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Blog Entries from the WeHuntSC.com blogging crew

On October 12, 2011 in Hunting, Predator by Derek Coblentz

On the morning of August 16th I was heading into hunt. Here in the low-country deer hunting season comes in earlier than in most area. On this particular morning I was running a few minutes behind.. I rushed to grab my Cross Over Camo from of my Mckenzie Scent Fan Duffle bag. The unique pattern of CrossOver Camo combined with the scenting abilities of the McKenzie Scent Fan Duffle bag meant I would be well camouflaged and smelling strongly like the scent of a pine tree. I also sprayed my snake boots down with Atsko?s scent killer to help minimize any human scent or scent from my vehicle.

My scent and gear were under control I was ready to head in. I grabbed my flash light and headed out in to the darkness. As I was walked down the edge of a corn field toward my stand I heard a loud crash just ahead of me. I shinned my light in the direction of the sound and there were two does standing in the edge of the corn looking back at me.


	First Coyote

As I continued walking I thought to myself that this early encounter was a good sign that the deer were moving.

I arrived at my stand at 5:45. By this time I could see into the wide open field, but it was that time where the light was bright enough to see but not bright enough to make out exactly what I was seeing. Objects looked somewhat fuzzy as I scanned the edge of the field. I thought I could see movement but I wasn't sure what it was. The sun finally began to peek over the tree tops when I looked straight in front of me. I saw something moving about 150 yards away. I was getting excited to see movement since it was the second day of the season and the sight of a deer walking out in front of my stand was a sight I had not seen since in a long time. I flipped the camera on and zoomed in on the object. It turned out the animal was actually a coyote. I have never seen a coyote when I?ve been deer hunting before. I actually had to take a double take thinking maybe it was a house dog, but as it moved closer toward me I was sure it was a coyote. As I was picked up my rifle the coyote started to lie down in the field. I decided to watch it for a minute to see what it was going to do. After a few minutes of lying on the ground, I decided I was going to take the shot. Just as I was about to pull the trigger it got up and darted into the woods after the other coyote standing in the edge of the woods. I was thinking to myself I should have shot earlier while I had the chance. About 5 minutes later a bigger coyote emerged from the woods. The first coyote returned and they started playing with each other running around in circles. They played for a bit, but when the big one stopped I took the shot. I reloaded and tried to stop the other one as it ran straight toward me but I couldn't get a shot on it. I enjoyed watching them, but I?m also glad I got the opportunity to take one out. They are a big problem around the area I hunt.

I have also been filming a few deer since the start of the season. The problem I?m facing this year is the deer are walking right at dark. I can see them through my scope but it?s too dark to film a lot of the deer I have been seeing thus far. I?m going to keep after?em though and hopefully I?ll be able to get some good film in the near future.

Derek

Tagged With: Coblentz, Coyote, Derek, Hunt

2011 SC Predator Competition Winners

On January 21, 2011 in Hunting, Predator by Clint Patterson


	The check-in sign

As you are most likely aware, we just crowned the winners in South Carolina?s first predator competition this past weekend. Terry Williams, Chip & Amanda Humphries emerged as the victorious team and they even got some of their hunt on video! Congratulations to the winning team hailing from McBee, SC.

I?m not a big predator hunter, but I don?t think I?d mind giving it a try! Earlier this year some of our site members were mentioning to me that we should have a predator competition, but by not being an avid predator hunter this presented a dilemma for me. I was hesitant to try to create and structure a competition that I didn?t fully understand. For this reason, I?d like to say a big ?Thank You? to Chip Humphries (and everyone that helped him) for partnering with us and helping us properly structure, recruit sponsors, and run the competition. We leaned on Chip and crew for insight in creating a good competition. Without their help, it wouldn?t have been possible? so it may have just been destiny that they emerged victorious in the competition! Also, we should give another big ?Thank You? to the Sportsman?s Warehouse in Columbia, SC as well for letting us base the check-in out of their facility. Pulling this competition off was a total team effort so thanks to everyone involved.


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We really didn?t know what to expect from the competition given that there is no official predator season and due to the youth of the site. We were pleased to have 19 teams entered in the competition in just the first year. We think (and hope) that the predator competition will continue to grow and get bigger every year. While we were at the Sportsman?s Warehouse we had several people come by and note that they ?wish they had known about the competition? because they would have entered. This is a good sign. We also got some good marketing while socializing at the check-in.

The final results of the competition were:

1st Place: Terry Williams, Chip Humphries, Amanda Humphries ? McBee, SC

2nd Place: Dan Brothers ? Santee, SC

3rd Place: David Pruett & Todd Davis ? Spartanburg, SC

While we were at the check-in, Chip told me that they had some of their hunt on video. I was pumped about this and eager to see the footage. Since they had the footage, they were nice enough to let me include it in the below video.

I think everyone had a good time? I know we did! We appreciate the sponsors and hunters who competed in the competition. We hope to see you at the check-in next year as well.

Regards,

Clint

Tagged With: coyote, predator, predator challenge

Predator Competition Update

On December 30, 2010 in News, Predator by Clint Patterson

Just wanted to post a quick update to the blog page regarding the predator competition. Remember YOU MUST BE SIGNED UP IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION! If you show up to the check-in and have not registered then you won?t be able to win?and with all of these prizes, I?d hate for that to happen to you. So if you plan to participate?register.

Now that the disclaimer?s out of the way?time for the good news. The good news is that since the first blog about the predator competition we?ve received some more good sponsor donations for the competition! The following organizations have donated the prizes listed below:

Pin Oak Taxidermy has donated one free camo skull
Workman Predator Calls donated some nice lanyards
Dermestid Inc has donated one free skull whitening
Montana Decoy has donated a nice prize package consisting of:

I?m pumped that the predator competition is getting such a warm reception from both hunters and outdoor organizations. I hope to see you and your team at the check-in!

Regards,

Clint

Tagged With: Competition, Predator

Coyote Control

On December 23, 2010 in Deer Hunting, Hunting, News, Predator by Tommy Darby

The potential change in the South Carolina deer regulations as highlighted in the blog by Clint titled "South Carolina Buck Regulations?" has a lot of people talking about buck limits, fees, and the one I'm most interested in, PREDATORS.


	Coyote in trap

I had the opportunity earlier this year during trapping season to watch what I would call a professional trapper at work. If they were to give trappers a degree, this guy would have his Masters. For the purpose of this blog, I will refer to him as Master Trapper. His main goal was to trap wily coyotes from a friend?s property and he didn?t disappoint. My buddy told a story of a few days before when they noticed Master Trapper abruptly stop his ATV and examine a spot on the pasture fence. My buddy said they stopped and asked him what he was looking at. Master Trapper replied, ?coyotes are crossing here.? He spotted a single coyote hair on the fence while traveling 40 mph on his four-wheeler. That?s impressive.

Over the past few years, the coyote has expanded his range and is often seen in places you wouldn?t expect. I read an article this morning on CNN of coyotes in New York City. I wouldn?t have believed that a few years ago. I also have seen them in my backyard, which just a few years ago would?ve been unheard of. According to SCDNR, ?populations in South Carolina were established in Pickens and Oconee counties in the late 1970?s by houndsmen, and coupled with natural immigration, have since expanded to include all counties in the State.?

The question that often is asked is ?what impact do coyotes have on deer/turkey/predator populations?? Based on my research there are various opinions on this question. The scale goes from those that say that we need to eradicate coyote populations to those that say they have no impact at all. Personally, I don?t think it?s rational to say they have no impact at all. I found an interesting article called, ?Coyotes in the East: Are They Impacting Deer?? which was done by the USDA Forest Service. Its research has found that coyotes do have a significant impact on deer fawn populations. In its research they monitored 60 fawns and noted that 44 of these fawns didn?t survive until the fall season. During the research, they were able to attribute 36 of the 44 (80%) fawn deaths to coyote predation. That sounds significant to me. They are still conducting research as highlighted in Clint's Blog "South Carolina Buck Regulations?" . I also found an article at Outdoor Life magazine, which showed a series of pictures in which a coyote caught a fawn. This just gave me a visual of the research done by the USDA Forest Service. As with everything, I feel that the impact depends on the situation, but you can?t ignore that there is an impact.


	Me posing with coyote trapped by the Master Trapper

The next question would be ?What does a landowner do?? Let?s face it, the coyote is here to stay, but there a measures that can be done to control them. SCDNR has a good publication that gives a history of the coyote and how they can be controlled. I got to see this done first hand by Master Trapper and it?s something I will not soon forget. Let?s remember that they don?t call them Wily for nothing.

Personally I'm not against buck limits because I usually don't reach the proposed limit. I usually will kill a doe or two for meat and then hunt for a "Wall Hanger". That's just me though. What impact do you think coyotes have as it relates to the proposed change in buck limits?

Tagged With: Coyote Control, Predators, SCDNR, South Carolina Deer Regulations

2010 WeHuntSC.com Predator Competition

On November 28, 2010 in Hunting, News, Predator by Clint Patterson

We are excited to announce that we are hosting the first annual WeHuntSC.com predator competition! South Carolina?s first predator competition is made possible due to some great sponsor donations and enthusiasm from some local predator hunters. We continue to push to accommodate all hunters and species and this is another step in that direction.

The winner of the predator competition will receive some great prizes from our sponsors:

A McKenzie Scent Fan Duffle Bag
A Cass Creek Electronic Nomad Game Call System
A Cass Creek Electronic Ergo Series Game Call
A Cass Creek Electronic Mini Game Call
A Cass Creek Electronic Amplifire Game Call
A Sawtooth Game Calls Open Reed Coyote Call
A Sawtooth Game Calls Open Reed Coyote Howler
A Sawtooth Game Calls Closed Reed Coyote Call
A Cronk Custom Game Calls Coyote Call

In the first year of this competition we are only going to have 1 winner who will take home all prizes, but in future years we are working to have first, second, third, and ?big dog? winners. In short, as we grow we will continue to expand the prize levels.

Since there is no exact season for hunting coyotes, this competition is structured somewhat differently than our other competitions. This competition will take place over one weekend and will culminate in a ?check-in? at the Sportsman?s Warehouse in Columbia, SC. The competition will not require any posting of pictures to the web site. Hunters can hunt in teams of 3 or less and the winner will be chosen based on a scoring system where coyotes, bobcats, and foxes bring in different amounts of points. See the competition rules & regulations for more info.

Also, YOU MUST SIGN UP BEFORE THE COMPETITION STARTS TO BE ELIGIBL E TO PARTICIPATE! So be sure to register your team!
If you have any questions regarding participating or sponsoring this competition, please contact Chip Humphries at [email protected].

We hope to see you at the check-in!

Regards,
Clint

Tagged With: Competition, Predator

1st trip Coyote Hunting

On January 24, 2010 in Hunting, Predator by Clint Patterson

This past weekend some of the WeHuntSC.com team members went coyote hunting with Terry Williams. Last deer hunting season we got a lot of coyotes on our game cameras and frequently see dead coyotes in the road on the way to and from a certain track of land. So, this year we decided to try to hunt some of these ?Wylie Coyotes?.

We met up with Terry Williams early Sunday morning to try our luck. Terry and his friend Chip frequently post images of coyotes on the web site so, after talking with both Chip and Terry, we finally lined a weekend up when Terry was able to come and educate us on coyote hunting. Terry and Chip both are active coyote hunters and have a knack for the sport.

None of the WeHuntSC.com crew had ever been coyote hunting before. We?ve seen coyotes trotting through the woods when deer hunting, got them on the game-cams, and I even had one walk up in my back yard once, but we?ve never specifically gone hunting for coyotes. Along with having a new experience, we looked to learn and see the proper way to hunt coyotes.

Needless to say, we learned a lot from Terry and we were appreciative that he came and guided/hunted with us. Terry filled us in on some details of coyote hunting. He said that coyotes? senses are keener than a deer?s senses. I?ve never really thought about it because I?ve never taken an interest in coyotes, but?coyotes are at the top of the food chain. They are predators and eat what we are hunting. In order to stay at the top of the food chain, they must rely on their senses and instincts. Thus, they can hear, see, and smell very well.

Because coyotes have sharp senses and instincts, it is important to know the track of land that you are on so that you don?t spread your scent everywhere on your way in. Of course Terry wasn?t familiar with the land and we weren?t exactly sure on what the best set up would be, so we were not the most efficient hunters on this given morning.

We arrived at the land early and got a semi-game plan together. We split up into two groups of two. Adam and I went and sat in some planted pines that is right beside of a grown up cutover. Will and Terry went and set up by the gas line and pond which overlooked the gas line, a small pond, and a different set of pine trees. Essentially, we were both hunting the same game call, but from different areas of the land. We made sure we weren?t going to be in danger of shooting in the direction of each other and we all sat at the base of some pine trees. In our group, Adam carried his gun and I had the video camera in hopes of getting a coyote shot on video. Terry did the calling and Will had the rifle in the other group.

Terry's coyote decoy

Since we had never coyote hunted before we were unsure of how it would all go down, so I will try to fill you in on the details (of how we went about it) in case you?ve never done much coyote hunting either. We got there before daylight and got into position and waited for the sun to rise. As you would imagine, Terry said it?s important to enter quietly so as to not spook any coyotes in the area. After we got in position and the sun came up to where visibility was good? Terry started his call. He had two pieces of equipment to call in coyotes. He had a decoy which simulated movement of any kind of dying animal. It basically looks like a tail that flaps around. He also had an electronic, remote control game call. This game call makes all kind of different sounds and is very loud. When he turned that thing on you could hear it for a good distance. The sounds it makes are loud, screeching, piercing sounds. Terry let the game call run for around 15 minutes and then we sat a little bit more. At one point he turned on the crow call and I mean within minutes there were at least 30 crows flying around making all kind of noise. So it definitely calls attention to the area! Off in the distance we also heard some gobblers cackling around.

Terry said that if a mature coyote hears the sounds from the game call, he will get downwind of the sound and try to get a sniff of whatever he hears in distress (i.e. the game call). Then he will work his way up to the sound. Terry and Will set the game call up at a good distance away from them so they wouldn?t draw attention to their area and spook any coyotes.

WeHuntSC.com - Custom Coyote Call Made From Cow Horns

Terry's custom coyote "Howl Call"

We hunted that section of land for 30 ? 45 minutes and then when nothing came around we moved to a different section of the land. This specific track of land is very hilly and Terry said that the sound wouldn?t carry of the bottom that we were initially in. Coyote hunting is different than deer hunting where when deer hunting you wouldn?t move around too much, but with coyotes Terry says you can move around to different areas to try to pull the coyotes out from different cutovers, thickets, or bedding areas. We moved up to the top of the hill and set up shop. This time Adam and I climbed up in a box stand overlooking a long cut food plot and Will and Terry were around the corner facing the cutover. We did the same drill of letting the game do its work and then waited, but here again nothing came up.

After the hunt was over, I had Terry set up the game call so I could get video of the sound. Terry also has a neat coyote call that a guy made from cow horns. The below video is a video montage of the different sounds + Terry blowing this coyote howl call. (At the end of the video be ready cause the last call is very loud?so turn your volume down so you won?t get blown away)

On the way out we talked about the lay of the land we realized that if we were to go coyote hunting again, we would have hunted the land differently than we did this day. Though, we knew going in that this would be a learning experience for everyone. Terry gave us some insight and now we are a little better prepared with regards to coyote hunting when and if we get to make it back out there. Also on the way out we saw some nice sized turkey tracks! And speaking of turkeys? turkey hunting season is just right around the corner!

Hopefully we?ll get back after these coyotes again at some point and be able to get some good photo/video footage for you!

Also, if you would like to in touch with Chip or Terry to come get coyotes off of your land, just Contact Us and we can put you in contact with them!

Regards,

Clint

Tagged With: coyote, hunting

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