I have been getting a bunch of questions about coon calling so I thought I would just make a thread telling how I go about it. I hope it helps anyone wanting to give it a try!
Anyway here it is.............
Finding some good den trees is the hardest part. Once you do that then here is how I go about it.
The following is pretty much how I set up.
It is best if you can get the caller on the opposite side of the tree from the hole. That way it kinda forces them out of the hole to see what is going on.
I put the caller pretty close to the tree; around 5-10 yards. Depends on the terrain as I try and have my decoy around some cover so it is not totally out in the open. I think this helps to get the coon out of the hole to try and get a good look at what is going on.
We have seen coons come out of other trees then the ones we are calling to as far away as almost 100 yards and come running to the call. That is not common but does happen.
I usually sit within 10-25 yards from the tree. Again it depends on the terrain. You obviously want to try and be hid the best you can but not have to try and shoot through a bunch of stuff. There are a lot of times we are no farther away than the call but just off to the sides a few yards. We usually try and have both sides of the tree/trees covered if possible so all shot opportunities are covered. If I am by myself I will sit so I can see the hole if at all possible and still put the caller on the opposite side of the hole.
It seems like if you have not seen a coon by the 5-6 minute mark then it is time to move on. If you have one peeking out but not coming all the way out I will stay and keep trying different calls to get it to come out. I will stay as long as it is still popping its head in and out of the hole as that means it is still interested. I usually leave if it goes back in and I can't get it to look out for a couple minutes.
It is a good idea to come back to that tree a little while later (1/2-1 hour) and try calling again but make sure the caller and decoy is not where he can see it unless he comes all the way out.
No real need to worry about the wind or scent control. Try to be quiet on the way in and keep talking to a minimum. The talking is probably the most important so when you do have to talk make sure to whisper quietly.
This is my basic calling sequence......
I run the caller on high right from the start. I start out with 'coon fight' for about 2 minutes. If none have come out I will switch to 'young coon distress' and play it for 1 1/2--2 minutes. If still nothing I will try one of my other coon sounds(distress and aggressive sounds) for a minute and then move on to the next den.
If one shows himself during any of the sounds I decide what to do by wether it acts like it is just peeking or actually coming out.
If it looks like it is going to go ahead and come out I will just let what ever sound is playing keep playing.
If it looks like he is just peeking out to take a look I will give the sound playing just a little bit and then switch to another sound and see if that gets the coon to go ahead and come out. Don't be afraid to switch up the sounds to see what will get them all the way out of the hole.
You kinda get a feel for it after calling them a few times; but like with anything some times it is just a guessing game and hope for the best. LOL
I use a decoy a lot of the time but I have had just about as good of luck with just the caller.
That is pretty much how I do it. If you have any other questions just ask and I will try and answer them the best I can.
A lot of people have been asking what I use in the way of guns and caller/decoy; so here is that info also. I have used a 22lr, 17mach2 and 22mag. I am probably going to be taking the 22mag most of the time now. Not saying the 22lr or mach2 are not good enough because they are. The 22mag just does a little better job on the rare times a person has to take a body shot.
I use a fox-pro 'fx-5' caller and a fox-pro 'jack in the box' decoy with a coon topper.
Have fun and let me know how you do.
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Lea
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