Hunting & Fishing Electronic predator calls, suggestions?

[Supersubes]

I’ve whacked a coyote or two over the years, but they were targets of opportunity. Just never got into chasing them, for no particular reason.

Now’s the time, and I’m looking for an electronic call. I’m interested to hear what you guys prefer and why. Effectiveness, battery life, this company vs that, warranties, etc.

I’m going to be hunting a huge cattle ranch that’s in a valley surrounded by low mountains. Lots of coyotes, and the rancher wants them gone. The whole region though is packed with them, so I have room to spread out.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bwahl]

Fox pro Shockwave with some aftermarket sounds. Don't ever need it past half volume wise... Even when you think you do... You don't. Get rechargeables for the unit and run lithiums for the remote. Even the fox pro rechargeables aren't bad.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Fox pro without a doubt, best electronic calls made IMO. I’ve got an extra crossfire that’s new in the box I’ll make you a deal on.

 

[MtnCreek]

I have a primos turbo dog and would not suggest it. They claim a 100 yd range; actual range is less than half that.

If they cut hay on this farm, hunt fresh cut fields. It's like cheating.

 

[Dirty8404]

I vote for the primos alpha dogg. My brother turned me onto it, we’ve killed a few wolves and lots of coyotes and fox between the two of us. Batteries seem to last a long time, sound doesn’t distort, lots of power but I never use it turned up very far. Lots of preloaded sounds, I’ve just used those and been fine.

Never tested the range on the remote, I’d say I normally go 25-75yards tops. I did break the little slot to hold the remote tossing it in the back of the truck, but that’s nothing.

I will say primos doesn’t have decoy support, but I just got one that I turn on and stick in the ground, then setup the call nearby. I’d buy mine again.

 

[MarkCO]

I have hunted over several of them and the FoxPro units are very good for sure. Some of what you choose will depend on how you hunt. I tend to be out hiking and do as many as 10 set ups in a day, so compact, long battery life, lightweight, are important to me. I currently use an IcoTec GC500 (compare against the FoxPro Crossfire) which is a great all-around unit that is very durable and you can control a decoy. You can put any sound you want in it, which is a benefit to me as well. I have been very happy with the IcoTec all-around and would not hesitate to go that route again.

I do have a 15W bluetooth waterproof speaker (Divoom) that I play sounds from an app on my smartphone. Have to remember to turn the phone to airplane mode (ask me how I know) and it is a slick little set-up for quick and dirty. I take it with me all the time and I have been able to sneak in a few hunts of opportunity with it. About a 75 yard range, I usually keep it closer though. Using it last winter, I had a coyote come in from about 2 miles with that, so it works on the cheap, and beats most units I have used that are in the $150 or less range.

 

[Supersubes]

Thanks for the replies Gents! I found a great deal on a primos alpha dogg. If already received it, as well as the sit n spin decoy. Should be using it in the next few days.

 

[Khavic]

Thanks for the replies Gents! I found a great deal on a primos alpha dogg. If already received it, as well as the sit n spin decoy. Should be using it in the next few days.

Now that you've had a chance to use it do you have any pics of dead dogs to share?

 

[Supersubes]

Works like a charm!

 

[user]

+1 for the Shockwave.....killin machine

 

[JG26_Irish]

FoxPro, spitfire, wildfire, shockwave. All good, light, flexible and you can download additional calls. Supplement it with a good mouth call and mouse squeaker and you are GTG.


Irish

 

[DrainTheSwamp]

I ve learned to move away from e callers. Dogs here in the Midwest always get a lot of hunting pressure, once you get some good mouth and hand call techniques down I think they are better.

I ll still bring a foxpro with me for the foxbang feature (once you fire a round the mic picks up the noice and plays a preset sound) makes doubles way more achievable when hunting alone

 

[Dirty8404]

I think e-callers lead to two mistakes. (1) overcalling. I seem to do better when I don’t just hit play. (2) starting off too loud. For me at least, I don’t fall into those ruts when using a hand caller.

Squeaking a little and letting it rest for 30 sec + is money, just make sure volume is low if you use an e-caller. Especially in thicker cover areas.

Had 4+ coyotes inside of 75m once in a area with small farms when I first started, using a hand caller. Just a little rabbit squealing and letting it rest for a minute. 2-3 minutes of calling and it was game on. Hand caller can do very well.

Great thing about an e-caller is not having an animal looking right at you, especially with a decoy.

 

[customones]

Have owned a shockwave for 4 years. For its sound quality, weight, and battery life, you can't beat it. I live in eastern Montana, the call is played at full volume a lot, battery life is not a problem, once you upgrade the battery pack.

 

[RNWRKNP]

Have owned a shockwave for 4 years. For its sound quality, weight, and battery life, you can't beat it. I live in eastern Montana, the call is played at full volume a lot, battery life is not a problem, once you upgrade the battery pack.

Does the remote have an indicator to tell you what level the volume is at without actually playing the call? What is the actual effective range of the remote? Read some of the features and it’s looking like time for an upgrade....

 

[customones]

The remote will tell you what volume number you are on. You can also set the sound itself to play at a certain volume. So, if you have have one coming in, you can preset a coaxer call for a volume of 5. When switching from the call you just used, to the coaxer, you won't need to mess around with a volume change. The actual range of the remote would be in the 80 yard range of reliably working.

 

[TexGlocker]

I use fox pro crossfire which works good. A buddy I hunt with uses the fox pro shockwave which works great whatever you pick get their rechargeable batteries. The number and variety of calls they have in their library is staggering.