Despite massive civilization and technological advancement, hunting has remained a socio-economic activity (and a sport for many people) for thousands of years. The idea of picking up a rifle and heading out into the wild to legally shoot at non-endangered animals is an exciting one, especially when you do it with friends and family.
But, we all know how large the wild can be and how easily one can lose tracks. Keeping in touch is, therefore, a necessity. And when you hunt in a forest with no mobile network coverage, a walkie talkie is your best bet.
And it’s not just about missing your way, hunting can also be quite dangerous; everyone needs to watch everyone’s back. With an earpiece on, it is easy to tell a hunting partner of danger (a lion, for instance) behind them or of a prey lurking around without alerting the said “danger” or prey.
And, even if you’re alone, a radio can keep you company. But it’s not enough to desire a two-way radio for hunting, you must know what type is best for hunting.
This post provides a review of the best walkie talkies for hunting, based on specific factors for consideration. With these, you can see what you need and why you need them.
Top 5 Best Two-Way Radios for Hunters: By Best Feature
Buyer Guide: Critical Factors to be Considered before you Select the Best Walkie Talkie for Hunting
There are several types of two-way radios for different activities. If what you need is a walkie talkie for hunting, here are some factors to look out for;
1. Design/Build Quality
When you’re out hunting, you’re probably going to come face-to-face with bad weather or tough terrains. For situations like this, you need a walkie talkie that can withstand it.
Specifically, a waterproof radio will do you lots of good, but you also need a walkie talkie connected to NOAA weather channels for alerts.
Added to these features is the need to have multiple battery options (rechargeable and replaceable), headset support for hands-free flexibility and silent communication, as well as an animal call feature that some two way radios have to attract prey to you.
2. Range
Another important factor you cannot ignore on a hunting trip is reach. How far apart can you be from your team and still be able to reach them? So, range is one factor you must consider before you decide on a walkie talkie for hunting.
Some walkie talkies have a maximum range up to 36 miles (without obstacles). All you need to know is that with a clear range of around 5 miles, you’re good to go. So, a 36-mile two-way radio should be able to get you that far regardless of trees and thick bushes.
3. Signal Strength
When you say “watch your six” into a radio, your partner should not hear “watch your feet”. This is how important signal quality is. It may just be the difference between a successful hunting adventure and a terrible experience.
So, the next time you shop for a walkie talkie for hunting, ensure you look out for signal strength. What is the frequency power (in watt)? How many channels does it have access to? Can it connect to both FRS and GMRS? These are just a few boxes you have to tick.
4. Battery Life
It is very unlikely that you’ll find a spot to charge your device in the wild, except there are forest guard stations, weather sub-stations or even camp houses where you hunt (with a power source of course).
Therefore, you should consider a two way radio with long-lasting batteries, as well as a radio that provides options for both rechargeable NiMH batteries and replaceable AA batteries. This way, you can always switch batteries to cater to your long hours out in the wild.
5. Charging Requirements
Apart from battery life, the type of charger or charging cable your two-way radio has is another important factor. A USB charger is often preferred because it is almost universal and compatible with many charging sources.
6. Price
Price is certainly a factor to consider. You need to be able to afford the walkie talkie you use without breaking a sweat (or the bank for that matter). Always remember that the best is not necessarily the most expensive.
You’ll do yourself a lot of good if you can get good quality at a very reasonable price. However, affordability is relative, so be sure not to compromise quality for the price.
Top 5 Best Two-Way Radios for Hunting
1. Midland GXT1000VP4 Walkie Talkie
Best For: Value for Money
Midland has been in the business of manufacturing walkie talkies for quite a while, and they have grown to become one of the truly impressive leaders in the industry. The GXT1000VP4 doesn’t disappoint as well. It is a truly complete package that hunters and hunting enthusiasts can truly enjoy using.
It’s amazing waterproof feature that keeps it alive even if submerged in water, its weather alert function, base charging station, multiple battery options, and a headset for silent communication all make this two way radio one of the best you can find on the market.
Great walkie talkies for hunting are hard to come by. The Midland GXT1000VP4 caps it up with unbeatable range that gives you control and amazing reach, so you don’t have to worry so much about going out of reach as you hunt.
Specifications of Midland GXT1000VP4 Walkie Talkie
- 50 GMRS Channels
- JIS4 Waterproof Protection
- 36-mile range
- 9-sensitivity eVOX levels
- About 3,124 channel options on 142 privacy codes.
- NOAA Weather Alert
- Base Charging Station
- Rechargeable and AA Battery Allowance
Pros and Cons of Midland GXT1000VP4 Walkie Talkie
Pros:
- Good range and coverage.
- 50 channels provide varied options for communication.
- Waterproof protection for bad weather.
- Good value for money.
- Weather alert to warn of impending danger.
- Can use both rechargeable and replaceable AA batteries.
Cons:
- No animal calls
- Other color options (like camo) should be considered.
2. Cobra MR HH450 Camo Walkie Talkie
Best for: Durability
The first thing you’d notice about this two way radio is its camouflage appearance (which gives the feel of a military expedition). But that is not the only thing to note when it comes to the durability of the Cobra MR HH450.
It is its strength, protection and sturdy design that makes it a great walkie talkie for hunters. It is suitable for all terrains, with its water-resistant capability second to none.
The device doesn’t just resist water (even if submerged), it actually floats on it, this also gives you maximum protection when you hunt in the snow or across lakes and streams.
There is a Vibrate feature that also prevents water from getting into the speaker. And just so you’re prepared for anything, the NOAA weather channels are at your service.
Apart from cancelling background noise, you also have a silent operation feature, which enables you to communicate with your team without alerting the prey.
Specifications of Cobra MR HH450 Camo Walkie Talkie
- Camouflage exterior design
- NOAA weather channels
- Maximum international coverage
- Replay Missed Calls feature
- Water-resistant design
- Two-power modes for recharge
- VHF Frequency
- 16 regular and 9 emergency channels
Pros and Cons of Cobra MR HH450 Camo Walkie Talkie
Pros:
- Superb waterproof feature for all weather
- Great exterior design for camouflaging.
- Ability to monitor weather
- Up to 25 channels for options.
- Good battery life, up to 20 hours.
- Up to 6-watt output power means clear communication.
- Silent operation allows for discreet communication.
Cons:
- Does not include a headset for hands-free communication.
- Relatively pricey
3. Midland GXT1050VP4 GMRS Walkie Talkie
Best for: Range
At the top of the list of specific walkie talkies for hunting are those that have Animal Call Alerts. This Midland GXT1050VP4 comes with 5 of such alerts, a technique used to attract preys in the wild. These include alerts for crows, cougars, ducks, turkeys and wolf.
Added to that is the waterproof protection which ensures your radio stays active even when water splashes. There are also multiple channels on this one and a scan feature to help monitor activities on the frequencies.
What’s more, this two-way radio offers incredible reach, up to 36 miles (in clear open areas). That translates to more than 5 miles when hunting in thick bush.
Specifications of Midland GXT1050VP4 GMRS Walkie Talkie
- 50 GMRS Channels.
- 36-mile range
- Dual battery mode.
- 142 privacy codes with 3,124 channel options.
- 5 Animal Call Alerts
- Includes Whisper Mode
- Vibrate and Call Alerts
- Includes Belt Clips
- Also contains boom mic headsets
Pros and Cons of Midland GXT1050VP4 GMRS Walkie Talkie
Pros:
- Very wide coverage and reach
- Waterproof feature for added protection
- Animal Call alerts increase your chance of hunting success
- Silent operation to communicate with your team quietly
- Camouflage exterior for discretion
- Multiple channel options
Cons:
- Not so great battery charge indicator
- Waterproof feature not absolute
4. Motorola MR350R FRS/GMRS Walkie Talkie
Best for: Signal
One of the most desired features of any two-way radio is audio and signal clarity. The Motorola MR350R Walkie Talkie comes highly recommended in that regard. This package comes with two radios.
It is ergonomically designed for good grip, and comes with an inbuilt flashlight for night-time vision. Getting this amazing walkie talkie for your hunting adventure will give you up to 35 miles in range from a mountain to a valley, and at least 4 miles from valley to mountain.
That should give you at least 5 miles of clear, crisp communication even in the thick bush.
Specifications of Motorola MR350R FRS/GMRS Walkie Talkie
- 35-mile range
- Built-in flashlight
- Portable build
- Dual power feature
- iVOX/VOX Hands-free function
- 22 channels and 121 Privacy Codes
- NOAA Weather channels included
- Up to 8 hours of NiMH battery life
Pros and Cons of Motorola MR350R FRS/GMRS Walkie Talkie
Pros:
- Allows AAA batteries for up to 23 hours of active use.
- Can work on the FRS or GMRS frequency
- 11 channels for weather monitoring
- Good mile-range for distant communication.
- Clear signals
- Vibrate feature for silent alert
- Large buttons for easy control
Cons:
- Quite pricey
- Not waterproof
5. Retevis H-777 Walkie Talkie
Best for: Price
In this list of best walkie talkies for hunting, this Retevis H-777 is the most budget-friendly. With 6 radios in the package, this is a great set of devices for beginners.
With the strategic emergency alarm feature, you can always call for help when things go bad. So, when there’s a fire or mudslide, it’s easy to alert your hunting compatriots. The standard USB Port means you can charge it directly without any hassles.
What’s more, the Lithium-ion battery is both rechargeable and removable. This makes it possible to remove and charge it separately while you replace it and move on with your adventure.
Specifications of Retevis H-777 Walkie Talkie
- Built-in LED Light
- USB Charging base
- Energy-saver feature
- 6 radios inside
- Item dimension at 2.36 x 1.3 x 4.53
- Robust antenna
- Low-battery alarm
Pros and Cons of Retevis H-777 Walkie Talkie
Pros:
- Crystal clear sound
- Extremely budget-friendly
- Durable design
- Up to 8 hours battery life
- Convenient USB charging
- Privacy code for secure conversation
Cons:
- Limited range
- Requires more protection.
Comparison of Top 5 Best Walkie Talkies for Hunting
| Range | Silent Operation | Waterproof | Channels | Headset-enabled | |
| Midland GXT1000VP4 | 36 miles | No | Yes | 50 | Yes |
| Cobra MR HH450 | 20 miles | Yes | Yes | 25 | No |
| Midland GXT1050VP4 | 36 miles | Yes | Yes | 50 | Yes |
| Motorola MR350R | 35 miles | Yes | No | 22 | No |
| Retevis H-777 | 10 miles | No | Yes | 16 | Yes |
Final Words:
The next time you wish to go hunting, be sure to go fully equipped with a walkie talkie to stay in touch with your fellow hunters. This review provides some of the best walkie talkies for hunting you can find out there, based on specific requirements. Our top pick is Midland GXT1000VP4 Walkie Talkie because it ticks most of the important features required. And even where there’s no built-in silent operation, it is headset enabled, so there’s nothing to worry about. You can make you pick from this list, and thank us later.
