sheridan did a great job at breaking it down
but for the VA loction im sure your hunting it would also be smart to carry a 12ga with full to modified choke bb to buck shot.
Any hi powered rifle will be good to kill a predator/varmint
As far as scent you will never fool or mask your scent from a dog it is simply impossible. So check your wind thats your best bet.
during this time of year when insects,seeds,berries,acorns,ect are scarce or gone, Yotes stick to meat so your best bet is to use rabbit distress,bird distress(grey fox magnet),rodent squeal.
They need the meat to make up for all the lost energy they burn stayin warm. This is also a plus because you can pretty much hunt anytime you want wether it be noon or midnight. Obviuosly you need find good cover.And try to keep the sun on you back. Now when you get to your location saturate the area with your call and really sell it to em. If you get no results after about fifteen minutes move aproximatly four to five hundred yards away.Your best bet is to have several loctions already picked out and move around til you strike gold. This should all be good to get you started.