It was a target rich environment

I finally got a day to get out and get in the woods. It had been a while, so I was really enjoying this night, and yet the sun still hadn’t set. My neighbor, Carlos, and I went out to this ranchers property just east of Lytle Tx, which is south of San Antonio. Our intentions were to knock some hogs down since the rancher had a problem with all the hogs digging up his fields. I decided to get there before the sun set since I also wanted to see how the doves were flying in the evening since dove hunting starts in a few weeks. Ok we saw the doves and they can fly so lets get on with the good stuff.

Two weeks ago we setup on top of the tank, thats a hole in the ground with water in it for you that don’t get out woods much, and had about 25 hogs of all sizes come in. I took a shot at two and hit one but he became buzzard food somewhere. We couldn’t track it much since it was midnight and it ran into some thick brush. We followed it about 60 yards and then the brush became too thick, so we backed out. Tonight we had a different plan. The last time we were out here, we had no moon, but tonight it was a full moon, and it was very bright.

As we scanned the field with our spotlight with a red lens, we could see some red eyes heading in our direction across the field. It’s close to 400 yards across the field and as Carlos tried to get his rifle (ar15) set up we had to let this coyote go by. We stopped all movement and made no sounds as it trotted past us about 100 yards away. That yote had no idea we were there and hopefully he would come back through. It was around 2040 hrs when we decided to stretch since sitting on those small folding chairs gets a little uncomfortable. After stretching and talking of how bright the moon was we sat back down when I turned on the red spotlight and about 100 yards away on the opposite side of the tank the coyote had come back and was drinking water. How it didn’t see us or hear us, I still have no idea.

As quietly as we could we tried to get set up to shoot it, but it took off across the field. It wasn’t because he spotted us or heard us, he just took off at a slow trot. An hour later we noticed a huge hog come out of the field behind us and stood on the with it’s nose in the air. There was no win

d and the I really think he smelt us as he started to walk away. I told Carlos to shoot since I felt he was going to leave since he smelt us, and Carlos shot hitting the hog in the ribs. The hog took off running and then ran into the field where the thick brush was. We thought that might be it for the night but decided to stay and see what would walk up next.

At 2140 hrs, I happened to glance at the opposite side of the tank with the spotlight, and noticed 2 coyotes at 114 yards. Carlos handed his ar15 to me since the yote was on my side and I immediately got set up. Carlos turned on the red spotlight and I found it in the scope quickly and saw the coyote facing me and I fired. That .223 round hit the yote in the chest and exited his left side and dropped him at the water line. It was then that we noticed another coyote with him and it took off running but I was not able to get it. After walking out and retrieving the dead yote we set up again and at 2200 hours about 20 hogs came out to our right. There were 3 big hogs and a bunch of lttle ones around 50 pounds, but they were holding out at 100 yards. The big ones had their noses in the air and after watching them for about 15 minutes they took off, never giving us the opportunity to take a shot at one.

But the story doesn’t end there and 30 minutes later they appeared to our left about 200 yards out. It was amazing how bright the moon was since I was looking through

the scope and could see them perfectly. They came in to about 100 yards but wouldn’t come any closer. I decided to take a shot and something spooked them and they ran across the field to our right side and gave me the perfect opportunity to pick a big one out, and fire. When I fired they were within 100 yards and it was close enough to hear the thump when that bullet hit. All the hogs took off running and the one I shot at dropped about 200 yards away.

At this time we decided to go retrieve my hog which lay in the field and then try to retrieve the hog Carlos shot at. Unfortunately the brush was too thick. It sure was a great night with one yote and one hog. Oh, and just to let you know, I grilled the backstrap on that hog and it was excellent. I can’t wait too get back out and take advantage of that moon, which might be this friday again.