ThinkingAfield.org

By Glen Wunderlich

Spooky barks, yips, and howls of a nearby coyote interrupted the deer-hunting stillness, as sunlight descended into low light. Across the swamp the song dog taunted me, as I strained to get a glimpse of the critter. Even though deer season was in full swing, there’d be no hesitation to take out the vociferous carnivore, if given a chance. I even had a custom hand call in my pocket for the occasion, but I couldn’t bring myself to actually using it. I was torn between spending the best part of the day actively pursuing this fawn killer and waiting out prime time for a whitetail buck. Neither materialized.

With deer hunting seasons behind us, coyote hunting is at the top of the agenda now. Although a predator hunter can spend a small fortune on an electronic caller and a suitable firearm, chances are that any deer hunter already has the requisite equipment. Yes, that deer gun may render a pelt worthless from the accompanying damage, it’s really of no significant consequence when one considers the relative low value of our Eastern-variety skins in good condition; they’re not worth the trouble of skinning to begin with.

With that mentioned, a hunter is able to use the same ammunition that was used for deer hunting. However, if shots are to be in more open areas, high-stepping centerfire rifles may be in order to hunt longer ranges effectively.

But, what happens when a wily coyote presents itself for a moment at 50 yards or less? That fancy, high-magnification scoped rig is about as useful as a club. Things just happen too fast, and if you’ve ever seen a coyote hit the nitrous button, you know how fruitless it is to bring one down on the run.

Enter the shotgun. No special-purpose smooth bore is required, but relatively heavy shot is best. Some hunters prefer #4 buckshot, but any larger shot size can be problematic, because there is not enough shot to consistently hit the small vitals. Besides that, I haven’t found good patterns with larger buckshot, either.

Winchester’s Varmint X shotshells are truly worth considering for a number of reasons: 1) Patterns are unsurpassed with typical shotshell offerings, 2) The ammo is relatively inexpensive compared to other premium shells, and 3) Recoil is less than loads using more shot.

Although some hunters may opt to carry two firearms afield – a rifle for longer shots and a shotgun for closer-up work – just try to grab the right one in the heat of the moment. And, make sure to practice kicking yourself, while you are at it.

It’s probably best to take one firearm and hunt terrain accordingly. Better yet, a friend toting a shotgun as backup (or you with the shotgun), can make for a combination well-suited for different possibilities.

Next week, we will visit with a hunter/trapper who has been quite successful over the years to learn how he was able to take over 100 coyote pelts to market last year alone. Although he’s not from Michigan, many of his tips and techniques are universally applicable.

By Glen Wunderlich

With the closing of Michigan’s muzzleloading season – one that has permitted the use of all firearms that are legal in the regular firearms deer season – another season is slated to begin Monday, December 23^rd through January 1, 2020. This late antlerless firearms season is open on private lands only in most of the Lower Peninsula (check the regulations for specifics) and closed to all of the Upper Peninsula. There are extended antlerless opportunities, as well, for those hunting south of M32 in Alpena County, private land only, Jan. 2-5 and Jan. 9-12, 2020. Additionally, archery season will extend until January 31 for Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties.

All of this means Michigan has too many deer. So, if you still have freezer space, opportunities abound. At the same time, hunters can perform the duties of scientific wildlife managers in efforts to balance the buck to doe ratio in the herd, and to control the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). There is no discount on these antlerless tags at $20 each but the good news is that 10 private-land antlerless licenses per hunter in the CWD Management Zones are available.

The CWD Management Zones include Barry, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Lenawee, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ottawa, and Shiawassee counties.

The Natural Resources Commission has requested that the DNR evaluate the impact of antler point restrictions within the five-county Core CWD Area on prevalence and spread of chronic wasting disease, increasing antlerless harvest, and decreasing deer population beginning with the 2019 deer season. The data collected will be used to provide estimates on deer abundance and sex/ age ratio changes – factors that are likely to contribute to the overall CWD spread.

Additionally, deer harvest, hunter numbers, and hunter perceptions of APRs will be assessed. The DNR has partnered with the Boone and Crockett Quantitative Wildlife Center at Michigan State University to conduct this research. At the end of the project (Fall 2023), the results along with conclusions and management recommendations will be presented to the Commission. Recommendations will include the efficacy of APR regulations as a tool for managing the prevalence and spread of CWD.

Finally, here are a few statistics from the DNR deer check station at Rose Lake. The goal in testing for CWD in Shiawassee County was to check a total of 113 deer and so far some 375 have been tested with no positives. Gratiot County is well below the goal of 1277 tests yet has found 3 cases of CWD.

The oldest doe checked was aged at an astounding 13 ½ years and the oldest buck was 6 ½ years of age. And, some fortunate hunter bagged a buck with 16 antler points according to Rose Lake information.

For those hopeful hunters that are still pursuing the low-fat venison alternative to supermarket mystery meat, you’ll find the remaining deer to be in a more normal mode of survival without the hunting pressure of last month. However, those adult whitetail does have become educated, having survived the traditional seasons. Good optics are essential to identify bucks with shed antlers from females, although antlerless bucks are still legal (Ouch!). Also, make sure to avoid hanging deer in freezing conditions (or warmer weather, if applicable).