Duran Martinez - AM Outdoors Radio Show

 SOUTH RILEY, MICHIGAN. SA-LUTE!

NO APOLOGIES 

Before I get too far into this entry, I must fairly warn the anti-hunters that I will not apologize for the photo of these fine coyotes taken at the annual Coyote Camp for 2010! I will not waiver in my efforts to promote and protect the rights of Michigan hunters and others alike. If this offends you, don’t look. If my written words offend you, don’t read them. If my radio show offends you, change the channel. If you take a stance to impede my legal right to hunt or to deprive me of my 2nd amendment rights, you better be ready for a legal battle that you cannot afford to win.

COYOTE CAMP

Earlier this week my good friend Kevin called me and told me of the annual Coyote Camp in South Riley, MI this year. A camp that brings folks from as far away as Traverse City and Indiana. Now South Riley is little more than a blip on the radar but is rich in character and personality. The only business in town (that I know of) is a little party store and bar. You literally have to walk through the party store to get to the bar. The food is great and all are treated the same. 

Since the inception of AM Outdoors, I have been fascinated by predator hunting. I am intrigued by coyote hunting in particular. The stealth of these animals is unmatched by any other predator in the Michigan woods. The coyote’s keen sense of sight, smell and it’s ability to see the hidden changes in it’s territory make it a more than worthy adversary to even the most experienced hunter. So as an observer, I went. Watching the way coyote hunters worked with their dogs and each other was a true thing of beauty. With technology and fast running hounds, you wouldn’t think the coyote would stand a chance. Wrong! Speed and cunning can even outrun Motorola, believe it or not.

After meeting up with one of the hunters we heard chatter on the radio that they had one on the move and the dogs were in hot pursuit. Much like rabbit hunting with a good group of beagles, you could hear the dogs off in the distance and you knew that the coyote was coming in fast. Seconds later a shot rang out. Then another. Both shots had turned the predator our way and before Suzie (one of the hunters) could get set, it had crossed a different way and it was off to the races. We spotted it high tailing across a field like the wind itself. I knew they were fast but “boy, it was cruizin’.” Driving across foxtail and cut corn back to the road to catch up with the dogs, the rest of the convoy met up to regroup and get the dogs rested and to give others the chance to get on the scent.

When we got back onto the road, we followed some other local hunters around a similar perimeter we were hunting. One particular hunter had a directional antenna on the roof of his truck searching for his dogs. With one coyote on his dog box, I can only imagine that he was out for more. It was that time I had to part and say “Thank You!” My first taste of predator hunting has instilled a passion in me to learn more. I truly can’t wait to get back out and try this again. Thanks to all of the Myszak family and their friends for taking me out and giving me this first taste of coyote excitement.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Seeing how all of these folks from different areas worked together made me think of something. Why can’t we as hunters and anglers get together to protect what we love. There seems to be a constant fight within our own. The most recent argument was with the crossbow. Before that, the dove issue. Why can’t we equally respect the right to pursue legal hunting here in Michigan. For example: As a deer hunter, I will defend the right for you to hunt waterfowl or to trap fur bearing animals. As a compound bow shooter, I will protect the right for you to use a crossbow even though I might not ever own one.

We must protect each others right to fish, hunt and bear arms. Even if it is not within my interests to participate in the exact same sports as you. Anti hunting and gun groups are well funded. They have those who are ignorant to how much sportsmen and women put into our nations economy and protection of our natural resources. “Together we stand, divided we fall.” Let’s work together to protect what we hold sacred.

 Good Hunting!

-Duran