As predator hunters, we all have something in common … we all want to become more successful! No matter what area of the country, we call to fox and coyotes, and we all have questions regarding how we can add more fur to our take. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a live and global source where hunters could go to find out what is presently working in the fields? Well, there actually is — FOXPRO’s FOXDATA: Live Stats!

FOXDATA is developed through real hunters inputting their hunt results into a database. From this data, other hunters can check important information that can lead them down the road to success. It should be noted that all hunters, regardless of what brand of call they use, can access the website to view the statistics. All that is required is that hunters register and log in to the website. Once on the website, hunters will be able to click on “VIEW GLOBAL STATS” and access a bounty of information. Hunters will be able to determine what weather factors, such as temperature, barometric pressure and moon phase, were responsible for the most kills. For example, as I penned this article, a check of the live stats showed 39 percent of the kills occurred during the waning Gibbous moon phase and that only 4 percent of kills were recorded during a full moon. A full breakdown of the eight moon phases and productivity associated with them is available for view on the Live Stats web page.

FOXDATA also shows barometric pressure changes seem to dramatically impact predator hunting success. For example, 71.1 percent of successful hunts occurred when the barometric pressure was falling, which is an indication of impending inclement weather, versus 28.9 percent of successful hunts that occurred when the pressure was rising. With this data, it sure seems as if hunters will want to hunt just prior to a storm coming in!
Beyond weather factors, FOXDATA also shows other important information regarding hunts. For example, hunters are always searching for the best sounds to use afield. FOXDATA shows the top 15 most frequently used sounds. Hunters can scan this list and try these sounds to bring positive results for themselves. There may be some sounds listed that hunters may have not yet tried.

Truly Interactive

One of the neatest things about FOXDATA is it is truly interactive for hunters who own an electronic call that uses a FOXPRO TX1000 remote. Each hunter can input his/her hunt data into the online database and that data will contribute to the global stats. Furthermore, each hunter will have his/her own page of statistics that summarize his hunt details. Each hunt that the hunter employs FOXDATA will be represented on his/her page. By clicking on the “details” button, the entire hunt details will be available for examination. Hunters will be able view which sound they used and at what volume. The weather and moon phase for each hunt will be displayed for each specific hunt. The hunter will also be able to determine which FOXFEATURE, such as Foxpitch, Foxmotion or Foxbang was employed on the hunt. Furthermore, they will also be able determine the hunt outcome — whether it was a kill, a miss or nothing seen.

By clicking on the “Snapshot” button on the same page, the hunter will be able to examine more closely the details of the sounds that used on the entire stand. They will be able to determine exactly how long each sound was played at a specific volume and when the volume was changed. This page really details the stand from a sound stand point and is interesting to observe. As with the “details” page, barometric pressure, moon phase and air temperature are also included in each hunt “snapshot.”

One of the statistics I rely upon is the “length of time on stand” data. While a quick analysis shows that a high majority of predators are killed within the first four minutes of a stand, FOXDATA indicates another surge of success occurs around the 16-minute mark of a stand. On nights when I feel as if nothing will appear and the timer on my remote indicates I have been calling for 12 minutes, I keep in mind what FOXDATA revealed and continue to call for another five minutes.

FOXPRO Field Staffers Brian Trussell and Jimmy Banks use FOXDATA as a means of collecting data to analyze for the following years hunts. They compile the entire calling season’s worth of data concerning barometric pressures and moon phases and actually narrow down what the best air pressures and moon phases are to hunt under in their area. The hunters also determine which sounds have proved to be the most effective each year and check to see if any patterns exist from year to year.

Capturing the data during the hunt does require the hunter to press the FOXDATA button each time a change is made during the stand. I must confess that I initially thought this process would be bothersome during the hunt. However, it quickly becomes second nature because it is so easy. In fact, now I am cognizant of not pressing the button when I am not employing FOXDATA. Transferring data from the TX1000 remote to your home computer is also an easy task.

I do not consider myself tech savvy, but I can input my data in only a few steps. All that is required is to attach a wire from your remote to the USB on your computer. Hunters will then click on the “Import New Hunts” tab on the FOXDATA webpage. Two clicks with the computer mouse, on “browse” and “import,” will allow the hunter to import his data. It’s just that easy!

Conclusion

FOXDATA is a useful tool for the hunter who wishes to get into the technical side of hunting. This sort of innovation provides hunters with an amazing tool to bolster success and further enjoyment of the challenge that is predator hunting. It kind of makes me wonder what companies, like FOXPRO Wildlife Calls, will come up with next.