Varmint Calling results??

[Sniper66]

My question is for you guys out there who call coyotes. I just got a new caller and tried it for the first time yesterday. Did 3 sets ups and struck out. Didn't even see a varmint. This is the 3rd caller I've owned and have called coyotes successfully with the first two...a Johnny Stewart and a Primos Alpha Dog. Both decent callers. My question is not about the caller, but am wondering about the success rate of others. Certainly, I can say honestly that set-ups produce nothing more often than not. Of course, I've had those times when a double shows up, but mostly singles and I've had coyotes howling back at me too. So, how often do you set up and at least see coyotes? My current percentage, over the last 5-6 years is about 25%-35%. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Fyrstyk]

My success is comparable to yours this year. In the mornings, right after dawn, till about 10:00 AM, I will usually get in about 3 setups depending on how far I have to walk between setups, and the wind direction. In the late afternoon, I usually only get one setup before it is too dark to see the cross hairs. Lack of real cold weather this winter here in New England I believe is the reason I am not seeing as many coyotes. Too many guys in the woods calling. Normal winters, I have the woods pretty much to myself, as most don't want to brave the cold temps.

 

[Highland Lofts]

I have only went out with someone to call coyotes a couple of times, We didn't see any but that's the way it is sometimes.
I was told calling coyotes is more successfull during the day.
I stopped up to a semi local gun shop a week & a half ago and a older gentleman called in a nice size male cougar across the street from the gun shop and shot it.
He was useing a deer fawn distress call with a remote moving fawn decoy. It was an older cat, the front teeth were pretty well wore out.

 

[jmorris]

With success brings less success, if you are hunting the same area.

If the point is to kill them off, naturally you will have less of them and what’s left of them will avoid the same place/tactics.

 

[Varminterror]

In great years in great areas, with lands I have scouted thoroughly to know the terrain for set design, at best a bit less than half of sets, but nearly half, will yield a sighting. In bad years, those areas might yield 10% sightings. In great years, new territories with unknown terrain for set design might yield 25% sightings. In bad, unknown lands might yield nothing. Can’t hunt them if they aren’t there, but even when they are, we can’t get a shot if we don’t place ourselves well.

There are a few threads on another forum which include a lot of detail for set design, seasonal sounds, etc which may be of interest.

HNI Predator Hunting Tactics & Strategies sub-forum