Unknown game
 

This evening I went out after class to do some small game hunting. I was walking between a cornfield and a think pine forest when about 20 yards ahead of me I heard panting and saw a dark coyote-like figure running into the corn. I threw up the gun and took a shot, missing behind. I've never heard a coyote pant and moan like that as it ran into the corn...it seemed demonic. It also seemed low to the ground and had a darker-than-usual coat. Any ideas to what this could have been? My initial identification was coyote--after making the decision that it was not a house pet.

I'm was in Indiana Co. PA by the way if that helps.

It is very important that the object you are planning to shoot is identified without question before a shot is fired.

Identify the target even before you point a firearm in its direction.

"It is very important that the object you are planning to shoot is identified without question before a shot is fired."

"Identify the target even before you point a firearm in its direction."

Be sure of your target and what lies beyond…

I dont think anyone can venture a guess as to what it was.

But you did commit a cardinal sin by taking a shot before being able to identify your target. It could have well been somebodys pet.

I hope you learned a very important lesson from what you did, and never repeat that error.

CHUPACABRA!!!!:fighting0007:

I had a pig run past me about three years ago in Indiana PA, I didn't shoot it because it happened so fast, the only thing I could think was that it was a bear, but as I thought more about it I realized it was a pig. Then a few of my cousins saw them later in the season too.
-Jake

Man dont never EVER shoot at something you have no clue what it is or whats beyond it!!!!!! If you was huntin with me id make sure you'd never go back!!!!! Learn how to hunt/shoot!!!

I have seen all black coyote's in alabama

I have too. Alot of ppl mistake um for black panthers.

You're getting flamed alot for shooting at it. But, it's whatever to me. Sounds like you knew what was beyond the target to me. Another thing you might consider is that it was possibly a badger, due to you saying it was low to the ground. Badgers tend to run very flattened out. And it could appear to be black possibly.
-Jake

It may have been a fisher, not sure if they are found in that area or not, but the description seems to match pretty well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher_(animal)

Y'all shouldn't flame him for takeing the shot he knew it was a wild animal and he knew what was behind it who here can say they haven't? I have and I bet half of y'all have to. From what I've herd sounds like either a bobcat or fox. A runnin gray fox looks like a small yote and they will make a growling sound. If it was me and I was on my land I'd of takein the shot too. Good luck

That was Sparky, Old Mrs. Wilson's Border Collie/Scotty Terrier mix.


He does look odd.

He likes to run and chase song birds. He pants and whines with excitement when he does.

Mrs. Wilson noticed him limping around lately and took him to the vet. the vet plucked several BB's out of him.

Some hunter took a shot at him.

Sounds like a chupacabra to me also!

gray fox or mink or crow or turkey or a african child or a monkey or a snake

Years ago, we saw something similar to what you may be describing. We saw it several times over a three week period. After searching around, I saw a picture of a blue fox on the internet (which actually appears more black than blue). The problem was that blue fox don't live in the suburbs of Chicago. Well, lo and behold, a couple weeks later our newspaper reported that a blue fox had been captured just north of us. Nobody could explain how it got into our area but it did.

could be a black lab? or a panther.

Hate to re hash an old post, but these are some of the most irresponsible replies I have ever seen on a hunting forum. Im suprised the moderators havent deleted this.

It was a polatition running from Voters. :busted: :fighting0007:

I know if I was on my property it would have been shot whether it was wild or domestic the only way a domestic would be out there is if someone dumped it so it would have died and every animal under the sun is legal at the same time so I would have the ability to shoot it and then identify it later. But his first reaction was coyote so then it would have been bang with no hesitation at all.