vulnerabilty when calling

[Jeremy S]

I'm new to calling and I can't help but feel a little vulnerable when I'm watching a cut and I have thick forest to the back of me. I was just wondering how you experienced guys handle it or if you ever had an ambush from behind. I have a side arm for close range but if a couger pounced on me in silence I'm sure it would be practically useless.

[rainshadow1]

As I understand it from behavioral experts and from attack stories, if you get it off you right at first, then you'll have a minute... it'll square up and decide if it wants to come at you again. Not for sure, but usually...

Wouldn't want to risk it though!

I notice how well I chose my stand when the first wail goes out from the e-call or the mouth call. You feel it right then! Especially in this thick stuff!

I've had them circle behind, and also come in from behind. Known, and discovered later. So far there's been no altercations.

[Bofire]

 :)I dont worry about it, I dont win lotterys, or draw to inside straights either. If I get ate, I will die an honarable death, better than a car wreck or cancer.
Carl

[Machias]

Just remember they are looking for the movement to pounce on...so turn your head reallllly sllllooooowww.   

One thing for sure you don't get bored calling, escpecially  after the first one you have called in.  I just make sure I set up with good cover behind me, so they have to make noise to get to me or they have to come around the side.  Makes for some close encounters of the furry kind occasionally.

[littlebuf]

i think the surest way not to see a cougar is to go looking for one, so when your calling just pretend your hunting cougar. you will for sure not get attacked that way

[saylean]

Opening Day:

I was predator callling some thick brush (I was on the edge of the brush in a powerlinish type area) and had my brother about 10 yards away from me. A bear was putting the sneak on me  (10 yards or less from my brother), about 20 yards from me. Everytime I would blow, he would move in (I never heard or saw him). My brother was facing the wrong way to get a shot at the bear (color phase), so he was turning slightly while standing on a rock...lost his balance a bit and too much movement caused the bear to bounce.

Went and checked where the bear was standing when it left...everything was dry except a couple of slobber marks on some leaves.  

Called in two others, but they hung up in the brush. All very close calls.  

I can think of worse ways to go. That is why I have a .45 and a knife.

[stumprat]

Last winter while calling for bobcats. I called a bear to within 15-20 yards behind me. All I could do was lay off the call and hope the wind would shift and spook it. Well after the wind shifted it didn't spook. It started poppping it's teeth and slapping a stump. I don't know if it had a cub with it or not.

I've had a few critters come in from behind. But this was the most nerve racking. Now I carry a side arm at most of my stands. Makes me feel more confident.
If your really nervous about it. Try calling from a treestand.

[rasbo]

that's the stuff that keeps me calling,close encounters..I have put some critters down at my feet.I had bobs come up behind me and leave,and who knows what else might have..I set up so they will have to come from in front or sides to get at me if I can.I had a doe blow snot on me this year.If your real worried about being bit,might not be the sport for ya..I have a 44mag in my lap.most my calling now I use a 22mag,like the back up..calling close is very very addictive.....Always dispose of all urine and fecal matter before the hunt..pucker factors do come into play..Man I cant wait come on freeze time

[Kain]

That is one of the most exciting thing about calling.    If you are really nervous you can get or make an e-caller.  I am not a veteran caller but this is what I do when calling alone.  I keep the wind in my face hoping that if something comes in behind me, or across the trail I came in on, it will smell me and move off.  I also try to get up against a tree or a bush so an animal cant jump directly on my back.  I try to move as little as possible so I dont make an obvious target.  Sometimes I get really nervous when Im calling.  I dont know if it is a sixth sense or paranoia but I listen to my feelings.  If I start to get really unnerved I will check my six or just stand up and end the stand.  Havnt seen anything that made me believe I was in danger but have had two unknowns that came in behind me.  One huffed at me and the other just made a lot of noise when it ran off.
 I have had the crap scared out of me a couple of times.  Once was two rabbits that almost ran into me while chasing each other.  Once was a humming bird that buzzed my head.  Countless other birds that come to check out what the noise is about.  That is probably one of the reasons calling is so addicting.

[Ellensburg]

:)I dont worry about it, I dont win lotterys, or draw to inside straights either. If I get ate, I will die an honarable death, better than a car wreck or cancer.
Carl

beautifully said

[billythekidrock]

I'm new to calling and I can't help but feel a little vulnerable when I'm watching a cut and I have thick forest to the back of me. I was just wondering how you experienced guys handle it or if you ever had an ambush from behind. I have a side arm for close range but if a couger pounced on me in silence I'm sure it would be practically useless.

I would have to say yes, that a side arm would be useless. I have had some really cool experiences with bears slapping trees, poppin teeth and slobberin, but the ones that get me out of my skin are the bobcats that come crashing in while bear calling. You can't see them and at 40 yards in the dry brush they sound like a Mac truck. I have had the hair on my neck stick up without explanation a few times as well, but it is all part of the rush.

If you have any concerns you should make sure to set up with a tree or stump at your back, keep the wind in your face or as stated above, get an ecall and use a tree stand. Good luck.

[Karl Blanchard]

just have a big tree against your back and they will have to show their face to bite ya!  Unless you call in a manbearpig then your screwed!!!!

[chrisb]

Manbearpig is what keeps me from calling

[let.it.fly]

called in two this evening with my girlfriend. couldnt get a shot off, but issaquah is were its at.

[seth30]

i used a e collar and a tree stand this saturday for my first bear hunt. called in some cats, and one black bear.  i was halfway down my ladder after being in the stand for almost four hours, when low and behold here comes a black bear, and i had no way of taking a shot at him.  Hopefully next time i can get that on camera for you guys.  it is a rush when you look down and see a cougar looking up at you!