Shhhhh! Be Still.

One of my students from Coyote Clinic 2010, named Sid, has become a very excellent predator hunter. He knows how to get them in, with hand calls or an e-caller, and he knows how to seal the deal. He called me last week and told me a story that is a great example of what can happen if you stick to the basics - in this case, sitting still and being quiet.

Late in the evening, Sid stalked into a stand deep into thick brush. He placed his e-caller out in front of him, crept back to a juniper tree, and played a bird in distress sound, during which he sat perfectly still and didn't make a sound (other than what was coming out of the e-caller, of course). After about 15 minutes he decided this stand was a bust so he slowly raised up and looked around, taking care to mind what he had learned in Coyote Clinic to take your time when leaving a stand. He walked forward to retrieve the caller when movement caught his eye - he spun his head to see that a bobcat had been sitting on the other side of the juniper tree that he had been sitting under, just a few feet away! He quickly got a sight picture and fired, dropping the cat, but as he did so, two more bobcats which he hadn't seen ran off into the brush. They had been just a few yards from him.

So Sid called in three bobcats and none of them busted him while on stand - that is impressive! And because he got up slowly and was aware of his surroundings he was even able to get one of these bobcats, and you can bet that he'll be going back for the others. Stealth has a lot to do with getting to a stand, being on a stand, and then leaving a stand, and it may just be the difference between seeing three bobcats, and not seeing anything at all. Great job Sid!

There are a number of hunters who have contacted me after reading my book or attending a Coyote Clinic and told me similar stories where they were able to get the drop on animals or get animals in very close because they didn't move around a lot like "those guys in the videos." I can't even tell you how many stories I have heard (and been involved in!) that used stealth to get very close to animals - it's how I measure so many of my shots in feet instead of yards. Hunting thick brush and utilizing situational awareness can work wonders for you on a predator stand.

Here's the payoff for Sid's patience: