Break Free of Your Routine

Technique of the Week: People are creatures of habit. Most of us get up at the same time each day, eat lunch at the same time, go to bed at the same time, etc.

A few predator hunters I know also run their calling loop the same each day they hunt. They call the “old blowdown” first, then move to “green field” stand and so on, no matter what the conditions.

Well, consider for a moment that coyotes, bobcats and foxes are creatures of habit, too. The pair of coyotes that lives in the territory with the “old blowdown” might be in the routine of spending daybreak at a watering hole two miles away. If that’s the case, the hunter might never call that pair, even though the coyotes are in the area every day.

Vary your routine. If you call a certain stand at dawn one day, consider calling it late morning or midday the next time, or save it for the last hour of light. Another good reason to try a location at different times is that different animals might use an area in the afternoon vs. morning.

Certainly, factors such as sun direction and wind should be taken into account when considering the optimum time to call a given location. Still, when possible, try to mix up the time of day you call your standard predator calling loop.

Man Shot While Calling Predators

Nick Pallo, 29, of Palmyra, N.Y., was seriously injured Dec. 17 when the friend he was hunting predators with pulled the trigger on a fox standing between the two men.

According to Pallo’s explanation of the events on Trapperman.com, his partner John Murphy of Victor, N.Y., was confused because Pallo was playing a recording of a mouth-blown predator call. Pallo had set the electronic player a long distance in front of himself, then backed into the brush to wait for predators to respond. Pallo said Murphy had never hunted that spot with him. The incident happened at 10:30 p.m.

Pallo took two rounds of pellets from a 12 gauge shotgun from about 65 yards away. He reported that he has 15 or so pellets still lodged in his body. The shot hit his face, neck, arms, hands, chest and legs. He has a ¾-inch gash across his left eye.

Pallo, a professional animal damage control officer, is expected to need several surgeries to repair the damage. He is expected to recover, but will miss many months of work.

For more information, go to the trapperman.com message forums or nytrappers.proboards80.com.

I certainly wish Pallo a speedy recovery.

Coyotes Were Thick

On a recent waterfowl hunting trip in Arkansas, I noticed numerous piles of scat on many of the levees that surrounded rice fields.

The dung was undoubtedly that of coyotes. In most cases, the hair-laden feces was left as territorial markers. I found it especially interesting just how prevalent the markers were, so I asked one of the duck guides about coyotes.

“We have tons of them,” he said. “We see them all of the time.”

The next morning, as we motored in the dark through flooded trees on the way to our duck blind, a pack of coyotes shattered the solitude, wailing and howling to announce their presence to all within earshot.

On the return trip to the lodge, I spied a coyote taking a final nap on the shoulder of the highway. A return trip to Northeast Arkansas might just be in order very soon.

Flambeau Partners With Minaska

Flambeau Outdoor Products, which produces decoys and game calls under the MAD Calls, Lohman and Big River brands, will increase its product line through a new partnership agreement with Minaska Outdoors.

Minaska, based in Lincoln, Neb., has an established line of electronic predator calls and extensive library of sounds.

“Minaska Outdoors has developed a phenomenal following with consumers in the predator hunting market,” said Tad Brown, Flambeau product development specialist.

Under terms of the agreement, Flambeau will take over the manufacturing, sales and marketing of the Minaska product line. Flambeau will market Minaska products under its MAD Calls brand, and will immediately begin production of four models. Flambeau will also offer calling sound downloads for its units at www.madgamecalls.com.

“While the MAD brand is hot in the deer and turkey markets, we are excited to jump into the growing predator market with this unique line of electronic predator calls,” said MAD founder Mark Drury, a product development and public relations specialist for Flambeau.

“We were looking for a partner to drive our long-term development plans, and we are very excited to be involved with the launch of MAD to the predator hunting market,” said Steve Borland, Minaska co-founder.

The partnership with Minaska is certain to increase Flambeau’s share of the growing predator hunting products market. Flambeau added the Lohman, MAD and Feather Flex brands within the past couple years, and introduced a coyote decoy earlier this year under the Flambeau name.

Bobcat Summit Yields New Season Proposal

A couple weeks ago, I attended a bobcat management meeting in Stevens Point, Wis. The meeting was the result of continuing efforts to address concerns by hunters and trappers that believe they should have a longer season and more area to take bobcats.

Wisconsin has a very restrictive bobcat season, with only the northern third of the state open to harvest, which is controlled by a preference point permit system. This year, only 540 tags were issued. More than 12,600 people applied.

I attended the meeting, which was moderated by the Wisconsin DNR, as a representative of Wisconsin Outdoor News. My story appears on Page 1 of the current issue, but can also be found online at www.wisconsinoutdoornews.com.

Hopefully, the meeting will result in longer seasons and more opportunity to hunt bobcats in Wisconsin.

Surviving a Fur Market Crash

So much for $40 raccoons and an improving fur market.

The recent economic downturn turned recession signaled by the tumultuous ride on Wall Street has sent fur buyers into hiding. Those who are answering the shop door and running fur collection routes have become super stingy.

Recent reports of $5 to $7 averages on skinned raccoons from places with traditionally excellent fur such as Iowa and Wisconsin have dampened the spirits of many trappers and fur hunters.

Unfortunately, early coyote fur prices seem equally grim, that is for those who are offered anything at all.

In what is now a global economy, Russia and China are also experiencing economic struggles. Russia has fallen on hard times because it relies heavily on the export of crude oil, and oil prices have dropped like a rock since the stock market went into a seeming freefall last month. Russian consumers take the bulk of North America’s raccoon pelts, while a lot of the coyotes end up as trim on garments worn by Chinese folks.

The good news: Just like the recession, eventually, the market will improve. We all hope that happens sooner rather than later. The silver lining is that gasoline prices have fallen dramatically, making predator calling excursions much more affordable.

So don’t fret about fur prices. Go call ‘em in!

Poll: Response Rates

In my travels, I’ve met predator hunters who expect to call coyotes at every stand they make. If nothing responds, they feel like something went wrong with the stand. I’ve also hunted with guys who think getting a predator to come in on every third of fourth stand is excellent.

Where you hunt, time of the year, amount of hunting pressure, weather, terrain and other factors certainly influence calling response rates. Just for fun, let’s see how your response rates compare to other predator callers from around the country.

Take the poll to the left. To be clear about what constitutes a response, it’s a coyote, bobcat, fox, raccoon or other predator that is approaching your position as a result of your calling, whether you get a shot or not. Also, if three coyotes come in at one stand, that counts as one successful stand.

Please tell the truth. No one will know who you are anyway, so there’s no shame or bragging either way.

Cover Your Mugs

Technique of the Week: This morning, as the sun was cresting the trees, two duck hunters dressed in their best camouflage and deeply nestled into the cattails thought they were well-hid. But they stood out like a lighthouse beacon.

Faces in the sun flash light. When you’re hunting predators, cover your face. I see so many pictures in magazines of predator hunters on a stand with no face net, and it always bothers me. Coyotes, bobcats and foxes will pick out your mug if you leave it exposed.

Cover your hands. Always wear gloves, even if they’re nothing more than flimsy mesh. Think about it for a minute. You move your hands to blow your call or adjust your rifle for a shot. Uncovered hands can become like warning flags flapping in the wind for incoming predators.

When possible, sit in the shade. Doing so will reduce the glare from exposed skin. However, sun or no sun, always cover your dermis.

Fur Market Forecast

As fur market analyst Parker Dozhier has told me more times than I can count over the years, it’s all just a guess. However, I can’t remember a year heading into the season when fur buyers and those in the know had as much uncertainty as they do right now.

Of course, when the stock markets tank, then drop again and the global economy is as shaky as it is right now, we’re all in uncharted waters. Still, commodities often hold their own when the economy gets rough and the markets falter.

So, the best guess: coyotes – not so good; bobcats – should be as good; gray foxes – down a bit, but still solid; red fox – still poor; raccoons – could be very good, could drop dramatically.

Coyotes: A lot of unsold lower-grade pelts exist right now, so that will hold the price of new goods coming onto the market down. Dozhier says the best coyotes – pales with wide, white bellies from the Rocky Mountains might bring $40 to $45, but most will fetch far less. He put Wisconsin skins at $25 and down for the best large, heavy coyotes. A representative of North American Fur Auctions also indicated the coyote market was not expected to have much depth and generally be poor. Might be a good year to tan some coyotes and sell them to alternative markets.

Bobcats: Dozhier said he thinks the high-end bobcat market will hold up for another season, although the best skins might not hit $1,100 as a few did last year. Bobcats are being used to make luxury goods, and the demand continues for spotted fur.

Gray foxes: After doing exceptionally well last winter, gray foxes did not do as well at the spring auctions. Dozhier termed it as a hiccup, and said he thought the market would still be good for grays. He suggests hanging onto grays until later in the season.

Red foxes: Ranch production of foxes continues to keep the market for wild red foxes depressed. Expect a replay of last season, Dozhier said. The best might bring $35, but most will be $20 or thereabouts.

Raccoons: Every year, it seems one furbearer receives extra attention as the species to target. In 2008-2009, it’s raccoons. Many trappers and hunters are expecting to average $40 or more this season. Dozhier and the NAFA rep agree that the raccoon market holds great promise, but caution that the weather – both in the United States and Russia – will play a major role in determining the size of the harvest and the demand for the fur. If it snows and freezes early in the United States, and Russia has a frigid winter, fur harvesters who have a bunch of raccoons to sell will benefit nicely. If it’s warm here and there, disappointment is likely.

It’s all a crap shoot. Just like the stock market.

Calling All Predator Clubs

In the true spirit of being on the Internet, today I added a links section to this blog. It’s titled “Predator Hunting Sites” and is located on the left-hand bar.

I have listed several established predator hunting association sites. Feel free to click on the links and see what is out there for calling groups.

In searching for predator hunting clubs, I found that many states do not have associations, or if they do, do not have a functional Web site.

However, I’m sure I have missed several associations in my search. If you are a member of a club with a Web site or know of a site I have not listed, please let me know by clicking on “comments” in this thread and telling us how to find the association.

I appreciate your help.

Another Use for E-Callers

Technique of the Week: It might seem unorthodox, but a good way to learn how to use a mouth-blown predator call is to mock an electronic caller.

Why? For starters, you’ll really pay attention to the cadence, tone and urgency of what most likely is a real rabbit in distress or an actual coyote barking and howling. You’ll discover the nuances in the sounds, and you’ll figure out how to mock it by trial and error.

After you think you have mastered the sounds, tape yourself. Compare it to the electronic version. It’s really no different than a football coach reviewing the game film Monday morning to see how the players performed and where they need to improve.

Keep working at it until you have it down, then add your own twists and flavor to your calling routine.

But why bother to learn if I own an electronic call?

Electronic units are super tools, but having the flexibility to pull out a tube and use it can save your hunt if the e-caller malfunctions. By using a mouth call, you can vary the tone and cadence to make sounds and sequences that differ from those programmed into your unit. You can also blow a mouth call while your e-caller projects another sound.

Today’s predator callers are lucky to have an overwhelming number of electronic units and mouth-blown calls available. Knowing how to use both effectively will enhance your calling success. That’s a great reason to use one to learn the other.

Confirming the Obvious

Here's a shock: Your favorite calling target is the coyote.

OK, OK, so no one is surprised by that. When I made the poll question, I thought maybe more of you coyote killers would be tempted by less common and more vexing predators such as bobcats and mountain lions. For the record, my favorite is the bobcat, probably because I haven't been successful at killing one yet, despite several encounters. This year!

Anyway, the results revealed that 65 percent of you identified coyotes as your favorite animal to call. Red foxes and bobcats tied for second with 14 percent, and raccoons garnered 7 percent. Mountain lions and gray foxes did not get a vote in the poll.

Onto the next poll. Let's look at guns. The question is "What is your primary predator calling weapon?"

As always, thanks for voting.

Where to Rest Your Rear?

Technique of the week: You’ve parked the truck and you’re packing a predator rifle. Now where should you plunk your rear?

Your first consideration should be sight lines. If you can’t see a predator coming, you have no chance to shoot it. If you choose a spot, then discover you can’t see, get up and move before making the first calling sound.

You want cover behind you to break up your silhouette. Don’t sit at the top of a hill. You will stand out, no matter how good your camouflage. Although it might be stating the obvious, don’t sit at the bottom of the valley, either. Simply put, it’s tough to see approaching animals when you’re lower than they are. You also don’t want to spread your scent all the way down the hill.

Another major consideration is the sun. If at all possible, set up with your back to the sun. Even better: Set up in shade with the sun behind you. Predators approaching while facing the sun have a much more difficult time picking out a hunter. By sitting out of the direct light, you’ll eliminate glare from your rifle, glasses and your face. In addition, most camouflage patterns are far more effective in shadows than in full-on sunlight.

No matter where you sit, a padded seat like those on many turkey hunting vests is very helpful for predator hunting. Cactus needles, jagged stones, barbed wire and spiny roots can painfully shorten a productive day of predator hunting. Some hunters carry a short stool. It can help you sit more upright in a more comfortable shooting position, and it certainly keeps your backside dry.

At the ideal stand, you’ll back into a bush partway down a hill in the shade on a padded seat with the sun behind you.

Comfortable? Now scream!

Another Reason to Visit Sturgis, S.D.

The land of wild motorcycle rallies and presidents carved in stone might have another claim to fame.

Specifically, the Black Hills of South Dakota is becoming a prime place to call a mountain lion. The 2008 season, which actually begins on Jan. 1, 2009 and runs through March 31, is the fourth season in recent times in South Dakota.

An estimated 220 to 280 mountain lions inhabit the Black Hills, according to the state’s game and fish Department. Lion hunters cannot use dogs, bait or traps, but they can use electronic game callers.

The harvest is limited to 35 animals total, or 15 female lions. In 2005, hunters killed 13 mountain lions. That jumped to 16 in 2006, followed by 18 during the 2007 season.

The license fee is $15. Unfortunately, only residents of South Dakota are allowed to participate in the hunt.

Sound Strategy: Don't Outsmart Yourself

Technique of the Week: I just read an article that advocates the use of turkey calls and duck calls for predator hunting.

While I’m sure you can call in a coyote or fox using a duck call, I’m equally confident the same coyote or fox will be just as likely to come running if you’re using a predator call. And so will dozens of other coyotes and foxes that will likely ignore mallard and turkey sounds.

Yes, I’m aware that you can make distress sounds on a turkey call or a duck call. You can also get out of your truck and push it down the road rather than get in and push the gas pedal. But why would you?

Using changeup or alternative sounds is a worthy tactic. But there’s a reason rabbit-distress calls are the most widely used tool to fool predators: They work best!

Don’t outsmart yourself trying to be different and offbeat. If you have attended to the other details of the hunt such as a stealthy approach, good concealment and a setup mindful of wind direction, any convincing distress sound should draw a response. By all means, experiment with new sounds to change up your stands, but don’t do it at the expense of proven predator killers.

If your goal is to call turkeys, then by all means, bring your slate and striker. But when predators are the plan, leave your gobbler enticers in the truck. You’ll kill way more coyotes bawling like a bunny on a predator call.

Bobcat Curse: Being a Wisconsin Hunter

Wisconsin is a wonderful state for hunters. We have world-class white-tailed deer hunting, have become a top three turkey state, boast excellent bear hunting, grouse hunting and are blessed with a lot of public land.

However, if killing a bobcat is your goal, your chances are very limited. Wisconsin has a preference point tag system, and only awards 1,000 or so permits each year. More than 10,000 people apply. Essentially, you wait four to five years, dutifully applying and paying a $3 permit fee each year for your turn. Then, when you are drawn, you can only hunt or trap a bobcat in the northern third of the state. If you don’t live in the open area (I don’t), you must plan a special trip, and scouting is difficult because of distance and time considerations. As a result, most Wisconsin bobcats are killed with the help of guides and dogs.

The good news is bobcats are becoming more abundant and expanding their range in Wisconsin. Eventually, that might lead to more hunting area and more permits, just as it has for trappers who want to catch fishers. In fact, a University of Wisconsin Stevens Point researcher is studying the bobcat population using hair snares. Her research is an important step in quantifying the state’s bobcat population and range.

I am currently writing an article about the expansion of bobcats for Wisconsin Outdoor News. When the article is finished, I will post more information about Wisconsin’s bobcats and how it could impact future hunting seasons.

Like most predator hunters in Wisconsin, I hope someday to call in a bobcat in my home state. I sure hope I have a kill permit in my pocket when I do.

Scouting? Hit the Drink!

Technique of the Week: Early in my predator hunting career, Verne Howey told me, “When you scout, start at the stock tank. All animals have to drink.”

I’ve applied that advice many times since. OK, so there aren’t many stock tanks in Wisconsin compared to Howey’s home range of Wyoming, but his point still holds. If you’re looking for predator sign, water is a great place to begin your search.

For starters, animal tracks are always more evident in the soft soil near water. You can usually identify with confidence which predator species are in your zip code. You can also get a sense of how many animals are around, and even the size/age of them in some cases.

In general, you’ll also recognize which direction the animals are heading. Follow the trails leading away from water, looking for additional tracks, scat and hair at fence crossings. Search for travel corridors such as saddles, ravines, creek beds and field edges that could make good calling stand sites.

Water also attracts prey animals. Take note of areas of thick cover that hold rabbits, rats and other predator food sources. Often, the most-edible plants in the area are found near a water source, so that will also concentrate animal sign – both of predator and prey.

So whether you’re planning to call an unfamiliar area or just trying to get a handle on the current predator population in your calling territory, head to the water’s edge with your investigator hat on.

Poll Results: Dedicated Callers Here

As expected, most predator hunters who responded to the first poll begin hunting in November or December.

However, I expected that answer to garner even more than the 43 percent it received. Nine of 21 people answering the question “When do you begin calling each year?” tabbed November-December as the answer. Surprisingly, 24 percent (5) call year-round, while 19 percent (4) begin in September or October. Only 14 percent (3) start in January or later.

I know it’s a small sample size, but it shows that a very dedicated group of predator hunters read this blog. Thanks for voting and reading!

I’ve posted a new poll tonight. Please vote.

Moody Wins Calling Title

I recently received the official results for the World Predator Calling Competition held Aug. 23 to 24 in Overland Park, Kan., as part of the World Predator & Hunting Expo.

The calling competition attracted 27 contestants competing for a total purse of $4,800 and the prestige of being named all-around world predator calling champion. Callers competed in the Distress Division and the Howling/Vocalization Division. The top five callers from combined scores then competed for the Overall World Championship.

A panel of five judges who could not see the callers marked scores for each contestant as they performed on a stage. In the Distress Division, callers were asked to produce a coaxer sound, a fawn distress and a cottontail distress.

Seth Skinner of Texas won $1,100 and first place, while Jon Paul Moody of Tennessee captured second and $700. Ernie Wilson of Pennsylvania was awarded third place.

In the Howling/Vocalization Division, 24 competitors were asked to produce a lone coyote howl, a challenge howl and an excited pups howl sound. J.D. Piatt of Ohio won the $1,000 first prize, while Jeremy Gugelmeyer of Texas took home $600 for second. Brent Saxton of Ohio accepted the third-place trophy.

Based on their scores in the Distress and Howling/Vocalization divisions, Moody, Wilson, Gugelmeyer, Piatt and Garvin Young of Utah advanced to the All-Around Championship. Each was required to produce two distress sounds, two vocalizations and a caller’s choice sound.

In a tension-filled room, Moody edged Wilson by four points to win the title and $1,500.

“We’ve received rave reviews on the calling competition,” Expo promoter Brent Rueb said. “We’re glad we had a smaller number of competitors this year. Next year it will increase. People are already looking forward to next year’s competition.”

A Combo to Crow About

Technique of the Week: Today’s predator hunters are blessed with the availability of an incredible number of calling sounds.

The latest digital game call units hold dozens and even hundreds of sounds hunters can employ at the touch of a button. And many units allow callers to mix two or more sounds together.

While I don’t know any callers who advocate using all of the sounds on your electronic caller at a single stand, you can – and should – try a couple of combinations when other sounds aren’t working. My favorite combo is a cottontail rabbit distress and an excited crow sound.

I like to play crow sounds for coyotes because they attract crows and ravens. I’ve found that having the black birds circling overhead adds appeal for coyotes. Essentially, birds act as confidence decoys that are visible from long distances. The more of a ruckus you can create at a stand, the more likely a coyote won’t be able to stay away. Crows squawk about fresh meat, and coyotes know it.

Some callers I’ve hunted with play one sound on an electronic unit and use a mouth-blown call to make the other. Another option is to alternate using mouth calls, or have a partner blow crow sounds while you wail away as a dying bunny.

No matter how you produce the combo, try a few crow/cottontail stands this fall. It’s a killer.