This isn't predator hunting but it still makes me wonder how dumb I can be at times. This happened a long time ago, I was very young and had just started bowhunting deer.
Someone I know... was walking out from his hunting area in the national forest back to the truck in the dark with his climbing treestand on his back when he realized something was following him. He could hear it shuffling in the leaves behind him. This thing was trailing him. This was way back in the day when the Mini Maglight was high-tech but in reality, only offered about as much light as a birthday candle. This person I know stopped and spun around shining the little flashlight through the woods trying to see what sort of creature was trailing him through the darkness. Not seeing anything he set out again listening intently for this critter following. Sure enough there it was again, right behind him! The sound of the crisp fall leaves being disturbed by this demon of the night was as clear as Sunday church bells. Now a quick spin and shine with the light revealed nothing... nothing at all. Spooky... He stepped more quickly trying to outpace this thing that was stalking him so adeptly. There it is again! This time the hunter tried an athletic stop-and-spin move and quick thrust of the mini light beam! And finally, there it was! The source of the sound was revealed - about 10' of camo cord used to pull the bow up after the climber was set was slithering out of a pocket on his pack and trailed out behind him rustling in the dry leaves like a gang of hellhounds attacking. Dang, I felt foolish, errrr... I mean this other guy felt foolish!!!