A piercing sound breaks the early down silence. It continues until you think it will never end. It is the sound of a rabbit in distress that goes on and on. Actually, the sound emanates from an electronic game caller. The purpose is to attract a hungry coyote, raccoon or fox.
Suddenly from across the field a coyote appears with his nose to the ground. He lopes along in search of the easy meal promised by the sound of the call. He just appears on the edge of the brush and silently moves along it toward the sound.
These electronic calling machines lure hungry predators into more open areas and close proximity to hunters.
There are two kinds of calls, electronic and mechanical. The mechanical call requires a bit of wind power supplied by the hunter. The electronic caller is easier on the hunter by producing an electronic reproduction of recorded sounds.
Electronic calls have powerful output, a longer duration of play, more accurate sound, a wider variety, can be operated hands free and usually use distress calls to attract the predator. An advantage to mechanical calls includes that they are lighter weight, compact, inexpensive, have a more variable pitch and offer great personal satisfaction form their successful use.
Both types of calls also have disadvantages. The electronic call is a more expensive investment, has more weight to handle in the field, is larger and requires maintenance as well as the re-charging of batteries.
Mechanical calls can have too much or too little volume according to the skills of the user. The require movement of the caller which can call attention to his location. They take some practice and in cold weather can freeze up due to saliva accumulation.
A key to varmint hunting is to set up in a good habitat situation. It might be brush near a creek. Many animals use waterways as highways to their feeding areas from a den or bedding area. The caller sets up downwind of the direction from which he expects the prey might come. Hunters must be ever mindful of his concealment until it is too late for the predator.
An ability to remain motionless is vital. Therefore, good optics and warm clothing are a must. In cold weather without warm clothing the hunter can be miserable. The good optics enables the hunter to see the quarry long before would otherwise be the case.