Hi,
For the first time of my life last evening, I was able to see evidence of breeding fot that species, even if its present all summer. I used a playback of its song once and it came to my face pretty fast, chipping and holding a kind of white caterpillar or larvae. So it was feeding young(s).
I also found young Barred owls, Long-eared and Great-horned.
If you wish to try to find long-eared, just drive and stop where you can see patch of woods surrounded by pasture or hayfield. Go out of the car and listen for the call of fledgling birds. Long-eared sounds like a kildir (use imagination) and great horned sounds a lot more agressive (scary movie).
If you think you have the perfect habitat and find none, go back in 10 days. The last 2 weeks of july should be the best but we had an early spring.
http://www.owlpages.com/sounds.php