Do anything long enough and you'll learn what works and what doesn't. Such was the case in my early days of calling predators. Looking back, my first few years of trying to call predators fell somewhere between comical and total embarrassment.
I had no idea what I was doing. But as I studied the game, gathered advice from my mentors, and spent countless hours in the field, l soon began to learn the sounds that seemed to lure more predators into range than any others. Here’s a look at 7 deadly sounds that have worked for me over the years when calling predators.
Eastern Cottontail
The Eastern Cottontail sound has been used more than any other prey sound on earth. It’s pretty much the go-to standard for calling predators. And for good reason. Rabbits make up much of a predator's diet. They are found just about everywhere and make a fairly easy meal for predators. The sound is easily made on a mouth call or electronic call. Because this call is so popular, there’s a chance your local coyotes may have grown leery of the sound if you have other predator hunters in your area. The call is super deadly in unpressured areas. It’s my number one choice of prey sounds when I’m hunting a fresh stand.
Bird Distress
Flutter your tongue on a mouth-blown call and you can easily mimic the sound of a bird in distress. The woodpecker in distress sound is fairly common in the woods. You can bet predators know it and are quick to respond for an easy meal. Bird in distress sounds is also a great sound for bobcats. Like domestic cats, bobcats can’t resist the sight and sound of a bird in distress. This sound is easily achieved on a mouth call or electronic call.
Brodie used a Mossberg MMR Carbine Rifle for this hunt.
Canine Distress / Pup Distress
I’ve lumped these two sounds into one category, but they are indeed different sounds. So consider it a bonus sound. The canine distress sounds are one that I’ve grown to love over the last 10 years of calling. I can get a lot of volume out of my mouth call when blowing the canine distress sound, making it a great option for windy days, or when I’m needing to cover lots of ground. Just imagine a dog getting his tailor foot stepped on. They make an awful noise as they cry in pain. The sound demands attention. The pup distress sound works equally well and plays on the maternal instincts of female coyotes. The calls can be easily achieved on a mouth call or electronic call and are great sounds to use in high pressured areas.
Coyote Lone Howls
Coyote howls can be a great way to start a calling stand when you’re wanting to mix things up a bit. It’s a great way to set the stage as you howl before going into a prey sound routine. Coyotes hear an intruder in their area when they howl. They will often come to investigate and run the intruder off. But even if they don’t, no problem. When you follow howls up with prey sounds, they simply can’t stand it. They won’t tolerate an intruder eating their groceries. It’s a great combination sound to locate and lure coyotes to your gun.
Lip Squeak
The lip squeak continues to be one of the deadliest sounds I’ll ever use. It’s simply the squeaking of your lips. It’s the exaggerated sound of a kiss. (You can practice with your partner) This is my go-to finisher sound for calling predators into the gun, but it also works well as a stand-alone sound when you’re in tight to the cover. I’ve lip squeaked coyotes and bobcats from over 200 yards. Remember, they have incredible hearing. Don’t underestimate the power of your lips. The sound is truly deadly on predators. And the best part is, you always have this call with you. No hand call or electronics required!
Juvenile Red Fox Distress
This is somewhat of the secret weapon call that I’ll use when in high pressured areas, or when I know I’ve got a chance at a fox. The Juvenile Red Fox Distress sound is very desperate. It works on pretty much any predator as it plays on their sense of curiosity or concern. Coyotes will jump at the chance of killing a fox, and the sounds work on fox much like the canine pup distress mentioned above works on coyotes. It’s a sound that I’ve yet to perfect on a mouth call, so I make the sound with the use of my FOXPRO electronic caller.
Crows Gathering
Another call that I use as somewhat of a secret weapon is the sound of crows gathering. It’s a combo sound that I’ll use along with a prey sound, but over and over again it has proved to be a game-changer. There have been several times a prey sound failed to get a response, but when I added the crow sounds to the mix, a coyote came on the scene. It simply paints a better picture of what is taking place. Predators don’t seem to want to miss out on the action when you create a ruckus of sounds with crows in the mix.
There are more calling sounds than we could ever possibly list in one article. There are hundreds and hundreds of sounds available for download on the FOXPRO caller and other quality electronic callers.
These are seven of the deadliest sounds I use each season. Try them for yourself this year and you will see a difference in the number of coyotes you call to your gun.
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