By Brian Wiliams
This week brings an end to the 2009-2010 deer season. The last 3 1/2 months has been dedicated to scouting, hanging and moving stands, and logging in some serious time waiting for Mr. Big Boy to walk by. It can be depressing to know deer season is now closed, but do not store away that camouflage just yet.
Instead of recognizing Jan. 15 as the end of deer season, I look at it as the time to start focusing on predator hunting. What better way to aid next year’s deer herd than grab your favorite rifle or shotgun and help balance out the predator population?
Over the last few years predator hunting continues to grow in popularity. Fur prices have been on a steady decline leading to less trapping pressure and increasing population of coyotes and bobcats. With abundant game available and being a good way to extend your hunting season, predator hunting should continue to grow in popularity.
Access to predator hunting grounds is usually not that difficult. Over the last few years I have received several e-mails with readers asking how to kill a coyote that is attacking domestic animals and pets. Knock on a few doors and you will soon find that many land owners are battling coyote problems and are more than happy to let you help them out. Coyotes and bobcats are capable of adapting to diverse habitat anything from woodlands to flat land prairies may hold good numbers of predators, a little leg work and you should be able to access good predator hunting grounds.
As far as predator hunting tactics, without a doubt calling them in is most popular. I have heard of some hunters using baiting techniques but calling allows you to cover more ground and is a much more exciting and effective method of bagging a coyote or bobcat. The recent popularity in predator hunting has increased the demand for different types of calls which has led to call makers now offering a wide array of different mouth and electronic calls.
Whether you decided to use an electronic or mouth call is usually a matter of preference and everyone has an opinion on which is the better option but trial and error is the best way to determine what best allows you to be successful. Personally I keep both on me at all times when hunting but prefer using the electronic call because it allows me to sit with minimal movement.
Anyone that has not tried calling predators, I must warn you that it can be very addicting. Having a coyote come charging in to your setup at 5 yards or less provides an adrenaline rush you will not soon forget. The excitement of the hunt and the opportunity to help out local land owners and deer herds makes it an excellent reason to keep your hunting gear out of the closet.
Brian Williams’ outdoor column runs every Friday. To reach Brian about your outdoor experience, photos or general comments, e-mail him at 247brianbowman@sbcglobal.net.
