Which Call Works Best for Coyote Hunting? | Athlon Optics

Hand calls or Electronic calls?

We sat down with Jesse Bunger and Harley Smith to learn which calls they use when coyote hunting. Read below to find out about different types of calls and sounds types.

Call Types:

ELECTRONIC: Electronic calls are battery-powered devices that consist of a speaker and a remote control unit that contains a bank of unique sounds to choose from. In addition to the ability to select from different call types, most E-Callers allow a person to adjust pitch and volume, which makes them highly versatile. Multiple makes and models are available, but the most popular are those made by Lucky Duck and Fox Pro. Both brands are highly recommended by the callers we interviewed for this post.

HAND CALLS: Hand calls are small devices that resemble rudimentary musical instruments (see picture below). Multiple sounds can be produced through hand calls by blowing through them and employing different techniques. The most popular types of hand calls include open, closed, and bite reed. Recommended brands for hand calls include Pinoy Piper and Fox Pro. A number of different custom options are available as well.

DIAPHRAGM CALLS: Similar to hand calls, diaphragm calls produce a variety of sounds that are achieved through different blowing techniques. Using a diaphragm call will free a hunter's hands, however, as they are inserted completely into the mouth of the caller. Brands that are recommended by our experts include Pinoy Piper, Fox Pro, and MFK.

Sound Types:

HOWLS: Coyote howls are one of the most versatile sounds in a hunter's arsenal. They can be used year-round and are a great tool for finding coyote hot spots. Howls are particularly helpful when mapping and hunting a new area.

DISTRESS: Coyotes are constantly looking for food - especially during the winter months. Like all animals, the search for food is one of the primary instincts that drive and dictate behavior. For this reason, distressed prey calls (rabbit, mouse, bird, etc.) are very useful. Coyote pups are also on the menu, so distressed pup calls can be very useful as well - especially in the months of April and May.   

FIGHT SOUNDS: A good fight always draws attention - this is true when it comes to coyotes as well. Fight sounds spark curiosity and are especially effective during mating season (January - February) when coyotes tend to be more aggressive and territorial.   

These are just a few of the sounds that are available to coyote callers, but they are some of the most important. Regardless of which sounds you choose to use, our experts say it is important to mix them up. Spend about 15-25 minutes in each location before moving on to the next. Also, be patient. As with any type of hunting, some days will be more productive than others. 

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