Running shots

Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Messages
911
Location
South Dakota
Well so far this year I have stacked up a few coyotes. Called in many doubles and triples. I SUCK at running shots. Haven't been able to pull of a double yet. Most have been less than 150 yards. I realize there are many variables but whats a decent point of aim to start? Lead by a foot? Hold shoulder and keep swinging with critter? Any tips or ideas how to practice those moving shots?
 

StrutNut

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jun 11, 2014
Messages
296
Location
Blaine, MN
Yes, a couple of things. First off most hunters stop the gun when they shoot. You will shoot behind them every time. Learn to stay in front of the target and have barrel traveling at same speed and get in front and slowly squeeze off your round. Look for inpact and KY wind-age adjust. Your next shot if needed should be very close and again, adjust as needed. The biggest problem is yotes in particular seem to know where every dirt clump between him and you are and they get behind it. Remember as you squeeze the trigger you need to force yourself to keep the barrel moving or again, you shoot behind. Run that rifle like your shooting a shotgun on a bird. You can practice at home by swinging up to a target, dry firing and making sure you are still swinging past on the same line.
 

ckleeves

WKR
Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Messages
1,589
Location
Montrose,Colorado
You have to pull some pretty good leads On running dogs. If you have one running full out crossing at 150 I bet it's about a coyote length. Follow the yote for a second keeping your eye on the horizontal wire of your reticle to see if the yote is angling up or down.

If they are running up or down hill and crossing it can be tougher since you don't have a horizontal reference.

Ime quite a few called in dogs run pretty much straight away/ quartering away. Make sure your not over leading this type of shot since it doesn't require near the lead of a crossing shot.

I didn't get really good at running shots until I started hunting with an AR then I could read dust and snow to get my second (or 5th lol) shot on target. It's surprising how fast you can get good after you have a mental image of what your leads need to be at different distances and angles.
 

Beendare

WKR
Joined
May 6, 2014
Messages
9,162
Location
Corripe cervisiam
I had to chuckle at CK's comments as its exactly what i would have said- especially about the AR. There are only a handful of things as fun as running shots on yotes with an AR. I do as he said but focus on the scope wire trailing on the yote...and if it takes 4 or 5 shots....oh well!
 
OP
Jake Leibke
Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Messages
911
Location
South Dakota
Thanks for the input! The biggest problem is the conditions this year make it tough to see where I'm hitting..... No snow and frozen ground.
The most shots I've got off has been 3. Hard to keep pulling the trigger when I'm not sure where I'm hitting.
 

Jordan Budd

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Aug 8, 2012
Messages
2,782
Location
NW Nebraska
Got a straight left to right dead run shot at 100 the other day and held a half a length in front of him and hit right on his shoulder. The trick is to try and keep swinging. One thing I've had the most success on for doubles is not getting too antsy after the first shot.. A lot of times if you can do a pup in distress type call after the first shot you can get the second one to stop. He might stop right away or he might get out another 100 yards but in my experience most of them will stop, you just have to be ready cause it may not be for long. Making at 200 yd standing shot may be more successful than a 150 yd running shot. Obviously a lot of terrain variables will change that but I've had good success with that.
 
Joined
Sep 22, 2013
Messages
6,389
The reticle on the Nikon Coyote Special scope helps alot. Hated it at first (on the range) but in the field it's great.

nikon_bdc_predator_reticle.jpg
 
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