As another Lame Cherry exclusive in matter anti matter.
The one situation which can be counted on in hunting is that animals discover ways of appearing where they are not supposed to.
There are though situations which a caller can work for and the first is to always utilize a cross wind, as predators always circle downwind in coyotes, about 100 yards, and if you know this, then you will position your stand to be in the shadows for that shot, and not looking over your decoy.
Decoys are important, because the more you can keep an animal looking not at your location, the better success you will have.
Cats will hang up in brush edges, bobcats especially. This known feature allows the caller to focus on those locations for shooting lanes.
Mountain Lions are notorious for coming in behind and on the caller's location, as callers usually choose that location to overlook the decoys or the presumed approach lanes. Hence, above and behind are where the mountain lions appear, so your position is to watch that position downwind.
A hide, stand, location is always chosen overlooking where the animal has the greatest factor of appearing due to their response to your presentation. A hunter needs to not choose the best seat in the theater as that is where the coyote will look or the cat approach.
In every stand, the distance should be no more than 100 yards. This is the "comfort zone" location for the shooter. It provides time to get ready, time to react for problems and time for a missed shot to correct the original "fever" of missing a standing shot.
It is best to allow the natural position at 100 yards for the natural observation point of the animal as no response by the hunter will be required to stop the predator. It is a natural shot.
No location is perfect. In the above, the tree line and rise by the post are all problem areas where a predator will lock up or lurk, before committing. Cats being too suited to lurking in brush.
This is the call stand. Your first focus is location in predators being there. Second is the crosswind. Third is the important shadow with the sun behind the shooter. Fourth is approach as steered by the decoy position.
Following these four determinants will increase the chances for success from 5 in 10 stands, to 7 in 10 stands when animals come in, providing your calling is triggering the animals. Remember combinations of sounds spaced out are more effective, but once you get response stay with that sound.
Mountain lions respond better to combination sounds of two different species at the same time. Coyotes like bobcats will respond to spaced out sounds as game distress and pup distress.
Just remember there are few perfect stands. As you become more experienced, you will learn which stands to work with different wind directions for your set up. It is best to have 12 to 20 call locations, with pre permission in signed forms, to mix and match different wind conditions. In most instances, three stands an outing is enough pleasure for the day, in driving to locations, 20 minute set up, 30 minutes on the stand, and 15 minutes walking out is an hour, and burns up most of a day.
Try to work your best stands 20 minutes before sunset, as that provides 45 minutes before dark, as coyotes start the night shift when the world goes black. You need enough light to shoot unless you have expensive night vision.
Think in terms of how you would put the sneak on the situation, and that will help you understand where your shots are most likely to come from.
That is the 1000 dollar calling lesson.
Nuff Said
agtG
