cougar calling

[shorthair15]

im interested in hunting predators more now i was wondering what would i need as far as calls hand or electronic to start hunting cougars. hopefully steve can answer these questions. thanks.

[carpsniperg2]

i am sure he will jump on and let you know about some of his fine calls, we use both hand calls and elec calls. i like the elec calls because sometimes when calling bears and cougs the stands can be longer and a guy can get short of breath. our main call for both is fawn distress or bawl has worked great for us the rabbit distress is also a good call and have had some good results with it but we don't have really any rabbits were we hunt. but they sure do key in on the fawn distress. if buget in in mind hand calls are great and can pick up some great sets from the guys here for arounf 35-50 and they are works of art. hope this helps

[rainshadow1]

It's nice to have the hand call vocal. There's a good story on my call-in story page from New Mexico about the ideal scenario to have the whistle, a guy called in a Mamma with cubs. He heard a vocal response to distress, and immediately was able to switch to the whistle. She came right in, then before he shot he saw the littles bopping along behind her. He was able to watch them for a long time then let them go.

However, I definately recommend the e-call. Not just because you'd run out of breath (which you will,) and not because you'll get eaten while hand calling (you'll likely only get a few deep scratches and bites before they realize what you are,) but primarily because they're so hard to hide from. Hand calling just about guarantees they'll see you. They don't miss anything, and I've never seen anyone hand call without some kind of motion.

Get a programmable e-call. Foxpro, Minaska/Flambeau, etc. It's expensive, but it's just about required for sucess. I have 10 sounds, and I'll be compiling more as time goes along here.

[gramps]

What rainshasow1 said.
I called one in in Feb.'10 with an e-caller and I think they are the best way to go because they allow you to put the source of the sound away from your location.  (the story is posted under Other Game and called..Blues Cougar Down)  Cats are so cautious and slow that they will see your movements.  I usually walk around the area after I quit calling to look for tracks, especially if there is snow on the ground and on one occasion, I found tracks where one had sat down about 50 yards from where I was set up.  It was about 10 above zero that day and I was having trouble sitting still for an hour and I am sure he saw me move.
Good Luck.