So I'm guessing that between the two, my maximum shooting distance would be approximately 50-100 yards. What type of gun should I take, a rifle or a shotgun? If rifle, should it be open sights or scoped?
Here is my thinking, If your shots are mostly going to be around 50 yards something like a wide angle 1.5 X 4 would work great, you will be able to pick up a moving dog quick and if you think sometimes you might have 100 yards plus shot, you can always get a variable scope like a 1.5x10 . I use a 3x9 because I had a spare laying around.
I have thought of buying an old combo gun, I've had times where a shotgun was needed but was carrying a rifle, the combo rifle/shotgun has always peaked my curiosity.
The first time I ever tried calling I was sitting in in some brush calling and ended up calling in some crows. After I stopped calling I was sitting still looking up at the crows, when all of a sudden I heard heavy panting. I looked down and saw a yote running right at me, he was so close there was no time to shoot, so I jumped up and yelled at him and he slammed on his back brakes and his front paws were up in the air as he spun around and took off back down the knoll I was on. He made the mistake of looking back at me to see what I was and I was able to nail him in the head. Was the craziest thing I ever experienced in the woods(that and when an owl took off with my decoy lol) my heart was pounding, adrenalin was flowing......I WAS HOOKED!!!
