Weather?? Best Months??

[jweb]

What kinds of weather make calling in coyotes (daytime) and fox (daytime & nighttime) very difficult?  I know wind is a killer but what about during snow?  Also what are the best months to be productive in Pa.  What kind of percentages per stand are you getting during months?  Sorry lotta questions there.  Kinda new could ask questions all night.

[uncle buck]

Crunchy snow is the worst... They, predators know that there are no 183 pound cottontail rabbits.. crunch crunch crunch it OVER!!!!!!!
You counter this by just getting where it's legal and call..They will come to you..

Also  your going to go out in snow and say...Wow what a nice night, no wind, don't need a light, and your say to yourself..."I'm going to kill a lot of critters tonight!"  then you end up seeing JACK______.

Then it's going to be windy and foggy  and the critters will come to any sound you use.


Also....learning too it's not so much as the time of the year but what time you are hunting that counts.. IMO seems like I call in MORE predators after 10:00 PM vs 5:00 PM in the winter when it's dark...However I do call them in then too...


So no matter what time of the year you go.  there are going to be times your going to call nothing... Then there are going to be times that gee..They are coming to all my sounds!!!!

The predator hunters that hang in there and not get frustrated and quit are the ones that will get shots!!!

[jweb]

Just like most hunting.  Persistence pays i guess.  Have been seeing alot of sign but no luck yet.  Gotta stay at it.

[uncle buck]

Try fieldmice sounds and woodpecker...Any high pitched sounds work great for red fox...Reds are suckers for mouth calling over snow...Remember your saliva will make metal reed predator calls to freeze up.. Learn how to use an open reed call.. Looks like a saxophone or clarinet mouth piece...or use a Quakerboy or Primos mouse bulb squeaker... They are deadly for all predators... Everyone can use them...Just squeak away for 20 minutes of constant squeaks.. In a pinch a dog or cat or baby toy will also work it it squeaks.. Good luck let us know how you make out?

[foxtrot]

The month of November is good because of lots of unpressured animals and milder temps that helps to keep us motivated.Then theres deer season and the predator hunting seems to go down hill for a few weeks but then rebounds around the end of December.So don't give up just because its cold some good hunting is to be had in the next couple of weeks.Crunchy snow is the worst,probably best to take uncle bucks advice on that.Although I have called animals in after making so much noise walking in that I was convinced that everything was in the next township by now.Predators called in on crusted snow make no noise so be on high alert.I had experience with that last year when I called a fox in on crusted snow and never heard a thing except for its breathing behind me at very close range after responding to coyote vocals.Go figure!

[jweb]

Was just wondering if I was wasting my time if it was snowing at night? 

[uncle buck]

Depends.....if the snow is just coming down slow then they will come (Inch or two)...If the snow is kind of like a blizzard that it takes your breath away then they aren't moving and you won't see them anyway...Probably best to wait until the snow ends and then go out...If the accumulation really starts to pile up stay home until it ends..

[mikeldnr]

before or after any weather front comes through is great and after it passes is also good. ive had alot of luck calling when there is a couple of inches of snow on the ground. never had much luck while it was snowing/raining hard its better when it stops. also what ive found out is that it seems like all the foxes will move around the same time. one night we were out calling and nothing started to move till 10pm and the next night we went back out and didnt see a single fox until 11pm and hour later then the night before and it started at 11pm in an hour time frame we seen 6 fox in two setups. so i think it has something to do with where the moon is in the sky. im still learning myself.

[bigben]

where bouts do you live? 

I hear on many boards about when is the best time to get out.  I can't honestly tell ya because I have had nights that should have been great and they turn out to be dud's.  Then I have had nights that I thought I wouldn't call anything in and have done awesome.  My thoughts on this.  If it is only lightly snowing I would call.  If it is a light mist I would call it in a heartbeat.  If it is blowing wind 30 mph I wouldn't call it unless I was desperate.  If it was blowing 10 mph and gusting to 30 mph I would call.  If it was full moon I would call.  The biggest thing is ya cannot call them in unless your out there.  There are conditions that keep animals holed up but there are conditions many callers do not call when animals are moving as well. 

[scott]

i like when it gets bitter cold, seems like they are more active and willing to get an easy meal. 

i also like to hunt when it is snowing seems like the reds like to come out and play in the new snow. 

[foxtrot]

If you get out in the fresh snow you can see all the tracks of the critters that you can,t seem to call in.Tracks everywhere and no response.For some reason the second night after a snow seems to be productive.Also right before the snow starts to fall.Its exciting to be out hunting in a gently falling snow but in my experience not very productive.Theres always exceptions though.