FOLLOW YOUR NOSE
As the days begin to get shorter I am reminded of not so long ago when the leaves whirled fast and the trees stood stark and bare. The skies hung with various shades of grey and the pungent smell of burning leaves fill the air. In my youth this was an indication of only one thing, COON hunting season was very near.
I can recall arriving home from school, running around the yard with a scent filled rag and having my REDBONE (Brandy) rummage around for it. All while waiting until my dad returned home from work. My mother was never too impressed for us to go out on a school night but my dad always assured her not to worry and he would have us home early. You see Coon hunters are a breed amongst themselves. Most of their techniques are contrary to the norm of our other regional hunters. For example, while other hunters sleep at night and hunt during the day, a coon hunter doesn’t even get ready until the sun goes down. While we use a mini-mag flashlight to locate our deer stand, coon hunters use high-powered flood lamps that could be utilized to call Batman to Gotham City.
I can recall arriving home from school, running around the yard with a scent filled rag and having my REDBONE (Brandy) rummage around for it. All while waiting until my dad returned home from work. My mother was never too impressed for us to go out on a school night but my dad always assured her not to worry and he would have us home early. You see Coon hunters are a breed amongst themselves. Most of their techniques are contrary to the norm of our other regional hunters. For example, while other hunters sleep at night and hunt during the day, a coon hunter doesn’t even get ready until the sun goes down. While we use a mini-mag flashlight to locate our deer stand, coon hunters use high-powered flood lamps that could be utilized to call Batman to Gotham City.
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School night or not we would arrive at a bush that my dad had hunted time and time again and if the dogs barked a certain way we knew it had lots of raccoons and it was time to turn Ol’ RED loose. My brother and I would follow along walking inside dad’s large footsteps so as not to loose our way in the dark. After the dogs have chased a Raccoon up a tree, the dogs would begin a deeper howl when they think they have successfully treed a Raccoon. Most raccoon will not leave a tree or other form of shelter unless they are forced to leave. Rarely do they bail out, or jump out of a tree unless they feel very threatened. This is when my job would begin. I would have to tie up the dogs as Dad would ready his shot. As we got bigger my Dad would let us kids take turns on the shots. Believe me shooting in broad daylight is hard enough as a youngster let alone in the dark. Dad would always be right behind us holding the light though.
Most nights we would fill the old grain bag and return home, some nights however the dogs could get on a track and run for miles. On those nights I recall my dad taking off his coveralls and when we returned in the morning, the hounds would be laying on them and ready to return home. In today’s world most coon hunters use tracking collars to avoid such situations. One time we had returned to the spot my dad had left his coveralls and the dog that we lost (Brandy) had not returned. She was our lead dog and she was very familiar to this routine. We went everyday to find her and no such luck. Finally a week later my Dad felt so bad for losing her, that he went out and bought us a brand new puppy. Sounder was his name, he was a Red Tick hound dog. I was very excited to have a new puppy. I can recall getting up early for school that morning to play with the new addition and just as my mother called for me to get ready for the school bus around the corner of the barn came Ol’ Brandy. I was so overjoyed to see her. She had traveled many miles to return home. How she ever made it home was incredible, I guess she followed her nose and I sure was glad. Brandy lived to be an old dog and taught many new pups the ropes out in the woods. One time she had a litter of 19 puppies. That’s right I said 19. She was a very special dog, probably our best coon dog ever.
Most nights we would fill the old grain bag and return home, some nights however the dogs could get on a track and run for miles. On those nights I recall my dad taking off his coveralls and when we returned in the morning, the hounds would be laying on them and ready to return home. In today’s world most coon hunters use tracking collars to avoid such situations. One time we had returned to the spot my dad had left his coveralls and the dog that we lost (Brandy) had not returned. She was our lead dog and she was very familiar to this routine. We went everyday to find her and no such luck. Finally a week later my Dad felt so bad for losing her, that he went out and bought us a brand new puppy. Sounder was his name, he was a Red Tick hound dog. I was very excited to have a new puppy. I can recall getting up early for school that morning to play with the new addition and just as my mother called for me to get ready for the school bus around the corner of the barn came Ol’ Brandy. I was so overjoyed to see her. She had traveled many miles to return home. How she ever made it home was incredible, I guess she followed her nose and I sure was glad. Brandy lived to be an old dog and taught many new pups the ropes out in the woods. One time she had a litter of 19 puppies. That’s right I said 19. She was a very special dog, probably our best coon dog ever.
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If you have ever hunted over a dog you will understand the thrill of a HOT track and the CHASE is on!
By: Danielle Russell © Aug 2010
By: Danielle Russell © Aug 2010
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FROM THE EDITOR:
After a long day at the office, I had some time to sneak out to my trail camera to swap memory cards. On the drive to my spot I had spotted about a dozen deer in different locations, all grazing in the fields. I really didn't have time tonight to sit and watch nature unfold but once arriving to my area I had no choice but to view a beautiful doe walk towards me, then out of no-where I heard a yip, a howl if you will. There were 2 coyotes chasing her, she ran to the east and then turned south and into the corn field. I hope tonight that she out-runs those wiley coyotes. I think some of my coyote hunting friends need to do some clean up this winter in my area. They were recently seen by the farmer chasing my Jack Rabbits away from their dust baths as well. They are getting braver and braver.
Danielle Russell © July 19, 2010
Danielle Russell © July 19, 2010
COYOTES IN ESSEX COUNTY
Pictured above is local: Donnie Boose with just one of his "yotes" from this year. Donnie and friends are always looking for a good coyote track and helping to serve the community to keep it safe for everyone.
ESSEX COUNTY PREDATORS...... The howls of coyotes have become familiar nighttime sounds across the county, even in the suburbs. When you hear their song, you know that they are there. The coyote is perhaps the most adaptable and controversial predator. Intelligent and secretive, they are more often heard than seen. Yet, unlike other predators, coyotes survive comfortably in suburban and even urban areas. But to some, the coyote is an uncontrolled nuisance predator that has become so widespread, it is threatening Southwestern Ontario’s deer herd. There is no question that coyotes are affecting fawn survival in our area. Last year one local farmer seen on two seperate occasions, 3 coyotes take down 2 different fawns. Usually this is not an act that would be witnessed. Normally they eat mostly mice, moles and rabbits, but can feed on anything from grasshoppers and berries to house cats and sometimes the Whitetail deer. Deer hunters, have long considered coyotes a nuisance. We will not succeed in improving the deer numbers unless we succeed in coyote control. Protecting and restoring deer yards is critical, but so is controlling predators around those areas. Coyote numbers need to be managed just as deer numbers are managed. The coyote is a very smart animal. When coyotes are removed by aggressive hunting or trapping, the animals that remain have larger litters of pups to replace them. This animal knows how to survive tough times. The coyote helps keep other animal populations healthy and balanced by preying on the sick or weak. No one is looking to eliminate coyotes, but to simply control and manage wildlife. Do not worry. The "song dog" is here to stay. They are the ultimate survivors.  |
 CURIOUS COYOTE FACTS
Only 5-20% of coyote pups survive their first year.
The coyote can run at almost 40 mph and can get over a 8' fence. Coyotes can breed with both domestic dogs and wolves. A dog-coyote mix is called a "coydog." The coyote is more likely afraid of you than vice-versa. Coyotes maintain their territory by marking it with urine.
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COYOTE CALL
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COYOTE MOONLIGHT HOWL
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