Wow, guess my fingers got away from me. We were sitting in the deer blind this afternoon and I guess I was more bored than I realized! Dang warm weather has our season totally out of whack, not much action in deer woods...

Ridge, once you get that bear down, hit me up, always a pleasure talking dog callin! Of course don't forget to post your brags on your bear too, I'm hoping to get up to WI on a damage hunt next winter, been too long for me! You'll have to post up some of your big ol eastern dogs once you get some fur down too!

To elaborate a bit on Sheridan's post too, set up is critical. I can pretty well set up just about anywhere and get a deer within bow range, but getting a dog fooled, it comes down to one word, WIND!

Dogs will almost always try to get downwind of you. Plan a "kill zone" where you want the dogs to come into for the shot, and set up crosswind from that position. Count on that dog trying to circle, and force him to expose himself on the way. Conceal yourself low to the ground, minimize your movement, and call with emotion. Helps having a partner also, that way you can call, and lead the dog to a static shooter while keeping it focused away from him, looking for you, the caller.

Set up is everything. Personally, I don't use scent cover for anything. Mother Nature is the best scent control in the game, let her blow the scent away from your kill zone, and get the dog down before they cross downwind or your path in. Attention to detail is everything, but it's not rocket science.