Are You Ready to Shoot?

Technique of the Week: Every Tuesday, I’ll share a predator hunting tip, technique or tactic to help make your predator hunts more successful. Although some of the information will come from my knowledge acquired in the field, many entries will be the result of interviews with accomplished predator hunters from across the country. So here we go with the Technique of the Week. Please feel free to click on the "comments" and add your thoughts.

Are you ready for the moment of truth?

Way too many predator calling stands end in failure because hunters just plain are not ready to shoot when the coyote, bobcat or fox presents the opportunity. I’ve watched hunting partners frozen with their rifles across their laps when a coyotes unexpectedly pop up within 100 yards. I witnessed another hunter fumbling with his jacket as a pair of coyotes ambled past. And yes, I admit it: I’ve been caught off-guard more than once.

To make sure I’m ready to shoot, I follow a little routine when I sit down. First, I make sure I can sit at that spot for the duration of the stand. Sitting on a rock or stump feels OK for the first few minutes, but can become uncomfortable after 15 minutes or more. A cushion or small stool helps. If you don’t think you can sit there for the entire stand, select a different spot. I always make sure I can swing and turn 90 degrees in each direction, too. I take stock in the brush and terrain immediately behind me, because we all know that predators rarely come out and stand in the perfect spot for a shot.

OK, so I am sitting comfortably, concealed with a good view. Next, I shoulder my rifle or shotgun. If I am using shooting sticks, I position them at the appropriate height so the butt of the stock fits correctly into my shoulder and my eye is lined up with the scope. If you have to strain your back and neck to get a sight picture, reposition so you don’t. Then, I look through the scope and find that big tree 100 yards away and spy a large rock 200 yards out. I’m logging reference points into my mind, which will make it easier to locate a running coyote and have a sense of the distance when I’m aiming. A little scanning through the scope can also help eliminate distractions because you will have processed those images before you are trying to shoot a coyote. Just as importantly, I know my rifle is ready. The lens cap is off, the rifle is at the correct height and I know what’s on the horizon.

I keep the stock buried into my shoulder and sit so I don’t have to move my head more than a couple of inches to look through the scope. My gun is up and ready. I can quickly acquire the animal in the scope or move the rifle rapidly to my left or right to shoot.

By thinking about my shot long before the predator is within range, I’m ready when a pair of coyotes charges or the spotted cat materializes from behind the sage. For most of us, predator encounters are rare enough that we can’t afford not to seal the deal when everything else goes right.

So the next time you are camouflaged and about to press play on your digital call, ask yourself, “Am I really ready to shoot?”