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Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009

Temperature is key to baiting coyotes

@BR Boxtext bold lede colon:QUESTION: I just read with interest the article on “baiting coyotes” in the latest Predator Xtreme magazine. Will this technique work on Eastern coyotes? How about foxes and bobcats?

ANSWER: When applied to coyotes, the baiting concept is based on cold weather country. Although Eastern coyotes have slightly different personalities than their cousins from across the river, the ambient temperature is the key. Those who bait coyotes usually freeze the bait. That, coupled with below freezing temperatures keeps the bait fresh for days and even weeks. Even when frozen, bait (actually meat) will quickly thaw in Georgia temperatures and vultures will appear and the game is over. Due to this factor, I do not recommend baiting for coyotes in Georgia.

As for foxes and bobcats, I could never enjoy baiting these, even if it were effective. To me, foxes and bobcats are game animals and baiting them seems to be demeaning. They deserve a hunt that is more sporting. The coyote, in my opinion, is not a game animal and I will use whatever legal means that are available to eliminate them.

QUESTION: I shot a buck last week, believed to be hit in the appropriate spot. It left a blood trail for a while and then it stopped. It finally got dark on me and due to my age and my arthritis, I gave up the search. Is there any shot placement that will guarantee that a deer won’t run forever after being shot?

ANSWER: If you study carefully the anatomy of a deer, and if you are an expert marksman, the neck shot and the spine shot will drop a deer instantly. This is providing that you hit or inflict trauma to the spinal cord. On the negative side, if you miss the mark by a couple of inches, you have a wounded deer on your hands—one that can travel long distances in a hurry. Beyond being a good marksman, having a well-tuned rifle and shooting at short range from a rest, this is not a high percentage shot.

A better plan for someone with age and physical limitations is to omit the afternoon hunting and hunt mornings only. If, on a morning hunt, you have a “runner”, you are not fighting the clock and fading daylight. You also have plenty of time to enlist the assistance of others to help track the wounded deer.

The other consideration is the caliber of rifle that you shoot. Be sure and use a bullet with enough kinetic energy to get the job done quickly and effectively. The .243 and the .22 center-fire shells don’t always have adequate energy.

QUESTION: When should I use a fluorocarbon line for fishing?

ANSWER: Fluorocarbon line is next to invisible under the water and is recommended in ultra-clear water where finesse is needed. Conversely, this line also sinks very fast and I do not recommend it for fishing surface lures. For top-water fishing, stay with monofilament or braided line.

Emory Josey is a free-lance writer who has a weekly column on the outdoors page. Send questions for him to The Telegraph, P.O. Box 4167, Macon, Ga., 31208-4167, or e-mail him at bobcat6440@windstream.net.