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.
