink and re-stink stuff. It'll be next week before I'll be able to get at it again. Can't wait.

Thanks for all the responses. They are very helpful and encouraging. Couestracker, I'll try to make the Phoenix Varmint Callers meeting. I know that's about the best thing I can do to shorten the lurn'n curve. As far as the 22-250 goes, I don't doubt that such high velocity is going to be destructive. Of course as a handloader. Max velocities are one end of a velocity spectrum that I can work with. I can match any 22 centerfire velocity when I decide to get serious about the pelts. You guys are right though, the ballistics and bullet that I mentioned above are not going to be friendly to the fur. One of the reasons that I have decided to commit to going after predators is my awareness that I am spending to much time at the shooting/loading bench and not enough in the field. Shooting off a bench can become a crutch that handicaps a person in the field. Plus, I need the time in the field for the physical benefits of getting out and walking Predator hunting is a great way to get the time in the field and field shooting experience that will dramatically improve my deer hunting skills. Oh' I plan to incorporate my other rifles into the equation over time as well. What's better for practice than to shoot with the gun you are gonna hunt with? I made a bullet for my 444 that I named the Chino Valley bullet that weighs 187gr and will have a max velocity around 3000 fps. I made a 125gr bullet for my 30-30 that I named the Tonto bullet. That one will have a max velocity of around 2600fps from my Marlin 30-30. I also have a 110gr Hornady V-max/Nosler 110gr Varmegedon load for my 30-06 that has a max muzzle velocity at around 3400fps. Again thanks for the responses. All responses, advice, suggestions or constructive criticism are appreciated.