Bowyer,
What a great adventure you had! Too cool. I get a good jolt every time I call in a predator and I like that.
I use variable power scopes on most of my rifles. My EBR has a 3.5 Trijicon ACOG and is the exception. With the variables, I crank them down to the lowest power setting as I remove them from the cases (at the vehicle) or set them to about 2x or 3x if I am using the 1.5-6X B & L 4200 Elite.
I put 6x30 Steiner binoculars around my neck for glassing the A.O. (Area of Operation) and stash them inside my cammo over-shirt so they do not bounce around as I walk to my stand. I also put a prey distress on a lanyard around my neck (got to have a back-up). On my rifle, I cammo-tape a rodent squeeker in such a way that I can manipulate it from my firing position.
I also carry a thick closed-cell foam "butt-pad"--cammo, of course, and a pair of Stoney Point colapsing shooting stix (that I set up in the most probable direction of approach).
Once in position, I glass the area (after I place any e-callers or decoys, if I am using them) for about five or ten minutes to get to know the various shapes and to estimate distances (setting a mental range card) to likely avenues of approach.
Sometimes, I will drop a few drops of InHeat Scents scents around my location to confuse my prey. Please note that I do not know for sure that I works; I also do not know that it is a waste of time and $$$. I have had coyotes nearly brush by me on the way to my remote e-caller on many occasions last year (when I began to use this method).
Bowyer, maybe my method, or a part of it, will help you in the future. Think creatively; even more creatively in hunting areas that see more "pressure".
Best of luck in the future.
Cheers,
