Spring is upon us here in South Dakota. Recently I have spent some nights out on the prairie, and have been hearing some aggressive vocalization from coyotes. I decided to give it a try and see if they would come in and work the dogs. I asked my daughter who has been working with her Kemmer Cur, Chuck, if she would like to go with. She was excited for the chance to go along. We loaded Chuck and my dog Whip (who has a season of coyote work under his belt and does very good) in the truck and rattled down the road. We bounced across the the prairie till we got to what I thought would be a good spot.
Where to deep draws come together surrounded by vast flat prairie. Rough sage country breaking to the north. We proceeded to get set in on the shady side of a steep bank. I set out the call and she found a spot to get comfy with no cactus and some brush to hide along, I sat down with her and got ready. Chuck was excited to be out and Whip was very excited because he knew exactly what we were up to. After we started calling I picked up a coyote coming in from the horizon to the north. I got my daughters attention and showed her the single coming in. Whip and Chuck were scouring the area checking out the small creek that ran through the bottom. Whip with his head up looking around Chuck not sure what we were doing but still doing what I needed him to do. The coyote coming from the north was hanging up some and being cautious. We would soon find out why.
I played a short howl sequence to see if I could coax the single along a little. Shortly after stopping I thought I heard a big deep coyote bark. I asked if she heard a bark, she shook her head and said a big one. Whip was alerted by what he had heard and was looking around ears perked up. Chuck was working up the draw to the N. Whip working down the draw to the S. I looked at a single to the North with the glass and hear my daughter say “Dad, Coyotes” in a soft calm voice. I get out of my glass and see she was right coyotes 3 of them coming in like they mean it. One hangs up on the ridge the other two head to Chuck who is now about 250yds or so to the North. Tails tucked and ready to fight off an intruder they head right for Chuck who is a beginner to this game. The coyotes hit the bottom of the creek and I realize Chuck can’t see them from his position and the two coyotes will be about 10 yds away when he can see him. I try to be patient and tone Chuck as coyotes get close to him. He looks and heads to me as the coyotes come onto the bench he was on. Whip and Chuck congregate around us as one coyote grows a bit uneasy with the situation and looks to head out. I get into my rifle and pick one of the two who wanted to put a whoopin on Chuck. As I drop that one, the other gets over the edge and out of sight. On the sound of the shot, Whip blows down into the draw. The hanger is still on the ridge I swing and take a shot at him, but the hit wasn't great. Still, I turned to see a big smile. I told her we needed to get the dogs on the hit coyote that ran off. As we headed down into the draw I gathered up Whip and Chuck as we move across. Chuck and Whip start off tracking the two that headed for Chuck a couple lip squeaks and they come with. Whip and Chuck cut the track of the dinged coyote and off they go it doesn’t take long and they are on him and get him drug down. When we get there the squabble is mostly over I finish off the coyote and go to petting and praising the dogs. My daughter is all smiles loving up on Chuck and giving him many praise. We give the dogs a little time then gather up the coyote and head to the pickup. My daughter falls in the water to her waist as we cross the creek she said it was cold I am sure it is it was ice 10 days ago. She is a trooper and dumped out her boots and we carried on. We gathered the 1st coyote, take a quick picture, and head for the house.
I do very much enjoy these times with family and great dogs. These Kemmer curs are so versatile they are the same ones I coon hunt and anything else I want to hunt. The tracking ability, ease of handling, brains and disposition of these dogs is really the total package. The ability to go to work and get the job done and still be tucked into bed with my daughter at night as Chuck is most nights, makes these dogs so hard to beat.
Finn Sacrison
Keldron, South Dakota
