How to Setup

[hb]

I'm new to coyote/cougar/bobcat hunting and I'm not having any success. I was wondering what I'm doing so terribly wrong and I'm open to any advice anyone with experience is willing to provide. 

I've been hunting in the Kapowsin area (GMU 654).  I set up so my caller is typically lower in elevation that I am so I can properly survey the area down wind of the caller.  I understand or have been told that the predators will typically circle around and approach from the down wind side of the caller?  Not sure if this is true because I haven't seen one yet.  I typically start the caller out on a lower volume in case something is close by...I didn't want to scare it away!  If I don't see any movement within about 10 minutes I increase the volume.  Typical stands are about 30 mins-1hour.  I have been using dying rabbit (jack rabbit, cotton tail), vole squeaks, more recently I have been using coyote locator calls, fem coyote submissive barks and distressed goat...all with no success.  I am hunting in areas that have sign (i.e. scat, prints, etc.).  I use a Fox Pro Fury.  No success? 

I have been sitting about 150-200 yds away from the caller to avoid being "scented"?  Is this too far? 

I'm open to suggestions.  I'm a disabled hunter so I can't walk very far from roads and I'm not real quiet in thick brush because of a bad leg with a limited range of motion compliments of one suicide bomber in the mess hall in '04 but I do my best!  I would like to thank anyone answering this post in advance.  Your experience and time are greatly appreciated.  I've only taken up hunting since I was medically retired from the military after 25 years so I'm not real experienced but I have been very fortunate to get tied in with some very successful big game hunters but I'm seriously lacking in predator hunting.  My hunting companions are more deer/elk people so we are learning together but the learning curve has been slow...okay, flat!   

[VarmintVentilator]

There are alot of different ideas and calling sequences on this sight and most work pretty well, so here's my thoughts and two cents worth.  This time of year most coyotes are paired up by now and that can be a challenge as far as calling them in on a consistent basis.  I start with some howls either with my hand calls or the e- caller.  Silent far a minute or two, do it again, then listen, then do it again.  Depending on the weather, fog, rain, snow whatever I can usually get a response.  If they're close say in the 400 yd range I'll do a rodent distress or vole sqeak.  My most successful call has been the pup screams.  I don't know why but I can't pull them in with a rabbit sound on the e-caller after they've paired up, maybe it's the area I hunt.   My caller is usually 40 - 60 yds from me.  15 - 20 minutes and moving on to the next set up.  Locating the dogs is key.  Can't call coyotes if they are not in that area at that paticular time.  Dogs are on the move and this time of year they have certain things on their mind.    One more thing, and this is the most important.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES.  Good Luck.
 

[fast1]

For the most part if they can, dogs will go down wind. I normally sit down wind of my call 15-30 feet and will call 15-30 minutes depending on how the stand feels if that makes sense.  I try to play a story, mouse or rabbit on for 1 min, off for 30 sec. Then a single soft howl. A little more distress. Pair howl with...yep distress after. If nothin yet I will do a challenge howl with a distress following. Right or wrong this sequence has worked for me numorus times. Make a story. Food,dog finds,more dogs come,dog don't wantta share, dog whoops dog. Couger, I don't call alone, more times then not, when you do see them,there behind you watchin you. And have been for a while. The few I called in the wind didn't seem to matter much. Bears are pretty willing to come into distress sounds as well. Bird sounds work good for the cats. Anyhow, some might say  right or wrong. But it works for me. Now you you need to see what works for you. Good luck, be safe, and thank you for your service.

[McCRIZZLEY]

tag. Good tips guys!

[Hotolds442]

I wouldn't start off too softly, you won't hear coyotes howl in a quiet voice. Same with a distress call. Make it sound real, and make it carry with authority. You have a good plan with the scenarios you're trying to set up, you just need to do it near some dogs.

[hb]

Thank you all so much for your posts and warm sentiment.  This site has so much good information.  One thing I really enjoy since I have been hunting is that generally most everyone I have met is so willing to help and want to see you succeed.  I have been very fortunate to meet a lot of older people who are very wise beyond their years and their positive insight has been very helpful.  I have also been very fortunate to have met a lot of very wise younger people that are always willing to help/assist with brute strength when retrieving game was an issue.  I'm looking forward to getting my first predator (of any type) and when I do, it will be a credit to the information I learned from others.  Thank you all for sharing.  The Service I provided was my pleasure and an honor to serve this great Nation!  There are so many other countries where hunting is only for the elite/rich or not made available to the average citizen.  What a sad state of affairs.  I hope it never gets that way here.  The Sportsman of this great Country do so much for the animals they hunt and give back in so many ways.  Thank you all.  I'll have to get back out there and try again this weekend! 

[Obard]

Great question, and some great tips. Thanks folks.

[janttihunter]

Tag

[billythekidrock]

Here are a few old maps I made of successful setups. Maybe they will be of some help.

[dmv9]

Awesome pics. Are you setup behind a bush or some brush? Camo or not?
How about gun setup? bipod or handheld?

[billythekidrock]

Wearing camo in front of a bush or bushes. No shooting sticks or bipod on these setups.

[dmv9]

How are you sitting and holding the gun? Is the gun on your knees?

[billythekidrock]

In my lap generally.

[Bofire]

  this is how I do it:

1. there is no perfect stand, you will see some areas and miss others, thats OK, set up where you can see your caller. sometimes calling up hill or down creates sight lines. Do not bother calling sites that have no sign. If there is no sign of coyotes there are no coyotes. distance to your caller varies but more that 75 yards is not needed, it might work tho.
2. Do not focus on the sound. I do not think a coyote can tell the difference between a Beaver in distress or a rat. I use the same sound ALOT, on a lot of stands in many states, it almost always works. I could not tell you if it is a dog, cat, rabbit or what. But it works. Howling can be real good BUT in my opinion it takes someone VERY experienced. I use a mouth call ( krusty krier) and a recording of me using that call almost every time for distress sounds.
3. Camo and hiding, you cannot hide or camo good enough, but you must try, and WATCH YOUR MOVEMENTS"    the WIND is your biggest foe.
4. SNEAK in to your stand, do not just walk in, SHUT UP, sneak out, if you want to call again. I repeat, out side of your truck, SHUT UP.
5. If I see coyotes coming in I like to shut off the caller most of the time. I find they slow down and are easier to hit.
6. DO NOT MISS, learn to shoot.
Carl