Posts: 2,075
Threads: 35
Joined: Mar 2011
A quick and easy you can get started is watching videos on youtube and learn how to call. You need to find open area to draw them into because it's very difficult to call them in thick areas. The sound doesn't travel far and they will get on top of you before you see them. 90% of the time they approach from down wind from the call to keep that in mind when you set up and neutralize your scent. Bait and decoys can help.
Night time is a little different with spotlights. I usually bait several places on a property where I can ambush them. I also just drive around in the jeep looking for eyes. Red or green lenses help keep from spooking them right off the bat. My buddy and I rigged fog lights with red lenses on his jeep for moving in "stealth mode". They give just enough light to see the trail but help a lot with not spooking them.
In the thick woods I would stick with a shotgun right at daylight. I don't like to hunt thick woods cause my odds of a kill go down. I was just in Hendersonville, NC 2 weeks ago visiting my brother and I was in awe of some of the sod fields I saw. Big open land. Probably like taking candy from a baby. Back to the thick woods. If you hear them howling right at or after dark then they are probably coming out of their den. The next morning sit downwind from the den area and break out that turkey call.
ChellieWiles
Unregistered
So, txgunner, what type of bait do you suggest? Last year during deer season we baited the yotes with dressed deer carcasses in some short pines close to the house and set up a blind about 35 yards away. Unfortunately, the day-time restrictions seemed to keep them alive. I would stay concealed for as long as I could see for but eventually had to pack it in. When I returned in the early hours, most of the time, the carcasses were gone, drug deeper into the surrounding woods. Do you have any suggestions on hanging the leftovers or tying them down? What has worked for you?
Posts: 2,075
Threads: 35
Joined: Mar 2011
I pretty much use any kind of critter meat I can get my hands on, even left over food sometimes. I suppose you can tie it down with bailing wire or something but I've never done it myself. Most of the places I hunt have open area where I can place the bait far enough out I can still catch them in the open. Night time is definitely when they are most active so hopefully your success rate can improve now.
Bwaites is right. I had a chihuahua that got eaten by a coyote. That coyote ate 3 more small dogs on my street block. I got an Akita to avenge my dog just to later find that coyote as road kill a street over. I live in a small city.
