A Very Disturbing Encounter.

[Raquettedacker]

I just want to say I think he did the right thing by not shooting at it not knowing exactly what it was...  Next time bring a bigger spot light...
Just my 2cents..

[bigb2004]

I say shoot then ask question.  Your life and kid's life is in danger. Shoot it then find out what it was. He gave it warning by screaming and fighting his flash light. Even if human you better say something your be ready to me your maker

[slt]

I say shoot then ask question.  Your life and kid's life is in danger. Shoot it then find out what it was. He gave it warning by screaming and fighting his flash light. Even if human you better say something your be ready to me your maker

What danger? They were in a tree right? The right choice seems to have been made here, but I would be tempted to go back and try again perhaps without the child and with a better light. Perhaps another adult with a firearm  My .02

[Bigwitt]

We all know the risks of going hunting and dealing with wild animals, they were in a tree so unless dogs have learned to climb trees or ladders there is no reason to shoot unless you are 100% sure of your target and what is behind it. Isn't that one of the first leasons we learn in the hunters saftey course? I'm not saying that isn't a scary situation to be in but what happened IMO is the best case scenerio. Maybe they should make us take that hunters saftey course every few years......

[Deposit]

At another place I use to live at I open my front door one morning to let my dog out and there teeth bared and growling was a coyote on my front steps!. Needless to say I slambed the front door and went to get my shotgun! It was gone when I returned. That summer was the summer of the yote for us. The yotes where seen multiple times on the farm and even went in the barn with the horses. They circled the indoor arnea one night with my wife and here hosre in side!

[bigb2004]

If he didn't have a big enough flashlight then why was he hunting at night? (Nothing against skta or your friend). I know he did the right thing for being in a treestand. But what if you were on the ground and couldn't tell what was there, but growling at you. You telling me if it didn't back down with you yelling at it, you wouldn't shoot? I know you should always know what you are shooting at and behind it and around. But I draw the line when I feel I'm in danger your my kids in danger.  ( I know I little off topic but I want to to get that off my chest. )

[adkRoy]

Coyotes around me are losing their fear of humans. I had one come out into a field I was walking across and he did not spook. He kept on walking towards me. I started firing my pistol and the thing just stood there. After the 4 th shot it finally turned and walked into the woods. This was at 2 in the afternoon.

[stka]

The stand is on the edge of a pasture, with a large objective lens (40mm+) it's easy to see to shoot in the open especially with moon light, I've done it. Behind the stand is pretty thick underbrush. He has a small varmint light, but didn't have it mounted, he was using it as a flashlight and his daughters job was to spot light the coyotes so he could see them even better to shoot them. I don't know why he couldn't get a good enough look at it.

[stka]

I'm going to bow hunt Wednesday, then meet him at the house and head out to see what we can call in.

[aquaassassin]

LOL, if it was a human growling at you, you might be doing them a big favor

good point

[bucksnort]

Anything that growls at me when I'm in my tree stand (specially with my 11 yr old daughter) has made a very bad decision...

that about says it for me.daughter or not if something is trying to put the stalk on me in the dark and makes the mistake of growling at me its toast

[howesfc]

For personal protection I carry my 7" KA-BAR (Olean,NY).

[upstatehunter]

OK I had to chuckle, All these big macho hunters and your shooting at a growl...Sorry no offense to anyone....Just struck me funny.
I was under the impression that if he was hunting after dark he would have had a big enough light, just that it was in the brush and couldn't get a good look at it.
 
Made me think of when I was about 12, my Dad and I were at camp. It was 4 miles in off a two lane on a old logging company road. It was an old school bus with a 12 X 14 addition. We were sitting there reading by the gas lights and Dad wanted another beer..... Guess who's job that was....
I opened the door to get to the gas refridge. There between the door and the fridge was a quite large bear. I just stepped back in, grabbed the Smith&Wesson
off the table and opened the door back up. He hadn't left, in fact had knocked the fridge over....    I don't think I was aiming but, a couple quick shots and he woofed
and ran. I looked at my Dad and he was just smiling, he said and I'll never forget it.....You invite him for dinner??? LOL  Then he got real mad when I told him the fridge was on it's side.....

[howesfc]

You Know Your A Redneck When (Read Post Above).

[huntny30]

LOL!!!