I'm slightly confused here...are you asking what makes a good caller or a good hunter???

From the replies, the implication is hunter.

A good caller, to me, is a person who can (1) use all the various types of calls, (2) make all the vocalizations, and (3) know how the birds communicate with the various vocalizations.

Being a good hunter dictates where to setup and how much to call. "Taking the bird's temperature" comes only with experience, which will dictate both calling and hunting.

I'm probably in the minority here, but I actually get more aggressive as the season moves on. Most late season hunters are both experienced and dedicated, and seem to prefer the passive techniques. I've learned that if you find a tom that will still answer in the late season, they're starting to lose some of the harem and are seeking replacements. Let it rip and you might be pleasantly surprised.

Also, I usually only have until around 8 am in the woods, so if it's gonna happen I can't have a 7 hour affair lasting until noon.

S&R