This is the second time I have gone hunting for yotes and bobcats and I have come home empty handed! I have set up in two different spots (1) an area similar to a four way stop where they come come in from three sides and my back is protected. (2) an open field where they can come from a thick wooded area to the right and what seems to be a large bean field surrounded by woods directly in front.

I am using a Johnny Stewart digital call and because its not wireless I am limited to 50ft so I try and place it so that its off to the right or left so that the furry boogers aren't looking directly at me. I also use either a rabbit that shakes as if it has palsy and little fake woodpeckers. I call for about 30-40 minutes alternating high and low volume.

Also can ya'll suggest any good videos (I know this has been covered but I want something that shows more "how tos" versus look what I have done)

Thanks,
Frustrated

If it was on Saturday night, there was nothing moving in the san antonio/south texas area. Are you calling at night or during the day time?

I've never done it(for varmits) but I would think starting right before dark would be good.

And fisherboats is right nothing was moving this weekend except birds. It was very strange. I am just north of Austin.

I was in MO Saturday-This morning. I call from about 6am - 7pm. I'd stay out later but I am hunting alone and its really spooky out there after dark.

Hunt at night. It ain't spooky, its fun. Put the caller right by you for night calling. You only need to call for 20 minutes max if you aren't seeing eyes. Switch sounds after 10 minutes from cotton to jack or vice versa. Some days/nights, nothing is moving. During the day, we normally see them in just a couple minutes.

Day hunting is fun too, I like it more than night hunting.

Don't get down over not getting anything. Daylight is harder to get animals. When you do it's awesome though!

Make sure you work the wind. Set up either with the wind to your back or crosswind towards the biggest side of the field. In other words if the wind is blowing right to left, set up closer to the right side. That way when the animal tries to wind you it will probably come into the open, presenting a shot.

I'm in the Wichita Falls area and shot one raccoon,all we saw.

It takes time. My first 7 hunts I was empty handed and only saw a few. Now I think I see one on 45% of my hunts.

I just get so frustrated, there are apparently tons of them out there but it's like knowing your doing something wrong but don't know which part.

I make these trips up there and eventually if I don't come back with something my wife is going to start getting suspicious.

Thanks for ya'lls help...any other bits of literature, calls, equipment, or techniques I should look in to?

Try the Predator Pursuit vids. They have a lot of good info. Also, a magazine called Predator Extreme. They have a website with a forum too, although the forum kind of sucks.

Are you setting up according to wind direction?
For yotes, you have to play the wind.

I noticed you're in McKinney. Are you hunting Collin county or close to it? If so you might have a problem calling in a dog. I have been Predator hunting in Collin county for many years, and the last few we have called in more Bobcats than Coyotes. Mostly we hunt at night, wich makes me nervous with Bobcats. I don't want to get one in too close which has almost happened a couple of times.

My hunting buddy and I have not has as much success with a digital call as we have with a mouth call. But remember we're mostly hunting at night so your theory about getting the digital call away from you is right.

Just keep trying!

My best advice is if you deer hunt out of a tripod or tower stand, try calling up high. That way you can see what is going on, in particular their behavior. When that is easy get on the ground with a shotgun and have fun.

Great advice guys, I plan on going back out this weekend to MO and later this month in Texas with Mulie_Mike so we'll see what I get. Again thanks.

Collin county is hard to call up dogs. I have yet to kill one up there, just cats and coons.

spudmonkey, callin varmits and any animal is an art form that takes practice and patients. Dont get frusterated, like anything else it takes time and practice. Are you in callin in a spot that has had a lot of calling, and hunting in the past? This can be a big part of not calling animals in. They learn the calls and become almost impossible to call in. Its probably nothing that you are doing wrong persay, just give it time and try different things. Different things work for different people.