If you’ve ever gone coyote hunting, you know the frustration.

They’re wily creatures, appearing from thin air in an instant, and gone just as fast.

You can’t hunt them like other creatures. No “spot and stalk” hunting, and they’ll smell you out before you can bust em’ walking.

No, you have to “speak” to them.

You have to call them in. And to do that you need a good coyote call.

After a few outings looking for coyotes, I decided I needed a good mouth call. That’s when I first discovered the Primos Hot Dog. After having used it for a few years now, here’s my take on Primos’s “Truth Tested” coyote call.

For The Beginner

Learning how to call can be fun. Aaannnddd it can be extremely frustrating.

You’re ready to learn how to call in coyotes, only to hear yourself squawk. At that point, you’re thinking of calling it quits, you probably scared off any dogs in the area, and mastering a call seems like it will take way more practice than you thought.

Lucky for you, learning how to use the Primos Hot Dog is simple and straightforward.

#1: It’s Easy to Learn

When I bought the Primos Hot Dog, I was new to coyote hunting. Most of what I had done was drive around in a truck and find a couple in a field. After some searching around online I came across the Hot Dog, a call highly recommended by Primos.

I picked one up, watched the included DVD, and immediately began practicing. Within a day I was able to successfully imitate a jackrabbit in distress. Within the week I was able to imitate coyote howls and barks.

If you’re new to coyote hunting, this call is easy to pick up. It comes with an easy to understand instructional DVD teaching you different calls and when to use them.

The side of the mouthpiece is also marked with letters A-D, making it easier to know where to place your lips for different calls.

#2: A Few Difficulties

The only real difficulty I had while beginning was learning to use the horn while howling and learning to keep the reed dry.

With the horn attached I couldn’t seem to get the right sound, but I eventually learned to detach it just enough to allow good howls while still getting that amplified sound.

When I began, I also thought keeping that reed wet was a good thing.

Lots of spit.

But that only gummed it up and caused it to stick to the mouthpiece.

Keep that reed dry my friends, keep it dry.

#3: It’s Inexpensive

If you’re new to the game, you probably don’t want to drop $200 or more on an electronic caller. Who knows, maybe your friend invited you out for the weekend, and you’re not really seeing what all the hype is about.

But you still want to give it a go, and you’re buddy won’t let you slobber up any of his expensive custom callers.

No worries my friend.

The Primos Hot Dog won’t break the bank. In fact, it’s only $18.99 on Amazon right now. Want to see for yourself, just click here. Seriously though, that’s penny change, and you won’t find a more versatile, quality call on the market for that price.

For the “Practical” Hunter

So maybe you’re not a beginner. You’ve learned how to call in coyotes, and you’re just looking to expand your arsenal.

You’re probably wondering if the Hot Dog actually gives of high quality calls, or just gets the job done?

If it can handle just a few simple sounds, or if it can take on a wide variety of howls, barks, and distress calls?

And whether or not the call will snap in half the first time you drop it?

Here’s a few thoughts on some of these questions.

#4: It’s Versatile

The variety you can take on with the Primos Hot Dog is impressive.

Distress calls of birds, cottontails, jackrabbits, pups, fawns, and deer, as well as locator howls.

The larger reed allows you to easily create different howls, deeper or higher, and the horn can be removed and replaced while howling to simulate different coyotes.

And because it’s a mouth call you can control the frequency and intensity of calls.

#5: Quality Calls

This call can make quality, smooth howls with a little practice.

Just as I mentioned above, if you decide to use the horn, there is a dead spot in the middle of the reed. However, by pulling the horn off the mouthpiece ever so slightly, you can eliminate that dead spot, and begin producing quality howls once again.

The distress calls also sound great. The jackrabbit and cottontail in distress sounds are loud, raspy, and sound legit.

However, I have found it difficult to produce any quality bird calls.

#6: It’s Loud

Seriously, like ear-ringing loud.

While hunting in the mountains of Southern Idaho, I finished calling and started to move to my next chosen location. On the road, I cut tracks about a mile up. This coyote had come from even further up the canyon, and ran all the way to within 20 yards of me.

This call is easily loud enough to bring in dogs from a distance.

#7: It’s Durable

I’ve owned this call for five years now.

I’ve shoved it into backpacks, glove boxes, and pockets. I’ve used this call in rocks, brush, and timber. Both the horn and mouthpiece are made from durable plastic and after extensive use, I’ve only seen a few scratches. No chipped plastic, and the lanyard loops are still intact.

The only weak spot on this call is the reed. It doesn’t come with any form of protective casing, so when moving it around I make sure not to bend it.

This calls tough. Seriously, you don’t need to worry about beating it up. You’ll probably lose it before you need another one.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran, this is one of the best coyote mouth calls you can find.

If you’re just starting to get into the coyote hunting world, you’d be a fool not to buy a Primos Hot Dog. It’s easy to learn. It’s inexpensive. And it’s versatile enough to grow into.

If you’re a pro, you’d be missing an essential. It’s got every call you’ll ever need. It’s tough. And it sounds great. Even if you prefer another call, throw it in you’re glove box or keep it as a spare.

The Primos Hot Dog will be a solid contender in the world of predator calls for years to come. What are you waiting for? Pick one up here and get out there and call in some dogs.

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Looking for one of hunting’s best coyote calls, the Primos Hot Dog? Check it out on Amazon with the link below.

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