Summer in the south for most hunters means either fishing or working on all the honey do projects that went neglected all fall, winter, and spring while we spent our time pursuing those wily coyotes, sly fox, and finicky cats. During this time of year when the days get longer and those dreadful daytime temperatures reach triple digits many dedicated predator callers begin to hang it up and call it quits tell next fall. Unfortunately many of these hunters are missing out on some quality time in the field and some of the best calling during the year. Summer predator calling tactics can be broken down into three main categories time of day, location, and sounds.
The most important tactic to change during the summer is the time of day that you plan to hunt. A little research can go a long way during the summertime. Many fisherman for years have been using GPS units and solar lunar tables to establish feeding times before hitting there favorite fishing hole. Predators feed on these tables also, but during the summer we have to remember that Predators are a lot like us and hate the heat. Before hitting the field to call, research these times and note the ones that fall in the middle of the day. Those feeding times that fall in the middle of the day will not be productive. I can not stress that enough. During the fall and winter when the temperatures are not as high those times will be productive but during the summer you might as well stay in the air conditioning. When those feeding times fall at dawn and dusk you better be in the field thirty minutes before hand. Just like any other hunting your most productive times will be at dawn and dusk anyway. Examine these times and if you are in a state that permits hunting at night with artificial light and the prime feeding times fall at night make sure your in the field ready to call when they roll around no matter how late you have to stay up, if not you will be missing out. This tactic can be made simple by saying if its too hot for you it is too hot for them.
When planning your summer calling trip the second most important thing to consider is location. When the temperatures reach those triple digits during the day things dry out fast and everything needs water to survive. Do a little scouting before hand and look at all the watering holes on the land you will be hunting. Look for predator tracks. When you find a watering hole that has tracks note it and make sure that you are there calling right before the sun goes down. When setting up to call these locations, make sure you move to your stand very stealthy. Predators arenÕt going to travel as far during the summer and may be lying in the brush just beyond that watering hole. Be as quiet as possible and move in slow. Calling on these watering holes will be productive and more so during the summer than any other time of the year. Remember hit those watering holes early and late, you wonÕt be disappointed.
Sound selection for summer calling is pretty simple. During the summer I canÕt emphasize enough young distress sounds. Many prey animals had their young during the spring and they are just now starting to get out and move around. The sounds we use during the summer are the young cotton tail in distress and fawn in distress. These have proven the most productive. The sound selection during the summer is probably the least important of the three tactics that you need to consider. Everything is hungry during the summer and needs to eat. Predators do not want to work hard for there meal during the summer and any distress sound proves for an easy meal.
Try these summer tactics and you will be productive. Keep on predator hunting even during the summer; itÕs a lot more fun than painting the house or mowing the lawn.
