Die-hard predator hunters are a very distinct part of the overall hunting community. While most big-game hunters are happy to take an occasional shot at a coyote when they get the chance, many predator hunters dedicate much of their time, effort and money to hunting coyotes, bobcats and other predators. In fact, if you know any passionate predator hunters, you know that saying they eat, sleep and breathe predator hunting is not an overstatement.
If you’ve ever called a coyote in at a dead run from a quarter mile away, it’s easy to understand the drive. I still remember the first time a coyote charged at my call with reckless abandon. I was so startled by the animal’s rush that I missed several shots, teaching that song dog a lesson in carelessness and me a lesson in humility.
In the past, mouth calls were the preferred tool for attracting coyotes and other predators. However, success required a lot of skill, persistence, and, of course, breath. Blowing a call hard for an extended period is more challenging than you might think.
In recent years, electronic callers have taken over the scene, and for good reason — they are loud, produce perfect call sounds, and never run out of breath. Most are easy to operate and offer a variety of sounds — some that are nearly impossible to produce with a mouth call.
When it comes to hunting retailers, there are many options for e-callers from various manufacturers to sell in your store. Let’s review some good choices from reputable call makers Foxpro, Freq, and Mojo.
Called by the manufacturer as its “most advanced unit ever,” the X360 is Foxpro’s flagship digital game call, setting a new benchmark in audio quality and featuring numerous cutting-edge features. The device provides an industry-leading dynamic range of 32-bit Ultrasonic sound through a seven-speaker system with three XHD+ speakers, which now include three enhanced tweeters for better frequency response, along with a full-range speaker. The X360 offers a frequency response range of 100 Hz to over 40 kHz, making it effective at attracting even the most elusive predators.
The new and innovative Advanced 360 sound feature randomly moves sounds across speakers, creating unmatched realism and urgency without the rhythmic patterns of a motor simply going back and forth. With five selectable urgency settings, predator hunters can customize this randomly moving sound from a low-key start to a high-chaos sound. During non-hunting times, Bluetooth connectivity enables audio streaming from your phone. The X360 also includes two Music Modes that equalize the speakers for optimal music playback.
The unit comes with a whopping 350 sounds, including several options from each of these categories: group howls, coyote howls, coyote pups, breeding and fighting sounds, challenge howls and barks, begging whines, lone howls, female breeding growls, interrogation howl, gray fox, red fox, other fox species, cottontail, jackrabbit, snowshoe hare, woodpecker, cardinal, bluejay, game birds, general birds, turkey, waterfowl, squirrel, rat, voles, canines, farm animals, cats, distress calls, whitetail deer, elk, raccoons, mountain lion, wolf, hogs, crows, snow geese, bears, alligators, and African sounds.
A special feature that should get a lot of attention from approaching predators is the X360’s dual built-in decoys to mimic a bird attacking a rodent. MSRP for the X360 is $1,499.95.
Since the advent of the electronic game caller, hunters have been using recorded sounds played back on equipment designed to produce what the human ear can hear. Freq calls its popular Ultrasonic Game Call the “world’s first ultrasonic, full-spectrum electronic game call.” While it functions like traditional e-callers, it also features two high-quality True Cast speakers. One is a low-frequency speaker that plays sounds at the end of the spectrum that humans can hear, while the other emits high-frequency sounds. These speakers produce full-spectrum sound that was recorded with advanced recording equipment made specifically to capture both low and high (ultrasonic) sounds.
This e-caller is fully equipped with over 200 different animal and bird sounds, most of which are full-spectrum and ultrasonic. These sounds include various calls of coyotes and bobcats, as well as other sounds that attract a range of predators and birds. Additionally, the caller features three professional, 15-minute call sequences created by game-calling expert Gary Roberson — one each for coyotes, bobcats and foxes.
Other features include a communication range of over 300 yards, the ability to create a personal favorites list, large, easy-to-read text, a side button for quick screen contrast adjustments, three programmable “hot buttons” and the option to create custom sequences. It runs on three AA batteries and has a low-battery indicator.
FREQ's built-in clever case protects the call, makes it easy to transport and offers plenty of storage. It includes storage lashings, an adjustable shoulder strap, durable padding to safeguard the call, a bug-out accessory bag, a back-zippered storage compartment and MOLLE webbing for attaching extra gear. The FREQ caller might be a bit expensive for some hunters on a budget, but you get what you pay for. The MSRP is $1,999.
MOJO’s Triple Threat Predator Calling System is the company’s top-tier e-caller. It was designed by MOJO’s Terry Denmon, who has called predators both big and small on four different continents and knows that quality sound is crucial for success in predator calling.
The Triple Threat features a high-quality cone speaker for superior sound, equipped with a dual sound storage and retrieval system. The MOJO Game Caller features 80 proven electronic sounds, with more available on an SD card and in the onboard memory. It also allows hunters to customize their own sounds on an SD card for use on different hunts.
The remote-controlled, magnetically connected MOJO Critter Decoy, which attracts responding coyotes and bobcats, has been named 'best decoy” by Predator Xtreme magazine for seven consecutive years. It also includes a convenient decoy top storage compartment on the handle. A built-in tripod lifts the decoy off the ground and above sound-blocking brush, and the unit comes with a MOJO standard peg featuring a threaded insert on the bottom for various mounting options. Flush, glow-in-the-dark buttons help prevent accidental operation, even when the unit is stored in its carry pack. Additionally, a signal meter indicates whether the remote is coupled to the caller, eliminating ruined stands caused by the remote not operating the electronic caller.
The Mojo runs on eight AA batteries but has a charging port for rechargeable batteries and includes an AC Smart Charger. The caller detects if an SD card is inserted and plays sounds from it. If no card is inserted, it plays the onboard sounds. The maximum call volume is 120dB, making it audible to predators up to 300 yards away. More affordably priced than the other calls mentioned earlier, this e-caller should appeal to customers with a smaller hunting budget. The MSRP is $309.99.
