Predator Hunting from a ground blind

[DeKuma]

Been thinking of doing some calling and shooting for predators and bear.  My daughter and I went out this weekend and she was pretty nervouse sitting on the ground.  I was wondering if you think using my turkey blind would be a good idea?  I am thinking it might help with movement and make her feel more secure, but understand predators such as coyote have excellent eyesight, so would the blind stand out a lot?
Going to build an E-Caller I saw on Predator Masters this weekend.  Downloaded a bunch of sounds in MP3 to give it a try.

[rainshadow1]

Ground blinds are very effective, especially for predators; all of which are quite keen eyed. Most don't use them because so many stands are so quick. It's too much headache to set up, then tear down every 30 mins.

[SpokaneSlayer]

If the blind is light enough to carry to multiple stands, go for it.  Coyotes do have excellent sight, but if it can fool a turkey at close range, it should fool a yote.

Would that e-caller be the El Cheapo from Varmint Al's website?  I built one and it works pretty well.  Used it until I had the money for a Foxpro.

[DeKuma]

Yes, same call as on VarmintAl's.  Figured I might as well try it out before I decide I am hooked on it.  Have a little Primos E-Caller, but it seems to kind of suck compared the sounds I have heard.

The blind is pretty light, stools would be a hassle moving.  What  I did over the weekend was to tuck back in the brush and lay camo burlap across the trees in front of me to hid any movement she might make.  Did not get any takes to calling except a doe and fawn who were curious, but not the least bit scared.

Do you rally move about every 30 minutes?  How far do you move from one stand to the next?

[SpokaneSlayer]

30 minutes seems to be the standard.  I've had yote's show up later than that.  For bobcats, 45 minutes to an hour is the norm.

As for distance, I typically move quite a distance.  My reasoning is I hunt really open territory and figure anything in the area can hear me from a ways out.  But that's just me.

[Bofire]

I think (like that means something!!LOL) that a ground blind might work real well for bear, I think a coyote will spot a blind at about 3 miles. Its hard enough not to move and hide just your body. I think coyotes are much more aware, I mean what hunts Bear? here? 'cept for Humans? coyotes however are spooked by everything and they know every inch of the territory. Now if you mean to build a blind and leave it there to use for years?? That is a GREAT idea. I do carry a camo leafy cloth that I can drape on bushes in front of me about 5'X9'.
Sometimes I call for an hour, sometimes 10 minutes. the size of the area and the way sound carries varies. I think most folks call too loud and too fast, based on calling animals, I could see, but I am no expert. Animals hear really good. When I say too fast I mean they call too soon after setting up, give it a few minutes, I like 15 to 30 minutes before I start. If it is a tiny spot, call quick and quiet, you'll stink up the area soon anyway.
my 2
Carl

[demontang]

From what I have see a coyote will spook with a blind, if the blind is in heavy cover you might get away with it. If you have to move around a lot to set the blind up or make noise doing it, you will want to set for a while before calling. I would try putting up the cloth like Carl said, coyote's are very smart and if they have been hunted there even smarter. 

[AWS]

I would invest in a remote caller such as a JS PM-4 or a used Foxpro 416 ans sit back to back with your daughter so she knows nothing will sneak up on her till she gets more comfortable in the field.  The remote caller will keep the sound away from you and will focus the pred attention other than on the spot you are sitting in. Even a cheap JS attractor will do the same in combination with a hand call.

AWS

[DeKuma]

I will be building an El Cheapo E-caller as found on Predator Masters tomorrow.  I have downloaded and cleaned up about 60 sound files and got them set-up in sequences on my iPod.  Figure if I really like this whole predator thing, I can buy a good call down the road.  Hoping to get out after Bear/Cougar and Yotes this weekend.

[tlbradford]

Instead of using the radio shack speaker, you can purchase a TOA speaker which is what is used on Foxpro for their external and Minsaka Bandits. 

[tlbradford]

On the ground blind, I would go without it.  The number one advantage of an ecaller is to get the sound away from you.  If a predator is focusing on the caller and not on you, then you can get away with a little more movement.  Having something come in 30 yards away, rather than in your lap should help make her feel secure.

[DeKuma]

Instead of using the radio shack speaker, you can purchase a TOA speaker which is what is used on Foxpro for their external and Minsaka Bandits. 

Thanks for the advice.  I looked at the FoxPro speakers as well.  Only issue is having to order and wait for them!
I am anxious to get back out there and give it a shot.  Been spending a lot of lurking time on predator masters and fox pro as of late and it is getting me even more pumped up to go!

[gramps]

Dekuma...I built one of Al's callers a while back.  Used some old phone wire to get the speaker 100+ feet away and works well.   I need better sounds, but will work on that this fall.   I have a ground blind and am not sure how it works or not...had mixed results.   With the little windows open, movement inside can be seen from a long way away.

[billythekidrock]

What are you using to clean up your sounds?

I too built the el cheapo and was not happy with the results. It was fun having a project to work on, but the end results left alot to be desired. I had to make the leap to a Foxpro Scorpion and I may have jumped to quick. I like the Scorpion, but I am not sure they have all the bugs worked out and it is not loud enough at times.

[DeKuma]

I downloaded close to 100 sounds from various places and then listened to all of them.  I chose the cleanest ones I could find, and sorted them into sequences.
I looked into the programs to clean the sounds, but I am not too sure I know what I am doing enough to work it.  Audacity and Golwave were both reccomended on Predator Masters.

Would love to buy a FoxPro, but then I would be homeless as the wife would kick me out.  Especially when she knows I am also looking at more archery stuff and a seperate predator rifle, a new handgun, quad, exhaust for the truck and so on........