When things are just not working for you

[uncle buck]

It happens to all of us at one time or another...We get into a slump.. Just like major ball players get into slumps so do night time predator hunters too. ... Symptoms are going to tell you... Maybe you keep missing with a shotgun... Could be you just need to sit down and think? Just what am I doing wrong?  Could be your shooting to early,  Using the improper choke.. Maybe your shotgun is a fix Modified choke and you should be using a Full choke gun.. Could be that your gun is not aligning up right at night time.. Might need to add a piece of Adhesive Velcro (Rougher part of the Velcro combo)  to your stock so it touches you cheek.  Kind of like a tickler for your cheek so you know your lined up perfect for night time shooting... Then maybe you need to go to using a Holo type sight or maybe you need to go from the red dot Holotype sights to the basic.. You could be to High Tech and you need to go back to the basics.  Maybe just a plain ole light stick behind the bead of the shotgun would be fast and work better.. Sometimes it's not good to go High Tech???  Anyway you go out there and your start missing and missing and missing be it with a shotgun or rifle... Just kind of sit down and try to evaluate yourself and ask yourself just what am in not doing correctly...

I have had to do this recently myself...I have had to go to a better shooting rest for my night time  rifle shots... 

[foxtrot]

Last year I had trouble hitting the broadside of a barn door so I made some minor changes and it helped not only with accuracy but with my confidence.If you don't change anything nothing will ever change,Simple logic.

[Hern]

On another note, the early season, fair weather of predator hunting is gone.
After Deer season, less cover, snow, extended periods of cold, less predators and educated predators make calling a bit more of a challenge.
Deer hunters and natural disperal may have some predator species moving into different home ranges the next two weeks.
In season scouting will help for the upcoming mid/late season calling hunts.
This may add up to a 'hot spot' going 'dead', or vise versa.
'Hot spots' may become dead for a number of reasons...
You killed what's there (you may have to wait for the void to fill later in the season), too much human pressure from other hunters (Coyotes are known move out with pressure), Coyote hound hunters (after Deer season) will be hunting full swing and upset your calling plans. 30-40 years ago, I had to deal with Coon hound hunters. Not complaining, but it sure messes things up and I wonder why I can't call anything in, then fine out Coon or Coyote hunters are working the same area.
Late season success requires planning, in-season scouting and a close look at what's happening...

[bigben]

been there done that.  late season.  Time in the field is the key.  best I can say.  many when the wind is blowing and snowing and the weather is unbearable many hang it up.  last year bobcat hunting I can tell ya there was a lot of disappointments.  I remember walking what seemed like miles back a road in a foot of snow with jeff to call.  Along with vehicle troubles as well.  either you want to do it or ya don't.  I have found that when I get in a slump I am thinking more on staying at home in out of the elements rather then out blowing a call in the cold.  confidence is another problem.  if it drops you start questioning yourself and what your doing.    Find the critters and call it.  persistence pays off and you can't call em from the recliner.

[foxtrot]

I agree 100 percent Ben,Nothing beats a good try.It's hard sometimes to get out in the freezing cold of the late season but it can be just as rewarding, you just have to have the right mind set.

[TFC2223]

You gotta play to win!

[uncle buck]

Yep if your going to fail you have to fail greatly...Teddy Roosevelt once said" Something to this effect:  "It's not the critic that counts, nor the person who points out how the strong man failed; or  where the doer of deeds could have done them better".. "The credit belongs to the man that is actually in the arena who fails and comes up short  again and again."." Who knows the great enthusiasm, the great  devotion and spends himself in a worthy cause.  "Who at worst in the end if fails that he fails greatly so that he is not with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

[jaybird]

im doing my fair share of failing this year... hehe... went out for bear, saw nothing but a 7 pointer.... been out multiple times for deer... guess what i saw... you got it... nothing but a bear...

[predator77]

I've been having a hard time finding good conditions to go. Either its to windy,rainy or bright. When I do find a great looking night, I see nothing. Looks like another horrible season because I didn't make the most out of the few opportunities I was given on stand.

[uncle buck]

The best part of the calling season is just going to start...Coyotes and red fox over snow...Worst thing could be to much snow and you can't park. Calling just where it's legal still works but finding a parking spot is though.. What I like is some of the land owners will allow me to park right outside their garage..However it may take a few days for that area to get clean out.  


When it's Windy.....Use the woodpecker,  jackrabbit and the canine sounds to call predators.  They buck the winds better... Also get a few calls that are loud.  The Magnum Crit-R-Call open reed.


Here is another the works great in the wind:

http://www.burnhambrothers.com/product.asp?productID=18638

[bigben]

Again I say you cant kill em from the recliner.  put aside the baloney as to what is a good night or a bad night of calling.  I haven't met anyone yet that will know how good they are going to do without going out and calling first.  mainly because there is too many variables.