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Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 22, 2007, 12:31 PM:
We can have a little fun fleshing this one out.
1. Do you believe it is better to be still or concealed?
2. Which do you believe to be most important, color, pattern or form?
3 Did Gerry Blair really call javelina and coyotes while wearing a Santa suit?
Posted by canine (Member # 687) on June 22, 2007, 12:39 PM:
1: Be STILL
2: Patern
3: No clue if he did or not, but I could see it done, as long as he sat still ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
What did I win Rich? ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
JD
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 22, 2007, 12:51 PM:
Higgins, this is like having too much money, unless you are Bill Gates.
Turn the question around. Tell us the time that camo screwed things up for ya.
And, yes, on the Santa suit. I think I recall pictures? And, who else, (besides Higgins), is ***** enough to try it?
Not moving is a good idea, but I believe that, if the sound is coming from a still form, a coyote is able to figure out that it doesn't belong.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Bofire (Member # 221) on June 22, 2007, 01:00 PM:
Hey Rich,
1. it depends on the flora, size, height, density. Best is be still and hidden.
2.Depends on the Flora, but Color, Form, pattern, would be my choices.
3.Yes,(I don't remember the Javelina) It was Gerry Blair, I am old but am sure I remember seeing a picture.
Carl
Posted by Krustyklimber (Member # 72) on June 22, 2007, 01:14 PM:
My answers;
1. Still.
2. Form.
3. I don't remember reading the part about coyotes, in Gerry's book.
My opinions;
1. & 2. If you are not moving, and you do not look like (the form of) a human, you are less likely to be noticed (visually), or percieved as a threat.
If I dress like a mailbox, and sit still enough, on the corner...
2. If I look like something non-threatening, I'll be less threatening, even if I am moving.
In the form of a cow, I am not a human, so no worries. (Higgins' ugly cow?)
3. Isn't there supposed to be video footage of said historical event?
Leonard,
I didn't figure calling into the equation.
I thought that might be an addendum to the conversation though.
The three other "Bill Gates" questions;
1. Call from where you are?
2. Remote Calling?
3. No calling?
Krusty 
Posted by UTcaller (Member # 8) on June 22, 2007, 02:12 PM:
Rich,
1)Still....I have always felt camo was overrated.That being said I have been using some Kings desert shadow camo my wife bought me for Christmas/birthday.Very nice colors ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
FWIW lol
2)Color....General color of terrain you are calling(like the carhart brown)in grassy/sage country.That's why I kinda like this new desert shadow stuff(yellow/Tans with sage brush).But I still don't think it's nesessary(camo patterns)again FWIW
3)Yes,and if I'm not mistaken he has a picture of him with the santa suit on and a coyote he is holding over his shoulder..
Good Hunting Chad
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 22, 2007, 02:15 PM:
What about the Easter Bunny?
Posted by Randy Roede (Member # 1273) on June 22, 2007, 02:44 PM:
What would be so hard about calling one while looking like Santa?
Everybody likes to see Santa!!LOL
Posted by furhvstr (Member # 1389) on June 22, 2007, 03:44 PM:
I believe the santa suit footage is in one of his Beastmasters videos.
In a contest I always wear a camo shirt and headnet. Predator camo with its broken pattern and color to match the brush. I figure they can't see my legs and often they can only see my shoulders and head from their perspective ( 20 inches +/- off the ground).
Being still is important but what good is camo if your out in the open?
Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on June 22, 2007, 05:57 PM:
Rich
I'd say still is most improtant as I call from out in the open often and am not seen.
I dont know what colors a coyote sees but camo must break things up as far as your form goes to be useful , other than just being really cool.
PM
edit to add
I always cover my hands and face.
[ June 22, 2007, 05:59 PM: Message edited by: Paul Melching ]
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 22, 2007, 06:05 PM:
Being still is important but what good is camo if your out in the open?
fur, it would certainly tell you which is more effective, color, pattern or form.
A couple of years ago Tyler and I videoed Brent Rueb calling in a cow pasture in Kansas. Nothing but two inches of grass. Worried the heck out of a bunch of cows that circled waaay around Brent and Tyler and huddled around me. Color nor pattern mattered, only form.
There is a clip on our video called "Hide in Plain Sight". Tyler and I set up on a barren plowed hillside and called five or six coyotes in, and kept them there for quite a while. Form was all that mattered then also.
On the video also, Tyler called a coyote in to about 30 yards or so that sat down and watched him call for a while. Tyler was wearing the big Easter bunny head and a red smoking jacket. I'm betting that color and pattern weren't the prime factors in that camo either. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posted by JeremyKS (Member # 736) on June 22, 2007, 06:11 PM:
I wear camo in an effort to break up my outline. I catch myself quite often moving too much when scanning in effort to see all my surroundings, might need to work on that but I seem to get away with it.
Most of the time I have gloves on just because its cold but I very rarely wear a face mask.
Who wears a face mask?
Edited to add...
I don't think this has been mentioned yet, I feel it is pretty important to have the sun at your back and try to sit in the shadows.
[ June 22, 2007, 06:18 PM: Message edited by: JeremyKS ]
Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on June 22, 2007, 06:12 PM:
Still-- Camo-- good background
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 22, 2007, 06:18 PM:
Paul, I move around a lot on stand with a camera, I still have coyotes and fox jump on me. I have coyotes hang around exremely close for long periods of time. BTW. these are coyotes in hard called areas. Movement doesn't alarm coyotes. They expect to see movement. When the movement draws their attention to the human form is when we get busted.
Posted by Greenside (Member # 10) on June 22, 2007, 06:21 PM:
They expect to see some motion
Missed matched camo to break up body mass or form
Coyote can't see the color red
Edit:Rich posted while I was loggin on
[ June 24, 2007, 08:44 AM: Message edited by: Greenside ]
Posted by JeremyKS (Member # 736) on June 22, 2007, 06:23 PM:
what colors can a coyote see.
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 22, 2007, 06:30 PM:
Jeremy, they see in the blue spectrum. Just shades of gray in the red spectrum.
Posted by JeremyKS (Member # 736) on June 22, 2007, 06:33 PM:
interesting Rich.
Got off topic from my first question who all thinks you need to wear a face mask?
Posted by TRnCO (Member # 690) on June 22, 2007, 06:38 PM:
I've seen the footage of the Santa suit, and it would be more compelling if he was out in the open where the coyote could have a chance to see his form for a longer period of time from a longer distance. The footage does prove that a guy can sit in shadows within some cover without wearing special camo. The little pigs didn't stick around very long either.
Can a coyote see a "human" while the human is in the sitting position? With or without camo?
Posted by Greenside (Member # 10) on June 22, 2007, 06:44 PM:
Only when the sun is in my face, other times my white beard makes me look like a snowshoe rabbit to a coyote.
[ June 22, 2007, 06:45 PM: Message edited by: Greenside ]
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 22, 2007, 06:46 PM:
Jeremy, I wear a face mask. Over my whole body.
Posted by JeremyKS (Member # 736) on June 22, 2007, 06:50 PM:
haha I think I’ve seen you post that. Did they try to nibble on you? Looks to be the only green thing out there.
I feel that when a coyote is coming in they are looking for visual to lock in on and sometimes that is your face. Do you think that makes any sense?
Posted by furhvstr (Member # 1389) on June 22, 2007, 07:24 PM:
Higgins,
"What good is camo when your out in the open"
What I meant is breaking the human form. Sitting in that field with camo on wouldn't break up your form but the netting does. Genrally camo only works when combined with stuff around, in front or behind you.
Am I close?
Posted by Krustyklimber (Member # 72) on June 22, 2007, 08:49 PM:
Jeremy,
If I'm hunting, I'm wearing a facemask. Rabbits and upland birds are the only time I don't.
Mercer,
I think I agree with you, camo just helps you become part of some other form.
And without another form to "blend into", you have to become a different form.
Become different enough, you don't necessarily have to be still.
Krusty
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on June 22, 2007, 09:57 PM:
Years ago, I was turkey hunting with a friend in some small trees and dead clumpy grass. We sat about 30 yards apart and he was doing the calling. I was looking away from him while he was getting set, studying the area and when I turned my head back his direction, he was gone. He had slipped on a cheap green rain pancho with a small leaf pattern on it that didn't match at all but it broke up his outline. I never did find him till he turned his face towards me.
I wear a facemask while calling.
Posted by 6mm284 (Member # 1129) on June 23, 2007, 03:40 AM:
I like camo not so much for the concealment it offers as that can be done in lots of ways, but because camo generally has lots of pockets for all the junk I take calling.Probably the biggest value could be in giving one a better chance of getting into the call stand undetected.There is still some individuality asociated with how a particular coyote responds to any shape, color ,pattern , form, location,situation,etc
Posted by Steve Craig (Member # 12) on June 23, 2007, 07:23 AM:
What about the Easter Bunny?
Here what happened to the Easter Bunny!!!!!!
Posted by Steve Craig (Member # 12) on June 23, 2007, 07:34 AM:
As far as camo, I just buy whatever they have on sale at the end of the season. Get great deals this way. Camo is over rated and made to sell to sportsmen. As long as you dress for your area,dont move, it wont make a difference if you are wearing a Santa Suit like Gerry did,or a totally white Painters suit like I did to prove to a client that it could be done and that it was over rated.
And yes i used a hand call so the coyotes were looking at me and not the WT. They paid no attention and all died that day. Made a believer out of said client to say the least. A good pair of kaki pants,olive green shirt, hat and most important a face mask is all you need.
Posted by Norm (Member # 240) on June 23, 2007, 08:25 AM:
be still, berry berry still and you will get the rabbit...
a bit of rabbit and coyote urine mix applyied to the lobes of the ears will also help in case you have to scratch at an inappropriate time.
Posted by Okanagan (Member # 870) on June 23, 2007, 09:04 AM:
Ditto to Steve. One of the best camo items I ever owned was a black and grey plaid wool jacket with big blocks three or four inches across. IMO virtually all camo has too small design bits in it to actually work well as camo at a distance. Most camo looks like a solid color at a distance. Larger blocks of really contrasting tones don't sell well but work better in my applications.
Got a kick out of Steve's camo buying: Likewise I don't own a single camo item that wasn't on a steep discount sale in off season and I don't have a clue what "pattern" any of them are, Mossy Beach or Advantage Asphalt.
If you move, you're toast with most critters, camo or not. I have started carrying two pieces of cloth 60 inches by 12 feet long. One is snow white light weight bridal dress fabric of some kind and I use it in snow. The other is ultra thin lightweight nylon ripstop camo. Each wads to a grapefruit sized ball. On snow or dry ground for cats I drape or stretch one or the other of them around me to make a blind with just my eyes above the top edge. A few clothes pins in the pack help hold it in place. I've been amazed at how much I can move behind the screen without animals detecting anything. A coyote last winter inside 25 yards never turned his head when I raised my rifle over the top edge and aimed at him. I was about 20 degrees off of his line of vison to the e-call.
I made a head net with long front to cover my hand movements when hand calling, but have called a ton of critters without it. It has a light copper wire hemmed into the rim around the eye hole, that molds around my glasses. Still using the same one I first made over 20 years ago out of some kind of camo netting.
My main camo item is an xxxl sized silk weight synthetic shirt that fits over a coat or anything. Head net, toque of camo or white, gloves and that's my usual. I have a fleece camo jacket picked up cheap last year, also extra large, and huge fleece camo pants that pull over if needed. I often don't carry along the pants. I don't wear camo but pull on a thin camo shell at the stand, and let the stand decide how much, which color, etc. I.e. in snow, if you sit against a broad dark stump in dark blackberries, the dry ground camo hides you in the dark patch better than white would, though either would work.
Just realized I'm wordy because I'm reliving some stands and want the season for cats to open again.
[ June 23, 2007, 09:09 AM: Message edited by: Okanagan ]
Posted by JoeF (Member # 228) on June 23, 2007, 09:19 AM:
Poor Easter Bunny....
I'll vote for the face mask, too.
Hard to beat good ole Carharts in real cold weather. Flannel shirts ain't too bad either.
Where's the guy that was firing on Vic C. for hunting in tennies?
Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on June 23, 2007, 09:19 AM:
Rich
I dont know what a coyote sees.but when Im out in the open Ive had camo on just to blend with the surrounding area trying to look like a bush or rock or some bump in the terrain, it seems to work for the right situation if i can keep the sun and wind cooperating. How difficult is it to use that ghillie cover to hunt with.It makes you look like a big lump in the pasture.I have always felt that covering the face and hands is improtant .everytime I look back from the ecaller or decoy Its all iI see of other hunters that are not covered.what are your thoughts. given that one is not tented in a ghillie.
Thanks for the words on movement .I turn my head slowly and try not to move much more than that its a lot of work to be that still for long periods.( my bones tend to stay put if left still too long)With all that said most of the time I back to a bush or tree if available.
Pm
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 23, 2007, 09:45 AM:
Thanks to all for not busting my chops for mis-spelling camouflage.
Which is actually defined as "to disguise or conceal" and that is how I view it, a concept, rather than as a particular color or pattern.
I shot a coyote with a longbow once wearing sand colored jeans, a brown shirt and boonie hat, no face mask. I kneeled down in a sandy wash, laid my chest and side of my head down in the sand with my bow arm stretched out, arrow pointed toward the tape player and decoy ten feet away. My butt was hiked up in the air. When the coyote stopped looking at me and focused on the decoy and sound I drew the arrow, raised my upper body a few inches and shot him from a cantilevered, horizontal position. My shape was the "camo", an unrecognized, nonthreatening disguise.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 23, 2007, 10:05 AM:
Hey Rich. Was this adventure someplace where they don't have ants?
You see, some of these solutions that work in various parts of the country, it's my own "conditioned response"...I was cured of laying down, or even scooping the sand under a barbed wire fence. Seems like there are shed cactus needles everywhere, and I am a magnet. A fly that won't stay out of my ear canal brings out the worst in me.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 23, 2007, 10:08 AM:
When calling coyotes to a gun in terrain where they can be seen before they see the caller, it is very simple to get the gun on them and remain still until they are in position. It makes no difference what you wear.
Del Western and Geaorge Oakey won the first Top Caller Trophy at Phoenix Varmint Callers in the mid sixties with 467 coyotes and a bunch of bobcats and fox. The photos of them from that time showed them wearing white cowboy hats and colorful cowboy shirts. The video they produce "Coyote Safari" did show them calling from behind a portable fabric blind.
Shotgun, livingroom calling in very thick cover doesn't require camo either because they are moving so fast and pop up so close that it's usually over with before it makes a difference.
Calling to pressured coyotes that come in on the sneak, regardless whether it is in Pa., Ohio, Kentucky, Mo. Ozarks, or the thick chapparel in Az. absolutely requires effective camo if the caller is going to withstand the close scrutiny that coyotes often give the setup before they expose themselves. Sometimes birds, squirrels and stock alert the caller of the presence of a coyote, but often he simply becomes aware of a partial shape through an opening in the cover. A disguising shape as camo is far more important than color or pattern then.
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 23, 2007, 10:12 AM:
Leonard, it was Tujunga Wash in Ca.
But you are right, I examine the ground very closely for all creepy crawlies and sharp thingies before plopping my one and only ass on the ground.
Posted by albert (Member # 98) on June 23, 2007, 10:19 AM:
Form is the key. Good camo breaks up your form. I often call out in the wide open. The key is to lay prone.
Laying prone has a lot of advantages when calling in open terrain. I believe that when you are laying prone the coyote is less likely to percieve you as a threat.
Posted by Steve Craig (Member # 12) on June 23, 2007, 10:20 AM:
Here's what REALLY happened to the Easter Bunny!!
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 23, 2007, 10:26 AM:
Something else to ponder. I believe that a red shirt and blue jeans can be very effective camo. Coyotes see in the blue spectrum which means they can see the blue which will probably leap out of the surrounding colored flora and terrain, but the gray shade of the shirt will probably not.
Coyotes will focus on one object to the exclusion of all others. Watch them as they approach motion decoys or dogs. They don't seem to recognize the shape of legs stretches out straight or crossed, and I have seen them come in focused on those blue shapes while ignoring the dull colored shape growing out of the blue one.
I honestly don't mind if the callers I take out wear blue jeans or not as long as they remain still.
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 23, 2007, 10:31 AM:
Steve, I wonder how many little kids you have traumatized today. If the easter bunnies have an Anti-Defamation League you an probably expect a letter from their attorney.
Posted by JoeF (Member # 228) on June 23, 2007, 10:42 AM:
Poor, poor, poor Easter Bunny!
Steve, is that a personal pic?
Posted by Randy Roede (Member # 1273) on June 23, 2007, 11:12 AM:
Have no fear!!!! The Easter Bunny Class of 2007 has just graduated and are on the way!!!!
Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on June 23, 2007, 11:26 AM:
Who really knows what canines see, but research seems to say their eye for detail is quite poor, approximately six times poorer than the human eye. A canine they say, has around 20/75 vision, compared to a sharp eyed human with 20/20. In other words, what a coyote can see "clearly" and with detail at 20 feet, a human could clearly see at 75 feet.
Where their eyesight shines of course, is the ability to percieve movement, and their very keen nocturnal and dim light vision.
Im not onboard with the concern of a coyote making out a "human form", how in the hell would some coyotes even know what a human form is, compared to other forms....a fence post or a mailbox or an old 55 gallon drum? Kind of like the "shiny stuff" concern we hear about in magazines and other forums. There is shiny stuff all over the desert here on a crisp,cold winter morning, frost on the yucca stalks and fronds, grass covered with frost and glinting in the morning sun, cans,bottles etc. Yet, so many wring their hands over a scope not camoed or a stainless steel rifle barrel they are worried about a coyote seeing.
Im convinced, it comes down to movement being the primary concern,at least in the area of being seen, which has been confirmed all ready by some of you guys. As long as I have my facemask,and am scooted up against something, a mesquite, beargrass clump,stump, rock, whatever, I feel very comfortable in my hide.
Posted by Steve Craig (Member # 12) on June 23, 2007, 11:45 AM:
Randy's pic should cheer up all those poor wittle kids, and keep the attorney's away for a while. Just goes to show that wabbits are a renewable resource.
Joe, i picked them up off a trapping forum somewhere. Us trappers are crude you know.
Vic, Right on man!
Posted by UTcaller (Member # 8) on June 23, 2007, 12:19 PM:
I totally agree with what Vic said,and that's kind of the rule of thumb I live by.If I'm up against some kind of brush and limit my movement to the bare minimum,that's about as good a camo as you're going to find anywhere.Regardless of what color camo or other clothes you wear.
And JeremyKS,
In answer to your question about facemasks.I never use one to cover my face for camo factor,but will use a camo ski mask when it gets really cold for protection from the wind/cold,same with gloves.
Good Hunting Chad
[ June 23, 2007, 12:19 PM: Message edited by: UTcaller ]
Posted by Greenside (Member # 10) on June 23, 2007, 12:31 PM:
I've always have thought that coyotes' vision was overrated. A real effort to make them super dogs. If the coyote vision was that good it's very hard to explain one coming a couple of hundrd yard across the open and then getting a snout full of buckshot from a camo'd man at ten yards. More than likely wouldn't happen to a human. What do coyotes look at when running uphill, downhill through broken brush etc.
Sure they pick up on motion, but at the same time a ungloved hand working a handcall to a hungup coyote can be the trick to get his attention. Maybe they think it's a bird? They focus in on it, but once they start coming they lose focus untill they really close the distance or stop to re-focus. That's why I try not to let them get to close. That re-focus is the 3 seconds you get to shoot a coyote once you get him stopped.
Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on June 23, 2007, 01:25 PM:
[ March 28, 2010, 09:14 PM: Message edited by: TA17Rem ]
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 23, 2007, 02:11 PM:
Randy, cool pic. Remember Mud Lake, Id. back in 81-82?
quote:
Im not onboard with the concern of a coyote making out a "human form", how in the hell would some coyotes even know what a human form is, compared to other forms....a fence post or a mailbox or an old 55 gallon drum
If a coyote has never seen a human or is too thick to recognize a human form, it isn't neccessary to camo up for that animal anyway.
I cannot recall how many times I have seen coyotes coming in, spot one of our partners and do a panic spin out the way he came. They don't do that when they see a fence post, mailbox or drum.
Posted by Krustyklimber (Member # 72) on June 23, 2007, 02:57 PM:
I think a tractor is a good example. They can be both a threat and a non-threat, to the coyote (usually dependent on what is being farmed).
I had a recent coversation with a local guy, tractor farmer and avid waterfowler, interested in taking up predator calling said, "All the coyotes Ive got have been just oportunistic mostly while driving tractor. They are not at all afraid of the equipment and will run right up along side ya.".
He also related a tale of calling a coyote.
In a conversation about calling, I advised him "Coyotes get call shy for life, so public hunting can be tough."
He replied;
"I learned that today (LOL) I finally got one to respond to me but I think I over called it or it saw me move as it kinda did catch me off guard. It was cautious as I had killed its buddy in the same field a few weeks ago off my tractor. I just thought I would give some distress calls off the front of the tractor before I went into the field to spray and of course I didnt have my gun with me. He was on a bee-line from about 250 yards out straight at me. He then stopped and looked away so I made my move back into the cab and started loading up, I think he heard my action close and he was outa sight. Not sure if he was still coming and when he left my view I started calling really hard and I think I shoulda been more subtle. I wanted to stay and saw what happened but I was a pretty hard timeline so I had to go. So not really sure if I blew it or not but notched it up as a learning experience.."
That coyote's whole world changed, when he realized the guy in the tractor wasn't a grazer, and he's not only the competition, but he may actually be a threat.
At the very least (I believe) the coyote knew my friend got in the cab "with the dying rabbit", so he wasn't getting any of it.
Rich,
I could probably get you access to a bunch of semi-private huntable land through this guy (up north around Blaine).
Krusty
[ June 23, 2007, 02:58 PM: Message edited by: Krustyklimber ]
Posted by Randy Roede (Member # 1273) on June 23, 2007, 03:24 PM:
Higgins you have made some of the things I have done, can't say look normal ,but at least I can tell my wife someone else does it.
I believe coyotes associate our shape and cadence of our movement to respond to. The bent over arms swinging duck walk, I prefer a voice howling while doing this, mimicing the howl from the coyote I am working.Even crawlin at times to close the distance.
I believe snow camo or calling in pure white conditions can be some of the toughest when it comes to getting busted on movement. Pretty tough background to work in.You are very exposed!
I do think blending as well as possible when moving through the country pays off. Same on the stand, we will never be invisible but slow movements will be tolerated.
I wear facemask, camo head to toe, gun etc. all painted, does it half to be, heck no, but it sure doesn't hurt anything.
My buddies from Iowa come out in the winter with their realtree hardwoods on our bare burned out pastures, desert camo country, and the coyotes do react different than I see the rest of the year, their movements are picked up on real quick. They look very dark and very big moving on those pastures. You usually see them searching to get the wind quicker and more often.
I don't believe the coyote came out of the box with a fear of a human shape, call shy etc. we make em either smarter or dead. Getting them dead when they do commit the majority of the time would make things boring wouldn't it. I think this would happen more often if people would just respect and understand the critter they are working with not to mention thinking a little more longterm when it comes to a calling plan.
Posted by albert (Member # 98) on June 23, 2007, 03:36 PM:
Interesting. I do 75% of my calling in the snow. I don't feel that I get busted anymore when calling in the snow compared to no snow.
I do not like to call with my face to the sun. I also wear a face mask. I had quite wearing a face mask for a couple of years. I now wear one all the time.
Posted by Randy Roede (Member # 1273) on June 23, 2007, 04:14 PM:
Albert, I base that on pure white conditions, in total snow camo, a time when you would think to be a close to invisible as it can get. My movements on a pure white background seem more detectable, confusing to the coyote but they pick me up. On broken snow cover I do not notice it,or when some type of anything out there other than pure white, just total whiteout stuff and they, coyotes and reds ,see me moving more readily and from greater distances.
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on June 23, 2007, 04:15 PM:
I wear camo simpley because it doesn't hurt & seems 'official'. It's the "If you look sharp, you'll feel sharp, and if you feel sharp you'll act sharp, and if you act sharp ect. ect.
Be that as it may, at one time I was known to wear really loud flowery Hawaian shirts while hunting. It never seemed to make any difference. It did, however, drive my hunting partners nuts!!!
Posted by albert (Member # 98) on June 24, 2007, 06:37 AM:
Randy you could be right. The "pure" white stuff usually only last a couple of days after a snow fall. I have noticed my partner looking "grey" under these conditions.
I usually look for something that isn't pure white. Few tuffs of grass, a hill with a couple of rocks poking out is a great place to call from.
I'm convinced that laying prone is a big help in these conditions. I have turned 90 degrees while the coyote can see me and have it/them continue on in. When you are laying prone I feel that when a coyote sees you it doesn't feel threatened, It has been able to kill or runaway from anthing that size all it's life, so it continues to approach.
Posted by Randy Roede (Member # 1273) on June 24, 2007, 06:47 AM:
Albert, I agree 100 percent that laying prone allows a caller a greater range of motion without spooking the coyote.
I think the coyote expects to see something and some type of movement when he comes in. The prone position puts the movement if you have to make it from a more natural position.
Not to mention the prone position is a great shooting position, little tough to do here now with grass as tall as the pickup hood in some pastures. heck sitting on a flat you have to raise up on your knees to shoot off the sticks. Geez I miss the drought!!!LOL The rough country is still good but the CRP etc. is really tall and growing.
Posted by stevecriner (Member # 892) on June 24, 2007, 07:41 AM:
1. Do you believe it is better to be still or concealed?
Still and concealed. Though Ive called coyotes acrossed highways while i was sitting on top of a 10/12 pitch roof anything is possible. Ive wore camo and just blue jeans. But keeo in mind i am a fond believer in realtree camo now,,,,its the BEST!! ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
2. Which do you believe to be most important, color, pattern or form? I do believe on choosing camo for the right terrain, but shadows are shadows, somtime you just cant find em". Did i mention i like Realtreee.
3 Did Gerry Blair really call javelina and coyotes while wearing a Santa suit? I wouldnt dought it. The man is someone to look up to for sure so if he didnt i still think he did!
steve
Posted by Beastmaster (Member # 210) on June 24, 2007, 07:14 PM:
Hell yes Gerry Blair called several coyote and a sounder of javelina while wearing a santa suit. I was there. The pigs came within ten feet and did so several times. All on film. Have to admit, however, coyote and javalena were non-target. It was close to Xmas and I was wearing a santa suit and was within the deseert west of Wickenburg. I was calling reindeer. Gerry Blair
Posted by smithers (Member # 646) on June 24, 2007, 08:26 PM:
I think what AZ-Hunter posted was very interesting. I think as humans we underestimate our own visual capabilities and overestimate most animal's ability.
I feel I can get away with lots of movement with my hands as long as it stays within the mass of my body and my hands are gloved. As soon as a hands strays and a opening is formed and a difference in light occurs they will pick it up and fast.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 24, 2007, 08:38 PM:
How you been, Gerry? Good to hear from you. Hell, I never doubted the story for a minute!
Maybe I'll see you at Rahaugees?
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 24, 2007, 10:26 PM:
I didn't doubt it for a second either. I've seen Gerry lay that good mojo on the visually challenged coyotes and they didn't know if he was a mailbox or a fence post.
Posted by Beastmaster (Member # 210) on June 25, 2007, 11:04 AM:
Gulp! Thanks Rich, Leonard and all else. Are commercials allowed? The pig thing was taped and shows the small uglies (javelina) come close and do so several times. I eas sitting in the sun, in the open and was obviously obvious. The footage became a part of my Master's Secrets to Predator Calling. I will have some of such when I shake and howdy at Norco next month. Thanks for noticing me. Gerry
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 25, 2007, 11:21 AM:
Yes, Gerry. All hunting related promotions are welcome, absolutely free for all members. Post a link if you want. Good hunting. LB
Posted by Randy Roede (Member # 1273) on June 25, 2007, 12:53 PM:
Gerry, must say nice to meet you if even just on the internet, I have truly enjoyed many of the articles you have wrote, yes they even get read out in the Iowa farmground to the prairies of SD.
Thanks for sharing many of your experiences with the rest of us.
Posted by Beastmaster (Member # 210) on June 25, 2007, 01:03 PM:
Thanks Leonard,
All here likely know the revised edition of my Predator Calling with Gerry Blair will be available during mid-September. Contents have been reviewed and updated Chapters from our own Rich Higgens (Coyote Communication), Jay Nistetter (Call Collecting), Fred Cronk (Start your own call company), Major Boddicker (Using open reed calls) will be included. MyOwnSelf has authored seven or so new chapters. Finally, all of the B&W photos within (more than two hundred) will be replaced by color. Yummy?
You might like to know also that Predator Xtreme magazine will be running my article on digital calls, such crafted with able assistance from Gary Clevenger and Don Jamroz within the September/October issue.
Finally, YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST: K&W Publications (nee Krause) is considering my proposal to publish a book tenatively titled The Best of Gerry Blair . . . a bio that tells more than you ever wanted to know about MyOwnSelf and containing the best of the articles I have written on predator calling, trapping,big game hunting, rockhounding, jewelry making, turkey hunting and about everything excepting Sex after Sixty (insufficient data base). IBCNU, Gerry Blair
Posted by smithers (Member # 646) on June 26, 2007, 12:22 PM:
I know that I will be at my nearest book seller in mid-September. The 'old' book has taken some abuse.
Posted by Barndog (Member # 255) on June 29, 2007, 08:32 AM:
I've watched camo get more and more detailed. I recently went out with a guy who wore that really detailed sage camo and he stuck out like a sore thumb. Too much, way to much.
Has anyone played around with the idea of light weight plastic mirrors. Total concealment by reproducing the surrounding enviroment. The sun would be the biggest factor next to weight of the set up. It would not be good for coyotes but for an elk, turkey, or a antelope blind might be worth looking into or at least playing around with.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 29, 2007, 08:58 AM:
Keep that grape juice out of the sun!
Posted by JeremyKS (Member # 736) on June 29, 2007, 09:28 AM:
I have seen ground blinds for sale that do the exact thing you are talking about. I never seen them in person but they looked good in the pics. I would also be concerned with the sunlight.
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