Getting Setup by Curt Barrett

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 an 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