Handloader
New member
Over four decades of calling, I have been fortunate to know some outstanding practioners of the art of calling coyotes and bobcats. One thing that improved my kill ratio relates to stand selection and was suggested by a couple of the better callers.
Our highest rates of success occur on pre-selected stands. For example, tomorrow's hunt will take us to the Skull Valley area west of Prescott, AZ. Its an easy day trip and we manage to call the area two or three times a year. On our first trip, we scouted and identified eight stand locations on the basis of sign, cover, and access. Most are set up with the idea of a prevailing westerly wind, however, three of them are properly situated to call with whatever wind direction.
We will leave with plenty of time to arrive in the predawn. We like to walk at least a quarter to, preferably, half mile from the vehicle whenever we set stands (I don't know that this is necessary, but, I need the excercise). By first light we will be on stand ready to begin calling. If a stand doesn't produce on several visits, we may drop it for a year or two, rescout the area and, perhaps, try it again.
For us, this method of pre-selected stands has improved our kill ratio and improved our time efficiency. Rather that look for a stand, we save time by knowing where we are going and how to make an approach that is least disruptive. And, of course, we keep rather detailed notes in our Call Book to provide comparisons with previous trips and to note any patterns of change. Some stands can vary in success from year to year while other stands are remarkably consistent producers, although there are always variables of wind, time of day and season that affect results.
The Call Book has over 130 stands in four states and has become a foundation for many of our calling trips. While I enjoy discovering new areas and recording new stand locations, I prefer to save that time when I return to familiar areas.
Anyway, its something that has improved our success ratio and I mention it here because I don't often hear it discussed. It may be beneficial to other callers.
Our highest rates of success occur on pre-selected stands. For example, tomorrow's hunt will take us to the Skull Valley area west of Prescott, AZ. Its an easy day trip and we manage to call the area two or three times a year. On our first trip, we scouted and identified eight stand locations on the basis of sign, cover, and access. Most are set up with the idea of a prevailing westerly wind, however, three of them are properly situated to call with whatever wind direction.
We will leave with plenty of time to arrive in the predawn. We like to walk at least a quarter to, preferably, half mile from the vehicle whenever we set stands (I don't know that this is necessary, but, I need the excercise). By first light we will be on stand ready to begin calling. If a stand doesn't produce on several visits, we may drop it for a year or two, rescout the area and, perhaps, try it again.
For us, this method of pre-selected stands has improved our kill ratio and improved our time efficiency. Rather that look for a stand, we save time by knowing where we are going and how to make an approach that is least disruptive. And, of course, we keep rather detailed notes in our Call Book to provide comparisons with previous trips and to note any patterns of change. Some stands can vary in success from year to year while other stands are remarkably consistent producers, although there are always variables of wind, time of day and season that affect results.
The Call Book has over 130 stands in four states and has become a foundation for many of our calling trips. While I enjoy discovering new areas and recording new stand locations, I prefer to save that time when I return to familiar areas.
Anyway, its something that has improved our success ratio and I mention it here because I don't often hear it discussed. It may be beneficial to other callers.
