Created in 1976, the crit’r call standard is a unique call that has inspired predator hunters across the world like Mark Zepp.
It’s a pain looking for the most diverse call you can find on the market, and one that doesn’t seriously lack in certain areas. So let me help you out my friend. After a few weeks of testing, alongside other calls, I am a true believer of the versatility and quality of the crit’r call.
If you’ve got questions, I’ve got answers. I promise, you won’t find a better review of the crit’r call standard out there, and I’ve included the lowest prices below.
So let’s get started, here’s a few things I think you should know:
The Crit’r Call Standard Is Awesome For Beginners
When I say awesome, I seriously mean it’s the best call for beginners I’ve come across. Easy to use and awesome instructions make the crit’r call a dream for new guys. Here’s a few more details about it’s user-friendliness:
#1: It Can Be Used At Any Experience Level
The crit’r call standard comes with a wide variety of calls on a thin-reed platform that makes it easy to master. Rabbit distress sounds come easily, and howls aren’t hard to pin down. The thinner reed makes squeaks and bird sounds easier to master than wide-reed calls, although I’d still prefer the Burnham Brothers Mini-Blaster or the Johnny Stewart PC-3.
It also transitions well as you become more experienced. Different reeds make calling more advanced and sophisticated. The wide variety of calls ensures you’re always learning something, from the simplest rabbit calls, to more experienced chicken squawks and coyote imitations.
#2: It Comes With Super-Detailed Instructions
Finally, a call with decent instructions.
The crit’r call standard comes with a small, 20 page instruction manual that includes everything from jackrabbit to wild hog calls, the best type of sound for each predator, the best reeds to use, and how to change them out.
On top of that, Major Boddicker, the call’s designer, includes a large list of calling tips on his website.
Small Details About The Crit’r Call Standard
Small things matter. Like whether or not the call will fit in your pocket, how many reeds it comes with, and whether or not you brought toilet paper to your first stand.
Here’s a few details that I noticed:
#3: You Can’t Attach The Call To A Lanyard
The crit’r call standard doesn’t come with a lanyard, which can be little annoying if you want to hang it around your neck. However, the call is plenty small, and will fit in your pocket without taking up too much room or sticking out.
This call, unlike many others I’ve tested, does not include a slot or groove you can use to attach a lanyard.
#4: It Comes With Five Different Reeds
The crit’r call comes assembled with a .010 inch reed in place, but it includes four other reeds that you can use to change the pitch of the call. These include thicker 0.015 inch reeds and thinner 0.0075 inch reeds, which can be attached by changing out the reed block and following the instructions included in the manual.
The call also comes with reed bands, a nice feature for inexperienced callers. This allows you to roll the band into certain positions and aids in maintaining specific pitches while calling.
The Crit’r Call Standard’s Practical Side
Besides training newbies and boasting a variety of reeds, what else can this call do?
If you’re worried about how it sounds, whether or not it can take on rough owners and cold days, and about the variety of calls it can make, don’t worry my friend. I’ve included a few thoughts below:
#5: This Call Sounds Great
Out of all the howlers I’ve used, the crit’r call standard is by far the smoothest. It doesn’t changes pitches in noticeable levels like the Red Desert Howler and it isn’t raspy. On top of that, changing the pitch of the howls to imitate males or females is a breeze by simply changing where you apply pressure to the reed.
The barks sound alright, and ki-yi’s and other coyote imitations sound good. The distress calls sound great as well, although they don’t quite match up to the quality of dedicated prey-in-distress calls like the Weems Replica.
Overall, the crit’r call sounds better than any other howler/distress combo call I tried.
The only downside to this call is that it lacks a bell. The calls sounds loud on a nice calm day, but as soon as things get windy, the call lacks the volume of something with a large bell, like the Zepp’s Kill Pole.
#6: This Call Is Super Diverse
The crit’r call’s description claims it is capable of 24 unique sounds, and I don’t doubt it. Every call I’ve used is quality, and the thin-reed design provides a super wide range of variety. Everything from fawn bleats, to wild hog calls, to the smoothest coyote howls is possible with the crit’r call standard.
#7: The Reed Is Vulnerable
The crit’r call’s plastic body is nearly indestructible. The interior is ribbed, providing added strength and the mouthpiece is solid.
However, the reed is vulnerable with nothing to cover or support it. On top of that, you can easily move the reed, even with the block in place, meaning you might need to frequently adjust it while out in the field.
Concluding Thoughts About The Crit’r Call Standard
If you’re looking for the most versatile, best sounding predator call on the market, you cannot go wrong with the crit’r call standard. It’s by far the favorite call I’ve used due to its wide variety of quality calls and relatively small size.
I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quality coyote call. I’ve included the lowest prices below, and if you have anything to add, please let me know in the comments!
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