Using your caller effectively

The aim of using a caller is to imitate the distress cries of a prey animal in pain, such as a rabbit.

Follow these steps to achieve the right technique.

1. Limit any movements. Make sure you are in a suitable location with a high vantage point, good cover and with the wind in your face.
2. Begin with four to five soft, low calls in the first minute in case there is a fox close by. Loud and raspy calls will likely spook any nearby predator.
3. Next, make a series of louder calls for 30 seconds, beginning with a very loud cry and tapering off to a low whimpering sound.
4. Stop and wait for one minute before repeating. Continue this strategy for the next five to ten minutes.
5. Take a break from calling for five minutes, and closely scan the area with your binoculars.
6. If you see an animal, use soft whimpering squeaks to arouse their interest. The softer calls will make the fox rely heavily on their sense of hearing and may distract them from your presence.
7. If you haven’t spotted an animal within 30 minutes, move to a new location at least 500 metres away and try again.
8. Limit the sound and volume by covering the end of the caller with your fingers to restrict the airflow.