12/17/2025
Garrett and I hadn't been in the blind but a few minutes when he said "I see something way out in the field!". I had put out a pile of scraps the day before, and we were hoping to score on a coyote. I scanned the field but couldn't see anything, unfortunately there was a tree blocking me. I moved right and finally saw something move 200+ yards away. It looked small, and I wanted to make sure it wasn't a bobcat (which are not legal game in Ohio). It moved again and I saw a long, bushy tail, and Garrett said that he thought it was a small coyote. It went back into the woods before giving us a shot, and Garrett flipped on the call. Not 30 seconds later he said "There's one coming out to the right!". Indeed, a big dog was looking at the call, and would run forward a few steps, but always manage to stop behind some branches. He cut sideways, Garrett mouse squeaked at him ( the call had stopped momentarily) and the rifle roared. " You hit him! " He ran straight away and I shot again, the second round taking out a back leg.
We certainly didn't expect it to happen so fast, and we were certainly happy to take out this old dog. I was also happy to make memories with my son.
As I was skinning him I discovered the hole in his face, which has been there awhile. The skin had grown down in, and it didn't go all the way through.
