Anyone had any luck using cell phone or tablet apps for predator hunting?

[10-Ring]

I see that there are several apps out there that have a variety of calls on them. Seems that wouldn't be too effective just using the phone, may be quite effective using in conjunction with a remote speaker. Anyone here done anything like this?

[Hozzie]

It may be ok for those at a closer range, but I don't think it is going to pull them in from far. Although most predators do have very good hearing.

I have a Foxpro Hellfire that works very well, but is also pretty expensive. You may be able to pair or hook up your phone to some of those battery powered external speakers for a bit more sound.


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[TMF]

When you find a decent app be sure to let us know. All the ones I've looked at on the Apple Store have terrible reviews so I haven't bought them. I have a small rechargeable Dr Dre speakers which pair with my iPhone. It is quite loud for its size, and I figure an animal with that kinda hearing would pick it up from way off.


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[Wingshooter]

I made one that I could use with my phone a couple years ago. I got a small battery powered amp and loud speaker from Radio Shack. I got tired of the wires and eventually got a FoxPro, but the homemade one worked well. Here is the advice I followed to build it http://www.predatormastersforums.com/homemadeecaller.shtml

 

With technology like it is, you may be able to build a wireless version just as cheap.

Edited October 2, 2014 by Batman

[Omega]

Ok, I have some info on this as I have tried it before.  First, I saved many calls as MP3 on my old Iphone that I kept for the music only.  I got a Motorola Bluetooth speaker and set it up to where I could still "see" it and I play the calls from the Iphone.  With the Iphone, you can make a playlist of calls to loop with a recorded "silence" mp3 to give it time between calls.  I honestly haven't seen any success with this as most deer I have taken have been in the same area without the need for calls.  But I don't see why it can't work, specially if you put out a doe decoy and put the speaker on or near it.

 

I used this one: http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-MOTOROKR-Bluetooth-Portable-Speaker/dp/B001CK5XEA/ref=pd_cp_cps_2 but there quite a few out there that are better and better priced now.

[Ron Padilla]

I have several on my phone but I cant say if they work or not, as I have not used any yet. I found them on the android store for free, and have looked at the blue tooth speakers as well, what you need to keep in mind is that with the blue tooth you are limited to 30 feet in distance, it might be worth a shot. I did go out in the back one night not long ago and tried the yote calls and it did get all the farm dogs way off in the distance to start barking and carrying on so who knows?!

[TMF]

I honestly haven't seen any success with this as most deer I have taken have been in the same area without the need for calls.

Heh, well I would think that you wouldn't see too many deer using predator calls.


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[Omega]

Heh, well I would think that you wouldn't see too many deer using predator calls.


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Yea, I can see where you got this. But the same setup can be used for coyotes, deer, crows etc. I have recorded calls for upteen different things. I also got this cat toy that has this wiggle ball and a furry tail which I plan on using on a boxed in surface, so the ball stays in it, to try and get a few yotes in this year. The tech is the same, a call a decoy and a gun.

[Luke E.]

Ok, I have some info on this as I have tried it before.  First, I saved many calls as MP3 on my old Iphone that I kept for the music only.  I got a Motorola Bluetooth speaker and set it up to where I could still "see" it and I play the calls from the Iphone.  With the Iphone, you can make a playlist of calls to loop with a recorded "silence" mp3 to give it time between calls.  I honestly haven't seen any success with this as most deer I have taken have been in the same area without the need for calls.  But I don't see why it can't work, specially if you put out a doe decoy and put the speaker on or near it.

 

I used this one: http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-MOTOROKR-Bluetooth-Portable-Speaker/dp/B001CK5XEA/ref=pd_cp_cps_2 but there quite a few out there that are better and better priced now.

 

 I might would remove that comment just in case there happen to be any TWRA agents that cruise through here. Unless something has changed in the last handful of years, it is very much illegal to hunt deer using any sort of electronic call in TN. I haven't checked the regs regarding this in recent years but I was thinking of rigging up an electronic call for deer 5-6yrs ago and the law was very clear. There's an outside chance that i'm remembering this from Florida but I don't think so.

[TMF]

I might would remove that comment just in case there happen to be any TWRA agents that cruise through here. Unless something has changed in the last handful of years, it is very much illegal to hunt deer using any sort of electronic call in TN. I haven't checked the regs regarding this in recent years but I was thinking of rigging up an electronic call for deer 5-6yrs ago and the law was very clear. There's an outside chance that i'm remembering this from Florida but I don't think so.

It is illegal in Florida for deer and other game. Appears not to be for coyote and gator. Primary reason I was looking for a call was to test out on gator in my family's swampland in prep for the tag I hope to pull next year. Can't seem to find an app with a selection of baby gator calls.


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[Luke E.]

It is illegal in Florida for deer and other game. Appears not to be for coyote and gator. Primary reason I was looking for a call was to test out on gator in my family's swampland in prep for the tag I hope to pull next year. Can't seem to find an app with a selection of baby gator calls.


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I was talking about Omega using electronics to call deer in particular. I never thought about an electronic call for gators though. I don't know why it wouldn't work so long a relevant sound for the time is used. What area of Florida is your family in? I've got family scattered all over Florida.

[Omega]

I might would remove that comment just in case there happen to be any TWRA agents that cruise through here. Unless something has changed in the last handful of years, it is very much illegal to hunt deer using any sort of electronic call in TN. I haven't checked the regs regarding this in recent years but I was thinking of rigging up an electronic call for deer 5-6yrs ago and the law was very clear. There's an outside chance that i'm remembering this from Florida but I don't think so.

According to the 2014 regs:"Electronic calls or live decoys while hunting wild turkey, foxes and waterfowl (except electronic calls are legal during the Conservation Season for Blue, Snow and Ross’ geese)."

But like I stated, I have not needed to use it. All I did was a proof of concept, but it should work like any other call.

[Wingshooter]

Huh, I learned something. I thought it was illegal for deer also, but....


From the TWRA FAQ page:

Is it legal to use an electronic call to hunt coyotes?
Yes. It is legal to use an electronic call (during daylight hours only) for all game species except for fox, wild turkey, and waterfowl.
http://www.tn.gov/twra/faqmain.html

[Luke E.]

According to the 2014 regs:"Electronic calls or live decoys while hunting wild turkey, foxes and waterfowl (except electronic calls are legal during the Conservation Season for Blue, Snow and Ross’ geese)."

But like I stated, I have not needed to use it. All I did was a proof of concept, but it should work like any other call.

 

 I was just giving a heads up. I know that I should but I do not read through the current reg booklet each year but I know that most others don't either. I would hate to see someone get in trouble for something they didn't even realize was illegal in the first place. 

[Luke E.]

Huh, I learned something. I thought it was illegal for deer also, but....


From the TWRA FAQ page:

Is it legal to use an electronic call to hunt coyotes?
Yes. It is legal to use an electronic call (during daylight hours only) for all game species except for fox, wild turkey, and waterfowl.
http://www.tn.gov/twra/faqmain.html

 

 

 I would almost swear that it used to be illegal for deer too. Of course I've been wrong before ;)

[Omega]

I was just giving a heads up. I know that I should but I do not read through the current reg booklet each year but I know that most others don't either. I would hate to see someone get in trouble for something they didn't even realize was illegal in the first place.

And I for one appreciate it, it at least brings up the subject so someone can shed some light on the truth.
And as an aside, I believe this has only recently changed as I believe it used to be illegal for deer. But when I seen electronic calls sold at Grandpa's, a local sporting good store, I checked the regs.

[TMF]

I was talking about Omega using electronics to call deer in particular. I never thought about an electronic call for gators though. I don't know why it wouldn't work so long a relevant sound for the time is used. What area of Florida is your family in? I've got family scattered all over Florida.

Gulf coast (rural) and Ocala forest. I used to live on a lake in the Ocala forest with attached swampland/marshland. I'd go out there in a row boat as a kid and fish bluegill. Used to call gator using a baby call and it would work pretty well to get them close, depending on the time of day. I've seen a few videos of guys who pulled tags doing hunts with baby gator calls on a boombox. I guess it's legal to do, or else the guide wouldn't do it and post it to his channel.


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[Luke E.]

And I for one appreciate it, it at least brings up the subject so someone can shed some light on the truth.
And as an aside, I believe this has only recently changed as I believe it used to be illegal for deer. But when I seen electronic calls sold at Grandpa's, a local sporting good store, I checked the regs.

Yep, I'm glad it came up too. Even if I was wrong ha. The bad thing about it is that now I'm feeling the urge to experiment with it some. Like you, most of the places I hunt, I have no problems getting the deer to just walk in. I might be interesting to try to bring an "end of the rut" buck within range in the woods if he has decided that he going to be mostly nocturnal otherwise.

[Luke E.]

Gulf coast (rural) and Ocala forest. I used to live on a lake in the Ocala forest with attached swampland/marshland. I'd go out there in a row boat as a kid and fish bluegill. Used to call gator using a baby call and it would work pretty well to get them close, depending on the time of day. I've seen a few videos of guys who pulled tags doing hunts with baby gator calls on a boombox. I guess it's legal to do, or else the guide wouldn't do it and post it to his channel.


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My dad has a place in Suwannee (RURAL). It's a very small fishing community on the gulf where the Suwannee River spills into the Gulf about 30 miles straight out form Old Town. I love the Ocala area! I lived over in Daytona while I was going to school and would find myself driving through Ocala National Forrest pretty regular on the weekends. Plenty of gators through that part of the state.

[TMF]

My dad has a place in Suwannee (RURAL). It's a very small fishing community on the gulf where the Suwannee River spills into the Gulf about 30 miles straight out form Old Town. I love the Ocala area! I lived over in Daytona while I was going to school and would find myself driving through Ocala National Forrest pretty regular on the weekends. Plenty of gators through that part of the state.

I do miss it. My parents live off several thousand acres of marshland south of the Ocala forest now. They have hogs, deer and bear on their trail cam regularly, since the area they're at isn't hunted. I'm going to be taking some hogs there in late Nov/early December, and will be using electronic calls on gator to see how effective it is. I'm hoping to perfect it before potentially going on a hunt next year.


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[Luke E.]

I do miss it. My parents live off several thousand acres of marshland south of the Ocala forest now. They have hogs, deer and bear on their trail cam regularly, since the area they're at isn't hunted. I'm going to be taking some hogs there in late Nov/early December, and will be using electronic calls on gator to see how effective it is. I'm hoping to perfect it before potentially going on a hunt next year.


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Well if you need some help killing some hogs let me know. I've been trying to find some private land to hunt them on in that area. Been looking to make a trip to do some hog hunting and get out in the boat for redfish and speckled trout. I hope you're able to get your gator tag!!

[TMF]

Heck, I've got hogs in the conservation area behind my house outside Tampa. There's a few acres of banana trees in a canopied area that they root up. Seems like it's fresh every time I go back there to pick. I'm planning on putting out a trap, but I've been debating on running it past the HOA or just begging for forgiveness if they have an issue with it. If I get more than one I'll be giving meat away.


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[10-Ring]

 I also got this cat toy that has this wiggle ball and a furry tail which I plan on using on a boxed in surface, so the ball stays in it, to try and get a few yotes in this year.

 

Take it apart to where you can mount it on a 3 foot wooden stake.  Just put the stake in the ground in front of where you set up.

[SupaRice]

I've used a Bluetooth speaker of decent quality and my phone to call in crows.... Worked pretty good on them... Not sure about Mr Wiley. I've got a Turbo Dogg for him.

[10-Ring]

Bought an electronic call once that had some crow calls on it.  I took it home and managed to get 3 crows right off the bat.  I lived at that house for another 2+ years and never once even got a crow in range with that call again.  They would check it out but wouldn't get close.  Some decoys would have probably done the trick.