FOXPRO Launches Monthly Online Newsletter
Introduction to the new FOXPRO Monthly Newsletter.

FOXPRO Online Predator Contest 2008 - 2009 Results
The 2008 - 2009 contest has ended. Here are the results and harvest totals.

FOXPRO Hunt of the Month
FOXPRO Pro-Staff submitted Hunt of the Month. Come along with Abner Druckenmiller as he hunts West Texas for predators!

FOXPRO Field Staff Tip of the Month
Two FOXPRO Field Staff members will share a personal Tip of the Month. This month features tips from The Coyote Doctors and Curt Barrett.

Product Spotlight: FOXPRO Outdoors "Predators" Volume 1
FOXPRO has released their first DVD. If you haven't heard about it yet, be sure to read this article for more information!

Reader Contributed Story & Photo of the Month
Coming Soon!

Take Action NOW!
Groups like the NRA are working to protect gun rights for Americans. There has never been a more important time in history to support the NRA.

FOXPRO is pleased to announce the debut of the monthly newsletter! Each month, FOXPRO will reach out to all newsletter subscribers and deliver the latest information from new sound releases, new product releases, upcoming events, and much more! Our aim is to keep you informed!

Some of the features you will find on a regular basis include: Hunt of the Month where a FOXPRO pro-staff member shares the details from a recent hunt. Product Spotlight detailing information regarding a new product. The Field Staff Tip of the Month features FOXPRO Field Staff members sharing personal tips or techniques to help you become a more consistent predator hunter. Finally, the Reader Contributed Story & Photo of the Month shares a handpicked field report from a FOXPRO user.

If you are interested in sharing a hunting story and picture with FOXPRO for consideration in future issues, please send your story and photos to newsletter@gofoxpro.com and you may appear in an upcoming edition of the newsletter!

We hope that you enjoy the first issue and we look forward to seeing you again next month!

Thank you and happy hunting!

FOXPRO Inc.



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FOXPRO would like to extend thanks to everyone who participated in the 2008 - 2009 online predator contest. We had a great turn out and this has been the biggest year for us on record. The hard work and effort put in by all contestants is greatly appreciated and we hope to see you all again in 2009 - 2010!

The 2008 - 2009 contest resulted in the most predators ever harvested in one of our contests. Here is a look at all contest totals from all past contests.

I have been warned many times by the native Texans that if you're planning a trip to West Texas for predators, to stay away from the month of March. During this time of year the winds in west Texas can be almost unbearable. We found this out first hand last month when we hooked up for a hunt with Byron South and Larry Wilson. Byron picked up Tom Steel and I at DFW International to take us the rest of the way to Seminole, Texas. Here we hooked up with Larry Wilson an avid coyote hunter with plenty enough land to keep Byron, Tom and I busy for three or four days.

After reviewing the weather forecast for the next few days we noticed that it was calling for above average temps and high winds, which was a huge disappointment to us. After traveling to the other side of the country we didn't want to be controlled by the wind or warm temperatures. We quickly came to the conclusion that we would hunt from daylight until about 10:00 am. Then rest for the majority of the afternoon and begin hunting again in the evening. That brings me to a good point, although it may be very windy you can still take advantage of those wind lulls, which normally occur right before daylight and just before dark. The temperatures also seem to be the coolest during these times of the day. Take advantage of these opportunities because you may see increased movement by coyotes and other predators.

The first morning we met Larry Wilson and he directed us to an extremely large pasture behind a feed barn. As we approached our stand we noticed that two coyotes had already beaten us to the pasture. We quickly got into position and when Byron turned on the FURY, the coyotes made their way down wind. Unfortunately that was the only action we had for the day. To be honest, they were the only coyotes we had called in until Friday morning. Finally our odds had changed. Unfortunately Byron was fighting a terrible head cold that morning so Tom and I were on our own. We went back to the same pasture that we had called from the first morning that we were there. This time we were sure to get to the pasture way before daylight to beat the coyotes there. The wind was coming out of the south and we setup facing the east. The only disadvantage here was that we were dealing with a cross wind. We made do and set the FURY in front of us about 50 yards away. I started calling with sound #L00 Lightning Jack. It wasn't three minutes and two coyotes popped up on top of a hill to the north about 150 yards away. We knew we didn't have a lot of time because they had the wind in their favor and it wouldn't be long before they would figure us out. I got on him with the camera and gave Tom the go ahead. Needless to say someone forgot to bring their shooting sticks with them on this stand. The dust flew and the coyote ran leaving us disappointed once again.

We hooked up with Larry again and he took us a good 20 minutes from our first stand to a place closer to his house. It was about 9:00am and we walked behind his place and found a decent vantage point to begin calling. This time the wind was coming out of the southwest and the sun was behind us. I hung the FURY upwind in a mesquite tree about 40 yards from me. I began the calling sequence with sound# L00 Lighting Jack and let it play for about seven minutes. I then switched to sound# L54 Bay Bee Cottontail. I left the sound play for about three more minutes and Larry caught movement in front of us about 200 yards out. I immediately lowered the volume and kept a stern watch for the approaching predator. Larry informed me that there were two coyotes approaching our stand. With the wind in our favor I knew we had plenty of time to get them on film. I caught the first coyote weaving in and around the mesquite trees at a steady pace. The second coyote stayed back and watched as this one made his way in for the feast. I made sure Tom was on him and I locked in on him to make the shot. He stopped on his own about 60 yards out and turned his head back the other way to look for the second coyote, no doubt his partner. The first shot made its mark behind the shoulder; he whipped back around and started running to my left. I quickly threw another one into him on the run and put him down for good. I immediately got on the Skyote with some ki-yi's hoping to bring the second coyote in to make for a West Texas double. Unfortunately she wanted nothing to do with me. We ended up calling in one more coyote that morning in some very thick cover. This hunt was more of a hit or miss hunt than anything.

Although it can be very difficult calling in high winds and warm temps you still have to be out there calling to kill any coyotes. Granted I don't know that I will head down to Texas again in March but it just shows that you can play the high winds and warm temps to your advantage. Face it, predators have got to eat sometime and if you can pin point the time of day they are moving the most, you should be able to increase the odds on your next stand.

Until then, God bless and keep calling!

AJD

- Abner J. Druckenmiller



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Calling experienced coyotes is always a challenge and as the end of the season approachs a high percentage of coyotes have had fairly recent experiences with you or other predator hunters. This is a great time to change up your tactics and experiment with coyote vocalizations. These can be more effective than the normal prey distress sounds for a couple of reasons. First, the warm weather means coyotes don't need as much energy. Secondly, coyotes are pairing up and establishing territories for raising pups, so they are very vocal when other coyotes are in the area.

We have had many coyotes respond to vocalizations without adding any distress sounds on the stand. One of the most important things to remember when using vocalizations is that coyotes will respond to these sounds much differently than they do the typical distressed rabbit. Very few of these coyotes will be "hard chargers" but simply wander in toward the sound of the invading coyote(s). We have observed coyotes come over a mile to a single round of howls. This may take 30-60 minutes, but it is uncanny how the coyote comes directly to the spot where we howled.

Many areas don't have the advantage of nearly unlimited visibility, so make sure to stay on stand longer when using coyote vocalizations than is typically done with distress sounds. Combinations of lone howls, group howls and interrogation howls can all be used effectively. Its a very exciting challenge to call a coyote "speaking" their language and one way to maybe get a shot at that coyote that has frustrated you all season.

When selecting a place to set up a stand there are a few things a predator caller can do to stack the deck in his favor. Much of this might be old news to some but it is worth reviewing because how you set up your stand is one of the things that can have the largest impact on a successful outcome.

In my early days of calling most of any written tips on calling suggested entering your calling area and setting up with the wind blowing in your face. I definitely agree that entering your calling area with the wind in your favor is a good practice. Keep the wind blowing in the direction that has no value to you while approaching your stand. However, one thing that has changed for me a long time ago is the practice of keeping the wind in your face when sitting at the stand. There are probably some diehard fans of the tactic that will be saying I don't know what I'm talking about and that's ok. If that works for you, by all means keep on doing it that way. I'm just throwing something out there that might be different to try for some.

It's pretty common knowledge that canine predators have a habit of working the downwind side of a sound they are responding too. Not always, but a large percentage of the time they do. You can use this habit of theirs to your advantage, hopefully aiding in putting the coyote in front of you and possibly making it easier to seal the deal. If you orient your stand so you are facing in a crosswind direction, with a generous view of the downwind side, this can be a big advantage to you. Make an effort to minimize the chance of having any draws, gullies or other geographical features downwind that would aid a predator that responds by allowing him an undetected exit after winding you. Try and situate the stand so anything that travels downwind of you or the e-caller will have to expose itself.

I like to place my caller somewhere between 35 and 75 yards, depending on the terrain and vegetation. I may even go as far as placing the caller just a little bit upwind as well allowing myself to view even more of the downwind side of the caller. Often this will put the responding predator close to being in front of you. If you call with a partner, have one of you even farther downwind. By using this method you are less likely to miss the "sneakers" that would normally be backdooring the predator caller(s) sitting with the wind in their face. If you have a coyote circling wide and downwind there is a better chance of you seeing it and being able to stop it for a shot before the animal is successful at winding you. Don't place the caller out of sight. You can hide the e-caller unit itself of course but have a clear view of the area surrounding the e-call to avoid predators making it to the e-call and retreating before you see them. It's amazing how close they can get without being detected sometimes.

I realize that in many parts of the country this is more easily said than done. In areas of thick forest or other vegetation this may not be as easy to do. In that type of situation, having a partner stationed even farther downwind might be a asset. These are some techniques that have been effective for myself and the guys I've called with. If you haven't tried it, give it a try and see what you think. It might add a few more coyotes to your take.

Good hunting

Curt Barrett

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FOXPRO has just released FOXPRO Outdoors "Predators" Volume 1 on DVD. This is the first installment in the FOXPRO Outdoors Video Series.

"Predators" Volume 1 is not just a bang-flop video focusing upon nothing more than kill-shots. Rather, the video takes you on 27 different hunts across the U.S. while combining educational chapters in between. These chapters cover many topics from stand location, types of callers, firearms, night hunting, and more! The goal of this DVD is, whether you are a beginner or a pro, we hope you walk away with a new tip or technique you never thought to try before.

Ride along with FOXRO Field Staff members Byron South, Todd Woodall, Jeff Thomason, Mike Messina, Dave Afflect, Tim Lewis, and other friends calling predators across the country. This DVD is packed with coyote, bobcat, and fox action!

FOXPRO Outdoors "Predators" Volume 1 is available for purchase at the FOXPRO website and other fine retailers of predator hunting DVD's. Included in the DVD are bonus chapters that review the current line of FOXPRO products. Learn about all the game calls being produced by FOXPRO and find out why they are the most innovative products on the market today!

For ordering information, click on the image below or call toll free 866-463-6977!

Interested in sharing a hunting story and picture with FOXPRO for consideration in an upcoming newsletter? Send your pictures and stories to newsletter@gofoxpro.com today!

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In this day in age, we hope that everyone is familiar with the National Rifle Association of America. If you are not a current member of the NRA or if you have never supported the NRA before, there has never been a more important time to do so than now.

The NRA works everyday to protect the Second Amendment of the Units States Bill of Rights. Through promotion of firearms ownership rights, marksmanship, firearms safety, protection of hunting and self defense defense, the NRA is working to help folks better understand firearms in positive light.

With all the recent talk of firearms bans, further firearms regulations, and so forth, it is important that each and every American citizen interested in preserving our rights does their part. It has been proven time and time again that new firearms regulations and bans have absolutely no impact on crime rates whatsoever. The simple fact is that only law abiding citizens are affected by those regulations while the criminals will pay them no mind.

Any ban on firearms in any form affects a variety of people. From the collector, the competition shooter, the security minded households, and the entire hunting community. Please support the NRA and help support the future for firearms owners.

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