I do not like to call in the open personally. Sometimes you don't get to pick and choose the area you're hunting so sometimes it's a must. If it's a hot stand I will avoid the open as much as I can. If it's a cold stand I will set up in all kinds of scenarios because you don't have much to lose on a cold set.
In the perfect scenario I will try to call in somewhat thick/dark timber. I will be sitting downhill of the call about 15 yards away. I want my back completely covered by loud thick brush. NOT STUMPS. cats love to stand on stumps to get a good vantage and one standing above your head is not a good scenario. I like the brush to be tall enough to cover any of my movement. I also want a very limited view. If you can see too much, you will be turning your head and that's bad for obvious reasons. They will almost always approach from uphill. It's your natural instinct to want to sit where you have the advantage. However, so does the cat you're hunting. You should be putting yourself downhill and trying to predict where a cat will want to approach from and watch those spots.
I have had success in the open a few times, however it wasn't my first choice. One cat was in an area with thick reprod. I set up on the edge of the road, but I knew his rough location and got pretty luck on the approach. Another cat was a cold stand. I was against a stump on the edge of a road watching the timber edge of a fresh clear cut. I caught the cat creeping up on top of a stump about 80 yards away.
I also like to study the topography to make sure the sound gets out where I want it to. I really prefer thick close range action, mainly because when you're hunting the big open areas, there are too many places a cat can stop and watch where the sound is coming from. I want to keep them moving and looking. figure out the approach and watch those spots without moving. Also, if you're on the west side, listen for the stellar jays. I've had multiple instances where the stellars will make tons of noise and follow cougars around while they're stalking in. Sometimes they will squawk at the caller, but it will usually be obvious they're just interested in the noise. When they're following a cat they will make a ton of noise and move slowly closer to you. It really helps you figure out where the cat is.
