Best E caller for cats...REVISED

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gunsbam45

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I bought a Johnny Stewart E caller 25 years ago. It was a big heavy jalopy thing. A friend of mine liked it better than me and I let him take it. I've never owned one since. I'd love to hear from the cat hunters what they feel is the best E caller for cats. I'd like something I can just throw in my backpack that isn't too heavy if possible. I'm mainly concerned with good cat sounds for the E caller. Also need good battery life and just curious to know what folks have had good luck with and what to stay away from. Would like to get a lightweight call that can use whoever's sounds and is made to last. It doesn't need to have awesome range to reach out across the wide open pastures here. I kill a lot of coyotes on summer range during grass season. When I get time to myself to go call in the winter I'm not concerned with coyotes. I just want a call that will put quality sound out a good 1/4 mile that's user friendly for calling in heavy to somewhat heavy cover for cats. I'll take whatever else comes of course, but that's my main focus. Also, prefer to be a rechargeable unit. The Foxpro Hammerjack II looks ideal size wise, but looks like it's AA throw away batteries only?
 
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I picked up an IcoTec Outlaw in December of 2020. Called in 2 cougars. Tagged one myself and my buddy's son tagged the other one 5 days later. It comes with some cougar vocals on it and allows you to add more sounds. I added Rainshadow's vocals.
 
Foxpro,Lucky Duck,Johnny Stewart would be my top three picks. It's more about the sound than the call itself but I think those three are pretty solid choices. Pretty reliable calls.
 
Originally Posted By: coachteeterI picked up an IcoTec Outlaw in December of 2020. Called in 2 cougars. Tagged one myself and my buddy's son tagged the other one 5 days later. It comes with some cougar vocals on it and allows you to add more sounds. I added Rainshadow's vocals.

That's awesome coach. I'm in north central Kansas about 50 miles south of the Nebraska line. There are cougars around but they're sparse, and they're still protected in Kansas. I should of been more specific in my title that I'm after bobcat here, but I'm glad you posted. Got friends with ground in places where cougars are plentiful, and I'm interested to know more about this. I will shoot you a PM when time. Have you used the brands OK Rattler mentioned? If so, how does your Ico Tec compare sound quality wise? Also, what kind of warranty does it have?
 
Any of the above mentioned callers will work. The most important aspect of an ecaller or any call for that matter is that you get out and use it. The number 1 way to get more animals is to hunt more.
 
I'm not entirely sure about the warranty. The IcoTec is my first e-caller so I haven't compared it to others. I do know that my friend that is an experienced caller who has used several calls and has taken several cougars went out and bought the Outlaw after hearing mine in the field.
 
I have called in lots of bobcats with my old cassette callers and the Foxpro e-callers that I started using in 2008.

I have used many different sounds and had bobcats show up in places I didn't think were bobcat habitat and they came in to sounds that I didn't think would be good bobcat sounds.

If you make a calling stand and you have a bobcat within 500 yards or less the chances of you calling in a bobcat are much better than using special bobcat sounds where there are no bobcats within a mile of you.

http://www.predatormastersforums.com/for...711#Post3284711

Check out the post in the above link. A bobcat showed up after playing sounds that I would have thought would scare off a bobcat.
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I do know that Foxpro callers will call in bobcats with bird distress, rodent distress, rabbit distress, prairie dog distress and Vole Squeaks sounds.
 
Yup. Know who Rick is. He knows how to call cats. No matter what caller I get it'll be one he can load his stuff on for me. I'd really like to know about call quality, battery life, what's the best light weight handy to haul miles at a time in a pack with other things. Also for the money what's the best lightweight call, or, even if it's pricey, what's the best light weight caller? I kill coyotes all summer long during grass season, and when I do get time to go call in winter I could actually care less about them, so I don't need the longest range call to blow across miles of pasture, just want quality sound and light weight as possible with ability to load whatever sounds I want. There are quite a few calls out there, but I have no experience with them so hoping those who do can shed light on best way to go.

derbyacresbob

Yes I do remember that post. I've seen some videos of hunts where guys howled and pup distress and got nothing then kept calling awhile with stuff more suited to cats and they came in. More than one cat hunter has told me they seem a tad on the stupid side compared to coyotes sometimes, but they don't miss a thing visually. First time I ever called one was trying to get rid of some problem coyotes at my house. I mocked up a fight between a coyote pup and a coon with my P.S. Olt squaller and Critter Call PeeWee and started it off with pup howls. The coyotes got around me in the cover and I couldn't get a shot, but I stayed about an hour just in case one slipped in as there was no wind that night at all for them to pick me out but nothing showed. Just before dark I went to get up and there was a little cat literally at the end of my feet. I'd of thought the howling would've scared an easy meal for a coyote away, but it brought it in. You get some great shots of cats!
 
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If you have a Crit'R Call Pee Wee that's all you need really. I've called in several bobcats with mine. Love that little call. I've had mine since I started calling. No telling how many I've called in with that thing.
 
Originally Posted By: gunsbam45 The Foxpro Hammerjack II looks ideal size wise, but looks like it's AA throw away batteries only?

believe it or not, rechargeable aa batteries are a thing now days.
they have been used in e-callers for years.
 
I tried some smaller rechargeable batteries one time seems like didn't have the best luck but it's been awhile. Any particular ones that are better than others?

Also guys, on the Pee-Wee, agreed, that is my favorite mouth call period. It makes a super pup distress and pup howler and female whimper not to mention good rabbit and bird sounds. It NEVER stays home. Main reason I want to go with an E Caller is to get the sound out away from me so I can set up more comfortable and hide better.
 
I know for sure this part is right...

If what's ahead scares you and what's behind hurts you, look up; He never fails you.

If My people will humble themselves, pray, seek My face & turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven & will forgive their sin & heal their land.

...so I'll take your word on the batteries as well. Thanks.
 
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Eneloop batteries are great although I use Tenergy in a FX5 and the new Fusion. The Tenergy rechargeable batteries seem to last as long any other I've used. I run the 2500mah and if they offered a 2700mah or higher I would run those, but the 2500 seem to be enough. I do carry an extra 8 in another holder in case I need a fresh set but so far in 10yrs or more I've never needed them.
Not sure why I keep hanging onto the FX5, but it has been so reliable all these years.
The FX5 called in this Cat several years ago. At 225yds plus, I had to turn the scope power up to 3X.....
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Haven't tried Synergy, but been tempted. Used a couple of cheaper brands, but finally landed on eneloop; they seem to hold their charge longer when not in use. I, too carry a spare set, but can't recall ever having to use them except a couple of times I forgot to turn off the call on multiple day hunts.
I've called a number of cats w/the FX5 (Not nearly as many as Bob!
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And, yes, coyote vocals don't seem to bother a cat much; called this unlikely pair w/them. Cat came in first, coyote followed within a minute or two.
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Regards,
hm
 
I've always used throwaway AAs as I never had a place to recharge, this season I found some 2800Ah EBL rechargeable AAs that I'm using in my caller. It has a 8 station charger that plugs into the USB port of my solar system.
 
K22 - At 225yds plus, I had to turn the scope power up to 3X..... smirk

I'd be cranked up to 8 at that distance myself. It makes bigger coyotes to shoot at for me. Also, I never get tired of seeing that cat pic with the .204 Montana.

When you guys mention your FX5 callers I assume these are FoxPro? Did some reading online see several folks mention they really like that remote better than some of the newer ones?

hm Is that an FX5 hanging in that 3rd pic? I'd like to see a bigger version of that picture so I can see what you've got going there. Good cat pics!

 
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Originally Posted By: AWSI've always used throwaway AAs as I never had a place to recharge, this season I found some 2800Ah EBL rechargeable AAs that I'm using in my caller. It has a 8 station charger that plugs into the USB port of my solar system.

awwww yes, rechargable batteries. glad you finally saw the light (powered with rechargeable batteries of course)
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with the cost of throw away batteries, you spent a small fortune. more money for gas now. win win.
 


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