Im often asked at tournaments and seminars what I think contributes to my success over the next guy. My answer always gets funny looks like Im trying to dodge the question and give a generic answer but it’s the truth plain and simple. You can’t call predators where they dont exist. I contribute a lot of it to Homework.

I understand that not everyone is going to take predator calling as serious as me or go so die-hard, thats why they call it a passion. On the same token, I know guys that don’t eat meat for two weeks before deer season because they believe that it helps keep down the predator scent that their bodies release. What I dont understand is that the same guys that handle their deer hunting or duck hunting in that matter expect to just stop on a county road throw on a little camo and an electronic caller and call in predators. Scouting is no less important for predator hunting then it is for any other game you like to pursue. I’ve spent countless hours in the “dog days of summer” amongst the skeeters and ticks trying to locate dens. I’ve even drug the wife with on occasion to show her that I wasn’t lying about where I was when she thought it was an alibi.

Spring and summer are great times to look at terrain in new areas. If you have a good understanding of the lay of the land before you even get to the stand it will save you a lot of frustration. There is nothing worse then watching a coyote turn on the afterburners after you spooked him out by standing on the hillside surveying the stand. When you should have been wondering how much gas money he’s going to bring on the market. I understand that it is impossible to have all of your stands scouted for the fur season beforehand, but if you can have a good jump start it\'s going to help you take advantage of the juveniles in the fall.

One of the best chores to get done in the spring and summer is land access. I’ve found (as expected) that talking to land owners about gaining access to their pastures as soon as calving and lambing season have finished or are drawing to an end the best time. If they have a predator problem that is when it is the most noticeable and they might have a sour taste in their mouth about those four-legged, mutton lovers we love to chase. I can then assess the situation and see if some spring control work is needed to help the rancher out or if the predators can be left until fur season, which is what I prefer.