KnockemDown...thanks, I appreciate the info. I agree, that there is more "hunting" involved in calling in the predator, and "convincing" it into coming within range. I, being new at this, lack those skills for now.
Having gone to school for Wildlife Management, to me, the most intimate and best way for me to learn about an animal is to watch it. Whether it be a deer, turkey, squirrel, bird or coyote, the best way to get into an animals head is to watch it and observe.
My sits in the blind overlooking the "rotting carcass" allows me to do several things all at once. This isn't just a "sit and shoot" escapade. I am learning how the dogs come into an area they know is food, what they do when they first come across it, how they interact with each other and also how they react to the smell of other dogs nearby. I can also see what the quality of the dogs in the area is and how many dogs the area might be able to support. I doubt you can learn all that from calling to them, every dog won't come to a call. BUT every dog has to eat. If I am wrong, please contact me, take me on some sets and prove me wrong...I would love it.
I am not saying I don't call, I do, on different sets with no bait and whatnot. But I am not successful. On the baitset if they think they are "alone" they will act undisturbed and will react with their environment and not with me. I can also come up with theories and hypothesis for what the dogs will do when I do "X" or what will happen if they hear/smell/see "Y". It is pretty cool and allows me a small window into a world that I am totally alien to.
Have I passed up shots on dogs. Yes. There is a pack of three with an Alpha male that is pretty [beeep] big. I passed up the shot because I wanna see more of him and see how he interacts with the other dogs in the area. I also would rather have the dominant pack stay, and pick off the loners who are coming into the area from other acres. Why??? I am not sure, but from a management standpoint I think it would benefit my property to keep a couple dogs there, and healthy ones at that. Also seems to me, that keeping the local dogs healthy with a "Free" meal ain't such a bad idea either. I plant and maintain food plots for deer and turkeys and don't shoot everyone that walks out to feed. I simply observe and watch them interact.
Obviously I deer hunt and turkey hunt as well and am trying to figure out what is the best management strategy I can have to incorporate all things, so that the circle is complete. I also understand that overmanagement is worse than no managment at all.
So, I know this was a long reply, but I just want you to know that I am filling my knowledge resevoirs on what is happening in the natural world around me as I sit, hour after COLD hour, staring at a rotting carcass. Should I see an animal that I want to take, I will respectfully take the animal and thank it for its sacrifice. Knowing that not only did it surrender its life to me, it filled my brain cavity with a little more knowledge on the natural world around me.
