Predator Hunting Basics

When PREDATOR HUNTING the first thing i look at is local laws, rules, and state hunting regulations. Some states have no regulations on predator hunting while others are very particular. So do you your home work and get a good area hunting map and a copy of the state predator hunting regulations guidebook or swing by huntnfishregs.com were you can get them in one location.
Next lets look at
WEAPON - This is really a matter of personal choice and availability. Your weapon depends upon the type of terrain you are hunting and the distances you "plan" on shooting. Pelt damage is another factor to consider when choosing a caliber.
Many hunters will use center fire rifles while others utilize shotguns. I personally use a variety of center fire rifles, ranging from a Rem 700 in .222 to a Winchester 22-250.
CALLS - A wide variety of calls are available to today's predator hunter. Mouth blown rabbit distress calls have probably accounted for more dead coyotes and fox than all other calls. Hunters in cold climates must take extra precaution when selecting and using mouth calls. Closed reed calls tend to "freeze up" in sub freezing temperatures. After a few minutes of use, they lose their sound and are aggravating to use. One way to prevent this is to store your call inside of your clothing. It is probably a better choice to purchase and get familiar with an open reed style call. These calls will not "freeze up" as readily as the cloud reed models. No matter which type of call you use, it is always a good idea to secure them on a lanyard. Lanyards will keep your calls secure and organized. The last thing you want to do is fumble around searching for your call when a critter is near.
Many excellent electronic calls are on the market as well. These are nice in that they produce a true and accurate sound which may assist beginning hunters. Which brand and model you choose is a matter of personal choice. Let me say that I prefer a digital call with no moving parts that are going to cause problems. I strongly recommend the Foxpro Digital call.
CAMO - With the fox and coyote keen senses, it is important to conceal your self with your hunting environment. You must attempt to blend in with your surroundings, so be sure to pay attention to this detail. Be sure to cover face and hands (especially if you tend to move these often while hunting)
WHEN TO CALL - Fox and coyote will tend to feed under the cover of low light. In fact, studies show that predators move most between the hours of 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. When possible, they will feed at night as this is when their prey species are often mobile. Hunters will see these canines during early morning and pre-dawn hours, hence it is these times that will generate success while calling. In winter months, or during times after a storm, the fox and coyote will be more willing to move about during the day. If your state allows, night time hunting can offer tremendous action.
WHERE TO CALL - Red fox tend to be found around wooded farm lots. The gray fox prefers actual woods. Coyotes are everywhere and can be hunted on farms, gravel pits, and woods alike.
I like to set up so that I have a great field of vision so that I can see the quarry from a distance.
Coyote hunting
For a coyote hunter to be successful, he needs to learn a few techniques that are pretty common in coyote hunting. The time spent learning these techniques is well worth it. The coyote hunter thinks of himself as a bit differently than other hunters, and rightfully so. Coyotes are known as clever and sly. These are animals that are aware of their environment in a very intense way. Unlike a deer that simply tries to avoid predators and freezes for a moment when threatened, a coyote is a predator and used to hunting prey. So the coyote hunter has to outsmart the predator which can give a hunter a challenge and a feeling of satisfaction, as well as respect for the animal.
Coyote calling is one of the techniques that ever coyote hunter should take the time to learn. Coyotes are one of the most vocal animals on the planet. So learning the technique of coyote calling can make the difference between a successful or unsuccessful hunt. Just like other animals, coyotes have different calls for different situations. Males and females sound different and the calls have a different pitch and cadence to them when they’re used for different things. A certain type of call is used to alert others in the pack of danger, one call is a mating call and another call may be one male challenging the others in the pack or looking for another coyote. Sometimes the call can even vary from year to year.
While some calls are meant to mimic things like mating calls and location calls, distress calls are probably the most effective. This call isn’t a natural coyote call at all. It’s the sound of coyote’s prey might make as it’s frightened or dying. That attracts other coyotes who come looking for share of the meal. Depending on what the coyotes are hunting at the time, you’ll need to adjust that to match the sounds.
Another technique coyote hunters should learn is called baiting. Coyotes aren’t picky when it comes to food. And their willingness to eat almost anything can give a coyote hunter a definite advantage. Baiting is simply putting food out for the coyote to attract them. The bait which is usually some type of meat is placed in a relatively open area so that the coyote hunter can watch it and see if any coyotes come. It’s one way to determine there are even coyotes in the area worth waiting for.
Camouflage and unscented clothes are a necessity for the coyote hunter. You must remember that the coyote is a predator and it understands how to hunt. That makes coyote hunting one of the most challenging types of hunting. Just as the coyote understands how to catch up with the rabbit and corner it, it will understand when it’s being watched and cornered. That’s why learning different calls and proper baiting are so important. Using these techniques properly can make you a much more successful coyote hunter and not someone who’s disappointed on a trip.
Cougar/Mountain Lion Hunting
Cougar or Mountain lion hunting is one of the most exciting hunting sports imaginable. All hunting is exciting, but when you’re hunting the hunter it gives you an extra rush of adrenaline and the knowledge that you’re truly into the natural rhythm of the wild. Hunting a big game cat-like a mountain lion takes skill and caution. Mountain lions are dangerous predators, and one could easily turn around and hunt you, instead.
Most likely, though, a mountain lion would simply run away if it discovered you because they’re not big on confrontation. If you corner one, it’ll attack. But if it has an out it will take it. They prefer to avoid humans at all costs and are adept at hiding. In fact, you may have walked right by one in the wild that knew it was hidden and safe, and never even known it.
Understanding the habitat and the habits of these animals can help you when you’re mountain lion hunting. It’s important to understand that these are creatures that will protect their territory fiercely. And their territory is typically an area of about 300 square miles. Figure about a third of that for the female mountain lions. They’re not really nocturnal and do their moving during the daytime. They’re already very large cats with the males at about 150 pounds and measuring up to 8 feet long. But despite their size, which would allow them to rush and overpower their prey, they choose a strategic and slow approach.
Mountain lion hunting is exciting because mountain lions are such good hunters. They’re slow and quiet, stalking their prey and then springing when the prey least expects it. They tend to gather around areas where deer like to herd. They eat mostly deer, but also kill smaller prey. Mountain lions like areas with brush and cover that can hide them until it’s too late for the deer or other animal. As the animal turns away from them, the mountain lion rushes out and take it down with their sharp claws and powerful jaws.
Mountain lions aren’t just hunted by man. They’re sometimes killed by bears, and occasionally they get into a tussle with hungry wolves. This usually happens when they’re fighting over prey, not because the bear or wolves want to eat them. Mountain lion hunting starts with good tracking. These cats have distinctive tracks, with four toes, the front two of which aren’t right next to each other. It’s quite distinctive from some other cats’ prints.
You’ve probably heard of a duck call, but you may not be aware there’s a mountain lion hunting call, too.  This will only really benefit you if many mountain lions happen to be in the area, which is unlikely.
For safety’s sake, take a dog mountain lion hunting. It’s not as if you’re hunting deer that will simply run away. If a mountain lion really feels cornered or threatened it may turn and attack. If that happens, stare at it or until you can get your weapon ready. Your confidence along with the attacking dogs may be enough to save you.
Bobcat hunting
Bobcats populate almost all the contiguous states, but bobcat hunting can be hard unless done properly. It can also be one of the most exciting species to hunt, especially if you call bobcats in the dark. I’ll give you some tips for hunting bobcats, and hopefully you hunting this year will be successful after my bobcat hunting tips.
tree stand hunting
This is usually overlooked in bobcat hunting, but like deer hunting it provides several benefits. One is that you can see farther in a stand. This allows you to see the bobcat before it is too late and you spook him. This technique is even better when you use predator calling. The dying or injured rabbit call is arguably the most successful predator call. When properly used, any bobcats in hearing range should start sneaking up on you. Then the fun starts as predator faces predator. This is when the tree stand comes in handy. When the cover is thick you wouldn't be able to see the bobcat unless you’re in a tree stand.
walking the canyons
If you have a canyon or large ravine where you hunt this tip is for you. Walk along the side of the canyon and watch the opposite side for movement. If you see something move, sit down and look at it through your binoculars or spotting scope. If it’s a bobcat you shoot or if needed use a predator call or stalk into closer range. Otherwise, you can keep walking along the canyon. This can be repeated on the other side of the canyon also.
Find there den
This is one of the best ways to hunt bobcats. Especially if you are trying to keep the population down. It's also good technique to use with bow hunting since it allows close access to the bobcat. First you need to find a bobcat den. Which can usually be done by scouting for bobcat activity. They usually create dens in caves, rock over hangings, or brush piles. Once you find a den that is currently being used, the hard work is over. All you need to do is set up outside of the den and either sit there quietly or provoke the bobcat out with a call. When the bobcat walks out, you can shoot it.
Call
This is one of the new techniques that in recent years have been growing in popularity. You can find a good electronic predator call (If it has a wireless controller, it will make life a little easier.) at Dick’s, Gander Mountain, Cabela’s, or any other hunting store. Once you have one, you set it up about 50-100 yards away in or behind a bush. You then find a spot to sit (this can be in a tree stand or outside a den). Every now and then you press the call and wait for a bobcat to show itself and you shoot. This technique usually requires a large bobcat population to be successful quickly, unless proper scouting is done.
Walk and Call
This is one of the more common ways to hunt bobcats. You get yourself a predator call at one of the previously mentioned stores. Then you head out to bobcat area and set up in a spot where you can see clearly but it is hard to be seen. Then blow through the call every 10 minutes. If no bobcat shows itself in about 30 minutes of calling move about a quarter mile away and do the same thing. This is a good technique if the bobcat population is sparse as it gives you the ability to cover a large amount of land.

All of these techniques can be duplicated in the dark, except the canyon one. For the dark you should bring a strong headlamp and when you see the bobcat shine the light in its eyes. This should freeze the bobcat for long enough to get a shot off. (Check your state’s regulations to see if hunting at night and using a headlamp is legal.)

Bobcat hunting can be very rewarding and there is nothing dull about it especially when done at night.
Red Fox hunting
Fox hunting is a sport like few others. Foxes are intelligent and crafty making them a difficult animal to hunt. With the increase in coyote populations in many areas of the country, it seems that more hunters are focusing more on the coyote and less on the fox. Fox hunting, however, should not be overlooked for the predator hunter looking for a quality animal to pursue. Gray and red foxes can be hunted in a similar fashion and one or the other (or both) are likely to live near you. Here are some tips to improve your chances of success on your next fox hunting trip.

Foxes have a keen sense of sight so to begin with you will need a complete drab or camouflaged hunting outfit to pursue foxes. Dress like you are turkey hunting and you should be fine. Be mindful of white socks, your face, and gun as well. Set up to call foxes in an area that provides a natural backdrop that breaks up your silhouette. A large tree set into the brush is ideal.

The next item that is needed for successful fox hunting is a call. Distress calls of rodents and birds have their place, but for most purposes the standard rabbit distress call is ideal. Both electronic and mouth blow calls are available. Electronic calls for fox hunting are not legal in all areas so before consider their use you need to check the laws and regulations in your area. Electronic calls for foxes will start out around $50 while a mouth call will cost $10 or less
Happy Hunting and don't forget to pay us a visit for information in one location for your hunting needs. Like local contacts, hunting maps, hunter education, and all 50 state and lower canadian hunting regulation guidebooks. visit huntnfishregs.com