Five Mistakes Predator Callers Make - Larry Weishuhn

No sooner had I begun blowing my Burnham Brothers jackrabbit in distress call than a coyote

charged out of the underbrush heading directly toward me! I jerked my father’s Model 94 .30-

30 lever action to my shoulder, pointed it in the general direction of the coyote then wildly fired

all seven rounds. The coyote left unscathed.

A few moments later, hunting knife in my right hand, just in case the “wolf” decided to attack,

and my empty rifle in my left hand I headed home anxious to tell my story to all who would

listen.

As a ten-year old I made many mistakes calling in that first coyote. Foremost in my mind at the

time, was not taking a shotgun loaded with Number 4 buckshot, or at least carrying extra

ammo!

I have learned a lot since that first predator calling experience, some things from others, but

many as a result of mistakes I personally have made, as in not taking that first coyote!

One mistake frequently made is calling from a place that gives predators the upper hand by not

paying attention to the wind. Do not set up with the wind blowing from you to where you

expect coyotes, bobcats or foxes to approach from. Predators live by their noses. They

generally circle to approach from downwind. Set up where you have shooting lanes to the left

and right of directly downwind. I recently spoke with Gary Roberson about this, for an episode

of my “DSC’s Campfires with Larry Weishuhn” weekly podcast. Gary through his company

Burnham Brothers now has a product, “Wraith” that essentially kills most all “odors” including

the human odor, as well as seemingly blocks thermal any human “electricity” that animals pick

up on and see (www.wraith.com and www.burnhambrothers.com) . I had the opportunity to

work in the development of this product and do some field-testing. It is nothing short of

unbelievable. After spraying it on clothing, me, and anything I carried in the field, as far as

animals smelling and sensing my presence, it is as if I did not exist.

Some predator callers do not call steadily, consistently and continually. Remember you are not

trying to call turkeys or ducks! Once you start, keep calling for at least ten minutes. If you do

not call continually some predators may lose interest in responding when you stop calling.

Movement…set up where you can see and sit where you will be comfortable. Sit still and do

not move! Consider using a chair and shooting sticks, so your rifle or shotgun is already in a

shooting position when a predator approaches. Be camouflaged and minimize your movement.

Shooting sticks provide a solid rest, minimum movement and allow you to shoot more

accurately. A decoy set up in front of the shooter keeps incoming predators concentrating on it

rather than the caller. Refer again to the above about using Burnham Brothers’ “Wraith”. Spray

the call, the decoy, your clothes but especially your lower legs, and shoes.

A common mistake is rushing the shot as I did on my first called in coyote. Be patient and let

predators come close for higher percentage shots. Then take your time and be certain you are

on target. Do not simply just shoot in the direction of the predator! Waiting and not shooting

when you first see the responding coyote may also result in multiple animals responding. It is

not uncommon for two or more coyotes to respond.

Do not get frustrated if predators do not immediately respond or respond at every “stand”.

You might call in one or more predators at every stand, but that is not the norm. Personal past

experience and those of other serious predator hunters suggests you call in a predator about

one out of every eight stands. If you have one of those days when nothing responds, do not

lose faith or give us. Sooner or later a predator will respond to your efforts.