Predator Calls

[allaroundhunter]

Hey guys, I am going to do some predator hunting over Christmas break and I am wondering what calls y'all like to use. I am not wanting to use an electronic call, I just prefer to use mouth calls because it makes me feel like I am the one coaxing the coyote or fox in as opposed to a box.

Are there any calls that y'all have success with and like to use? I would prefer to stay under $50 for the call(s), but I am open to all suggestions!

I will be hunting on a 70 acre farm and there are coyotes, bobcats, and foxes. As far as their typical prey - there are lots of squirrels and rabbits. Raccoons are also present, and I think they can be both predator and prey?


Thanks!

ETA: This will not be my only time predator hunting, more of a "trial run" This is not the only calling that I have done, I duck hunt and enjoy working the birds even more than shooting so I'd like to get to predator hunt so that I don't have to wait for duck season to break out the calls

 

[Sav .250]

If you want satisfaction,practice,what ever, go with the mouth/hand call. If you really want results, like it or not, go electronic.
I`ve used the electronic on crows. Nothing like all those crows flying every which way, you getting shot after shot and the "machine" is doing all the work. Course the calls do sound funny when the batteries get low.

 

[Naybor]

I've had good luck with a rabbit mouth call. Also, one of the kids had a pair of rabbit house shoes. She gave them to me and I hang one or both on a wire fence and run monofilament from one of them to me where I'm setting. I can then give movement, which gives the predator something to get tunnel vision on. When I use the call, I try to make it sound like the rabbit is going ape from pain from getting his b***s ripped off. I've had yotes and dogs actually attack the house shoe. It do get the adrenalin going!

Good luck, have fun, and stay safe!! Wish I could go with you!

The grandson uses a remote control electronic call with very good luck.

 

[helotaxi]

Primos makes a pair of mouth calls very similar to turkey mouth calls that sit on the roof of your mouth and require essentially no movement to use. With practice you can get all kinds of sounds out of them from prey distress calls to various coyote vocalizations. Worth having with you. I carry them in my pack regardless of what I'm hunting.

An open reed call is the most flexible. Again you can make prey distress and coyote vocalizations all with one call without doing anything other than change the pressure on the reed and blow it differently.

If you're going to get into calling coyotes, I suggest getting a video or two that goes through the various vocalizations that they use to communicate. I've found the "Speak the Language" videos from Primos and Randy Anderson to be pretty educational in that regard. Yes, they are Primos adverts in a way, but the vocalizations are the same regardless of what call you use and his techniques for producing the various sounds on an open reed call apply to any brand.

 

[wankerjake]

The TT Extreme by Tony Tebbe has done me right. I call just as many animals with this call as I do when sitting behind a Foxpro. For $17 shipped, you can't beat it.

Link: http://www.custompredatorcalls.com/predu/Online_Store.html

 

[Preacher.]

Hand calls are all that I use, and are all that have ever used. I've done more than my fare share of predator calling and there are several good companies that make good calls. Some of my personal favorites are Ed Sceery game calls out of New Mexico and Randy Anderson calls. Both of which can be googled and have websites for ordering. Predator calling is a great sport! Good luck!

 

[Kingcreek]

I use an old PS Olt mouth bite reed squealer. Out of business for years but if I ever find another ill buy it for a spare.
I've called coyotes in while bow hunting deer just using the back of my hand and sucking like a major hickey.

 

[modarmory]

We use crack predator calls for our coyote hunting: free reed replacement.

http://www.crackpredatorcalls.com/

 

[Sniper66]

I have a Johnny Stewart, which seems to work better than my mouth calls...at least for me. I probably just need some practice and instruction. It beats carrying the speaker and player, which can be a nuisance. BUT, 2 weeks ago, my brother and I killed 3 coyotes, so I know the Johnny Stewart works. So, I'll keep using it!!

 

[H&Hhunter]

My call in and kill ratio is 3 to 1 better with a mouth call on coyotes. I like the old Circe and Ed Sceery calls. The reason I do better with a mouth call is the ability to modulate and time the call more precise than with an electronic call.

I also like the simplicity of a mouth call over having to carry an electronic and worry about the batteries. I've had luck with electronics but I do better with a mouth call. the less stuff I have to carry in the outdoors the better.

 

[Ankeny]

I hunt coyotes quite a bit. I have killed more coyotes with a simple open reed call than I have with electronics simply because I have used them more (been calling for about 35 years). During the past few years I have switched over to electronics exclusively. In fact, I have a Fox Pro Shockwave scheduled for delivery tomorrow. I wouldn't shell out $600.00 for an electronic call if I didn't think they have some advantages.

Still, you can do very well with a mouth call with some practice. Tony Tebbe calls are hard to beat. I'll second Jake's recommendation for the TT Extreme. The Tebbe LSB is also hard to beat.

FWIW, when the wind is calm I do just as well with a mouth call as with a hand call. In the wind, the electronics have an advantage. Also, there are some pretty interesting things that you can do with an electronic call later in the season.