I slouched in my calling chair with my head resting heavily in my trembling hands. The nostalgic smell of burnt gunpowder arose from the barrel of my rifle. I shook my head in disbelief and disappointment at the turn event of events that had just transpired before my eyes. Over and over again, I replayed the calling stand in my mind as frustration set in. Three coyotes came, three coyotes left, and my lack of organization was to blame. My method of loosey-goosey hunting was about to change.
During my tenure as a police officer and narcotics detective I learned the technique of muscle memory. Muscle memory is a form of procedural memory that involves consolidating a specific motor task into memory through repetition. When a movement is repeated over time, a long-term muscle memory is created for that task, eventually allowing it to be performed without conscious effort. This method of motor learning is especially helpful for completing tasks without looking and is imperative when the brown stuff hit’s the fan. I committed to creating a muscle memory action for calling after that gruesome day in the field. The results have been stellar.
Practice makes perfect for one specific reason—muscle memory. Your body has been there, and done that so many times that it goes into autopilot. The more you practice, the better you get. The better you get, the more you kill. Organize your equipment so that you never even have to look at what your hands are doing. I have my equipment so organized that I know where every single piece of equipment is stored within my calling vest and, I can find it with my eyes closed.
FOXPRO High Performance game calls has just made life easier for predator callers. The all NEW Furtaker predator vest is guaranteed to make your next trip to the field more organized and enjoyable. The Furtaker vest is fully adjustable and is a one-size-fits-most style of apparel built for everyone’s shape ranging from stick figure to rotund. This 20-pocket vest will provide you with plenty of room to fit just about anything you may need in the field. Pockets to store your FOXPRO caller, remote, AR mags, rifle ammo holders, shotgun ammo holders, internal hand call pockets for noise-free carrying with lanyards, a large cargo pocket to store your binos or rangefinder, water bottle pouch and much more. This vest also features non-slip shoulder padding to make carrying your firearm more comfortable in the field. You’ll also find six D rings to attach any other type of gear you may need. The vest is lightweight and has a vented back panel to help you stay dry and comfortable while in transit. It also features a padded conformed backrest and a durable 2 ½-inch-thick foam seat to help you stay more comfortable on stand. It’s the ultimate predator-hunting vest.
Lets be honest, coyote fever is hard to control and even harder to master. Consider adding a dash of organization mixed in with some good ol’ fashioned practice before your next outing. It might save you some of the headache and heartache we often experience while hunting the hunter. You’ve got nothing to lose and critters to gain.
About The Author
For the past 26 years, Tom’s passion has been calling predators and because of that passion, Predator Strikeforce was born. As owner and operator of Predator Strikeforce, Tom has daily opportunities to hone his skills “hunting the hunter.” Predator Strikeforce allows individuals of all ages, both male and female, the opportunity to get up close and personal with the hunters of the animal kingdom. Individuals who embark on a predator hunting adventure with Predator Strikeforce have an opportunity to “get their 15 minutes of fame” through the film.
Tom writes editorials for AR Guns & Hunting and authors a monthly column for Predator Xtreme magazine titled “Caller for Hire.” He literally hunts predators from Canada to Mexico and every hilltop and valley floor in between. For Tom, predator hunting isn’t just an obsession; it’s a way of life.
