beginner predator hunter question

[skimerhorn]

I live in central va, and I am gonna try out my new call for the first time this weekend. I was wondering if any of you pros could offer any helpful suggestions. Such as what time of day is good, and which call to use in different situations. I'm not sure all I've heard is the cotton tail distress works ok, and the bark call will stop them I'm not sure if that's right or not though. Thanks in advance for any help I can get.

 

[Festus]

From south-west VA.
DEFINATELY not a pro but i have had good success with fawn distress calls later in the spring. Usually early mornings and late evenings.
Have always used cotton tail and pup distress this time of year.

 

[diem24]

Called in 5 in the last week w a howler and rabbit distress. Our yots get very call wary so the best time to hunt is def last light and during the night, providing their is snow and moon. Fawn distress is also a great way to get the wary ones in to range.

 

[Elkmagnet]

Go out a lot and don't get discouraged when there not responding.

 

[StrutNut]

Watch your movement. This means not just on stand but getting from truck to the stand. They can see you a long ways away. Use the terrain to quietly sneak in and quietly set up. Play the wind always. Start off your calling softly in case you snuck in on one and didnt know it. It happens! Increase your volume as your sit time increases. I tend to then dial it back after a bit as well. BE PATIENT! Although fox often are in within 5 minutes of a sit it sometimes takes yotes a good 20 minutes or so to commit. If they hang up on you try to bring them the rest of the way with a little squealer or lip squeak. Using a decoy with motion often can mean the difference of a hung up critter to one attacking at full speed. Shotguns are nice for those times!

 

[MThuntr]

If your call has them available consider mating calls and lonely howls. I've had as much luck with howls as I do with distress calls. When they start popping out little ones, a distress pup may be the ticket.

 

[Craig S.]

Barks or a loud noise usually stop coyotes. Sometimes you can just stop calling.

Early in the morning and late in the evening is when they are typically more active, but the middle of the day can be awesome!

My 2 cents:

1. Call where predators are. (Scout!)
2. Setup as close as you can. (Be quite & use cover!)
3. Don't get discouraged! (Try & try again.)
4. Understand there are many factors as to why or why they don't come to your call. A lot of this has to do with territory and the individual animal's experiences. Keep in mind, they live in a world that has no laws or limits, expect FLIGHT or FIGHT!
5. Never stop learning and analyzing! There are a lot of myths! Nobody calls them in 100% of the time!


Here is link to my predator guide service page. I try to post topics that not only promote the business, but also help guys that want to do it on there own. I have learned a ton over the past 20+ years of calling predators, but I still have a lot more to learn.

 

[Kerryt38]

Try everything. nothing works every time. There are three things to remember! Find someone to hunt with if they can stay still-etra eyes always help and make it more fun. You have to be Quick-they don't wait around for you to shoot. If it is windy stay home-I've never called one in in the wind. The sound only travels with the wind along with your scent.

 

[idnative1948]

Just from what I learned from Pops... Early morning, just daylight and then late evening (but are out at night). Early morning they are having breakfast, take a nap in the afternoon (unless spooked) and hunt again in the evening with a distress call.