9 Details About The Coyote Dog Howler From Johnny Stewart Calls

This call from Johnny Stewart Calls is designed to do it all.

And if you’ve been struggling to find a review on the Coyote Dog Howler, I’ve got you. I promise, you won’t find a more in-depth, well written review out there. And as a bonus, I added the lowest prices below.

After a few weeks of testing alongside other open-reed calls, I had the chance to really get to know this Johnny Stewart coyote call. And I found a few things I liked, and a few I didn’t.

Here’s some thoughts about this coyote call:

This Johnny Stewart Call Will Take Time To Learn

If you’re new to calling coyotes, you might want something that’s easy to learn so you can quit with the squawking and get to the shooting. I found this call to be pretty average when it came to learning different calls. Some distress calls and coyote vocalizations came easily, while others took some time.

Here’s a few thoughts for the beginner:

#1: Most Calls Will Come Quickly

Although learning how to use the Johnny Stewart Coyote Dog Howler isn’t as simple as the closed-reed Dan Thompson Weems Replica, it is relatively easy to pick up for an open-reed call.

The coyote vocalizations are easy to pick up, although learning to make the barks crisp can take some time. Rabbit-in-distress calls and fawn bleats are easy to use, and within a few minutes you’ll have the basics down.

The reed on the Coyote Dog Howler from Johnny Stewart Calls.

However, bird-in-distress calls and mouse squeaks are difficult to pick up, and it took me quite a while before I had the basics down. However, the elastic band really helps you pick up these calls, and you can slide it near the end of the reed to more easily reach those high pitches.

#2: The Coyote Dog Howler Doesn’t Come With Instructions

That’s right. The Coyote Dog Howler doesn’t come with physical instructions, which is a little bit annoying. However, Johnny Stewart Calls did decide to include some instructions on their website, which I’ve included here.

If you want to learn how to use distress calls with the Coyote Howling Dog, you’re going to need to watch some videos and experiment, as the these sounds are not included in the instructions above.

Some Small Details About This Johnny Stewart Call

Small details matter. Whether or not you can pull apart the call to clean it and if it comes with a lanyard can often make or break a piece of gear.

I know it’s a pain buying a piece of gear and finding these things out later, so I took some time to examine this call. Here’s a few small things that I think are worth pointing out:

#3: The Coyote Dog Howler Doesn’t Include A Lanyard

When a call doesn’t come with a lanyard, especially if you don’t have a custom one, it can be annoying. It means that call is going in your pocket, not around your neck. However, I did find this call from Johnny Stewart Calls small enough to slide inside a pocket.

If you do have your own lanyard, do not despair. This call includes a groove carved out just above the reed where you can attach it.

#4: The Horn Detaches Easily

This is a nice feature if you’re looking to make clear distress sounds, or imitate multiple different coyotes. Simply pull the horn, and it will slide from the mouth piece. To replace it, simply reverse the process.

The inside of this call with the bell detached.

#5: This Johnny Stewart Call Comes With A Spare Reed

If you’re worried about bending or breaking the reed on your call, no worries. It comes with a spare that sits conveniently between the bell and the mouth piece in a small zip-lock.

An extra reed for the Johnny Stewart Coyote Dog Howler call.

Replacing the reed is a fairly easy process. Simply remove the horn from the call, use a small tool (like a screwdriver) to push out the reed block, and slide in the new reed while putting the block back in place.

#6: The Mouthpiece Is Grooved

This is nice when you’re learning to position your lips for different calls, as you can easily feel your way around the reed. It also helps that the call comes with a band, that slides into the grooves and can help you keep a constant tone.

This Johnny Stewart Call’s Practical Side

You might not care about grooved mouthpieces or spare reeds. In fact, you might not even care if the call is neon green. I figure you probably want to know whether the call sounds good and if it’ll last.

Here’s a few thoughts about this Johnny Stewart coyote call’s practicality:

#7: This Call Sounds Pretty Average

The Johnny Stewart Coyote Dog Howler sounds pretty average. The howls sound good, but aren’t quite as smooth as the Zepp’s Kill Pole or the Crit’r Call Standard. Other coyote vocalizations are mediocre, but definitely work.

The Johnny Stewart Coyote Dog Howler in my hand over some grass.

Distress calls sound alright. The rabbit-in-distress calls aren’t nearly as raspy as some of the closed reed calls I tried, and the fawn bleats sound like they would with most other open-reed calls.

In addition, the call isn’t quite as loud as other calls that come with a large horn. It would still work fine on a windy day, and the distress calls aren’t terribly fuzzy when using the horn, so you won’t need to worry about bringing a backup call.

#8: The Call Has Some Variety

This Johnny Stewart coyote call is an open reed call, meaning it can handle some variety. Although some calls are hard to make, due to the wider reed, it can still handle all of your coyote vocalizations and distress calls.

You can remove the horn while howling to simulate different coyotes, and the pitch can be easily changed to imitate males or females. This call can also make rabbit, bird, mouse, and fawn distress calls, although the higher pitched sounds often pose a little more difficulty.

#9: This Call Seems A Little Cheap

The call, although sturdy, does feature some pretty cheap construction that I can’t see lasting long. The horn, and the mouthpiece that surrounds it, bend easily, and a fat butt or a heavy pack could definitely leave them permanently bent or broken.

The reed itself is not well protected, and could be easily bent in a pocket. I also worry that the band could be easily worn down and broken with constant adjusting.

Concluding Thoughts On This Johnny Stewart Call

The Johnny Stewart Coyote Dog Howler is pretty average. It’s can handle everything that most other open-reed calls do, but it wouldn’t be my top pick in the field. However, it can still get the job done.

Overall, I’d recommend something like the Crit’r Call Standard over this Johnny Stewart coyote call. If you’re still interested in this call, I’ve included the lowest prices below. Please let me know if you have anything to add in the comments.