A poll about what about the calls you take with you to the field?

[ivarhusa]

Below is my take on the poll results, but first let me thank those who participated.  Your comments beyond the vote were interesting and valuable as well. Special thanks to those old hands who shared their whole lanyard(s) with us.

Half the voters claimed rookie status, and most of them carried between 1 and 3 calls with them.  About one in five reported either a *censored*load of calls or an e-caller.  It stands to reason that the old hands tended to have more calls and were twice as likely to own an e-caller (as best I can infer).

It is perhaps interesting to note that a third of the old hands carried three or fewer calls.  That suggests that it is possible to resist the temptation to keep buying more calls. Actually, the poll only asked how many we carried, not bought, so there is some wiggle room in that conclusion. I haven't resisted very well (and am lusting for an e-caller).

Ivar

[JoshT]

I think a lot of it depends on how each individuals style of hunting has evolved, and what sounds they feel the most confident using.

20 years ago I carried 5 or six calls with me, and I did a lot of the 20 min. on the stand then move kind of hunting. That was long enough ago that the dogs heard very little calling so they weren't nearly as call shy... I just changed calls so I could find out what worked best. I figured out the Crittr-Gettr worked the best for me... then after that it was the only call I took.

Once I moved to Gunnison, CO and there were guys out calling, I figured out I needed to change up the sounds now and again... so I learned how to use 'coyote talk'... still with the Crittr-Gettr, and killed quite a few dogs in areas that were well hunted.

Now... I'll sit in one spot for hours... glassing and throwing out a howls or a few pup distress calls then watching what happens. For the guys who call a lot... and move a lot... and hunt areas that are called a lot... you'll need a lot of calls. E-callers are cool... and effective... I just won't hunt with one, it takes a lot of the fun out of it for me. I'd rather kill one dog that I glassed up, than 3 that were called in by a machine.

[deaddog]

I didnt vote as I carry my e-caller and 3-4 handcalls.