So, you want to start predator hunting? You've heard this heart pounding, season extending, run and gun style of hunting is growing like mad and you want to get in on the hot action. Well I can tell you all of these things are true and it's very easy and cheap to get started. Especially if you are already a hunter. If you already hunt you have the requisite gear. You even have the right firearms too. A predator gun could be a rimfire, a centerfire rifle or even a shotgun.
Since you have the basic gear to get started what specialized gear do you need? Good question. You need either an electronic caller or a mouth blown call or two. Electronic callers are going to be more expensive, anywhere from $100 up to $500 or more for intricate models than mouth blown calls. For a beginner you can get perfect sounds from these. On the other hand you have mouth blown calls that you actually have to blow in to operate. You can get two or three of these for $100, they are cheaper but there is a slight learning curve to learning to use one effectively but with a little practice you can become an expert.
What else do you need? Not really much else. Some predator hunters like a decoy just to take the predators line of sight off you and onto the decoy. An arrow stuck in the ground with a turkey feather tied to the top is very popular. Now on the market are the powered models that twirl and spin around also very effective. Again there is a large variation in price. Pick whichever you feel most comfortable with.
Now just get out there and start calling. Be sure to play the wind. Predators live by their nose and will bust you in a second if you let them. Try to have shooting lanes downing of you. Whitetail hunters will be familiar with with these tactics. Similar scent control procedures are also effective for predators.
Scouting is also just as important. Water sources and creek beds are a good place to start, as are abandoned cabins and barns. Look for dens, burrows, tracks or scat. Landowners can also usually tell you if they have seen any predators.
Notes; As we see the predator hunting sector of the hunting market grow we see more and more predator hunters in the East. And for good reason too, predators are more prevalent than ever and there are many public and private land opportunities for ethical predator hunters. Many landowners are glad to let you shoot some of the animals that eat all of the game that they like to hunt. I am a freelance outdoor writer living in Maryland and will be blogging regularly about predator hunting in the East. You can expect more posts on the different aspects on this exciting sport. Please send me a message if there is a topic you'd like to see covered.
