Hunting predators isn’t an easy task but it’s far more rewarding than hunting for sitting targets, like rabbits. It doesn’t matter if you want to protect your property or if you are doing it for sport, it will be very challenging. The good news is that in Kentucky, and most eastern United States areas, you can hunt coyotes year-round during daylight hours so practicing won’t be an issue.
Predators are highly intelligent and cunning creatures that won’t be a walk in the park. It is of paramount importance that you come prepared and have the best coyote call to increase your odds at bagging a kill.
However, picking the correct coyote call sounds might appear like a difficult task at first glance. There are so many brands to choose from, various sounds that might attract a predator or not. In this article, we will touch on what aspects you need to keep in mind when purchasing the best coyote call. But first, let’s find out exactly what a coyote call is.
Top 10 Best Coyote Calls: Comparison Table
| Model | Type | Max Operating Distance | Preloaded Sounds | Programmability |
| Icotec GEN2 GC300 | Electronic | 300 yards | 12 | No |
| FOXPRO Inferno | Electronic | >200 yards | 75 | Yes |
| Primos 372 The Third Degree | Manual | n/a | No | No |
| Cass Creek CC010 | Electronic | 200 yards | 5 | No |
| Johnny Stewart CYC-1 | Manual | n/a | No | No |
| iHunt EDIHGC | Electronic | n/a | 750 (in free app) | No |
| FOXPRO Shockwave | Electronic | <100 yards | 100 | Yes |
| Primos PS313 | Manual | n/a | No | No |
| Icotec Outlaw | Electronic | 300 yards | 240 | Yes |
| FOXPRO HammerJack | Electronic | n/a | 100 | Yes |
What is a Coyote Call?
“You cannot go fishing with just one lure”. The same principle applies to the best electronic predator calls. Depending on the region, the season, and the time of the day, you will need different calls.
A coyote call is an electronic or manual device that will imitate the best coyote call sound that will attract a coyote. Don’t be discouraged by the complexity of the callers because coyote hunting is one of the most exciting game hunting to embark on.
The two main types are the ones that imitate another coyote’s call and the sounds a prey in distress would make. A study has identified that coyotes only use between 11 to 13 vocalizations when communicating with each other for the first category. For the other category, it will highly depend on the region and the available prey. For example, in Connecticut, the coyote season is open from January till March but their pups aren’t born until April. This means that opting for yelps would be unwise.
What Kind of Coyote Calls Are There?
- Prey in distress: this is the most common sound in most electronic devices. That is because coyotes are quite greedy when it comes to food, so they will undoubtedly be attracted to the sound of a wounded or distressed creature. Hence a cat, rabbit, or bird sounds can be great choices when trying to attract a coyote.
- Yelps: sounds that pups make when they are in danger or lost are also some of the best coyote calls. However, this sound will be most effective and useful during the spring, because coyotes tend to move in packs quite often during this season.
- Threatening growl: imitates the sound a male coyote would make. This is an amazing tool to have if you identified that you are hunting within an existing pack’s area. Male coyotes will investigate immediately if an unknown coyote has appeared and is threatening their territory.
- Various programmed sounds: this greatly depends on the electronic coyote call you choose but most of them will have a large array of programmed sounds that could prove effective given the correct situation. Patience and trial and error will be required to nail the perfect call.
Coyote Call Types Explained
There are two main types of coyote calls – manual or electronic. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of each type of predator caller:
| Call Type | Pros | Cons |
| Electronic calls |
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| Manual Calls |
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How to Pick the Best Coyote Call
Range
This greatly depends on how good of a marksman you are. Most predator calls will have a range anywhere from 100 to 300 yards. However, controlling the call from such a distance will be difficult. If the unit is placed on the ground it will make it even harder to control.
If you lift the caller several feet it will greatly increase the remote controller range. However, just because you can that doesn’t mean you should do it. It does sound nice that you could use it at 300 yards but that still implies that you can hit a 300-yard shot. Most seasoned hunters will keep their caller somewhere around 100 yards. Later on, in coyote call reviews, we will take a closer look at the best coyote call manufacturers on the market.
Programmability
Programmable predator calls can prove complicated for a beginner. They do offer a vastly superior number of calls and you can add personal sounds and get creative with them. On the other hand, they do tend to be more costly and aren’t easy to use. Non-programmable tools simply require you to press a single button and they will do the rest. With programmable ones, you need to navigate their menus to find the desired call.
If this will be your first electronic coyote caller we recommend you avoid programmable calls altogether. But if you already had some experience using a coyote caller then a programmable one would be a good choice and will make your hunt even more successful.
Durability
One of the more important factors when choosing a coyote caller is durability. After all, you don’t want to be forced into purchasing a new tool every month. This is the reason why you want to find the best electronic coyote call in your preferred price range. If your caller takes damage from the elements or other animals it will greatly impact the sound quality. We won’t even go into how infuriating it would be if the battery were to die on you while hunting.
If you seriously want to tackle coyote hunting you will need a tool that is built to last. Avoid cheap plastic tools because they are designed to work for a single outing. Also, keep in mind that the best coyote call for the money has to withstand all weather conditions be it rain or snow.
Coyote Call Top Brands – An Overview
FOXPRO
FOXPRO offers high-performance game calls and they are by all measures the biggest name in the hunting call business. But that’s not all they sell. FOXPRO also sells apparel and other hunting accessories like carrying cases and even buck lure. They are primarily known for their large selection of deer, moose, snow goose, or even turkey calls.
Overall, FOXPRO is a unique brand on the predator call market because they do all their engineering, manufacturing, and assembly themselves. Plus, everything is performed locally in the USA.
ICOtec
It is another well-regarded electronic call manufacturer and they focus solely on attracting various animals. ICOtec also specializes in calls and decoys and all the sounds you could ask for. Their devices can be also used on a wide variety of preys. Another interesting thing we’ve learned while creating these coyote call reviews is that ICOtec’s callers can be used in many ways. For example, a coyote caller could also be used for wildlife photography or to keep away grackles from your property. Thus, we’d say that these top coyote calls are worth considering.
Primos Hunting
Another major player on the predator calls market is Primos Hunting. They make amazing electronic calls while not being a dedicated hunting call company. They focus on all tools that could be used by hunters to increase their chances of scoring a kill.
In addition to coyote calls, Primos Hunting also sells many things – from hunting decoys and dog kennels to hunting gloves and masks. They also sell box calls, hand calls, or diaphragm calls.
General Rules for Properly Using a Coyote Call
To be successful with your coyote caller, you need to know what drives the coyotes in. Rabbit sounds, fawn distress, or mouse squeaks will be your main calls. Coyotes are also very eager to protect their territory so any fighting howl will also attract them. Sex is very high on the list for coyotes so mimicking a female coyote call is a good strategy. Seasons will play a major role in which call you will be using. For example, in the fall pups are young and hungry. This makes pup distress calls highly effective. Howling becomes the best strategy in spring because that is when coyotes have their breeding season. You can target single males most effectively in this season. When it comes to summer we suggest you allow coyotes to raise their pups. In Montana hunting for coyotes is prohibited after the 1st of March for that very same reason.
When hunting for coyotes the most important skill will be how adaptive you are. That means that every coyote is different, and will require a different approach. Of course, practice makes perfect, and with time and experience, you will find it easier to hunt. But no matter your skill level, you need to remember to be adaptable. For example, you will need to switch positions every so often because coyotes will be quick to spot you if you’re using the same spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
From What Distance Can a Coyote Hear the Sound?
A coyote has very good hearing and can hear sounds from 4 to 6 miles away. However, this will also depend on the weather conditions. For example, when you’re hunting in windy weather, it will be harder for them to hear you.
How Much Time Should I Wait for the Predator to Come?
Depends on the situation. Sometimes, if they are hungry, coyotes can come right away. However, other times it could even take days before taking the bait. Thus, you need to make sure that the prey is even in the area by paying attention to the coyote hunting calls – howling, growling e.t.c. As a rule of thumb, we suggest waiting at least an hour before trying something else.
Are Manual Calls Still Suitable for Modern-day Hunting?
Yes. Most seasoned hunters solely rely on manual calls because they have experience using such coyote calls. As a rookie hunter, we suggest you start with an electric caller and later on make your way up to manual calls.
Quick Guide Summary
Hunting for coyotes is an unforgettable experience of constantly trying to outwit your opponent. And when you have the best coyote call 2023 your hunt will be a lot more successful and interesting. Overall, keep in mind the seasons when it’s best to hunt, wear proper gear, and we have no doubt that you will nail your prey.
So, have you used some of the best coyote call before? Perhaps you have some useful, pro advice you would love to give your fellow hunters? Then feel free to share them in the comments below!