Predator Calls

[Nomad]

I want to start shooting some coyotes. What’s the best kind of call set up to get? One of those fox pro callers or what? Thanks.

Edited February 19 by Nomad

[Mountain Goat]

I have the FoxPro Patriot.  Seems to work really well although I have not called anything in except hawks.  I do not go often.  Years ago I called a coyote in with a small Primos predator call that only had 4 calls and took 4 AAA batteries.  Thing appeared like a ghost and took off before I could get my gun steady...lol.  I have also called in a bunch during spring turkey using turkey calls.  I don't think the call matters all that much.  The Patriot was inexpensive and has a ton of options.  I also bought the decoy that attaches to the speaker.  Good luck !  

[trapoholic]

One thing about coyote hunting (not that I ever shot a coyote) is don't expect instant gratification. You have to ask your self- how long did it take me to get my first deer back in the day. Don't give up too easily.

[mazzgolf]

2 hours ago, Nomad said:

I want to start shooting some coyotes. What’s the best kind of call set up to get? One of those fox pro callers or what? Thanks.

I've only ever called in one coyote with my FoxPro (but I have called in a ton of crow and even some geese during September season)... so if you buy one, realize you can use it for more than just predators. I use mine much more for crow than anything else.  

I don't think for what we do here in NJ (coyote-wise, anyway) that you need those callers with the huge speakers that cost $500 or more.

Look at the FoxPro ones that are under $300.

https://www.gofoxpro.com/products/digital-game-calls/

My first one was like that Prowler (but the name was different back then, forget what they called it before). That one is $220.

The next step up is the HellCat for $50 more and comes built-in with the electronic decoy - definitely worth the extra $50 IMO. If I was looking to buy my first one, this would be it. Comes with 75 premium sounds you can pick yourself if you order direct from FoxPro (that's what I did - I wanted to get some good crow and geese sounds in my unit). You can also buy more sounds or download free ones and load them into the unit, if you ever want more than 75 sounds (but 75 should be plenty). Note that they say you get over 175 sounds, but those extra 100 are human-produced sounds from mouth calls and such and recorded in a studio -- they don't sound very realistic. So I discount those - you want the premium sounds which are usually recordings of actual animals sounds. 

Buy an extra topper or two if you buy this unit -- don't be surprised if a hawk or owl swoops down and takes off with your decoy topper (ask me how I know )

The HellCat Pro comes with more sounds and an upgraded remote controller - but IMO that's not worth the extra $130. 

The one I use now, looks like they don't even offer anymore... I have the FoxPro HammerJack that has speakers on both ends. Not sure why but they changed their design and went back to that single-speaker type like the Prowler/HellCat for the lower end units.

[NJArcher]

Called my first one over a cheap icotec with like 6 sounds on it… run a foxpro X24 now. Foxpro is the only caller made here in the USA 

[Nomad]

48 minutes ago, trapoholic said:

One thing about coyote hunting (not that I ever shot a coyote) is don't expect instant gratification. You have to ask your self- how long did it take me to get my first deer back in the day. Don't give up too easily.

Yes, I’ve shot quite a few coyotes, but just incidental to hunting other things.

[Turkeyslayer]

Fox Pro 10,000 percent it’s a great caller. It like anything else it’s gonna take time to learn!

[trapoholic]

I have tried predator calling back in the 1990's with my Johnny Stewart electronic cassette caller. I called in everything but a fox or coyote.

[Gman]

I tried with dying rabbit mouth call and a small hand held electronic call, no luck.  I too have shot several yotes while deer hunting, I know they are there, I get cell cam pictures and see their tracks everywhere.  I've considered a Fox Pro, I just never pulled the trigger.  I'd be curious on what successful tactics others have used.   

[trapoholic]

6 hours ago, Gman said:

I tried with dying rabbit mouth call and a small hand held electronic call, no luck.  I too have shot several yotes while deer hunting, I know they are there, I get cell cam pictures and see their tracks everywhere.  I've considered a Fox Pro, I just never pulled the trigger.  I'd be curious on what successful tactics others have used.   

Like everything else- direct effort equals direct results. Just look at all the field knowledge we have acquired from a lifetime of deer hunting. We now realize that most of us were clueless when we first started deer hunting. The same holds true with coyote hunting. Its all trial and error in the beginning.

[deerkiller18]

Anyone care to share the sequence of calls that have worked for you? 

[Nomad]

Took my newly acquired FoxPro Inferno out this morning for a few hours.  Called for few hours at two different setups about 300 yards apart.  Used the dying rabbit followed by some coyote yips, howls. Felt wrong howling in the daytime, almost never hear them howling in daytime only late evening and night.  Didn't see anything except a confused herd of deer.  I think I was calling to loud and too often after watching some eastern coyote videos.  Going to try another spot towards evening.

Edited February 22 by Nomad

[Turkeyslayer]

2 hours ago, Nomad said:

Took my newly acquired FoxPro Inferno out this morning for a few hours.  Called for few hours at two different setups about 300 yards apart.  Used the dying rabbit followed by some coyote yips, howls. Felt wrong howling in the daytime, almost never hear them howling in daytime only late evening and night.  Didn't see anything except a confused herd of deer.  I think I was calling to loud and too often after watching some eastern coyote videos.  Going to try another spot towards evening.

I usually stay away from the coyote howling unless you got a lot of yotes in a area I usually use fox instead as I find that if you got a lone yote he is easier convinced with a fox 

[Nomad]

Set up on a ridge looking down towards a stream.  Wind was blowing left to right as I was looking down at the stream and I had the call about 40 yards below me hoping one would come into the wind, but below me. After making some female coyote howls, I see one come bouncing down the mountain, 100 yards out, but he was directly downwind up on the ridge even with me. He  kept going, and I never saw him again. Right at dark.  I’m pretty happy that I saw one beautiful afternoon anyway.

next time I’ll put the caller further away from me, but I only have a 22 mag so I don’t want get it too far.  

Edited February 23 by Nomad

[Nomad]

3 hours ago, Turkeyslayer said:

I usually stay away from the coyote howling unless you got a lot of yotes in a area I usually use fox instead as I find that if you got a lone yote he is easier convinced with a fox 

Like a fox barking?