Predator Call

It is rare that a day goes by that someone does not call or come by wanting to know how to call critters that have become “call shy” from too many folks calling to them.  Let me be the first to say that I don’t make a living calling up and killing critters, especially coyotes that are “call shy”.  If possible, I avoid those areas that receive excessive calling pressure.  I must admit that from time to time, I do enjoy the challenge of trying to call a coyote that “has heard everything in my sound library”.  Here are a few tricks that I employ when trying to call a coyote that is probably going to make a fool of me.

Do something different.  Try to find what sounds or calls have been used in the area and avoid them.  As a rule, most callers are using the cottontail distress and yellowhammer woodpecker sounds.  I would suggest that you try deer distress, canine distress, fox distress or another unusual distress sound.  If electronic predator calls have been overused in the area, I would recommend using hand calls.

Less is more.  Use less sound and less volume.  Shorten your calling sequences to 10-15 seconds and spend more time between series.  I would suggest that you call for 10-15 seconds at medium to low volume and then shut up for at least five minutes.  On the second series, I would call at medium volume for 10 seconds and again be silent for approximately five minutes.  For the third series, call for 15 seconds at low volume and then do not make another sound while staying on the stand for at least another fifteen minutes.  Many times a coyote will sneak in to investigate the situation when he feels that all is clear.

Move your eyes, not your head.  A coyote or other predator that is call shy rarely runs into the distress sound.  They will sneak to where they can study the situation before moving closer.  A predator that is standing still is very difficult to see.  However, it will have no problem seeing any movement that you make.  You are in his living room, he/she knows what belongs and what is foreign.

Don’t be lazy.  Walk farther to stands to insure that the first sound that the wily predator hears is your call.  Pressured critters have learned to associate vehicles with danger and may not respond to a call that is being delivered from the area where they last heard a pickup or ATV.

Pick the best spots.  Be very selective when choosing a stand to make a call.  Do not make a marginal call.  If everything is not right as far as visibility, wind, sun and concealment do not waste your time as you may further “educate” the critter you are trying to kill.

Calling up and killing a “call shy” critter, especially a coyote is a trophy of the highest degree.  Be patient, persistent and good luck.

See you outdoors.