Predator Hunts

Hunting Predators

Predators are a diverse group of species that includes lion and bear and animals as small as genet and sable. The bigger species that fight are described as Dangerous Game, and the smaller species as Furbearers. When it comes to hunting predators, most hunters think of medium-sized animals like wolf, lynx, bobcat, coyote, jackal, hyena, and fox. However, what all these animals have in common is that they make their lairs in sewers and feed in dumps. These conditions help predators grow beyond the numbers, where they don’t put too much pressure on other wildlife and don’t become a threat to livestock, pets, or humans.

Many predators also carry diseases, most notably rabies, that can be fatal. All of this makes predator control a necessity in many countries. Methods of predator hunting are as different as the predators themselves. Some are hunted with packs of dogs or by methods such as flagging. (surrounding the area with small flags that scare the animals and prevent their escape). Stalking or tracking is also possible. In some areas, it is legal to use night vision scopes to hunt predators. With or without such technology, the most popular and efficient methods of predator hunting depend on attracting them to the hunter by baiting or calling. Whatever method you choose, predator species are wary, intelligent, and know how hunters function, which makes killing them quite challenging.

When scouting for predators, look for droppings and tracks along game trails, wooded roads and trails, and abandoned fields and their edges. Always seek permission to hunt agricultural land and open fields. Farms with livestock are great places to hunt. Learn their droppings and tracks. Domestic dog droppings are usually uniform in color and texture with little or no undigested material. Wild animals like coyotes may have bone fragments, fur, or berry seeds in their droppings, depending on the time of year.

Good areas to set up a stand include wooded areas with broken cover, such as woods next to open fields, the edge of marshes, swamps, or thick cover near animal trails, or habitats where coyotes, bobcats, or foxes may forage for food. Watch the wind direction. Predators have an excellent sense of smell and can easily detect your presence if the wind is wrong or shifts. Place yourself downwind when hunting and try to come into your stand from a direction different from that used by animals.

Baiting Predators

Baiting can be an effective tool when hunting predators. Various types of bait can be used, such as butcher shop scrapes, bones, hides, or meat left over from other animals, such as venison or rabbit.

Helpful tips:

• Ensure that the hunter is downwind from the bait.
• The distance from the hunter to the bait pile should reflect the hunter’s ability to take an ethical shot.
• Ensure the bait pile is in a secluded location away from homes or commonly used trails. This will lower the possibility of calling in someone’s pet.
• Predators feel more secure in cover. Make sure the bait pile isn’t out in the open. Try to place it at the edge of a brush-bordered field.
• Stake down the bait to prevent predators from stealing it and running away.

Predators can sometimes be called by using a call that imitates the cry of an injured animal. Predators can respond pretty quickly. Many hunters will move to a different location if there is no response within 20 minutes. Scout several locations on any property you hunt. When using a mouth call, owls, coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, and even household pets might be called in. Always be sure of your target before shooting.

• Electronic calls can be programmed to sound like many different types of animals. Some hunters will place the calls a distance from the hunter and run them by remote control.
• Mouth calls are versatile. Remember that you might be hunting in low temperatures, and metal can freeze to body parts; rubber or plastic is much easier on the lips.

Types of Predator Mouth Calls:

Reed-style calls operate by blowing into one end of the tube to produce a squealing sound. Then, by cupping one or both hands over the other end, then opening and closing the hands, a distress squeal is produced.

Exposed reed calls operate similarly. By gently biting down on the exposed reed, the hunter controls the length of the reed that can vibrate, producing higher or lower-pitched sounds to imitate different prey.

Diaphragm calls are most commonly used by turkey hunters and are placed in the mouth and held in position with the tongue. By exhaling while varying tongue pressure, different sounds can be made.

Most successful predators

 African wild dogs - 85% successful kills.

 Black-footed cat - 60% successful kills. 

 Cheetah - 58% success

 Leopard - 38% success 

 Domestic cat - 32% success 

 Lions - 25% successful

 Wolves - 14% successful

 Polar bear - 10% success

Nighttime Predator Hunts

If you think predators have the upper hand during daylight hours, hunting them in the darkness puts the hunter at a greater disadvantage. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy hunting coyotes or other predators at night. It just takes some time to learn how to operate the calls and handle a light if you are not familiar with them. You won’t be using a bright, white light at night, either. Instead, lights with red or green beams help hide your stand while still showing the shining eyes or movement of a curious predator coming to your calls. You can shield a light with a red or green film, but if you're really involved in nighttime hunting, you should check out one of the multi-colored lights that mount directly to your rifle. They let you change color without taking your hand or head off the gun.