There was another one with it. Probably its mate. It was gone before the smoke cleared. I think they were coming over to check out the sound of me going up the tree. I had just pulled my gun up and put prime in the pan. I could barely make out the front sight.
I am always happy to kill a coyote, but I wasnt always like that. I will never forget the first live coyote I ever saw. I was about 10 years old, I had followed my Dad into the woods way before daylight, He was putting me out under a hickory tree that the squirrels were tearing up. I sat there in the dark by myself as I had been instructed to and done many times before. He was going to another tree and it must have been a long way away. Because it sure was dark when I got dropped off. This time was different I heard something trotting through the woods, I hoped it was a deer, but as it came closer, it seemed like it was looking for me. I was about to manure when the ears and nose of a coyote were silouetted against the barely lit sky about 10 feet from where I sat shaking, but yet trying to be still. It went on its way and I did too just in case it came back. (Too many bedtime stories about wolves eating kids I guess) The only thing I remember about that hunt is finding my Dad and telling him I was almost eaten alive. He laughed and asked, "Why didnt you shoot it?" All I could say was I would have but I couldnt move. Anyway I guess these guys coming to investigate me made me remember that tale.
