Ironic Coyotes

[HeavyD]

Went out to ND and had a chance to sit and call coyotes with a family member who was hunting. Brutally cold, and nothing was responding. Really worked hard with the time we had but no luck.

Came home late Sunday night to Eagan and was working out of the house this morning when.... yep! I'm on the phone looking out my back sliding door when a very mature coyote hops down the retaining wall 15 feet from the house! I watch him as he takes a wiz on top of where my dog drained it this morning. I couldn't get the camera on, but this was a nice coyote, long coat, with a lot of orange in his hide. I go to grab a call, give it a couple dying rabbit wales, and a second dog sprints by about 20 seconds later. This coyote was younger and ran within 10 feet of the back of the house. Wow! I go 500 miles and spend hours shiverin' and have action in middle of the city.

That's hunting I guess.

[HeavyD]

I had an email forwarded from a neighbor this morning who took these two photos of what must have been the same coyotes hunting in my back yard.

[werewolf]

Hey D. Still trying to feel my way around so I will answer here. Wolves have been seen outside the twin cities and in southern WS. I am seeing alot more moose sign this winter than I did earlier. Wolves seemed to have left the area for awhile. I think between them and disease they are in big trouble. I know some of the locals have been doing some good shed hunting so thats a good sign. Alot of people dont realize that bears also take moose calves in the spring. My wife and I have been looking for deer sheds. I live next to Lake Superior and we have very little snow this winter so the going is good. Over the hill is another story. We have lots of snow this winter up there. Im going to start looking for moose sheds this weekend. Hope to find a few. At least the moose seem to be having a good winter. Take care.

[HeavyD]

I was up in Bemidji this past weekend at the cabin. Did a lot of walking and barely saw a deer track. Locals are saying deer numbers are way off and that they've seen lots of wolf signage and a few actual sightings in areas that are well outside of regular range. Supposedly a pack has moved in SW of town just 5 or 6 miles. Do you think the tough winter last year is pushing predators into different areas due to deer populations appearing down?

How much have deer numbers really been impacted with back to back tough winters and high predator numbers in N. Minnesota?

[werewolf]

: Hey D. That would be a possibility. With heavy winters and no prey wolves and coyotes would have to move to different areas. My sister-in law just had two deer killed by wolves in her yard over the weekend. You can sure tell when the wolves move in because you dont see or hear coyotes. They are in there mating season now so they will be moving alot. Deer are doing well up here this winter due to the lack of snow on the shore. Moose also seem to be doing OK. With low snow years it make it harder for predators to catch deer. Hopefully we will get lots of twin fawns this spring. Still wish we had a wolf season. They are getting far to brave for there own good. I think it wont be long before there will be a human involved. They dont even hardly run from you anymore. They just sit there and stare at you. Anyway it looks like winter is on the down hill. Time to catch some lake trout. Take care.

[Guide]

You boys send those wolves over to Canada. Ol' Guide knows what to do with them...there's a liberal season here!

Guide

[werewolf]

Hey Guide. I would love to send you all our wolves. They are more important than people down here.

[HeavyD]

Guide, what months does the season run up there and how far of a drive from the MN border to where you hunt? Yah, you can have our wolves, at least Canada isn't scared of managing them eh.

[Guide]

Heavy D.

We are right across the MN boarder. Once you cross at Pigeon River it's a half hour to the hunting cabin.

Most of the wolves we hunt have duel citizenship. We hunt the Pigeon River area as well as the Canadian side of the boundry waters area, on the Canadian side of course. North and South Lakes come to mind as great wolf country.

Season runs from September 15th to the end of March. Non resident tag costs $150.00 Canadian and you can purchase two if you choose. The cost of my hunt is the same for one wolf or two. Doesn't matter to me. January and February are the best hides and easiest to hunt them.

Guide.