did not realize how many there were! My first attempt at float hunting for predators was a real eye-opener. It turns out that water is the caller’s best friend because it forces normally wind-conscious canines to follow the river bank instead of the wind current, putting them at a disadvantage when closing the distance to the source of the call. Because of this both coyotes and foxes will be on high alert as they make that final turn, but if the hunter is ready for the shot the outcome will be favorable. CANOE OR KAYAK?
It’s up to the individual to decide which watercraft is best for river-bank predator calling. Most hunters will use whatever boat, canoe or kayak they use for their fishing or duck hunting and simply modify it as needed.
Go with stability, ease of paddling and handling. You’ll likely be drifting downstream between bridges, moving slowly with the current, so there’s no need for motors, oars or other noise- making devices. Focus on quiet and stealth, and organize your gear so that you can exit the craft smoothly and
silently upon arrival at the next calling site you come to.
Use a waterproof, floatable gear bag for binocular, camera, calls, am- munition, water, and other supplies. Be sure to keep the bag sealed and safely stashed amidships while paddling. Also, tie the paddle and your rifle or shotgun to the craft, and wear a personal flotation device while afloat. Should a mishap occur and you find yourself outside the canoe in deep, cold, fast-moving water, get to shore first and then retrieve the canoe and your floating bag, dry off as best you can, and shove off again, wet but none the worse for wear. GEAR FOR WATER CALLING There are two obvious com- monalities to consider when hunting predators from a canoe or kayak: Water and mud! Not every calling site has the perfect combination of flat sand bar, gently sloping bank and a soft, dry, grassy place to sit while calling. In most cases the shoreline will be an erratic mess of mud, brush, cattails and beaver tunnels, which is why pre-hunt scouting is important. Use a GPS or
map to mark the best places to land the craft and then make notes on how best to access the nearest calling site from that point.
It may be necessary to walk (crawl or stumble!) 100 yards or more to get to the best site, but even at worst it’s a minor inconvenience when you have the proper gear for the job.
First order of business is to secure
the canoe or kayak on shore. I use a long rope with a clip that attaches to a stout limb, branch or fallen tree on shore. Lacking something to clip the rope to, I’ll tie onto the anchor (a concrete block will do) placing it well up on shore and then pull the canoe up and out of the water. In any case, it is important to ensure that the craft will be there when the hunt is over … or enjoy the long, wet walk back to civilization! Because conditions are rarely sidewalk-perfect on any float hunt, I wear chest waders with sure-grip soles because sooner or later that unseen shoreline hole or cave-in is going to get you. I can (and do) tough it out wearing traditional leather hunting boots and camo pants, but in the long run waders are the better choice. Be sure to secure a wading belt around the waist in case of a serious dunking. Nothing takes you to the bottom faster than chest waders that are full of water! Otherwise, gear for river-bank
calling is the same as for dry land op- erations. Wear camouflaged gloves, a face mask and hat, and always get set up and ready to shoot before making that first call. FLOAT-HUNT STRATEGIES Ideally, your pre-hunt scouting
revealed a number of good calling sites and you’ve marked them on a GPS or map. If you are paddling blind or mix- ing some calling and scouting, find a spot that offers good visibility along the river bank (30 or 40 yards is plenty) and as close to facing downwind as condi- tions permit. Rivers and streams by na- ture tend to wind and twist along their course scarcely influenced by wind direction, but incoming predators will always try to use the existing wind as they respond. Face downwind as much as the river course will allow and keep a close eye on the brushy bank to the left and right of the wind current so you can spot incomers before they spot you! In most cases river-bank preda-
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