songdog
Active Member
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- 294
I've been watching/reading the Monster Muley website for several years now and I keep reading all of the belly-aching and complaining about coyotes and mountain lions playing hell on the deer and antelope populations. Most of the negative comments seem to be directed at the State Game & Fish Departments for their lack of predator control. Here in Texas there is a year-round season on coyotes and lions with no limits. Yet, Texas has high deer populations in most areas with a lot of coyotes. There is talk in Texas of classifying the mtn. lions as a game animal requiring a permit/license/tag. But, they are still considered a varmint here and can be hunted 24/7/365. Yet, their numbers are increasing and their range is spreading all across the State.
As for coyotes, you very seldom ever see any coyotes during the daytime hours around here in Texas. They are primarily nocturnal and can be hunted fairly easy with game callers. During the Texas deer season you hardly ever see a coyote while hunting during the day but once the sun goes down you can always hear several packs howling so we know they are there! I've hunted deer & antelope in Colorado and New Mexico over the past 20 years and have seen enough coyotes during the daylight hunting hours to fill the back of a semi-truck trailer! Therefore, you must have a lot of dang coyotes out west if they are that visible in the middle of the day!!!
My question is, If coyotes are such are problem, why are most deer/elk/antelope hunters not die-hard varmint hunters? If I can see over a dozen coyotes while out antelope/deer hunting in the middle of the day in Colorado & New Mexico, then surely I would be able to find a dozen coyotes while varmint hunting during the off season months (Feb, March, Apr., May, June, etc.) out West. I understand that the western states have different rules and regs regarding varmints (coyotes, lions, bobcats) and varmint hunting. But, being out in the wilds and learing my favorite deer/elk/antelope hunting area while getting the chance to hunt coyotes seems like a win-win situation. You are able to help with predator control while enjoying the great outdoors.
So, when do we go varmint huntin'?
Sorry for the long winded post but I just wanted hear some other thoughts on this matter from my fellow MM comrades.
Watch your top knot!
Songdog
As for coyotes, you very seldom ever see any coyotes during the daytime hours around here in Texas. They are primarily nocturnal and can be hunted fairly easy with game callers. During the Texas deer season you hardly ever see a coyote while hunting during the day but once the sun goes down you can always hear several packs howling so we know they are there! I've hunted deer & antelope in Colorado and New Mexico over the past 20 years and have seen enough coyotes during the daylight hunting hours to fill the back of a semi-truck trailer! Therefore, you must have a lot of dang coyotes out west if they are that visible in the middle of the day!!!
My question is, If coyotes are such are problem, why are most deer/elk/antelope hunters not die-hard varmint hunters? If I can see over a dozen coyotes while out antelope/deer hunting in the middle of the day in Colorado & New Mexico, then surely I would be able to find a dozen coyotes while varmint hunting during the off season months (Feb, March, Apr., May, June, etc.) out West. I understand that the western states have different rules and regs regarding varmints (coyotes, lions, bobcats) and varmint hunting. But, being out in the wilds and learing my favorite deer/elk/antelope hunting area while getting the chance to hunt coyotes seems like a win-win situation. You are able to help with predator control while enjoying the great outdoors.
So, when do we go varmint huntin'?
Sorry for the long winded post but I just wanted hear some other thoughts on this matter from my fellow MM comrades.
Watch your top knot!
Songdog