Went for a camera hunt today

[coach]

No - I didn't kill any cameras!

I had a "kid free" day off and decided to take advantage of the opportunity to take Chilko for a hike above Kelowna. I packed my .222 just in case I might spot a coyote. Turns out the only 'yotes I spotted were on the fairways at the Harvest Golf Club..

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1200.jpg

After spotting four of them, I clued into the fact that none of them moved and all were positioned in key locations. I guess they've been placed there to keep the geese off the course. It seems the Buddy Taveres incident has had a lasting effect on our community. I felt like a bit of an idiot for being fooled, and the idea of playing a practical joke on the course did cross my mind. It would be pretty funny to head out there in the dark and either surround the "coyotes" with a bunch of goose decoys or sneak them out of there and replace them with deer dekes.

Anyway, after wasting some time watching and photographing fake 'yotes, it was time to move on.

[TheProvider]

Least you didnt shoot one ;)

[coach]

Chilko was pretty excited as we headed up the hill and onto the KVR. We found a spot to pull over and I grabbed my camera, fanny pack and my Tikka. A short way up the hill, I was able to get her to sit still long enough to snap a picture.

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1202.jpg

Shortly afterwards, I spotted a two point mulie that had somehow survived the October any buck "slaughter" as well as the late bow season. Unfortunately, he was a little wary of Chilko and moved out of sight before I could snap his picture.

It was tough slogging through the crusty snow, but we eventually made our way to the top.

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1223.jpg

[coach]

We shared a snack and took in the view, then made our way over to where my hunting partner (shootthesheep) had taken a buck in October. As I sat and glassed the area, I spotted a doe bedded down.

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1230.jpg

As is almost always the case with mulies, she was not alone. A quick scan of the area revealed two more does bedded in close proximity to her. I didn't bring a tripod so I laid down on the rocks and took a quick video of the group. When I stood up, I checked the ground to make sure I hadn't dropped anything and realized I had sat down right on the brass that shootthesheep had lost in October. What are the odds?

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/Snapbucket/DC608E51.jpg

[coach]

Chilko did quite a bit of exploring while we were up there. At one point she flushed a grouse right past me. I'm hopeful that I'll be able to train her as a bird dog by next season - but I'm not holding my breath. She's a lab, full of energy and mainly a family dog. There were a ton of great photo opportunities, but if you think it's tough to take good pics of your kids, try getting your dog to stay still.

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1214.jpg

[coach]

As we slowly made our way down, a few clouds rolled in, the wind picked up, and it cooled off considerably. We didn't spot any more game, but were treated to a great sunset.

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1238.jpg

All in all, it was a nice day to be out and about.

[jeff]

nice pics ...........

[coach]

Least you didnt shoot one ;)

LOL - I actually did shoot a couple of them, with my Canon. Hopefully none of the local homeowners heard me howling at them out the window!

[gcreek]

Good photos coach. I wonder what repercussions would have happened had you shot one of those decoy dogs.

[jeff]

Good photos coach. I wonder what repercussions would have happened had you shot one of those decoy dogs.

give it time and they will be full of holes

[coach]

Probably would have been arrested and kicked in the teeth, gcreek! That's how it's done here in K-town.

[The Hermit]

Great idea to post up pick of the off season excursions!

[BradB]

Really makes me look forward to getting the truck fixed so I can get out and do something similar in the off-season. Looks like a great way to spend your day.

[hunter1947]

Nice pictures very nice lab thanks for taking us along on your outing.

[TheProvider]

LOL - I actually did shoot a couple of them, with my Canon. Hopefully none of the local homeowners heard me howling at them out the window!

haha see any coyote tracks by the decoys??

[coach]

Funny - there were boot tracks all around them..

[coach]

Actually - they must have been placed before it snowed. No tracks at all.

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1201.jpg

[troutseeker]

Probably would have been arrested and kicked in the teeth, gcreek! That's how it's done here in K-town.

Only if your x-wife had called in a complaint...

[Wrayzer]

Nice pics Coach, you consider training her to help ya find sheds soon?

[coach]

I've never shed-hunted, Wrayzer - but would really like to start and use Chilko to do it. I think I'll start a thread asking for info.

[goatdancer]

Good photos coach. I wonder what repercussions would have happened had you shot one of those decoy dogs.

They're in the city. You can't shoot rifles up there.

[coach]

Goatdancer is correct. There was never any intention to shoot those "coyotes". I just posted the picture because when I spotted them, I pulled over, grabbed my camera and started taking pictures. Having lived at Predator Ridge for a few years, it was quite common to see coyotes on the golf course through the winter. It wasn't until I had taken a couple pics that I realized what I was looking at.

As a joke, I considered starting a thread about all the coyotes on the course and asking strategies to call them in - but decided to let the cat out of the bag and let everyone in on the good laugh I had at myself. The reference to the Tavares incident had to do with the fact, it was the same golf course where he was doing goose control last year, before being chased through town, arrested and kicked in the face by the now disgraced, Constable Jeff Mantler.

I still think it would be funny to switch out the decoys in the middle of the night as a practical joke. :mrgreen:

[goatdancer]

The idea of surrounding the yotes with geese would be hilarious. Especially if the media was called and they went and took pics and tried to tell their story.......