PREDATOR ISSUE
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USE DIFFERENT CALLS With some reservation , I ’ ll disclose that e-calls can be very effective . In fact , on most days it ’ s almost like cheating . The sheer volume of sounds available with today ’ s digital calls is astounding . From birds to canines , deer , and just about any other natural wildlife distress sound you can think of , the options are almost endless . I have over 300 sounds on my FoxPro Prairie Blaster . In my experience some e-call units are superior to others . I also have a Primos Boss Dogg and , again the inventory of call options is amazing . The key to using electronic sounds lies in understanding how to customize a desirable medley , the volume , and where to place it to maximize your chances of attracting one or more coyotes . Having an e-call with both woofers and tweeters is a great advantage . The challenge with most of today ’ s digital calls is that they sound tinny . When you choose an e-call , look for one that sounds as natural as possible - the quality of the speakers is vital .
While e-calls are a valuable luxury , an assortment of good mouth calls is a staple . In fact , on most days I still prefer mouth calls to e-calls . On many occasions coyotes will respond to a mouth call but not the e-call . Those emulating prey-in-distress ( i . e ., a dying jackrabbit , cottontail , or bird ) are proven favourites that readily pique a hungry coyote ’ s interest . A mouth call allows us to vary the pitch , sound , and volume at will . The downside is that coyotes are drawn to the precise location of the caller . In contrast , an e-call can be placed some distance upwind thereby drawing their attention away from the location of the shooter . Mouth call howlers are another musthave for the well-equipped coyote hunter .
Acquaint yourself with the different types of howls , pitches , and frequencies to learn the meaning of each . YouTube has some great clips that demonstrate these different sounds . Some are territorial vocalizations , some are breeding sounds , others are puppy in distress calls , and still others have altogether different meanings . While I frequently howl in coyotes during the breeding season , I like using this call to locate them all throughout the winter months . Early morning and late evening , howling can prompt coyotes to respond and give away their location . With a vocal response , you can then form a plan of attack . I ’ ve also experienced success adding the odd howl , yip , and bark simultaneously with a prey-in-distress call . This again creates the perception of competition for food and instills confidence that it ’ s safe to approach .
15 Wild Guide . Winter 2017