Some Tips To Consider When You Go Out To Call Predators

• During early morning, late evening, and night calling, call in areas where predators will be feeding. Good places are around fields (corn, soybean, and wheat fields), wetlands, wood lots, feedlots, dead animal dumps, and other feeding areas.

• During mid-day, call loafing areas, ravines, high grass, timber, sagebrush, cattail swamps, isolated brush and timber stands, and abandoned farm buildings.

• During cold months (November-March), keep predator food sources in sight. Antelope, cattle, sheep, deer, and prairie dog pastures make great calling areas.

• During spring and summer, call around livestock pastures and denning areas. Ravines, irrigation ditches, woodlots, and places within 1/2 mile of water make good spots to call.

• Hide vehicles out of sight or cover with a camouflaged "cozy."

• Make sure sun reflection is eliminated from guns, zippers, glasses, scopes, etc.

• Make calls at intervals of 1/2 to 1 mile apart, depending on terrain. Flat country means widely spaced calling stands. When calling in heavy, rolling terrain, timber, or in high winds, space stands closer together.

• Move slowly and deliberately; move to get ready to shoot when the predator drops out of view or is not looking at the hunter.

• Take your time; carefully look over the terrain, slowly watching for movement, color or shape changes, bird behavior, and predator sounds.

• After a shot is made and the predator killed, continue calling, using loud ki-yi yelps (3-4), repeated for two minutes. Then resume rabbit squalls. The predator's companions will often continue to come in and give you more action.

• If the predator is missed, continue calling immediately, using ki-yi yelps. Often the predator will stop and provide another shot or come back for another shot.

• Mark successful stands on a map so you can find them again, and maintain legal access to the place.

Be careful what you call, it may be more than you can handle!