Predator hunting is often a game of inches. That’s why it’s so important to have the most effective gear possible. Whether you opt for an electronic caller like the FoxPro FoxJack—which includes a new whisper-quiet decoy—or a more traditional approach like the Third Degree call from Primos, you can’t settle for anything less than the best. With a keen eye for predator hunting’s hottest new items, we at Petersen’s Hunting have done the research and compiled the best new predator calls and gear for 2013.
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5.11 Moab Pack
While it’s designed and built as a tactical pack, we’ve found 5.11’s Moab pack works equally well for other clandestine operations, namely predator hunting. The Moab is compact, comfortable, and as durable as a coyote. Multiple MOLLE attachments give hunters the flexibility to attach accessories, like rangefinders or GPS units, or strap shooting sticks externally on the pack. When loaded with gear, the pack makes an excellent rest for shooters going prone.
Price: $110
Flextone Rabid Jackrabbit
Composed of flexible rubber, Flextone’s Rabid Jackrabbit just feels great in the hand. But it also allows the caller to squeeze the bell and produce varying tones. The dual reeds are scary loud, allowing sounds to carry deep.
Price: $13
FoxPro FoxJack
Over the past 20 years, countless hunters have become hooked on the simplicity and effectiveness of FoxPro calls, leading to the early demise of an incredible number of predators throughout the world. Now there is an ingenious unit called the FoxJack that turns your Fury, Firestorm, Spitfire, Wildfire, and most FX5 and FX3 units into an irresistible death device with a built-in, whisper-quiet decoy. To install, simply replace the battery door with the FoxJack unit.
Price: $50
Haydel's Double Trouble
Sporting double mylar reeds in a clear body, Haydel's DT-11 is designed for maximum volume. The reeds also resist freezing up due to moisture buildup that hampers other closed-reed calls. Just don’t drop it on the ground, because the clear tube blends in well.
Price: $17
Johnny Stewart Primal
Beauty is only skin deep, right? Not with the Primal series call from Johnny Stewart. Turned from engineered wood that is unaffected by moisture, this call is super simple to use. Plus, it also comes packaged with a Windicator bottle.
Price: $14
Nosler Varmageddon
It certainly has one of the funnier names of any varmint ammunition line, but Nosler’s Varmageddon lineup is no joke and offers premium components and phenomenal accuracy in the most popular small-bore cartridges. The line includes seven different cartridges, ranging from .17 Rem. to .243 Win., each with the option of hollowpoint or tipped bullets. Be sure to save your empties, because every round of Varmageddon is loaded using the finest Nosler Custom brass.
Predator Quest Ruffidawg Jr.
The “duck bill” mouthpiece may look weird, but it was engineered by Les Johnson to fit the human mouth and reduce fatigue. It must work, as few calls have been documented to lure in more dogs than Les’ Ruffidawg series.
Price: $30
Primos Third Degree
The Third Degree call from Primos was designed by master howler and coyote connoisseur Randy Anderson. This call is built with a laminated barrel and features a reed tuned for an extra high and raspy pitch.
Price: $19
Vanguard Spirit FX
Open-bridge binoculars have been extremely popular over the past decade for one reason: comfort. If you’ve not got the money to drop on an expensive binocular but are looking to try out the feel of open bridge optics, take a look at the Vanguard Spirit XF. Available in 8x42 or 10x42, these binoculars feature BAK4 prisms and weigh a feathery 22 ounces, which is extremely lightweight for a full-size roof prism binocular. Field of view is 330 feet at 1,000 yards.
Price: $200
Wicked Lights
Using the right gear makes it much easier to own the night. With great features like color LEDs, five separate light modes, 250-yard visibility, and push-button/coil cord power switch, Wicked Lights offers multiple night-hunting packages geared towards the late-night pursuit of predators. And anyone who has priced CR123 batteries recently will greatly appreciate the rechargeable batteries the lights use, saving serious money over disposable batteries.
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Predator Calls and Gear for 2013
© 2013 InterMedia Outdoors
