limbhanger10
Well-known member
There's pitches that I hit with my diaphragm that whether I start...add in middle or end of a calling sequence...I get a response when the e caller doesn't...
Are e-calls killing mouth calls and hand calls?
- Thread starter OKRattler
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I always had a problem with closed reed calls freezing up. I've called in some really cold weather and haven't had any trouble with open reed calls freezing so I'd have to say they're my favorite to use. Just because they're more reliable. I have closed reed calls that I've called up lots of coyotes with but I use them if it's above freezing temperatures.
Before I started using open reed calls I would have a few close reed calls inside my jacket and switch them out to keep them from freezing up.
I ran e-calls for a long time because of asthma, since I retired it seems my asthma has really backed off.. I use mouth calls more often now but need the right spots for them. I have a lot of faith in my e-calls and tend to rely on them when hunting with someone else.
E-calls are the easy button starting out, you never have to worry about if your putting out the correct sound.
They are both good tools
I ran e-calls for a long time because of asthma, since I retired it seems my asthma has really backed off.. I use mouth calls more often now but need the right spots for them. I have a lot of faith in my e-calls and tend to rely on them when hunting with someone else.
E-calls are the easy button starting out, you never have to worry about if your putting out the correct sound.
They are both good tools
bowhunter57
Well-known member
I started out with hand calls, then switched to a cassette player with a loud speaker attached to it. I'll admit, it sure was nice not blowing your lungs out trying to call in a fox or coyote....especially after I'd been on the 3rd or 4th stand. 
These days, I don't leave the house without my Icotec caller and a MOJO Critter motion decoy. I've set up the e-caller and motion decoy at a crosswind, 70 yards from the edge of the woods and 80 yards from my location....and it works like a charm. Hard to argue with success! Plus, it's very entertaining, when they run straight to the decoy, slam on the brakes about 10' from it and realize the jig is up, like this guy. 
These days, I don't leave the house without my Icotec caller and a MOJO Critter motion decoy.
I've set up the e-caller and motion decoy at a crosswind, 70 yards from the edge of the woods and 80 yards from my location....and it works like a charm. Hard to argue with success! Plus, it's very entertaining, when they run straight to the decoy, slam on the brakes about 10' from it and realize the jig is up, like this guy. Coming from a time when there were no such thing as e-callers you had to learn how to call using mouth calls or you weren't hunting! About 35 years ago I got connected with Ed Sceery and he sent some of his experimental stuff up my way. No one up here ever used howlers and the thought wasn't even in our minds. I tried them but didn't know the different call sequences to get any response other than to howl with a few barks so it didn't get used much.
Fast forward when e-callers became available and guys were having success I still resisted their use feeling like I was cheating. I took pride knowing I called it in with my own wit. A great example (one I still recall) was one morning quietly slipping into an open pocket by a creek. I worked the wind, set up in a little open crouch between two bush lots and set my decoy (one I made from an old servo and a RC car controller) gave a tiny squeak and bang! a coyote popped up 60 yards from me from behind a log. Looking right through me I couldn't move or he'd bust me. So I flicked the switch on the remote and he turned his ear toward the noise of the servo motor in the rabbit decoy. Once he looked at it he lost all guard and bolted for it. My gun, trained on the decoy was ready for the blur of fur to come into view. Fooling a coyote with mouth calls gave me a great sense of achievement.
After almost a 15 year break from the game I finally bought an e-caller this winter. I still ran my mouth calls for rabbit distress and so on but that e-caller can outperform me in the coyote sounds hands down! When you hit "play" you get a perfect call every time, and not just howls but fights, female calls vrs male call and pups too. These sounds alone opened up my eyes this year as I was able to call coyotes that would never have normally come in with my rabbit distress calls. so for me, it's just another tool in the bag but I'll never leave the mouth calls at home.
Fast forward when e-callers became available and guys were having success I still resisted their use feeling like I was cheating. I took pride knowing I called it in with my own wit. A great example (one I still recall) was one morning quietly slipping into an open pocket by a creek. I worked the wind, set up in a little open crouch between two bush lots and set my decoy (one I made from an old servo and a RC car controller) gave a tiny squeak and bang! a coyote popped up 60 yards from me from behind a log. Looking right through me I couldn't move or he'd bust me. So I flicked the switch on the remote and he turned his ear toward the noise of the servo motor in the rabbit decoy. Once he looked at it he lost all guard and bolted for it. My gun, trained on the decoy was ready for the blur of fur to come into view. Fooling a coyote with mouth calls gave me a great sense of achievement.
After almost a 15 year break from the game I finally bought an e-caller this winter. I still ran my mouth calls for rabbit distress and so on but that e-caller can outperform me in the coyote sounds hands down! When you hit "play" you get a perfect call every time, and not just howls but fights, female calls vrs male call and pups too. These sounds alone opened up my eyes this year as I was able to call coyotes that would never have normally come in with my rabbit distress calls. so for me, it's just another tool in the bag but I'll never leave the mouth calls at home.
I’m seeing a pattern here.
Why is every conversation lately a pissing match?
Because the internet gives people anonymity. It releases the inner a-hole in people.
The internet broke the world.
SupressYourself
Well-known member
I always have a diaphragm call in my mouth when calling. It's great for stopping coyotes, especially after you drop the first one and are lining up another.
I also have a Primos Catnip tucked in my bino harness. Thats been really handy for situations where you spot a coyote walking into or out of a stand, and you don't have the time and / or the cover to set up an ecaller.
I also have a Primos Catnip tucked in my bino harness. Thats been really handy for situations where you spot a coyote walking into or out of a stand, and you don't have the time and / or the cover to set up an ecaller.
tawnoper
Active member
I still have a few Sceery calls. Have one of his plastic howlers that looks like a trumpet. It's pretty weathered, it would probably fall apart if I took it outside. One of the first guys I remember that was commercially into hunting with coyote vocals was Bill Austin. I have some of his stuff too. Also Rich Cronk, have one of his cow horn howlers, it's one of my faves. Have a few Dan Thompson red desert howlers too. I like old calls.
This thread was beginning to go astray. Its OK to disagree, in fact it is expected, but please choose your words carefully and know when to bow out rather than continue to escalate a disagreement. Thanks, guys, for helping to steer the thread back on course!
"When we post of an experience or opinion, we must realize that not all others have had the same experience(s) and that some who have had that experience may come away with an alltogether different opinion as to the cause/results of, or how to handle that experience.
Unfortunately some express those differences in a manner that may come across as confrontational. 99% of the time those replies, which are not in agreement with ours, are not intended to belittle OP's ideas or opinions, they are just expressing a different take on the matter.
No one enjoys reading pages of back and forth between two or more members which can, and does usually result in the thread going off the rails if allowed to fester. I suspect that more than a few new members reading such may decide that PM is not the place they want to spend leisure hours.
My suggestion (to us all) is when making, or replying to a post, take a moment to re-read that post before hitting the "Post" button. See if your wording needs a bit of tweaking to avoid possible misinterpretation by other parties that read your offering. It doesn't take but a second and can avoid lots of issues.
If and when you have, and express a different opinion, choose your words carefully to avoid trying to discredit anyone who does not agree with you; don't be caught up in a continuing argument back and forth, as this can only escalate.
More importantly, if you find a particular member with whom you constantly disagree, simply hit the ignore button and we will (all) find the forum a much more enjoyable experience, as is the intent of PM to begin with.
Thanks for helping to make PM a more enjoyable experience for all. "
(In a nutshell, let's all learn to say, "Isn't that incredible?", rather than "Bull S***!")
"When we post of an experience or opinion, we must realize that not all others have had the same experience(s) and that some who have had that experience may come away with an alltogether different opinion as to the cause/results of, or how to handle that experience.
Unfortunately some express those differences in a manner that may come across as confrontational. 99% of the time those replies, which are not in agreement with ours, are not intended to belittle OP's ideas or opinions, they are just expressing a different take on the matter.
No one enjoys reading pages of back and forth between two or more members which can, and does usually result in the thread going off the rails if allowed to fester. I suspect that more than a few new members reading such may decide that PM is not the place they want to spend leisure hours.
My suggestion (to us all) is when making, or replying to a post, take a moment to re-read that post before hitting the "Post" button. See if your wording needs a bit of tweaking to avoid possible misinterpretation by other parties that read your offering. It doesn't take but a second and can avoid lots of issues.
If and when you have, and express a different opinion, choose your words carefully to avoid trying to discredit anyone who does not agree with you; don't be caught up in a continuing argument back and forth, as this can only escalate.
More importantly, if you find a particular member with whom you constantly disagree, simply hit the ignore button and we will (all) find the forum a much more enjoyable experience, as is the intent of PM to begin with.
Thanks for helping to make PM a more enjoyable experience for all. "
(In a nutshell, let's all learn to say, "Isn't that incredible?", rather than "Bull S***!")
Newpond0
Active member
From my modern rookie perspective I bought a hand call (bear) because it was cheaper than an electronic call as I was spending a lot of money getting started (buying gun, gps etc.) and didn’t want to spend any more. After blowing on it a few times in the house I wasn’t about to drive 4 hours each way and base my hunt on those sounds along with balancing the gun at the same time.
So I bought the cheapest e caller at the store after which gave me alot more confidence to get out there and maybe get something. I’ve never even taken that hand all with me into the field to be honest
So I bought the cheapest e caller at the store after which gave me alot more confidence to get out there and maybe get something. I’ve never even taken that hand all with me into the field to be honest
Attachments
Really the point of this thread is not to say what's better and what ain't. My point was leading towards how the new age of predator calling could very well help destroy the past. And I think it's a dang shame. People that were and still are legends in the predator hunting community built these calls as a source of income but made a name for themselves in the process. In my opinion it would really be a shame if these hand call manufacturers went out of business and the people behind the name were forgotten. Nobody wants that for themselves so I sure wouldn't want it for someone else.
These guys traveled many miles, felt the same frustration we all have, sat in the freezing cold as we all have and felt the accomplishments that we've all felt. They gained the knowledge that we can all strive to have. They didn't do all that and produce a call so that others may have those same moments of triumph, just to be forgotten about. That's not fair and it shouldn't happen. The older I get I do think about that more and more. What we do here has to matter. If you're lucky enough to leave a footprint in this world, by God it better be set in stone.
These guys traveled many miles, felt the same frustration we all have, sat in the freezing cold as we all have and felt the accomplishments that we've all felt. They gained the knowledge that we can all strive to have. They didn't do all that and produce a call so that others may have those same moments of triumph, just to be forgotten about. That's not fair and it shouldn't happen. The older I get I do think about that more and more. What we do here has to matter. If you're lucky enough to leave a footprint in this world, by God it better be set in stone.
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In the beginning............Burnham Brothers Fox Call and old Weems All Call
Next came a borrowed cassette player w/corded speaker which took 5 minutes to set up and run out the wire. Figured there had to be something better so swapped for first ecaller............Loudmouth
Current setup is an old FX3, upgraded to FX5. Never leave home without various hand calls attached to bino pack along with the remote, however.
Next came a borrowed cassette player w/corded speaker which took 5 minutes to set up and run out the wire. Figured there had to be something better so swapped for first ecaller............Loudmouth
Current setup is an old FX3, upgraded to FX5. Never leave home without various hand calls attached to bino pack along with the remote, however.
K22-hornet
Active member
I usually hunt public lands, and I know they get hit by other coyote hunters, no doubt many with an e-call, and I'm sure they kill coyotes.
I figure handcalls give me an edge on public lands, because my Cottontail/Jackrabbit/Howler sounds, and the way I produce them, is very different than a continuous sound loop of the exact same sound on every brand of ecall out there.
When a coyote busts a guy playing Jackrabbit Buffet on his ecaller, I suspect that particular coyote will never come to that sound on that brand caller again.
As others have said, though, both ecallers and handcalls work, and one might be better than the other for different setups or terrain.
I have an ecaller and I really should use it more.
I figure handcalls give me an edge on public lands, because my Cottontail/Jackrabbit/Howler sounds, and the way I produce them, is very different than a continuous sound loop of the exact same sound on every brand of ecall out there.
When a coyote busts a guy playing Jackrabbit Buffet on his ecaller, I suspect that particular coyote will never come to that sound on that brand caller again.
As others have said, though, both ecallers and handcalls work, and one might be better than the other for different setups or terrain.
I have an ecaller and I really should use it more.
derbyacresbob
Well-known member
A big advantage a e-caller has over hand calls is being able to put out sounds for the whole time you are on a calling stand.
When you are calling and stop playing a sound on a e-caller or stop to catch your breath with a hand call, if nothing has heard your sounds you are no longer calling you are just sitting there taking a break.
In the open country we call coyotes in, the louder volume of a e-caller will get your sounds out to more coyotes than lower volume will. Many times we have had coyotes run right up to our e-callers while they are on full blast volume or they show up 3 to 6 minutes after going to a louder sound or a loud sound on full volume.
Many times after calling continuously for 10 to 15 minutes on very loud volume I have had hard charging coyotes show up. When this happens I am pretty sure that the coyotes just heard my calling sounds and that is why they just showed up.
If they started running that hard when I started the loud sound, they could travel 4 miles in 15 minutes. Coyotes are not always in a spot where they can hear the sound you are blowing or playing on a e-call. If the coyotes move or are changing locations while you are not blowing your hand call or not playing your e-caller the coyotes won't be able to hear any sounds because there are no sounds being put out.
Just a slight wind change or coyotes changing locations can get the coyotes to hear your sounds, if you are putting the sounds out there.
When you are calling and stop playing a sound on a e-caller or stop to catch your breath with a hand call, if nothing has heard your sounds you are no longer calling you are just sitting there taking a break.
In the open country we call coyotes in, the louder volume of a e-caller will get your sounds out to more coyotes than lower volume will. Many times we have had coyotes run right up to our e-callers while they are on full blast volume or they show up 3 to 6 minutes after going to a louder sound or a loud sound on full volume.
Many times after calling continuously for 10 to 15 minutes on very loud volume I have had hard charging coyotes show up. When this happens I am pretty sure that the coyotes just heard my calling sounds and that is why they just showed up.
If they started running that hard when I started the loud sound, they could travel 4 miles in 15 minutes. Coyotes are not always in a spot where they can hear the sound you are blowing or playing on a e-call. If the coyotes move or are changing locations while you are not blowing your hand call or not playing your e-caller the coyotes won't be able to hear any sounds because there are no sounds being put out.
Just a slight wind change or coyotes changing locations can get the coyotes to hear your sounds, if you are putting the sounds out there.
steve garrett
Well-known member
THIS pretty much. e calls replaced mouth calls 20+ years ago. I still have and carry mouth calls buts its only to just grab something quickly and mess around with. sometimes you just have to make a noise with something.
or its nice to have a backup and in case the caller breaks or you leave the remote at home. I think DAA has a buddy that likes to throw in an extra howl or 2 on stand with a mouth call. i think that is the secret to their success I actually quit making calls a few years back because they were just not selling. Just recently started making calls again. I always have calls on me and use them quite often. Out here in Utah the coyotes are hunted nonstop and have become very call shy, the hand calls are a sound that they don't hear as often and can pull you out of a slump.
Utahcaller
Active member
I know we talked about this in another thread but old hand calls are very cool. I use a Lucky Duck quite a bit and have a lot of success with it. But there is something special about using a mouth call or hand call to call coyotes. Which I continue to do all the time. Whether it is my own voice howls, diaphragms calls, open reed or closed reed calls it’s still very cool.
Good Hunting Chad
Good Hunting Chad
Newpond0
Active member
I think this is a great post and touches on deeper aspects of humanity and evolution. Do we honor the past and pay respects to the people who came before us and set us up for our current state? Or do we abandon these things, re evaluate, and focus solely on what’s needed now and in the future? Does spending too much time honouring past things and continuing traditions directly take away from building a better future?
Now Let’s apply those ideas to a military, imagine if we continued to honor the weapons and tactics from old wars more than focussing on new technologies and so on. What would that look like? Yeah you could still kill a guy with that old stuff, but at what point is it time to move on or commit to growth?
I’ll be honest this site has changed my feelings on technology a lot. Seeing good thermals in action and what they can do is very very exciting and makes learning woodsmanship sound incredibly boring and tedious in comparison. If I could be mowing down animals with superior tech like Rambo or infidel I would. No night hunting here so I gotta play the hand that’s dealt to me