Two to the Call

[highwaystar]

Dan and I had a good hunt this morning. We had just time for one stand and it was new ground. Dan had a spot picked out and we headed to it. It was a two platform pole stand out of Tel. poles. It was on the edge of a fast moving stream. With thick cover on both sides. Set the WT so it sent sounds to the other side of the stream into the wind. A strong wind too! We also are using the hide of a coyote we got last year as a decoy looking at a turkey feather. The feather also is good for seeing were the wind is coming from. Back up to the stand and wait for things to calm down, as it was a loud walk in with the frozen snow under our feet.

The cover was on the edge of a field and we used the high water stream as a break to keep us from them. And that proved to work well. Dan was watching the back door and I was looking over the stream an running the caller.

I started with female mating howls and then to barks a few times each. then to territorial male. Full vol. waited a few and hit with cottontail distress. With that a few crows came to see what was up so I went to crow juv. distress. That got them going. After a few, I barked 3 times and went to Starling distress. The crows backed of so I went to mouse squeaks.

And here we go! I caught a flash on the right side of the stream. Here he comes. I tapped Dan on the shoulder and pointed to the stream. As I turned back he was it the thick stuff and Dan could not find him. I saw him once more and I looked left and saw another one coming in very slow and in the cover. A flash here and there. I was hoping for Dan to pick them up but still no. The one on the left stop behind a big pine and I had him in the cross hairs. I looked back at Dan and he still was unable to see him. With that he said shoot. I went back to the scope and I had a head shot and the lower neck the rest was behind the tree. I was shooting off hand, the shot looked good in the scope , but NOT. I later when over to the other side and there was no blood clean miss.

It was all good. Two to the call. That was the best for me, just being able to bring them to us for a shot. The sounds out of that WT are so good.

Highwaystar

[browning204]

Great story and a great job with the caller! You guys are having pretty decent luck so far this winter. You must have all the good spots!

[brodeur272]

I probably should have taken more time to spot for the dog so I could have a quick follow up shot. Our platform needs some work (removing the overhanging branches, shovelling off a bit of snow, etc.). We will be better prepared next time...

Mike, since you know a lot about WT callers, what can you tell me about this older model... www.predatormastersforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=52433698&an=0&page=0#52433698

[browning204]

Basically, what you see is it. it is a 2 piece model. 1 holds the electronics and then the speaker. As stated it is programable to add or take sounds off.

A bit much to carry being 2 peices as it is but I will say, It is louder and better sounding than the model that you are used to hearing and the remotes are the old style, meaning they work as far as a mile away.

I know Gary from phone talks that we have had. I am sure it is loaded with all kinds of vocalizations and I am sure it works fine. If you are interested I can call him and get the deal and maybe a better price.

But, If it was me, I would hold out for the 2030 model just because it is smaller and lighter. And we hunt smaller land so the extra volume is not really needed.

But I can call him.

[highwaystar]

Model KAS-2030 $849.00. This price includes the remote control wildlife caller and 32
(studio grade) wildlife sounds of your choice.

I agree.

But, If it was me, I would hold out for the 2030 model just because it is smaller and lighter. And we hunt smaller land so the extra volume is not really needed.

Plus, you know Bill he will add more sounds to the 32 that you get with the caller.

Highwaystar

[brodeur272]

mike, do you still have that external add on speaker still for the Minaska?

[okanagan]

Way to go highwaystar! You have got this figured out. It sounds to me like you are having outstanding success, way ahead of most callers in your part of the world. It tickles me to read your posts.

As to shots, I hate to miss them but you will hit plenty the way you are calling. FWIW, in the past few years I've picked up a thyroid disease tremor that I hate. From childhood I tried to set up stands where I could get a rest for the shot, and need it even more nowadays. I don't mess with bipod nor usually carry a shooting stick but try to lean on or over something, but that isn't always possible. A shooting/walking stick is probably the most versatile to all terrain, postures and vegetation. Jim Bridger and the Mountain Men all carried them and did all of their shooting using such a stick. They called it a wiping stick if you ever read their words.

I shot a bobcat offhand at 40 feet recently, and a deer at 230 yards over a root wad for a rest. All I could see was the deer's head and about 3 inches of neck. The rest was solid as a shooting bench and I hit the neck within an inch of aim point. Just makes a man hunt a little better to get the kind of shot he can make. A coyote's head is a small target without a solid rest. Next time...

[browning204]

Hey Okanagan, glad to see that you still visit us from time to time!!

Hows things in your part of the world?

[okanagan]

Browning204, thank you. I check in and read from time to time as I enjoy this site. Seldom post as I don't know the NE well and don't feel like I have much to say from such a different context.

The sun came out yesterday here, a UFO to folks squinting at the strange sight after months of rain alternating with snow. We're close enough to salt water that it never gets very cold down here, but we have snow all year on the mountains around us. Some snapdragon flowers in a pot outside my front door bloomed all the way through and are still blooming.

Life is good except that work and responsibilities get in the way of a man's hunting and fishing. Kind of frustrated at how little calling I got done, though I had some fun tracking cougars a couple of days. Hope to get one more good try for a cougar this season.

[highwaystar]

okanagan

Way to go highwaystar! You have got this figured out. It sounds to me like you are having outstanding success, way ahead of most callers in your part of the world. It tickles me to read your posts.

Thanks.
My wife thinks I'm a little dramatic.
Dan an I do well for the little time we spend in the woods. He is a great hunting buddy. We both love to be in the woods, and love to chase Coyotes.
Speaking of chasing - You and a cougar. Now that is something. You have to tell us that tale when it happens.

Highwaystar

[okanagan]

That's partly what wives are for, ever since cave man days, to listen to their man's stories, smile and roll their eyes. I have a good one. May you be so blessed.

As to cougars, I've called just over a dozen that I know about, confirmed by sight, tracks, vocals back to me or a dead cougar. I've come to enjoy calling them more than any other kind of hunting. I don't call much for the time spent looking for tracks, etc. My son shot one that I called with a hand call. It is my turn. It's been fun whether I get one or not, and I go at it kind of casually, don't hunt them often but hunt intense when I get out.

[highwaystar]

Ya!

She's a keeper.

28 years and One Great son.

I go at it kind of casually, don't hunt them often but hunt intense when I get out.

Just like me with Coyotes.

Gald to see your son is in the field with you. There is a magic about that.

It is something when my son is with me in the field. Time well spent.

A Cougar coming to the call! You got me beat there. My heart pounds bad enought when I see a coyote. Never mind at cat twice the size.

Highwaystar