And don't hammer the same area over and over. We usually call an area once a season, then lay off it. In areas where eveybody and their brother go call, it gets pretty lean. not that they take all the animals, they just get call wise, and less responsive.
Get on google earth, and satellite scout. Saves time and fuel. As Bushman said, more stand=more animals. It's like a batting average. An AZGFD biologist told me that predators are successful 20% of the time, and you are a predator. That DOESN'T mean that you are going to go 5 stands and get something. You could go 99 stands with nothing, and get 20 on the next stand.
Pay attention when you are going into a stand, look for tracks, and scat. That will tell you what predators are in the area, and what prey animals are in the area. That helps to determine what calls are going to work the best. If you do go into an area that has gotten a lot of pressure, try a off the wall call, something that they probably have not heard.
I am with Bushman, you don't really need to hike for miles, I have had coyotes and foxes charge right past the truck to get to us, just watch you noise level when you get out of your vehicle. The sound of a car door slamming carries a long way. You could burn yourself before you even get out to your stand, even if you are hiking in.
Get on google earth, and satellite scout. Saves time and fuel. As Bushman said, more stand=more animals. It's like a batting average. An AZGFD biologist told me that predators are successful 20% of the time, and you are a predator. That DOESN'T mean that you are going to go 5 stands and get something. You could go 99 stands with nothing, and get 20 on the next stand.
Pay attention when you are going into a stand, look for tracks, and scat. That will tell you what predators are in the area, and what prey animals are in the area. That helps to determine what calls are going to work the best. If you do go into an area that has gotten a lot of pressure, try a off the wall call, something that they probably have not heard.
I am with Bushman, you don't really need to hike for miles, I have had coyotes and foxes charge right past the truck to get to us, just watch you noise level when you get out of your vehicle. The sound of a car door slamming carries a long way. You could burn yourself before you even get out to your stand, even if you are hiking in.