16 replies to this topic

[prairiewolf]

Does anyone in here use a log to record times and conditions of their calling or success?

My son brought something to my attention this morning. He asked why I left so early yesterday to go calling. He stated , you never get anything in till 9am to 11am. He is right yesterday it was about 10:30. and the other times this month it has been at least 9 am even the bobcat. Maybe its the Month (breeding) but now I am thinking of keeping a simple log:month/day, time and conditions.

[itzDirty]

I have never kept a log other than in my head. Which is getting kinda full. Good Idea I will be keeping one from now on. I think I might add what calls I tried and what was came in.

[youngdon]

No log for me either, althouigh i do seem to have more success after the sun peeks out and things warm a bit.

[bones44]

I'm so darn absent-minded but would love too. Been meaning to do one for deer season too. Heck, can't ever remember the camera either. Kinda sad, but I'm usually so hopped up to get out.

[prairiewolf]

Same here Bones, but now that I'm retired I might be able to do it.

[PaYoteDuster]

Ya I started this year. I know it sounds corney to do but it will tell you a lot about when predators move. I log the temp, cloud cover, moon phase, percipitation, wind, location, time,a calliang sequence, animals called and animals killed. It has been really helpful on telling me what nights to put the time in.

[bones44]

Not corny at all. That's why you'll be way more successful in the future. I watch the barometer, moon phase and many other factors when hunting all game and fishing. A log would make it make it easier.

[Cheez]

I started one but I forget to do it right away most of the time so the details are fuzzy.
I do

Date
Location
Wind
Were the call is in relation to wind and my self
Time
Time there before calling
What calls I use and for how long
And any other random notes I can think of


I havent seen any pattern yet, but I like keeping track

[JTKillough]

I used to record a lot of data in a log. But now I just record sound used, what was called, and where. This way I can use a different sound next time I go to the same spot. Initially, I thought a fellow may be able to pattern predators, and to a certain extent, that has held true. But there are far too many glitches in that thinking. Predators are very unpredictable. Best to hunt them whenever you can, the best times are still iffy.
What is really true is this: The trick is to be close enough to be heard, and cause enough curiousity to bring the predator in close enough for a shot, then be able to spot it before it spots you. Simple!

[PaYoteDuster]

Cheez. Pay attention to cloud cover and moon phase. They are the two bigt ones for me. Cloudy, no moon and a little rainy and I'm hunting.

[Mick105]

I keep a log of duck and goose hunting and its been a great help. Match the current weather conditions to the log and our success has gone up. My father in law has kept one for grouse hunting for over 12 years. Its really cool to look back and see what spots are successful more so than others. You can also see the cycle when the grouse numbers rise and fall.

[itzDirty]

I am thinking that keeping a log over a long enough time to gather sufficient data, you would find some sort of pattern so statistical anomaly. I am thinking you would find that certain calls might work best for particular times of year, weather condition, barometric pressure, or moon phase. There are some things you will have already known but maybe there will be something knew. I think its worth a shot and will not be hard to keep track of in the field. I am going to make a flip book and keep it and a pencil (the little golf kind with an eraser) in my pocket. I will record in my log:

1) Date
2) Time: On stand, coyote came (if one does)
3) Cloud condition
4) Temperature
5) Wind direction and speed
6) Calling sequence: What calls were used and how much
7) Notes: any information I may feel like including but is not a listed data point. ie. the behavior of the animal called in, sex of the animal taken, sign of coyotes being in the area, and if you had an answers back to you calls but saw no coyote.

All of this data is easy to find or estimate in the field. Temperature I may have to look at the dash of my car for. I am not going to carry a thermometer in my pocket.

[Eyemakecalls2]

Good one PYD! A big for sure on the Full moons. They eat all night n sleep all day. I like the idea of keeping track of what calls ya used too JTK. Makes good sense. Unpredictable is the best yet. Nailed it! Data till your dead but are they hungry and can they hear ya is about it for me. Never kept a log. It might help.

[singlesix]

I log time, wind, date, sound, and gun used.

[Cheez]

Thanks PaYote we do our hunting in the day so I didnt even think about the moon but it makes a lot of sense.

[showmeyote]

I mark every think on google earth, if i need weather condition's i just look the date up

[PaYoteDuster]

cheez. Even if your hunting during the day still log the moon phase. You will see a trend on how they hunt during the day by the phase of the moon. I know that I have bad luck on nights when the moon is full and bright. I by far have my best luck with no moon and cloudy. I bet you will find that you havge your best luck hunting in the day light when there is a full moon and the sky is clear but that is just a guess.