Tips On Predator Hunting
Predator hunting, like so many other outdoor activities, has progressed tremendously in recent years. I remember when I was young, we would just set up on a field edge and use a squeaker call to call in foxes and coyotes. Those were fun times. Fast forward to today and not only have the coyotes flourished, providing more animals to hunt, but the technology and knowledge available today helps to straighten the learning curve and give you more shot opportunities in the field. There are a few reasons that predator hunting has become so popular and growing every day. Predator hunting is a great way to get in the great outdoors after deer season and have some fun. Here are a few pointers to get you started in predator hunting.
Where To Hunt Predators
A predator hunter needs not only a lot of ground to hunt but more importantly you need land that has plenty of predators to hunt. Thankfully, getting permission to hunt coyotes is not nearly as hard to get as other hunting. Property owners are often happy to have you clear out a few coyotes, bobcats and foxes.
Obviously, there must be predators for you to hunt. While most farmland across the country has predators these days it is always great to know for sure. Asking the property owner is a great way to find out about the number of predators on their place. Trail cameras can also quickly help you determine how many coyotes, bobcats or foxes reside on a certain piece of property.
Public land is a great place to hunt predators and offers a lot of ground to cover. Being able to move around and have many setups keeps the area fresh. Too much calling and shooting in an area will divert the predators and they become harder to call or are just not there. Most public land options only allow daytime predator hunting so keep this in mind and hone your daytime predator hunting skills on public land.
Predator Hunting Scent Control
Scent control is just as important to predator hunting as it is to deer hunting, maybe more so. Practicing good scent control by using scent control sprays and taking care in washing your hunting clothes and storing them for the hunt will increase your success rate. Plan your set up with wind direction in mind. Always set up downwind of where you think the predators may approach. Keep this in mind when placing your electronic call. Walking a little further to keep your scent from infiltrating the area you are hunting is important. You don’t want to alert the predators before you even make a call.
Hunt The High Ground
When choosing a location for your setup, elevation is your best friend. You might call a coyote or bobcat in close and never see it if you set up in a tall grass flat. Instead, locate a ridge or point and set up downwind, looking over the area you want to call. If you don’t want to hide, make sure your setup is below the horizon. A silhouetted hunter might be able to get away with it if they remained motionless, but any animal’s keen eyes will pick you up with a single small movement, ending the hunt. You will also be able to monitor the predators’ hidden routes if you set up shop on the high ground where you intend to make your call. Spotting game can be greatly improved by setting up just a few feet above the ground you plan to hunt.
Electronic vs Mouth Call For Predator Hunting
As I mentioned in the opening paragraph, we only had a mouth call back then. It was merely a straightforward call that sounded like a distressed mouse or rabbit. Today, there are additional choices. The mouth call is now more than just a squeaker. Like the FOXPRO Furtaker Combo Pack Predator Hand Call, which has a variety of sounds, including those of birds, rabbits, rodents in distress, and even coyotes. You only need the FOXPRO combo pack to hunt predators without using an electronic call.
You can immediately begin hunting with electronic calls like the ICOTEC GC350 Electronic Predator Call. Set your call away from your stand and use the remote to activate 24 calls that have already been programmed into the GC350 to attract predators from a distance. You can set up away from the sounds that the predators are focusing on with an electronic call. In order to get the shot, this diverts attention away from you.
A great addition to the GC350 is the ICOTEC PD200 Electronic Predator Decoy . A decoy gives the call another dimension. Like an old trapper I knew as a kid showed me his bobcat set and it was a trap and a duck wing hanging from a string above the trap. That’s all you need to catch a bobcat he told me. The visual attraction is a big part of predator hunting and by adding a decoy to your set up you increase your chances of calling a predator into range.
Night Hunting Tips
By nature, predators hunt at night. During the day, their prey is most active, and at night, they rest. When it comes to choosing their next meal, this works in their favor. Because of this, some of the most effective predator hunting has taken place at night. Using the right hunting light is crucial for effectively illuminating predators in the dark.
Light is needed in different situations. Having these options at your disposal, whether it’s the hue or the level of intensity, makes it simple to adapt to the current circumstances. When you want to hunt for predators at night, the FOXPRO Gunfire Kit is the best option. The FOXPRO comes with a remote that can be attached to your gun to increase or decrease intensity while keeping the target in the crosshairs. There are three color options that are simple to select. The predator hunter has a significant advantage here. The FOXPRO Gunfire Kit offers a great deal more assistance to beginning and experienced predator hunters.
Keeping your light on is one piece of advice for predator hunting at night. Fearing that they might startle the animal, many hunters turn off their lights. You should never turn off your light, according to The Night Crew, a well-known group of predator hunters. The light, according to them, acts as a shield to prevent the predator from seeing you. Even with a white light, predators will still enter, and they have the fur to prove it.
A night vision rifle scope is something you should think about if you want to hunt predators at night. Thermal and infrared products are among the many options. An affordable nighttime predator rifle scope packed with features is an infrared version like the SIGHTMARK Wraith HD 4-32×50 Digital Rifle scope. The Sightmark Wraith has an infrared illuminator that can be taken out. It allows for accurate target acquisition up to 200 yards away. Additionally, this scope includes a built-in 1080P HD digital imaging camera for recording shots. a lot of potential for the money.
The AGM THERMAL Varmint LRF TS50-640 thermal imaging rifle scope is for you if you want to go all out and leave the spotlight at home. The Varmint LRF TS50-640 has a laser rangefinder built right in. It can show the exact distance from the shooter to the target. You can precisely aim because this range is visible in the field of view. The AGM THERMAL also has a fast embedded Multimedia Card (eMMC). his card allows you to record video and take pictures right on the device.