Needing some tips on predator calling please

[DeerCamp]

I am a mid-beginner at predator calling. I have called in 3 coyotes total over the last few years but want to get serious about it this year. (side note, I am also trapping).

I know we have coyotes in the area because I hear them every night just after dark, and semi-regularly catch them on trail cams.

My set:

Using a lucky duck rebel call, approach quietly from downwind, wait 5 min after setting up

1. Woodpecker in distress, low volume -5 min
2. Wait 1-2 min, rabbit in distress medium volume - 5-7 min
3. Wait 1-2 min, another rabbit distress loud volume - 5-7 min
4. Female coyote howl, followed by coyote pup distress / fight as a last resort

Total sit is usually 25ish minutes.

So far this year, I have only managed to call in an owl and crows.

Any tips you have are greatly appreciated.

 

[grouser]

Try "predatormasters.com" this site is all about predator techniques and gear.

 

[09FX4]

I am a mid-beginner at predator calling. I have called in 3 coyotes total over the last few years but want to get serious about it this year. (side note, I am also trapping).

I know we have coyotes in the area because I hear them every night just after dark, and semi-regularly catch them on trail cams.

My set:

Using a lucky duck rebel call, approach quietly from downwind, wait 5 min after setting up

1. Woodpecker in distress, low volume -5 min
2. Wait 1-2 min, rabbit in distress medium volume - 5-7 min
3. Wait 1-2 min, another rabbit distress loud volume - 5-7 min
4. Female coyote howl, followed by coyote pup distress / fight as a last resort

Total sit is usually 25ish minutes.

So far this year, I have only managed to call in an owl and crows.

Any tips you have are greatly appreciated.

Daytime hunting I assume? Depending on how often you call to them you may need some new sounds for your lucky duck. Tony Tibbee makes some great sounds. They will get educated quick if you're using the same sounds repeatedly. If I'm hunting a several hundred acre tract of land I'll normally do a locator call then try and get close to where they are and proceed with distress calls and move onto coyote calls. If it's a smaller tract I'll do the same distress calls then onto coyote calls. One call I've had a ton of success on is an old lone male howl, it came on my lucky duck and I've had more show up to it than any other call I've ever played. Check out YouTube for videos from Foxpro, MFK and lucky duck, I've learned a lot watching them.

 

[Smoke]

I'd try switching up calls each time so they don't keep hearing the same thing. Coyotes can cover a big area so you just have to hope they're around your spot when you call. Sound doesn't travel as far around here as videos you see in wide open country. They will try to get down wind so set call up where you can catch them. Decoys will help add a little to your set. Just gives little realism if they check up to look before coming in. They won't always come running in especially if they can see where sounds are coming from from a distance. Don't be afraid to get out of the fields and into the woods.

 

[ewc]

I'd try switching up calls each time so they don't keep hearing the same thing. Coyotes can cover a big area so you just have to hope they're around your spot when you call. Sound doesn't travel as far around here as videos you see in wide open country. They will try to get down wind so set call up where you can catch them. Decoys will help add a little to your set. Just gives little realism if they check up to look before coming in. They won't always come running in especially if they can see where sounds are coming from from a distance. Don't be afraid to get out of the fields and into the woods.

Great advice!!!

 

[DeerCamp]

Appreciate all the tips fellas. Going to be getting out over the next few days while it's cold and snowy.

I have not called in any yet, but I have caught 2 yotes and a bobcat trapping this week.

 

[TX300mag]

@corymhoward

 

[JThuntsalot]

I run a mfk foxpro x24 just starting out my self. I have made 3 solo sets so far and killed on 2 of those. The first set killed I ran fox pros cagie cottontail for about 3 minutes and it came in hot. Second set I started out with cagie cottontail, then Mrs cottontail, then ran mfk cotton bomb. Ran those for about 20 minutes. Stopped for about 5 minutes then ran mfk lonely little B howl for about one minute and then mfk humpty bumpty for approximately 3 minutes when I big male messed up.on sound volume I have been running mine starting out on 20 which is half way then cranking it all the way up if no response within a few minutes. If they can't hear your call they aren't gonna come in.

 

[JReed]

Are you hunting woods or along a tree line?
My experience hunting song dogs is you normally will call in more dogs than you see. They naturally will try to circle down wind to pick up the sent of any disturbance (you trying to sound like a dying critter) before committing especially if they have been hunted before. If you are hunting in an area that has cover that they can screen behind chances are they are busting you with out you even knowing it. I recommend increasing your call library and hunt with a partner to watch your back. If you have a dog trained for the outdoors they make a great second set of eyes and a useful nose.

 

[DeerCamp]

Are you hunting woods or along a tree line?
My experience hunting song dogs is you normally will call in more dogs than you see. They naturally will try to circle down wind to pick up the sent of any disturbance (you trying to sound like a dying critter) before committing especially if they have been hunted before. If you are hunting in an area that has cover that they can screen behind chances are they are busting you with out you even knowing it. I recommend increasing your call library and hunt with a partner to watch your back. If you have a dog trained for the outdoors they make a great second set of eyes and a useful nose.

Mostly hunting open fields right now.

I did call one in finally, but I know there have to be a lot more just based on trail cam pics.

My Lucky Duck Rebel call is pretty limited sound wise. Not sure what to do there

 

[Omega]

Mostly hunting open fields right now.

I did call one in finally, but I know there have to be a lot more just based on trail cam pics.

My Lucky Duck Rebel call is pretty limited sound wise. Not sure what to do there

Can you load your own calls on that unit?

 

[DeerCamp]

Can you load your own calls on that unit?

No, I don't believe so. It is an entry level caller, though it does have a motorized decoy.

 

[DeerCamp]

Can you load your own calls on that unit?

https://www.academy.com/p/lucky-duck-rebel-predator-e-caller

 

[DeerCamp]

Maybe I need to upgrade calls?
I have quite a few academy gift cards. I'm told I am "hard to shop for"

 

[JReed]

Maybe I need to upgrade calls?
I have quite a few academy gift cards. I'm told I am "hard to shop for"

Make sure what ever call you get has the capacity to add more files to it. Being able to tailor your calls to the area you are in is priceless.

Side note back in the day when E-callers were much less feature rich than they are now. My buddy and I built a caller out of an MP3 player an amp and a loud speaker. We had all sorts of custom sounds for that thing that he and I recorded. One of the best sound files was a 5 minute sequence of his new born daughter in full melt down mode. Boy did that bring them in.

 

[DeerCamp]

Make sure what ever call you get has the capacity to add more files to it. Being able to tailor your calls to the area you are in is priceless.

Side note back in the day when E-callers were much less feature rich than they are now. My buddy and I built a caller out of an MP3 player an amp and a loud speaker. We had all sorts of custom sounds for that thing that he and I recorded. One of the best sound files was a 5 minute sequence of his new born daughter in full melt down mode. Boy did that bring them in.

Thats morbidly brilliant

 

[Omega]

Make sure what ever call you get has the capacity to add more files to it. Being able to tailor your calls to the area you are in is priceless.

Side note back in the day when E-callers were much less feature rich than they are now. My buddy and I built a caller out of an MP3 player an amp and a loud speaker. We had all sorts of custom sounds for that thing that he and I recorded. One of the best sound files was a 5 minute sequence of his new born daughter in full melt down mode. Boy did that bring them in.

Still have my Radio Shack Special, and library of calls. But only played with the raccoons, haven't tried calling in any yotes, but I may need to. The pack, or packs, in my hunting area are getting a little uppity, they tried circling around me when I was dragging in my my last buck, backed off when I fired my .40 in their direction.

 

[JReed]

Thats morbidly brilliant

It is morbid for sure. We felt bad using it the first time, until he and I smoked a double in a spot we had never had one come in before.

 

[JReed]

Still have my Radio Shack Special, and library of calls. But only played with the raccoons, haven't tried calling in any yotes, but I may need to. The pack, or packs, in my hunting area are getting a little uppity, they tried circling around me when I was dragging in my my last buck, backed off when I fired my .40 in their direction.

Yep this was Radio Shack all the way. I miss that store.