essentials for calling?

[chub618]

for someone just starting out what would the best bet. electronic calls or mouth calls? i own a howler and a few squeal type calls and the few times i have been out was unproductive!

[walkercoonhunter(Aaron L.)]

for one just starting out i would buy a few different videos or how to tapes for the sounds....if your useing mouth calls...

[SteveCraig]

Chub,
I have always said that all callers should learn how to call with hand calls before going to electronics.
Most would be callers tend to give the reason for their success on the electronic caller, than on their own ability to learn all they can about the animal they are after.
Knowledge is the Key to success.
Knowledge of the animal and what makes him tick.
Knowledge of how to properly set up a stand.
Knowledge of the terrain.
Knowledge of how to scout an area properly.
Knowing how to PROPERLY use an E-caller.
The list can go on and on.
Far too many guys buy a caller and go out, set it down, turn it on, and expect to call animals.
This is not how it works to call critters CONSISTANTLY!

If I had to prioritize these points, it would go like this........

Learn all you can about your target animal. Read everything you can about him

I can not stress the importance of scouting your calling areas. Look for tracks, scat, scratches, prey animals to determine if you even have animals to call.

Determine what direction you need to enter your calling area, and watch the wind, sun and the openness of the terrain.

Have far more farms, ranches, and calling ground than you could ever cover in a lifetime! This one maybe should be #2 on the list. Callers, and especially eastern callers do not gain enough permission on enough ground to call critters with any hope for success. When I lived and hunted Indiana I covered Counties........ not just a few farms! 5 to10 farms is simply not enough farms to call alot of coyotes in the east. You need at least 100 or more!

This list could go on, but I will end here with something that I believe is very critical to success.......never give up.
Never quit or get discouraged when things are not working out. Keep at it and never give up. Endever to perservre.
Steve

[M35]

That's good advise..

I started w/ e-calls. Hand calls were secondary to me.

The benefit of starting w/ e-callers was I had an idea of what the sounds were supposed to sound like before I started blowing the hand calls.

I primarily use the electronic caller but I'm happier when I succeed w/ a hand call..

[trappnman]

so what is the best way to approach locations?

By that I mean- here I have lots of creeks, rivers- which means river valleys, rock ledges and coulees. Steep hardwood hills (coon hunters here ride mules a lot) . Then ridgetop farms for a ways, and more of the valleys, ribbon of woods. Most of my good coyote farms end up at a coullee or ridge, so wooded pasture, hardwoos hills. The beginnings of these coulees are sometimes brush filled and waterways through contoured fields are the norm.

Would you try to set up in the woods- calling to the fields, waterways, small patches...

or the opposite?

Is it easier to call them INTO timber or OUT of timber?

[SteveCraig]

I approach all locations from the downwind side or at the very least have a crosswind.
for coyotes, I prefer to call them OUT of the brush/timber areas if the terrain alows it.
For cats, I prefer to go into the timber and call them in the timber/brush areas.

[Steve Gappa]

So how far- and I know it varies with wind, terrian, etc...... do you think a call reaches out?

[SteveCraig]

On a still day with little wind and blowing or playing a loud call. I would say they can hear it more in terms of miles over flat terrain.
In brush or timber more in terms of 3 or 4 hundred yards. Maybe more, maybe less.

[trappnman]

so- would it then follow that you would call LONGER in open places rather than in timber?

[SteveCraig]

You would be correct under the circumstances you listed.
But, again many variables enter into each and every calling situation. For most coyote calling, I spend about 15 minutes per stand. He can cover a lot of country in that length of time. Then move a mile or so and call again. And so on a so forth.

In timber I still call for the 15 minutes, but I move a much shorter distance between calling stands. I may only move a 1/2 mile or even less depending on terrain, weather, coyote sign etc.

[HappyPlumber]

Steve, I think I have read every post on this site twice to glean as much information as possible. If you had to pick one magazine and one video in reference to predator calling what would they be? I have mouth calls ect. and have a pretty good idea about how and where I could do this. I agree that knowlege is the most important approach to success on this subject. I have tried this minimally in the past with no success and I know I didn't have enough information on the subject. HP

[blakcoyote]

HP,if your near a Fleet Farm or Gander Mt. Randy Andersons DVD "Calling all Coyotes the Truth" is pretty informative,it covers call use.Also the Trapper & Predator caller mag. did have "Calling East and West" with Gordy Krahn,Gerry Blair,Mark Miller and a couple others,it is very informative on set up and call use also.Another one I just recently veiwed and thought it was pretty good for a beginer to learn from is "Hunting in the East" by Brent Saxton,heres a link to his site because it's not in stores yet.
www.leftfieldstudios.com/huntingintheeast.html

[Drew]

Brett's video is a good one, so is Bryon Souths coming to the call 3 or 4 "calling in the thick stuff" it's typical eastern type stuff.

[trappincoyotes39]

When I call I always want the sun at my back and the wind in my face, never silouette yourself on a rise, work around the terrain and I like to walk in a staright line approach as your less apt to be picked out that way.

Know were the coyotes will be and how to get in undetected, most of the time if they howl and yap and stay out there aways they picked you off on your approach.

Don't leave them a dip or low spot or away to get out undetected or they will take it, always plan on them comming in from down wind and set up proper. Make sure you have a good view and don't call from a low spot with poor viewing. Never call them toward a ranch or farmhouse, go out and around and call them away from possible danger.

Time of year will tell you what kinds of calls will give you your best success and don't worry so much about sounding to the tee like a rabbitt they know distress sounds and as long as you put emotion into the call that will bring them in. The more open areas plan on doing alot of walking, as most have done the 1/4 mile from the road routine and you'll have a hard time convincing them to work toward a road.

These are tips I have learned through trial and error and with talking with one of the best coyote callers in the country. It is alot of fun and a darn good way to stop killing in the spring and summer in a matter of hours versus days.