The New Huntmastersbbs!: what is your favorite howler

This is topic what is your favorite howler in forum Calls and Gear forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://www.huntmastersbbs.com/cgi-bin/cgi-ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000166

Posted by bigben (Member # 864) on June 21, 2006, 06:31 AM:

and why is it your favorite. is it the sound. the ease of use. I think my favorite production howler is the power howler mainly because of the sound. my favorite wood howler would be ernie wilsons great looking wood and is very loud. and my only horn howler is from critrbuster it is also loud and has a distinct sound to it. I have a few other ones but I believe that these will be put in the vest every time I go out.

Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 21, 2006, 07:36 AM:

Hey Ben. My favorite howler is a black polished cow horn with cast chromium cobalt overlays built around a Power Howler voice. Sounds great and looks great. Now ask Lance what his favorite is.
(muffled giggle)

Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on June 21, 2006, 07:51 AM:

I favor cow horn howlers with an open reed. They are strong, reliable and get the job done.

Posted by UTcaller (Member # 8) on June 21, 2006, 08:50 AM:

For the most authentic sound quality i'd take my "Higgins" howler any day.For Volume to get the sound way out there I use my trusty old Sceery Howler,or my Crit'r call Magnum.Good Hunting Chad

[ June 21, 2006, 09:09 AM: Message edited by: UTcaller ]

Posted by pup (Member # 90) on June 21, 2006, 09:12 AM:

I like to use my "Higgin's" howler, and I also use my "Sly pup" howler from Haydel's.

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 21, 2006, 09:21 AM:

I have one of those "black polished cow horn with cast chromium cobalt overlays" and it's difficult to compare with an open reed howler. The possible sounds are more mellow and subtle than what you usually get from an open reed. It's like the difference between a trombone and a french horn.

So, the power howler fits in a different catagory. Other howlers are usually much louder and dare I say just as effective? It's the kind of thing that is more subjective than objective.

Actually, for loudness and easy to blow, I have always liked my Johnny Stewart howler. Except the bulk.

The worst feature of a Higgins Howler is the fear of losing it. I'm not a lanyard man, so the shape is custom made to fall out of a pocket just as easily as it slips in.

Good hunting. LB

Higgins demos a howler at the campout

Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on June 21, 2006, 09:36 AM:

"The worst feature of a Higgins Howler is the fear of losing it."

I've gone back for mine a couple of times. Same situations, I've left half a dozen Critrcalls laying around the countryside, a couple butt pads, one pair of shooting sticks and I forget what all else. But not my Higgins howler. I'll always go back for it.

- DAA

Posted by Hawkeye (Member # 216) on June 21, 2006, 02:40 PM:

My Zepps 1080 because its very easy and the only open reed call that I have.

Posted by bigben (Member # 864) on June 21, 2006, 03:23 PM:

I here ya on the higgins howlers. but I am gonna make my own ELK horn howler. I have a awesome looking chocolate horn for it. just need to get enough gumption to do it this weekend.

Uh did lance get his yet?

Posted by bigben (Member # 864) on June 21, 2006, 03:46 PM:

here is a picture of both horns I am going to try. the chocolate horn is going on a elk power howler mouth piece. the other one has a unique shape to it and will probably be a open reed howler.

Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on June 21, 2006, 03:57 PM:

"Uh did lance get his yet?"
-------------
No but he will someday. [Wink]

Posted by bigben (Member # 864) on June 21, 2006, 04:10 PM:

well atleast he will get one someday. I here you need to be a very good friend to recieve one. I even read bribing can be effective at certian times.

Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 21, 2006, 06:41 PM:

I sure would like to video some called coyotes in south central Pa. [Smile]

Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on June 21, 2006, 07:04 PM:

I don't have a favorite howler, i use what howlers i have for different situations. The one's i use the most are Yote buster, Johny stewart,power howler, couple of Bill Austins, and this year i willbe useing a Cronk howler. They all have good sound and pretty easey to use.

Posted by sparkyibewlocal440 (Member # 397) on June 21, 2006, 09:10 PM:

Dan Thompson's Red Desert Howler

Posted by brad h (Member # 57) on June 21, 2006, 10:00 PM:

I use lots of different howlers myself but as a callmaker I follow Rich Cronks open reed style. I sure like a mirrored finish though, (Higgins' Howlers) and I like chrome. That may go against some coyote calling philosophies, but I have a weakness meticulously finished call and a nice shine.

As far as operation, I haven't tried the band style yet so I have no opinion, but from what I've heard they do sound more like a coyote.

I like my howlers to go from medium pitched to ear piercing high. Just a preference thing.

Brad

Posted by bigben (Member # 864) on June 22, 2006, 04:00 AM:

come on up then.

Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on June 22, 2006, 05:37 AM:

Brad,

I love chrome too, sure wish I could have a howler with chrome!

But I guess my favorite howler is the horn howler I got from Rich Cronk several years ago.

Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 22, 2006, 07:04 AM:

Tim, I am presently working on your's. It will be finished in time to take to the ATA convention.
Golly Tim, maybe you could volunteer as a judge for the calling contest that I entered and I could present you with your howler AFTER the competition? [Big Grin]

Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on June 22, 2006, 08:07 AM:

Rich, is that convention the one being held in Globe the end of July?

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 22, 2006, 10:06 AM:

It's just a pity that there are still Huntmaster members out there that have yet to receive their Higgin's Howler, and Cronk Horn Howler? Before we worry about those starving pigmy's in Africa, let us take care of our own! It's the right thing to do.

Good hunting. LB

Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on June 22, 2006, 11:40 AM:

I have a number of custom and production howlers and they all work, some better than others. My two most often used are a dandy custom Brad Holzer mini cedar howler, and a production ELK Power Howler. Both are compact and fit so nice into a pocket or around my neck.

Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 22, 2006, 12:04 PM:

Tom, that's it. July 29,30,31. Vern Howey will be there.

Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on June 22, 2006, 12:31 PM:

When calling I always take a couple different howlers with me. Sometimes it seems to make a difference, sometimes not. I have a number of TR’s horn howlers, and of course, my Cronk. I have some plastic howlers, too. The CritR-Call Magnum, which works well, Lohman (ehh!), and a Sceery howler, which is just too big. I also have an E.L.K. PH, which I have sent in for upgrade. [Big Grin]

Rich, I may try to make it down there. Sounds like fun. What do you think of Howey's calling video? I haven't seen it yet.

[ June 22, 2006, 12:38 PM: Message edited by: NASA ]

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 22, 2006, 12:55 PM:

Tom, I have seen every one of Higgin's videos. Vern Howey might be a great guy with vast predator hunting experience, but that was the most boring hunting video I have ever watched, bar none. I'd rather watch a chess tournament, or Senate debate; more exciting action.

Good hunting. LB

Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on June 22, 2006, 01:33 PM:

"and Cronk Horn Howler?"
--------
You don't have one yet Leonard?

Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on June 22, 2006, 01:39 PM:

Professor Higgins; I have an offer to present to you. As you well know, Im just not sophisticated enough,nor skilled enough, in the use of howlers to put one to good use. But, I would love to have a premier example to adorn my "man room". I collect knives,hunting knives to be exact, most of which will never see blood, they are just fine examples of custom cutlery,that give me pride in ownership. You make me a nice howler,that I can hang in the gun room,and I;ll send you a nice knife, that you can sit on a shelf and look at....or slit hide and get bloody if you so choose:).....we got a deal?

Posted by bigben (Member # 864) on June 22, 2006, 03:10 PM:

well I got enough gumption to do it last night. here is the finished product. It will get a hand braided laynard and then it will be finished. Not as pretty as the higgins howlers but still functional. I figured this way I do not mind if it gets ran over or hurt in any way.

Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on June 22, 2006, 03:32 PM:

Nice job! I wish I were so talented. Clever people here. [Big Grin]

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 22, 2006, 04:12 PM:

If that's an offer?

No, I'm sorry to say that I don't own a Rich Cronk Howler, but I would like to have one. (signed, of course)

I'm not a wealthy man but let me know when and where to send the money.

Oh yeah, with instructions. [Smile]

Good hunting. LB

Posted by Greenside (Member # 10) on June 23, 2006, 06:29 AM:

Mostly use the Crit'r call songdog with the crit'r call megaphone(made by Carlton)

Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on June 23, 2006, 04:25 PM:

Leonard,
I am working on a dingo howler for a caller in Australia. While working on that one today, I was thinking about your new howler also. You mentioned that you don't care for lanyards. How about an open reed model with a reed protector that wedges on over the mouthpiece?

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on June 23, 2006, 04:38 PM:

Rich, I'd love it. If it calls Dingos, I want one!

Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on June 23, 2006, 05:00 PM:

Leonard,
Here is a photo of what my first attempt at building a dingo howler looks like right now. It will look somewhat different once the Cronk name is highlighted in black, and a leather neck strap added.

Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on June 23, 2006, 06:21 PM:

Vic, send me your Email address, pleaes.

Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on June 26, 2006, 06:43 PM:

Richard Cronk: i got the screemer in the mail today. It has a great sound , job well done. This call well get used alot this season.
Thanks Tim A.

Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on June 27, 2006, 05:58 AM:

TA17Rem ,
That little call is different now ain't it? Simple but effective.

Posted by bigben (Member # 864) on July 05, 2006, 02:59 PM:

well here is number two. I designed the reed bridge and I had a little help from dave dunbar and al (the hunted one). thanks fellas.

Posted by Locohead (Member # 15) on July 05, 2006, 11:47 PM:

Big Ben, Great looking calls! [Smile]

Best of luck calling critters!

Posted by bigben (Member # 864) on July 10, 2006, 12:02 PM:

here is a sound clip it sounds deeper then it really is mainly because I am covering the end with my paw so it doesn't distort the microphone and speakers.

Click here to watch first-yote-howl

my rendition of a challange howl. let me know what some of you fellas think about em if something needs changed in how I make the series let me know. still learning yet.

Click here to watch challange-howl

Posted by PAyotehunter (Member # 764) on July 24, 2006, 08:54 PM:

quote:
I sure would like to video some called coyotes in south central Pa.

Rich H,
I have a cabin in northeast PA(Pike county) your welcome to stay at and hunt out of free of charge.

Posted by PAyotehunter (Member # 764) on July 24, 2006, 09:04 PM:

Oh yeah favorite howler.
I really don't have a favorite. Anymore I just grab one that I made.

Posted by bajabug (Member # 919) on August 14, 2006, 02:08 AM:

My favorite Howler (and only one) is a cow horn howler by Rich Cronk. Great sound, and very nice to look at. I know I'm going against the grain on this site.

Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on August 14, 2006, 06:31 AM:

This site has grain????

All of this time I thought that we were operating on the chaos theory.

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on August 14, 2006, 09:28 AM:

baja, don't be confused.

Rich and Rich have been trading reparte' for years. Always good for a chuckle.

No favorites on HM, no ads or sponsers; every one is encouraged to show their stuff.

You are not against the grain to own and use a Cronk howler. I wouldn't mind owning one, myself?

Good hunting. LB

Posted by brad h (Member # 57) on August 14, 2006, 09:59 AM:

To add some variety, here's one of my latest with a custom Reese lanyard.

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on August 14, 2006, 10:20 AM:

Wow, Brad! Nice looking howler....I think you have access to a lathe?

Also, looks good, plugged into the "charger". [Smile]

Good hunting. LB

Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on August 15, 2006, 05:28 AM:

Very unique and very classy looking howler Brad.

- DAA

Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on August 15, 2006, 06:55 AM:

Brad, that is absolutely beautiful. Was the metal work machined or cast?

Posted by canine (Member # 687) on August 15, 2006, 07:01 AM:

Hey Brad, is that what my cow tip call is goin to look like?? LOL

That thing is a beauty!!!!

For the original question at hand...
My favorite howler is a Kee's custom cow horn.

JD

[ August 15, 2006, 07:02 AM: Message edited by: canine ]

Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on August 15, 2006, 07:09 AM:

Baja, I have a couple of Crank Howlers also.
I pull one of them out from under the door every New Years Eve and use it.
I retired the other to a place of honor when I quit hunting ducks.

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on August 15, 2006, 07:33 AM:

It's probably not well known, but Higgins once told me that the main use of his Cronker is for filling his Magic Mist bottle.....

No, that ain't right. Lord, forgive me and remember those pigmies in Africa.

Good hunting. LB

PS, I also heard that the guy that bought that Higgin's howler on ebay is using it mainly as fashion jewelry.

Posted by brad h (Member # 57) on August 15, 2006, 08:24 AM:

That’s individually machined aluminum, Rich.

It won’t quite look like that one JD, but close. I’ve been kicking an idea like that around though.

I go back and forth between the lathe and working horns. It keeps my concentration and interest balanced.

Brad

Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on August 15, 2006, 10:55 AM:

You guys all do awesome work. I would be afraid to hunt with one of those for fear of putting a ding or scratch on it or getting it dusty.

Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on August 15, 2006, 07:03 PM:

I just got a new howler. Thanks to Mr. Higgins!! [Cool]

Havent got to use it much yet, but from what I have tried, it sounds great and makes some fantastic distress sounds to boot!!

And, on top of everything functional, its absolutely beautiful.

Thanks a bundle Rich. Soon as I figger out how to post pics on here, Ill take a couple and put em up!!

Posted by bearmanric (Member # 223) on August 18, 2006, 06:48 PM:

Here are a few Howler's i just finished. i think they sound great. my favorate howler would have to be Brad H Howler's. next to mine i have a couple cronk's. but i like younger coyote sound's. cow horn,springbok and Elk. Rick

[ August 18, 2006, 06:49 PM: Message edited by: bearmanric ]

Posted by smithers (Member # 646) on August 19, 2006, 08:23 AM:

Bearman, that springbok sho nuff is fancy. what is the weight like compared to cow or buffalo horn? is it heavier or lighter? how thick is it? thanks, chris

Posted by bearmanric (Member # 223) on August 20, 2006, 07:22 AM:

lighter or the same. it's thick at the toneboard's it's as thick as the cowhorn. sound's real good to me. Rick

Posted by PAyotehunter (Member # 764) on August 20, 2006, 08:48 AM:

I started making cow horn howlers last year. They are not a fancy as the ones on here but they work good. Brad H answered a few questions for me when I was starting, Thanks again Brad.
Here is a pic of some.

I liked making horn howlers so much I bought a lathe. I got it 5 or 6 months ago but just started turning calls five days ago.
Here is a few pics of what I made so far.
They are in order, the 1st one I made on the left and the last one I made on the right.

Posted by brad h (Member # 57) on August 23, 2006, 05:37 PM:

The calls are looking pretty sharp, PA. Looks like you're well on your way.

That multi colored blood shot horn in the top pic ought to make someone quite a trophy. A rare find indeed.

Brad

Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on August 23, 2006, 06:54 PM:

Brad, that one caught my eye also.
Bearmanric's work just gats better. This weekend I will post pics of all the terrific calls that he and his friends donated to the Az. State Calling Championship. I was really impressed by the artistry these calls exhibited.

Posted by PAyotehunter (Member # 764) on August 29, 2006, 06:05 PM:

Thanks Brad.
Yeah that horn is the best I had so far. When I went to get more horns I saw that one and picked it up without even looking at the price, had to have it.

Posted by UTcaller (Member # 8) on September 29, 2006, 05:22 PM:

I just got a "Wiley One" Female Howler made by Jerry Hunsley(JHun)and I really like the sounds you can make with this call.Great Barks and Howls, Rabbit distress sounds,and bird distress sounds.It is a very versatile call in a lightweight very compact call.I can't wait to try it out on the real thing. [Wink]

Good Hunting Chad

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.0