Ok, lets get a good debate going. Lets say you reach into your bag of calls and the only thing in there is a howler? Are you happy or upset? The question is who here favors a howler over a rabbit distress type call and why? In what situations would you favor something other than a rabbit distress.
Rabbit Distress Vs. Howler
- Thread starter NV30378
- Start date
Predator Paul
New member
Howlers need to be used very wisely (Howling that is) so if it was the only thing in the bag for the day......well, I do a pretty good distress call with a howler.
I would be more upset if there was NOTHING in the bag. Lip squeak I guess? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I would be more upset if there was NOTHING in the bag. Lip squeak I guess? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Thanks for the interesting question...
I too can produce distress calls on any one of my howlers. So I wouldn't be overly disappointed.
PredatorPaul does bring up a question that I've had, though. I often find myself on stands where I feel like coyotes may be close and I'm concerned about blowing them away with a distress call or howl.
Does anyone begin their sets with lip squeaks in situations like this?
I too can produce distress calls on any one of my howlers. So I wouldn't be overly disappointed.
PredatorPaul does bring up a question that I've had, though. I often find myself on stands where I feel like coyotes may be close and I'm concerned about blowing them away with a distress call or howl.
Does anyone begin their sets with lip squeaks in situations like this?
The trick,or magic to successful calling is the use of both.But if I had to choose I would probably choose the rabbit distress.Howling alone tends to be a slower process when bringing coyotes in.Since it is typically for territorial reasons that coyotes repond.And Younger coyotes might be a little apprehensive to come in.Where with a rabbit call it is both territorial and hunger that drives them.They also tend to respond quicker,and in areas that hold lots of coyotes it can be competitive to get the meal.So I could probably make more successful stands,rabbit calling than howling.But that could totally change when you throw an area with lots of calling pressure into the mix.There are alot of different variables so I am glad I don't have to make that choice. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
If it is any time in Feb. or early March, I'd favor the howler.
Two winters ago, in late Feb., I took only a howler with me to go calling, on purpose, to force myself to try something new. What I did was to mimic the female "yip, yip, yip" much like what is heard on one of Randy A's video, when the male and female were apparently trying to mate. I've also heard this sound before, once. So, that was all I did that day, and I called in and killed two coyotes. What had me scratching my head is that they were both females and were both in heat /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I use a howler rarely up until about late Jan. and on, and it really seems to work wonders as the breeding season approaches, and the coyotes that have heard my other "tricks" have yet to hear my "coyote voice" talking!
Predator Paul
New member
mangote,
I was calling with a buddy a few weeks ago when we settled into our stand I let loose with a young high pitched howl. The next thing we knew we had a Coyote with ALL BURNERS ON heading for the next zip code. We feel he was bedded or mousing within 150-200 yards in a low spot. So.....with that said your question is lagit. And I think a lip squeek or soft call to start the stand would have produced a kill.
I have seen this happen many times over the years. But......we make mistakes.
Paul
I almost always start off a set with a mouse squeek. I use one of those little black rubber bulbs(I think lowman?), it hangs off of my rifle. In brushier country and very still mornings, this is all that is needed to get results. I too can make distress sounds with a howler, and that is probably as good an answer as I would like to give. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif I know that is dodgeing a direct answer, so I guess I don't have one. Good quest., made me think.
I almost always start off a set with a mouse squeek. I use one of those little black rubber bulbs(I think lowman?), it hangs off of my rifle. In brushier country and very still mornings, this is all that is needed to get results. I too can make distress sounds with a howler, and that is probably as good an answer as I would like to give. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif I know that is dodgeing a direct answer, so I guess I don't have one. Good quest., made me think.
I howl on almost every stand anymore but I might be doing it "wrong" according to some. I have not noticed any decrease in the percentage of successful stands either. I usually howl once or twice wait a bit, then start with distress calls be it hand calls or tapes. The only thing that I have noticed, is that since I started howling, I do not think that I have called in a fox. I used to see more of them on stand before howling. We have a decent fox population here, but they seem harder to call in than coyotes.
thePiedPiper
New member
If I only had one, It would be a distress call. I used to howl first, than wait and distress call, ala randy anderson. But I watched les and jeff's video, and they start out with a lip squeak, and I don't think they howl at all. They do all right too. So I knoww lip squeak for a couple of minutes, then go into the distress call for about ten. If nothing has come yet, I wait a couple and give a series of high pitch lonsome howls, wait a few minutes, and me and my partner howl together exceitedly. after a short wait I give some weak rabbit in ditress, followed right up with a few ky-yi's. If nothing by now, we move.
The howl plays an important role in this sequence, but isn't necessary. I feel anything that is itching to respond will come right off to the rabbit distress. The distress sounds represent alot of situations. A fox, lion, bobcat, coyote, coon, etc.. could be getting the rabbit. This wide variety of situations it represents i believe is the optimal way to get a respomse right off. A howl represents a coyote howling, that's it, and the coyote has to be in the right frame of mind to come to just a howl.
By ending my sequence with the howling, I try to get the wary dogs to come in at the end of the set-up. DAn
The howl plays an important role in this sequence, but isn't necessary. I feel anything that is itching to respond will come right off to the rabbit distress. The distress sounds represent alot of situations. A fox, lion, bobcat, coyote, coon, etc.. could be getting the rabbit. This wide variety of situations it represents i believe is the optimal way to get a respomse right off. A howl represents a coyote howling, that's it, and the coyote has to be in the right frame of mind to come to just a howl.
By ending my sequence with the howling, I try to get the wary dogs to come in at the end of the set-up. DAn
PredatorCaller
New member
You just wish you were in MN calling!!
K-22hornet.
New member
I have had a few occasions this season where nothing showed using the distress call, then I howled once or twice, and one would pop up rather quickly. I am certain they heard the distress, but were either cautious or not interested, and the howl changed their mind /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-006.gif.
This time of year, I would not be upset if all I had in my trick bag was a howler.
This time of year, I would not be upset if all I had in my trick bag was a howler.
NM Leon
New member
Quote:
I howl on almost every stand anymore but I might be doing it "wrong" according to some. I have not noticed any decrease in the percentage of successful stands either. I usually howl once or twice wait a bit, then start with distress calls be it hand calls or tapes. The only thing that I have noticed, is that since I started howling, I do not think that I have called in a fox. I used to see more of them on stand before howling. We have a decent fox population here, but they seem harder to call in than coyotes.
Howling, or any coyote vocalizing, is pretty much a board lock certain method to keep the foxes away. Foxes are coyote food!
I howl on almost every stand anymore but I might be doing it "wrong" according to some. I have not noticed any decrease in the percentage of successful stands either. I usually howl once or twice wait a bit, then start with distress calls be it hand calls or tapes. The only thing that I have noticed, is that since I started howling, I do not think that I have called in a fox. I used to see more of them on stand before howling. We have a decent fox population here, but they seem harder to call in than coyotes.
Howling, or any coyote vocalizing, is pretty much a board lock certain method to keep the foxes away. Foxes are coyote food!
PredatorCaller
New member
PredatorPaul......
Just call me PC!!!
Just call me PC!!!
t/c223encore
New member
I'm happy, I only carry howlers. One I can howl good with and I use the Lil Dog for distresss calls.
t/c223encore.
t/c223encore.
Distress all the way. I only resort to howling when I am out of ideas. Lots of places I call I always hope for a Bob Cat. I have always felt that making on like I'm a yote would turn a cat away??? Just my feeling.
As far as blowing them out of the country, I must say I have never done this that I know of. I always start pretty strong on my distress call, here are a couple toughts on it. First of all if you are not blowing signifcantly louder than a hurt rabbit your ok, second I have had 3 times where I lay into my call blow the heck out of it and had a dog under 100 yards and closing fast before I completed my first exhall. One was even bedded at 60 yards and came in a hurry. The other was this past weekend and there were 3 yotes under 100 yards there, just around a corner from us. Then earlier this winter had one come before i let my first exhall out.
I have always went the oppisite, Start strong then as they are approaching or as they should be closer get softer and softer.
As far as blowing them out of the country, I must say I have never done this that I know of. I always start pretty strong on my distress call, here are a couple toughts on it. First of all if you are not blowing signifcantly louder than a hurt rabbit your ok, second I have had 3 times where I lay into my call blow the heck out of it and had a dog under 100 yards and closing fast before I completed my first exhall. One was even bedded at 60 yards and came in a hurry. The other was this past weekend and there were 3 yotes under 100 yards there, just around a corner from us. Then earlier this winter had one come before i let my first exhall out.
I have always went the oppisite, Start strong then as they are approaching or as they should be closer get softer and softer.
BillyTheKidd
New member
I only use a howler after I hear the coyote howl first, even then I only do a lone howl once. If I want the coyote to stop I'll bark at it with the howler, that's about it for me.
I believe it's smarter in most cases not to start off with a howler unless you know what you are doing. More predators have been killed using rabbit sounds then howlers, must be something to that huh?
If I could have only one sound, it would sure in the hell be a rabbit in distress.
All this is just one old mans opinion.
I believe it's smarter in most cases not to start off with a howler unless you know what you are doing. More predators have been killed using rabbit sounds then howlers, must be something to that huh?
If I could have only one sound, it would sure in the hell be a rabbit in distress.
All this is just one old mans opinion.