The value an e-caller brings to a predator hunter is unrivaled. Sure there’s a learning curve, as well as habits and skills to acquire, but the technology provided by e-callers makes mouth-blown calls seem like a thing of the past. Each year more features and more sounds are released, all of which only benefit the hunter. And 2017 is no different. Naturally most are unveiled at SHOT Show, which also happened this year. Here are some of the best new e-callers to hit the market.

Lucky Duck

Lucky Duck is following last year’s success of the Revolution with the Revolt and the Rebel.

• The Rebel is Lucky Duck’s entry-level caller, but it still has nice features like coming 12 calls by the Verminator, Rick Paillet. On top, the Rebel (right) has a motorized decoy. Its long-range remote does not require line of sight and reaches more than 300 feet. Calls include sounds of rabbit distress, coyote fights, howls, pup distress, woodpecker, coon distress and crow battle. The call runs on 10 AA batteries, and the remote uses three AA batteries.
• The Revolt boasts the same features as the Revolution, but it doesn't have the HD video camera. Additions include a tweeter speaker (which is where the HD camera sits for the Revolution) and four different remote channels. The four remote channels allow four different sounds to play at once using an infinite number of callers. Along with predator hunters, snow-goose hunters will find this four-channel system handy as well. The call runs on 10 AA batteries, and the remote uses three.

For more information, go to www.luckyduck.com.

FOXPRO

FOXPRO is back in 2017 with three new e-callers: the HammerJack, Patriot and AfterShock.

• The Patriot features 35 pre-loaded sounds and 100 free sounds, but has the capacity for 200 sounds. It boasts a high-efficiency horn speaker and external speaker jack. It comes with a remote that includes a full menu of buttons and settings.

• The HammerJack has 75 pre-loaded sounds and a capacity of 200 sounds. It features the FoxJack4 decoy and has a dual-amplified speaker system. The HammerJack comes with a modified and more-detailed remote. The caller features FoxBang, FoxFade and FoxCast.

• The AfterShock will be FOXPRO’s big release for predator e-callers of the year, and it won’t take place until September. It will have 100 preloaded with the capacity of 1,000 sounds. As with the other calls, 100 free sounds are included. It will feature FoxBang, FoxCast, FoxMotion, FoxFusion, FoxPitch and FoxData.The AfterShock will include four rotational speakers for directional sound focusing, a GPS and a tripod stand. Currently only a conception drawing is available.

For more information, go to www.gofoxpro.com.

Western Rivers

New from Western Rivers this year is the Mantis Pro series, which includes the MP 400 and MP 100 e-callers. The two are similar in many ways, but the 400 caller is an upgrade from the 100.

• The MP 400 is a remote-controlled caller that comes with 400 preloaded calls including elk, wolf, deer, turkey, bobcat, coyote, moose, rabbit, duck, fox and more. The MP 400 features a 4-inch reflex loudspeaker up to 110db and two external jacks to accommodate secondary amplified speakers for a virtual surround functionality. Sound overlay allows you to play two calls at once to maximize calling efficiency. Western Rivers also introduced “quicksets.” These play two to five calls in sequence or at random in customizable spacing distances. All functions can be prompted using a removable remote control that reaches distances of up to 300 yards. With the ability to sync the new Mantis motorized decoy (sold separately), calls can be brought to life. Add in Bluetooth capability to stream additional sounds from a paired device. MSRP is listed at $199.99.

• The MP 100 is a compact, handheld, remote-controlled caller equipped with 100 pre-loaded sounds. It features a 4-inch reflex loudspeaker (110db) and an external jack. All functions are carried out via removable remote control that features a 2-inch screen with four to six lines of text/icons. The MP 100 runs on eight AA batteries. MSRP is listed at $119.99.

For more information, go to www.gsmoutdoors.com.

ICOtec

ICOtec’s new GC320 is a predator decoy and caller all in one package. What sets this e-caller apart from others in the ICOtec line is the remote, which features 12 of the caller’s 24 calls as quick-hit buttons. The remote has a range of 300 yards and runs on a 23A battery that is included. It also features up/down buttons and a stop button. The caller/decoy combo run on four AA batteries each, allowing the two to operate independently of the other.

The GC320 is lightweight, compact and easy-to-operate and comes with high-quality audio calls. Its long-range remote, low-power consumption and electronic decoy comes in under $200.

For more information, go to ICOtec.com.

Others To Consider

Listed below are several callers that — despite not being introduced at the 2017 SHOT Show — are worth considering.

• The Bullet HP Complete Bluetooth Game Calling System has a working range of up to 300 feet, which is 10 times the distance of standard Bluetooth. It features more than 10 hours of battery life per charge with an integrated Li-ION rechargeable battery. The caller comes with a decoy and ground spike and also includes a Picatinny phone mount. For more information, go to covergenthunting.com

• The Super Critter uses the same tantalizing motion as MOJO’s popular Critter e-caller, but it features a more advanced decoy. The Super Critter includes a magnetic critter topper, a built-in disappearing tri-pod legs plus MOJO Peg with ¼-inch camera thread, a super tough ABS housing, MOJO Cottontail sound and a three-way switch that allows motion-only or motion-plus sound. The decoy is designed to allow on/off control from most remote callers that have a 3½-millimeter auxiliary port and requires a common 3½-millimeter double male chord, which is available as accessory. For more information, go to mojooutdoors.com.

• The Grim Speaker 2 boasts 10 pre-programmed calls that can be played and looped (simultaneously or alone) with 110 decibels of sound. With 256 MB of storage, more sounds can be downloaded and added. The remote can be held by the body of the call and has a range of 100 yards. The base unit is powered by four AA batteries (not included) and the remote uses two AAA batteries (not included). It will run for six to eight hours on a set of batteries. For more information, go to www.hunterspec.com.