I've decided I want to purchase an electronic caller for varmints in the "off season" to better develop my hunting skills. I've done a lot of varmint "shooting" (shooting coons from pecan orchard) but not much varmint "hunting" (I.E. something with skill involved)

I've got a few hand calls which I've used in the past, but I've never been able to call one in. I've always gotten great responses from the coyotes, but never had one take the bait.

Ideally, I'd like something that takes the learning curve out of the calling aspect, and I believe the electronic caller is the way to do that.

I have done a bit of research and I think I'm going to go with a Foxpro Spitfire. I understand that they are new, and as such have had some problems, however the latest version (V5) is suppose to have worked out pretty much all of the bugs. I also hear great things about Foxpro customer support so that's comforting.

I was wondering if any of you guys had experience with Foxpro callers, more specifically the Spitfire, and if you could offer any advise?

If I pull the trigger on this call it comes with 24 calls of my choosing, any suggestions for what calls to preload if I'm planning on going after coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and crows?

Me and a buddy were thinkin bout buyin a foxpro, but we figured its alot cheaper just get free downloaded calls off the internet and put them onto an ipod and just plug it into a speaker.

I agree, however it's just not the same. I'd prefer not to have to run a wire to a speaker 50 yards away, and secondly it's difficult to get much sound out of a non-amplified speaker thats powered solely off an IPOD.

Anyone out there using an e-caller that can give some advice?

We use a fox pro. Worked yesterday 3 out of the 8 stands. We basically use cottontail, jackrabbit, pup in distress, and woodpecker. Switch the sound about every 7 to 8 minutes for 20 minutes of calling.

Get some good rechargeable batteries!

Well, I just ordered a Foxpro Spitfire from apcalls.com. I know there have been problems with the earlier revisions, so I wanted to order from their highest volume dealer to ensure I wasn't getting an order model that had sat on the shelf for a while. I'm not sure when it's going to be here as they claim it's backorder, at least on their website.

I'll give you guys the "low budget review" with pictures when I get it in.

I'm excited!

Hey Mike, I havent gotten to use the spitfire yet, but I did get to play with one this week in Vegas at the SHOT show. I think you are gonna be happy with it. It has plenty of sounds and volume for a really good price. Let us know what you think. Jeff

TTT

Well, mine is scheduled to be here on Friday. I'm taking it down to my family's place this weekend with my 30-06. I'll let you guys know how it goes!

you can get a 9volt amp at Radio Shack for about $12, adds plenty of volume. However, I think its my speaker that kinda sucks.

Mike, How did it work? Inquiring minds want to know.

JDS,

The caller is pretty good. I'd like it to be "a little" louder, but I suspect it will get the job done. I'm also a total newbie when it comes to predator hunting, so it's hard to know what "too loud is". It's got about a 1-2 second delay between sending the command from the remote, and before the caller processes the request, so it's relatively responsive.

I didn't get anything, but I don't blame the caller for that. The build quality is what I would expect, and the sound quality is pretty good. It's difficult to judge quality unless you're dealing with a "known sound", and for me, I know what baby angora goats in distress sound like. This one sounds pretty darn close.

I'd say it's worth $200.