Wildlife Callers

The first-ever predator calling panel at an International Sportsman’s Expo was a huge success.  The seats filled up quickly and there was no shortage of questions for panelists.  Predator hunting is on an upswing!  Here’s a quick recap:

The Wildlife Callers' Crew - Marc Reindell, Dave Martens, and Mark Healy

This past weekend at the University of Phoenix Stadium, thousands of fishermen, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts  from around Arizona and neighboring states turned out for the Phoenix International Sportsman’s Expo.  Three hundred vendors from around the world were on hand to show & sell their products, offer advice, and entertain the Expo guests with various breakout sessions.  Predator calling was a very popular breakout session and we’re hoping to offer it in future ISE events. 

The Predator Panel Members (from left) Rich Higgins, Mark Healy (standing), The "Beastmaster" Gerry Blair, Ron Day of AZ G&F, & Dr. Frank Turkowski

The world-renowned predator hunter, author, and calling veteran, Gerry Blair, was in good spirits and entertained the audience with his quick wit & humor.  When asked about scent control on a predator calling stand, he said hunters need to pay attention to their downwind side at all times and take a shower at least once every seven days.  Sage advice from an industry original!

Phoenix ISE & Wildlife Callers Predator Calling Panel

Steve Craig, who couldn’t make the show, was replaced at the last minute by the very knowledgeable and informative speaker, Dr. Frank Turkowski.  Dr. Turkowski, a US Navy Professor and the author of Coyotes, Trappers, Sheepherders, and Urbanites  fielded a host of questions from the audience and his lifetime of coyote research really showed.  Anyone interested in his book can find it here:

Biologist Ron Day was on hand from the Arizona Game & Fish Department to answer questions about predator behavior,  questions about hunting seasons, rules & regs, and methods of take.  One of the more interesting topics that he brought up for predator callers in Arizona is a possible change in using shotguns to legally harvest mountain lions.  If the change happens, Mr. Day said that shotguns shooting 00 buck would become a legal method of take and we can stop carrying two guns to every stand.  Keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned. 

Rich Higgins of Predator Professionals Forum, who was very instrumental in bringing this panel together, took questions about coyote calling and provided insight as to why coyotes respond to prey distress and varied coyote vocalizations.  Rich talked in detail about the seven triggers that make coyotes respond/come in and ways to address these triggers with sound on every stand.  Rich also spent the weekend with us at our Wildlife Callers’ booth, taking dozens of questions from Expo guests. 

Mark Healy of Wildlife Callers took several questions from the audience on mountain lion scouting procedures, calling using recorded cougar vocalizations, sound volume & sequences, and rifle caliber selection for hunting the big cats.  I also ended up with a question or two on stand selection and a few jokes about Scottsdale Cougars.  It was apparent the audience members were ready to call in their first lion. 

The questions were coming quick and we could have easily used another hour on stage.  When our hour was up we turned the stage over to the ISE Pro Fly Fishing Panel members and headed back to our booth to continue the predator hunting & calling discussions there.

John Kirk of the International Sportsman’s Expo did a great job putting this panel together and did our whole sport a huge favor in helping us present predator calling to an audience of outdoor enthusiasts with mixed interests.  Please take the time to thank him by sending an email here:  info@sportsexpos.com 

As always, thank you for reading and subscribing to Wildlife Callers’ Blog!

Questions & comments are always appreciated. 

Best regards and good calling,

Mark Healy

mark@wildlifecallers.com or 480-882-1210