Originally Posted By: GTOHunterWhen I'm on a Set and running a Sound like Female Coyote Howl or Coyote Pair I let it run it's cycle which might only go for a total of 1-2 minutes,then I hit "Mute" and quietly watch for any movement?If I run Pup Distress or Pup Screams it can run for much longer but I simply let it run for a little longer then I drop the volume down slowly then hit "Mute" so it's not running for 3-5 minutes long....same as Woodpecker or Rabbit Distress Sounds that can run for a very long time....those sounds that can run a long time I just run for whatever seems sufficient and I either Mute as the certain quiet spots or I manually lower the volume then hit Mute to stop then sound and wait a while to start a new or different sound.
Most times I start out at a low volume and go easy on the Calling,if it's Crow & Rabbit Distress I start the volumn out around 10-15 then work it up to 20-25....if I'm doing Coyote Howls or Barks and its a little windy I start out much louder in the 25-30 Range up to 35-40 if I'm out in a large open Field or if I hear Coyotes responding further away? Well stated GTOHunter...good tips there and like you said sometimes it pays to think like the critter doing the screaming...I like to tone it down like he is on his last breath...about to die. I might add, in using a decoy, I like to let the caller run for a while, then start the decoy only for few minutes or seconds, turn off, run call again. Try to make the predator expose himself...search for the source of the sound...rather than just sit there out of range or not expose...looking at decoy. Many times this will draw him in right on top of caller, trying to find that dying critter. You just have to get a feel for it so to speak and when you do your success rate should go up.
Some Sounds don't come off realistic if they are ran at a higher Volume,plus when using a Sound like Rabbit in Distress most injured or hurt Rabbits don't squeal or cry out for a real long time....they have little bitty lungs,in other words think about the Sound or Call Your using and use some common sense and realism when using it!