goosifer

I'm in Florida right now, so looking to stock up. I forgot about that forum. I will take a look. Thanks.

I am looking for a recommendation for .204 Ruger ammo that I can buy online (I don't reload). I care much more about killing a coyote than saving its pelt. From what I can tell in the research I have done so far, the Hornady 204 Ruger 45 gr Soft Point Superformance is my best bet link. Note that my rifle is a CZ 527 Varmint with a 1 in 12 twist 24" barrel. Another option that looked interesting was the HSM Trophy Gold Ammunition 204 Ruger 40 Grain Berger Varmint Hollow Point Boat Tail link Any thoughts?

Thanks, dbH. Can't say the light bulb has fully gone off for me yet, but with every post the wattage goes up just a bit. Your comment about plowing actually helped a lot to clear things up for me.

Thanks, DBH. too bad my skidsteer bucket doesn't have any teeth. Dragging that may have been enough. I agree with you on where to put them/how to shape them. Never really noticed any flooding, but haven't spent much time on the property outside of hunting season. With the plant material that gets cut up in the brush hog passes, were you envisioning that I would leave them in place to compost, or scrape them up and push them aside with the skidsteer bucket?

Thanks, grow. I guess I have a mini version of this situation. There is a bit of a bowl to the center of the larger field, but the slope of the hill at the southern end faces north. I was originally thinking of 4-6 medium-sized rectangular plots seperated by the brush, but if I am understanding you correctly, it would be better to have daisy-chained squiggle plots? That would certainly make the calculations for lime and seed more challenging.

Thanks, zeus1gdsm. I picked up two 15' tower stands (linky) at their online website for $198 each. Not a steal, but a good price as there is no shipping charge.

Looking forward to the pics when the weather allows. Thanks, grow.

zag, thanks for this thread. It's great food for thought for people who are considering doing similar work on their land.

OK. I plan on brush hogging the heck out of the area, and then taking a look at what it looks like. not sure what the root systems for the stuff currently growing looks like. thanks.

Hi grow, I missed your post from a while back. I was thinking several 1/2-acre plots spread out over the property. I need to do a draft sketch and post it up. It is 35 acres total. The fallow fields are probably about 25 acres, including hedge rows. Maybe net 20 acres without. Some areas are too close to the houses on the road so I figure I will not bother to put food plots there. I will work on a sketch. So are you suggesting mowed "ribbon" plots instead of rectangular food plots? It's funny how there are so many deer trails that do not go on the trails I cut, but cut through the fields. as the season went on and the foliage thinned out, they became more pronounced. Regarding water, there is a small creek that runs through the middle of one of the hedge rows. It is dry most of the year, but starts to show water sometime during the hunting season. not sure how to put in a watering hole. just dig a big hole and let ground water and rain water accumulate?

zag, I'm sorry I missed your question. I think I want to do 4 to 6 1/2-acre plots of clover and brassicas. i am more interested in stuff that will attract deer late in the season. there is a big field behind me that alternates corn and soybeans (this year was corn, so next year should be soybeans). I don't think it will help me to do the same, unless maybe I do corn when they do soybeans, and vice versa. I have a lot of research to do. I also want to do some trees, but those wont bear fruit for many years.

Folks, mind if I thread hijack segue a bit? I would like some advice for ammo for hunting coyotes with a .204 Ruger rifle. I got the Hornady Varmint Express Ammo, .204 Ruger, 40 Gr., V-Max [Superperformance] at Gander Mountain. (Wasn't much choice in .204 at the store.) Anyone have an opinion on this ammo? Recommend something better? I am going down to Florida and will look to stock up on ammo while there. Lastly, for what varmints is this ammo good for other than coyotes? Fox? Rabbit? Squirrel? Thanks. (and if you really want me to start a new thread, just say so.) Thanks.

Grow, you are my hero. I admire your dedication to physical activity. I need to strengthen my core and will look into Pilates.

He never said they'd be hunting with a firearm?

Happy, happy new year!

Thanks, TF! My wife says I'm unusual. I'm thrilled to be considered usual--and not a suspect!

I think this is a good deal. Maybe it's old news, but I thought I would post it anyway. linky I recently purchased a Vortex Crossfire II Riflescope, 3-12x56, V-Brite Reticle for $275 from Gander Mountain. But for regular day hunting, the scope at Cabelas appears to be the better value, imo.

zag, I'd love yo see a picture of your telephone pole drag rake. Would you post one?

Thanks for the lead on the Wicked Lights. Nice looking equipment.

Thanks, growalot. I actually have a deadshot fieldpod. I bought it for use from a blind. (and I use it to site in my crossbow.) Turned out I didn't use the blind this year. I'm thinking our shots are going to be less than 100 yards for the most part. Given how overgrown the field is, I can't see shooting from ground level, unless I set up at the end of a cut trail. We had a motley crew of calibers the other night: 22LR, .204 and .30-06.

It was a very surreal experience sitting in the stand in near complete darkness and then a coyote starts howling behind you less than 100 yards away (at least it sounded that close). I regret not reacting quickly enough when I saw one while I was deer hunting one morning a few weeks ago. Thanks for the encouragement.

I don't believe there is a "live from the field" thread for coyote night hunting, so I am making this a stand alone post. (Mods, if you wish to merge this into another thread, feel free.) Me and two hunting buddies went out yesterday evening to try coyote hunting. Had an electronic caller, wiggly fur thingy and coyote juice scent. Well, no doubt the caller worked, at least for the first time. We heard several coyotes starting howling around us, and sensed/heard one moving between us towards the call from downwind, exactly as expected. The problem was, we couldn't see it. I was using an ATN X-Sight II digital night scope for the first time, and found it cumbersome to "scan the field" with. (The view itself, for what you are looking at at any point in time, is very good.) The other guys just had regular spotlights that they selectively used. Interesting experience. I ordered some rifle-mounted red LED flashlights and handheld red LED flashlights for us to try instead. We are newbies at this, and trying to figure it out. Seems like there are a lot more coyotes in NW Niagara county this year relative to a few years ago.

which book? I'd like to check it out. Thanks.