What A Night

[clayton86]

Got out last night with the coon hounds and man did we have a blast. We got 6 big prime coons but boy did we have to work for them.

First drop yielded a double after the dog traveled 1100yds to our east so we hopped in the truck and drove around the other side of the woods. Rocket had 2 jumbo coons way the hell up the the tree so me and the kid each got one.

After that drop we went to another one that one was a bit of a hike to get to the woods about 400yds threw some sloppy corn field. Soon as we let the dog go not even 30 seconds and he was on another coon this time the coon backed into a hole and decided to fight it out with rocket. Got the dog under the leash and tied to the tree and Nick got the the job done point blank another big ole fat coon we skinned this one out on the spot and let the dog go again.

Rocket doesn't go but 50 yards and and start on another track about a minute later hot on a tree bellowing at another double up in some nasty vines and prickers. Same as the first drop the kid shot one and I shot one. That second one the kid shot though was a bad hit still brought the coon down but boy was he ticked!!!!! That coon hauled off into the nastiest thickest crap it could so we sent the dog in and it was on again. Fighting like hell to get the dog back on the leash to dispatch the coon we got all cut up and charged a few times by the coon. Finaly the kid got the dog and Nick shot the coon sucker didnt want to die took a few to the skull before he stopped. That gave us 5 jumbo boars so far.

So we went back to the house dropped them off and went back for a few more. We ended up doing just one more drop and it yielded 1 giant the biggest of the night I got this one thing weighed a good 30lbs easy. After the long hike we decided 6 was good for the night we made $100 easily probably more.

On the way out we seen a screech owl he let us get within 5 yds before flying off. Then don't ya know we see a set of eyes by the truck!! Big ole red fox. Fox takes off across the field and we stop and and start lip squeeking it. Well here comes big ole sly or not so sly fox i should say considering we are standing in a corn field three bright lights burning this thing down Nick has a dog and a cigar in his mouth and the wind is blowing right at the fox!!! This poor fox came charging right in even stopped a few times to look at us and kept coming!! At about 60yds I put a HP threw his chest and he curled up and then bolted for the hedge row. He was hurting though ran about 20 yds then got low and walked. We couldn't find him but are certain hes dead in the hedge or the next field so Nick and his boy are looking today. I would of put another in him as he was walking off hurt but there was a house in the back ground.

All in all had a great night made some money and if we find the fox made even more they are pulling $40 a hide.

[Catt]

Aint done that in years

[retiredbosn]

I remember when coon brought 40, and fox 75-100, late seventies early eighties. Was a teenager and it paid to run traps. Like Catt said haven't been coon hunting in years, loved to hear those dogs sing though. What kind were u running?

[clayton86]

Blue ticks we run for fox, coyotes, bear, and coon. We went out again last night took my son with us. He had a ball but as the night went on the pace slowed up it got bright out and I guess coons don't like them moon lit nights despite there being no moon idk but we didnt need lights to see. We only got 1 and that came by driving and seeing a coon in the field where we got te fox the night before. Pulled over let the dog go and he treed shortly after.

My son loved it its all hes talked about all day wanting to go again he fell in love with rockets bark right off the bat.

Here's some pics of the one coon we got and Noah my son playing with the new puppy they just from Kansas which is also the puppy's name.

[clayton86]

Coons are pulling $20 average $32 for the XL ones fox have been averaging $40. Coyotes I have heard worthless to $80.

[retiredbosn]

My neighbor has a bluetick, its a pet! He will tree a squirrel every once and a while I love it, they hate it and make him stop. Idk why the keep a hound in the house as a lap dog

[clayton86]

Yeah they are not house dogs. The guy I go with has 8 adult blues and 4 puppies in training.

[craww]

Grew up hunting black and tans. My grandfather had 5 grand nite champs back in the day. Didnt know hides were bringing anything anymore. I used to keep them when I was 13-14..A good coon (shot not trapped) brought about $15 then.

Not to bust balls or anything, but most coonhunters don't belive in shotting them unless their up a tree. Kind of like bird hunters only shooting them in flight. If he can handle himself on the ground with the dogs he's earned that right. The old guys never let a dog mouth a coon unless he tree'd it. Kind of a reward that motivates to look up the tree and know when they crossover other trees and stuff.

[clayton86]

Yeah that was the first time I ever seen nick take one on the ground was that first night and thats just where the coon went was in a hole with the dog. The ones we seen in the field the second night we let rocket tree them well the one the others disappeared down a hole we think. The second night we got a lot of den trees early on.

He usually lets Rocket mouth the first coon of the night but not every one. We're going out again tomorrow night and after Tuesday deer season is over and the coyote hounds come out. He works construction as do I now so we have all winter off to run hounds. He offered to split everything with me we make on hides if i go with him nightly and help out. He said he goes every night and usually alone but controlling a dog, shooting, and carrying coons around te woods can get to be a bit much for 1 man so teaming up we can split the duties.

[craww]

That's great clayton. Looks like your boy loves it! Blueticks and redticks are beatiful dogs, its great to see something other than a walker these days lol. Wait to yall run a bobcat, really cool to see up the tree if you get one tgat doesn't jump out everytime you approach.

Have you ever listened to Jerry Clower? Tons a good clean coonhunting stories. Youtube " coonhunting monkey jerry clower".

[clayton86]

Bob cats are very rare here there was a sighting about 20 miles from my place a few years ago but other then that pretty rare. They are in eastern NY by te anderondacks but not out this way. Another week of deer season and ill be able to call coons when we don't run the hounds along with calling fox and coyotes i can't wait.