Randy Succow | Washington
The Washington Predator Hunting Association (WPHA) decided that we would like to start a new annual program and give back a little to the veterans who give to us all day, every day. Jarrod Bailey, East Side Vice President and Pro Staff of the WPHA came up with the program — to take veterans predator hunting.
On this hunt, we would do all the calling and the veteran would do the shooting. We posted on the WPHA Facebook page and an Iraq veteran replied back in a matter of minutes.
Jim Jacobs served as an Airborne Infantryman in the 10th Mountain Division Light Infantry. After initial service, Jim joined the Oregon National Guard and earned a commission through Eastern Oregon University. In 2004, Jim’s unit was deployed to Iraq for an 18-month deployment where he served as Assistant Operations Officer, planning and supervising the execution of field missions. Jim mostly operated on the Forward Operating Base (Warrior at the Kirkuk Regional Air Base) unless called for, “operations in the battle field.”
Jim continues to serve his community as Principal of Robert L. Olds Junior High School in Connell, Washington, where he lives with his wife and two daughters. In his “spare time” Jim is also a District Fire Commissioner for the Franklin County Fire District #5, an all-volunteer fire district.
The hunt was planned for the morning of December 20th. That morning we woke to a 47-degree rain and tried our hand at a stand, but had to reschedule the hunt due to the poor weather. The new hunt date was December 31st (New Year’s Eve) to try again.
This morning, unlike the other, was going to be a great day — 17 degrees with no wind! After heading out to the first stand they had a coyote hold up at 500-plus yards. After calling for a bit longer, they spotted some more coyotes that were a long way off that would not come to the call either, no matter what sound was played. With Ghillie suits on, they decided to try and stalk the coyotes. The duo crept for 650 yards, but didn’t see any coyotes once they got to their spot. Just then, a coyote started to challenge bark a couple of hundred yards off in the brush. Again, they couldn’t coax the predator in — time to move.
The next area was out in the dry land around Kahlotus. Jarrod had Jim sit in the area he thought was the most likely to have a coyote come into. Eight minutes of the FOXPRO playing baby-cottontail distress worked! Jim connected with a coyote at 40 yards. Jarrod didn’t see the coyote come in, but Jim sure did and he connected perfectly!
It was an extremely gratifying day and a fantastic way to be able to say “Thanks,” to a Veteran.
Learn more about the Washington Predator Hunting Association and visit their Facebook page.
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