Phillip Howard
New member
I'm going to run through everything - please critique
85 acres
100% woods - mature hardwoods, pines and pine thickets
Creeks that run parallel to the property
ALOT of ridges
I usually walk in about 350 yards, go to one of my favorite deer hunting ridges that looks over a creek bottom and on the other side of the creek, its very thick young pines (where most of my deer come from and go to) - I figure coyotes, foxes, bobcats etc will bed in there too. I put the caller (Foxpro Hellfire) about 20 yards straight in front of me and the Mojo Critter decoy next to it or a little in front. I sit on the ground, back against a tree, the wind is blowing from the South 90% of the time which is a perfect crosswind - from what I've read, that's what most of you prefer and I rest my gun on my knee and begin calling. I usually start off with Lightning Jack or Baybee cottontail on volume 7 and let play for about 5 minutes, then I will pause for about a minute and just listen. I will then increase the volume to level 10 and let play another 10 minutes and then pause for a minute. If nothing still doesn't show, I will switch sounds to either Lightning Jack or Bay Bee Cottontail (which ever I didn't use first) and play for about 5. If still nothing, I will cut it off and wait about 5 minutes before going to get the call.
I usually afternoon hunt between 3-5:30pm. I have tried in the mornings but it's hard to get out of bed when your confidence is in the dumps. Hawks and crows are always sure to get there within the first minute or two upon turning on the call if that means anything
What do you see in my story that could be the determining factor why I'm not seeing or killing anything? I know they're there.
85 acres
100% woods - mature hardwoods, pines and pine thickets
Creeks that run parallel to the property
ALOT of ridges
I usually walk in about 350 yards, go to one of my favorite deer hunting ridges that looks over a creek bottom and on the other side of the creek, its very thick young pines (where most of my deer come from and go to) - I figure coyotes, foxes, bobcats etc will bed in there too. I put the caller (Foxpro Hellfire) about 20 yards straight in front of me and the Mojo Critter decoy next to it or a little in front. I sit on the ground, back against a tree, the wind is blowing from the South 90% of the time which is a perfect crosswind - from what I've read, that's what most of you prefer and I rest my gun on my knee and begin calling. I usually start off with Lightning Jack or Baybee cottontail on volume 7 and let play for about 5 minutes, then I will pause for about a minute and just listen. I will then increase the volume to level 10 and let play another 10 minutes and then pause for a minute. If nothing still doesn't show, I will switch sounds to either Lightning Jack or Bay Bee Cottontail (which ever I didn't use first) and play for about 5. If still nothing, I will cut it off and wait about 5 minutes before going to get the call.
I usually afternoon hunt between 3-5:30pm. I have tried in the mornings but it's hard to get out of bed when your confidence is in the dumps. Hawks and crows are always sure to get there within the first minute or two upon turning on the call if that means anything
What do you see in my story that could be the determining factor why I'm not seeing or killing anything? I know they're there.