I simply did not care. I followed the muddy trail through the tangle of willows, into a draw full of hardwoods, into the heart of big buck territory. I was violating a whitetail sanctuary.

Entry into this holy of holies was strictly forbidden during bowhunting season. Neither I nor any of my friends would dare enter it for fear of spooking bucks hiding there. Today was different. Spring had sprung. It was primetime for shed antler hunting. Forbidden areas were now open. And scouting them in spring would prove to my advantage come fall. The same could work for you.

We brought Sage home on a frigid February evening.

She was an undocumented border collie from a nearby Montana ranch, but destined to become my coyote hunting partner.

Deer season had just wrapped up. Fur hunters were out and about. Not only had the local coyotes felt the sting of several near misses from anxious deer hunters, but now they were hearing sounds of wailing wildlife every weekend. Even fur hunting pros were out calling my area.