Sniper here.....Ended up taking 4 rifles (also had 2 pistols, which I always have in the car). So, thus laden with firepower I set off for p-dog country. First day, was driving day, 5 and 1/2 hours to get there. With social visit first and I get the first bit of not so good news. My generous host is also generous with some of the locals who are mostly pot-shooters who train the dogs to be careful when people are about. Makes 'em extra spooky and tougher targets. I find tracks all over the areas that are normally prime spots. So, I'm in the field by 2:00 and being a persistent sort I scour the large tracts of land and eventually find some smaller communities among the scattered towns. Mostly with the 17HMR, I killed 67 dogs before my host calls and wants me to join him for steak at the local "restaurant". The eatery in this tiny town is also the grocery store with 3 tables in the back (6-ft apart for virus safety) and we were called by the cook to ask us when we would arrive so he could start cooking. Can't pass up an invite like that.
2nd day. Weather was variable, but mostly cool and cloudy....not ideal for p-dogs activity. Again, persistence paid off and before the day was over I had killed another 90 dogs, again mostly with the 17HMR. My 17HMR is an Anschutz 1517MPR and it did a fantastic job. It has become like a comfy pair of shoes that I wear with confidence and 100-125 yd shots are common. Not sorry I left the Sako at home. One note worthy segment of the afternoon I found. a pocket of about a dozen dogs about 175-200 yds back in a breezy but not windy shallow valley. Too far for the .204, which is a Kimber 84M. With the Bushnell Elite 6-24X I can zoom in on them and I made 9-10 shots in a row without a miss. Very satisfying shooting. Ended with a 2 day total of 147. Chili dogs and beer for dinner...ahhh what a life!
3rd day. Decided to dedicate day 3 to calling coyotes. Headed to an area where I've killed coyotes before, a low water area where water never ceases even in dry times. So I get all set up and can't get my new Lucky Duck caller to work. I used it a month ago and it worked fine...forgot to bring a mouth call so I'm screwed. With that, the AR goes back in the case and I return to the dog patch. The weather was really not good and I had to work for every shot. But, at the end of the day I had killed a total of 180 dogs and late in the afternoon I get a call from my host and he invites me to join his sis and bro-n-law for dinner. They have a large beautiful home with ample room for keeping safe distance and a great dinner was enjoyed by everyone. Had wicked thunderstorm that night and a drove out in the mud this morning.
So, Shot dogs with 3 rifles...most with the 17HMNR, 30-40 with the .204 and a dozen maybe with my .223. My misfortune prevented me from using the AR, but stuff happens. All in all, a fantastic trip.
2nd day. Weather was variable, but mostly cool and cloudy....not ideal for p-dogs activity. Again, persistence paid off and before the day was over I had killed another 90 dogs, again mostly with the 17HMR. My 17HMR is an Anschutz 1517MPR and it did a fantastic job. It has become like a comfy pair of shoes that I wear with confidence and 100-125 yd shots are common. Not sorry I left the Sako at home. One note worthy segment of the afternoon I found. a pocket of about a dozen dogs about 175-200 yds back in a breezy but not windy shallow valley. Too far for the .204, which is a Kimber 84M. With the Bushnell Elite 6-24X I can zoom in on them and I made 9-10 shots in a row without a miss. Very satisfying shooting. Ended with a 2 day total of 147. Chili dogs and beer for dinner...ahhh what a life!
3rd day. Decided to dedicate day 3 to calling coyotes. Headed to an area where I've killed coyotes before, a low water area where water never ceases even in dry times. So I get all set up and can't get my new Lucky Duck caller to work. I used it a month ago and it worked fine...forgot to bring a mouth call so I'm screwed. With that, the AR goes back in the case and I return to the dog patch. The weather was really not good and I had to work for every shot. But, at the end of the day I had killed a total of 180 dogs and late in the afternoon I get a call from my host and he invites me to join his sis and bro-n-law for dinner. They have a large beautiful home with ample room for keeping safe distance and a great dinner was enjoyed by everyone. Had wicked thunderstorm that night and a drove out in the mud this morning.
So, Shot dogs with 3 rifles...most with the 17HMNR, 30-40 with the .204 and a dozen maybe with my .223. My misfortune prevented me from using the AR, but stuff happens. All in all, a fantastic trip.
