kittenmmm's blog post - The Great Huntress

Cassie, my livestock guardian dog, was barking like a maddog at dusk. I assumed the deer were back in the field because that's how she barks when they're there. As far as she's concerned they don't belong in her yard...they aren't her animals. So, I went out on the porch to see them. They weren't there.

I kept looking because she would NOT stop barking. I figured they must be hiding just inside the woods and I couldn't see them because of their color and the dusk closing in. Ah, a flash of movement...but wait...that's not a deer. It's a coyote. It's a coyote that is staying along the perimeter of field and has no intention of leaving despite Cassie's insane barking.

I've seen this before, last year. There seems to be one that likes to hang along the perimeter and scope the place out. Maybe it's a female with pups and she's looking for a quick meal hoping a chicken might cross her path or she can sneak up and grab one. I've had plenty of chickens disappear so it could be possible. Or, worst case scenario, it could be rabid. I doubt that though because it usually doesn't come during the day nor does it act rabid. It just sits or skulks along the edge...watching.

Not this time. No way was I having any part of this coyote hanging around. If Cassie couldn't scare it I would. I charged into the house, pulled out a shotgun only to find a child lock on it. So, I pulled out my shotgun..only to find a child lock on it. I have no idea where the keys could possible be and it's still skulking. Out came the bolt cutters...so much for that child lock. I grabbed a couple of shells, threw on my boots and started outside. Cassie is still barking like a maniac, the coyote is still on the perimeter and Nero, my black lab, is walking with me. I start out to the field and surprisingly the coyote doesn't go very far. Usually they run off when they see you. This one goes a little way but stays along the edge.

I had already loaded one shell into the chamber. I didn't expect to hit the thing with shot but I wanted it to realize that it wasn't welcome here. I figured the shotgun blast would scare the snot out of it. I got as close as possible...my faithful Nero having already booked it back to the house..he's so helpful. We were probably about 50 feet apart when I clicked off the safety and took aim. BLAST! Dark was falling so I got to see the fire of the blast as well as hear and feel it. That did it...

It's been ages since I've been skeet shooting. I didn't hold the shotgun quite close enough and did get a little kickback on my jaw but it wasn't too bad, especially considering how fast I did it. What fun though Call me whatever you want but I love the feel, sound and power of a gun. I found the spent shell and pocketed it, loaded another one and waited. Apparently the blast did the trick and I didn't see it come back. By that time it was starting to get pretty dark and I couldn't make out shapes very well. I don't shoot unless I know what I'm shooting at so I started back to the house. I still had feedings to do anyway.

Cassie stopped barking as soon as I got back in the yard so I knew the coyote was gone. She just wanted me back in her safety zone. I cleared the chamber and went back to business as usual. Maybe the thing will be back tomorrow and I'll have an excuse to go shooting again...lol. The great huntress kitten, stalking her prey in the tall grass and the woods...

happy hunting xxx

kitten