Hunting is one of the many activities that bring people together. It is the perfect opportunity to explore the outdoors: exercise, bond with friends and family and hunt for food simultaneously. As exciting as this might sound, it is not without its dangers; the wild can be challenging, especially for younger children or people that are new to the hunting practices. As a result of the uncertainties that might arise during your adventure, it is very important that you are equipped with the right communications equipment. This is where these hunting walkie talkies come in. The best hunting radio is the first step towards ensuring your safety and the safety of the other people in your party.
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Consideration for choosing the best two-way radio for hunting
Picking out the best hunting radios is not as easy as you might think; this is because many manufacturers are offering different models for sale. These radios are in many ways alike and would be difficult to tell apart by the untrained eye; for this reason, we have listed the following factors for your consideration when making that choice. These factors would ensure that the radio you purchase would enhance your hunting experience and, at the same time, keep you safe. They are:
Size
Choosing the size of your walkie talkies can often be tricky because different users are comfortable with two-way radios of different dimensions, with some people preferring smaller, mobile radios and some others opting for the larger bulkier radios. Suppose you would be spending longer in the wild. In that case, the bulkier radios are the better option because they offer extensive battery life and a range of features like the animal calls feature that make the hunt more pleasurable and an extra layer of security.
Range
The range is the distance between your radio and another device for which you can optimally communicate. The more range the radio has, the easier it is to stay in touch with your hunting party. Your two-way radio for hunting must offer you a maximum range and a power boost feature when you need even more range. The range on your hunting radios is affected by two factors, the wattage and obstructions in the environment.
These radios are known to offer the users more range in areas with little or no obstructions in the environment. Still, seeing as you would be going hunting, you can not avoid features like trees, rocks and other natural obstructions, so when choosing a device based on range, don’t forget to factor in the environment.
The other factor is the wattage of your two-way radio for hunting. You have two options, the Family Radio Service (FRS) Radio or General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) Radio. The Family Radio Service Radios have a wattage of half a watt. In contrast, General Mobile Radio Service radios can have as much as 50 watts of power. The only downside to using GMRS radios is the need for a license to be issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Durability
Most of these radios are about the same size as the cell phone in your pocket, and I’d bet you have lost track of the times it has fallen off. These devices are very likely to fall out of your hand or off your hip. It then becomes important that it offer you some protection against shock, dust and water.
Battery Life
The capacity of the battery installed in the device would determine to a large extent how the hunt would go; if you constantly have to swap batteries or look for outlets to charge the device when it drains, you would be unable to focus on the hunting fully. For this reason, it is important that you only choose radios with large batteries. Multiple sources can power these radios. Some of these sources include AA, AAA batteries and or a rechargeable battery pack.
Channels
More channels mean you have more chances at finding a free channel to send and receive transmissions. Walkie talkies have a limited number of channels, and it is sometimes difficult to find a free channel. It then becomes important for the radio to feature Privacy Codes. These codes with the number of channels give you more channel combinations and a higher chance of finding a free channel to transmit information.
Other features
These features do not aid communication but ensure an overall better experience when using the radio.
NOAA weather alerts: The weather alert function notifies the user of the weather conditions’ changes in the immediate environment. This allows users to make decisions and change plans on the fly. If you intend to spend a lot of your time in the wild, it will come in handy to have some time to react to whatever mother nature has planned.
Animal calls: Animal calls help hunters attract their prey by playing sounds that would catch their prey’s attention. This makes your hunting much easier; good hunting radios are incomplete without the animal calls feature.
Price
As with everything else on sale, how much it retails for is an important criterion to get behind when choosing a product. These walkie talkies are available at different price ranges and would fit into any budget easily. Contrary to the popular opinion where you would need to break the bank to pick out a nice radio, you can get a radio pair that would offer nice features without going beyond your financial limits.
15 Best Hunting Walkie Talkies
1. Midland GXT1050VP4
The Midland GXT1050VP4 GMRS two-way radio is one of the best walkie-talkies for hunting; its Mossy Oak camo pattern gives you the perfect adventurous feeling. It is a long-range Walkie-Talkie with max performance of up to 36 miles and has impressive features. It is water-resistant. It has a built-in NOAA weather alert. It also has animal call alerts; a vibrate feature to silence all tones. It has 142 CTCSS/DCS privacy codes and runs on AA batteries. It has a belt clip, which makes it easily attachable and mobile. These features make the Midland GXT1050VP4 I for hunting.
Pros
- It has animal call alerts.
- It is a long-range Walkie-Talkie.
- It has a hands-free feature.
- The radio offers silent operation so you can hunt without spooking your prey.
Cons
- No Anti-squelch feature.
- It requires a GMRS license.
2. BaoFeng UV-5R D
Baofeng UV-5R two-way radio gives you the best hunting experience while communicating with family and friends all at once. It has a surprisingly long battery life with its 1800mAh Li-ion battery, which can last up to 12hours and runs on rechargeable batteries. The Baofeng UV-5R is one of the best Walkie-Talkies with a radio frequency range of 136-174/400-520MHz; it has an emergency alert button and has a belt clip, which makes it easily attachable and mobile for the hunter. Its remarkable features make it very easy to use and help make sure users can communicate with each other while having an amazing hunting experience.
Pros
- It has long-lasting battery life.
- Built-in VOX hands-free feature.
- It is easy to use.
Cons
- It has fragile belt clips.
- No anti-squelch feature.
3. Uniden SX507-2CKHS
Uniden SX507-2CKHS FRS/GMRS two-way radio is one of the best radios for hunting. The FRS two-way radio has 22 channels with up to 142 privacy codes, which keeps you connected when you’re out and about without interruptions. The Uniden SX507-2CKHS Walkie-talkies have a long-lasting battery life of up to 14 hours. It is a Walkie-Talkie with a mile range of up to 50 miles. You can receive NOAA weather alerts on the Uniden SX507-2CKHS radio to keep you ahead of foul weather. It is water-resistant. Its unique features make it ideal for hunters for a fantastic hunting experience.
Pros
- It has long-lasting battery life.
- It has 22 channels.
- It runs on rechargeable AA NiMH batteries.
- Can receive NOAA weather alerts.
Cons
- No hands-free feature.
- No anti-squelch feature.
4. Motorola Talkabout T265
Motorola Talkabout T265 two-way radio is designed specifically for hinting and other outdoor activities. The two-way Walkie-Talkie easily connects you to your fellow hunters and campers. The Motorola T265 has a long-lasting battery life, runs on both NiMH rechargeable batteries, which can last up to 12 hours, and AA batteries, which can last up to 29 hours. It is a long-range Walkie-Talkie with up to 25-mile range. It has emergency features and hands-free features, which allows you to enjoy your wilderness adventure. The Motorola Talkabout T265 has 22 channels, each with 121 privacy codes, and a USB charging cable.
Pros
- It is durable and has good sound quality.
- It is eco-smart and consumes less power.
- It is easy to charge with a micro USB charging port.
Cons
- No anti-squelch feature.
- Fragile belt clips.
5. Midland LXT535VP3
Gear up for your hunting with your hunting party with the Midland LXT535VP3 FRS Walkie-Talkie. These two-way radios have 22 channels and are a long-range Walkie-Talkie with up to 24-mile communication range. The Midland LXT535VP3 features a channel scan. They automatically check for activity, a Hi/Lo power setting that conserves battery life and runs on rechargeable batteries or 4AAA alkaline batteries. The Midland LXT535VP3 is one of the best Walkie-Talkies for hunting. It is the right choice for hunters with its silent operation, which turns off all tones for quiet operation, amongst others.
Pros
- It is water-resistant.
- It has an anti-squelch function.
- It has dual power options.
Cons
- No hands-free feature.
6. Retevis RT21
The Retevis RT21 Walkie-Talkies are durable two-way radios with earpieces. Retevis RT21 is one of the best hunting radios. Its amazing features include hands-free operation, emergency alert button, water-resistant, and a long-range radio. It also has a long-lasting battery life of up to 12 hours. The Retevis RT21 is ideal for hunters on their hunting adventures to stay in touch with each other.
Pros
- Resistant and sturdy radio body.
- It can work with other analog radios.
- It has excellent reception.
Cons
- No anti-squelch function.
7. COBRA ACXT390
The Cobra ACXT390 two-way radio has a compact design and is easy to use; it is a long-range Walkie-Talkie with max performance of up to 23 miles. It has a built-in NOAA radio receiver, which prepares you for storms with emergency alerts. It has a hands-free (Vox) transmission, which allows you to do other tasks. COBRA ACXT390 Walkie-Talkies run on rechargeable battery packs and AA batteries and has a USB charging port. In addition to all the highlighted features, it has call alerts that distinguish between different incoming calls.
Pros
- It has up to 5 selectable tones.
- It is easy to use and compact.
Cons
- It is not water-resistant.
- It doesn’t have a built-in flashlight.
- It doesn’t have a rewind-say-again feature.
8. Ansoko Radios
ANSOKO two-way radios help you stay in contact with your hunting group, travel mate or family, keep you in touch even in areas without cellphone reception and is one of the best two-way radios for hunting. The Ansoko FRS/GMRS Walkie-Talkie features up to 16 channels, has a built-in LED flashlight for night use, and is a radio with an extended range. It runs on lithium-ion batteries and can last for up to 24 hours. Furthermore, UHF radio signals better penetrate wood, non-metal walls or concrete and give you an amazing experience without interference even during severe weather conditions.
Pros
- It has an ultra-portable handy design.
- This is a good choice as it is easy to use.
- It has metal clips and hand straps.
Cons
- It is not water-resistant.
- No noise cancellation feature.
9. Radioddity GA-2S
Radioddity GA-25 two-way radios are lightweight and rugged; they are sturdy enough for field works. They are the best Walkie-Talkies for hunting and are ideal for you and your hunting party. This radio features 16 pre-programmed channels, a USB charging cable, and is a long-range Walkie-Talkie. To get the most exciting hunting experience, make sure you and your hunting party cop the Radioddity GA-25 radio as they are the best, amongst others.
Pros
- It is lightweight and rugged.
- It has a crystal clear sound quality.
- It has a VOX hands-free feature.
- It comes with an air acoustic earpiece.
Cons
- Not water-resistant.
- No background noise cancellation.
10. Midland GXT1000VP4
Midland GXT1000VP4 is regarded by many as the best walkie talkie for hunting. Its features make it the best suitable radio for hunters. It is a long-range radio with a mile range of up to 36 miles. Midland GXT1009VP4 features 142 privacy codes, 50 GMRS channels with 28 extra channels, and a NOAA weather feature, which sounds an alarm to indicate severe weather conditions in your area. Its weather alert feature keeps you up to date with the latest weather information. To top it all, the GXT1000VP4 has dual power options; it runs on rechargeable battery packs or AA batteries and a long battery life of up to 12 hours.
Pros
- Dual power option.
- It has a crystal clear sound quality.
- It is water-resistant.
Cons
- No background noise cancellation.
- Fragile belt clips.
11. COBRA ACXT645
Cobra ACXT645 is a rugged-ready, long-range, two-way radio with a 35-mile range. Its built-in LED flashlight and rubberized grips provide enhanced functionality to keep you going even at night. With a built-in NOAA radio receiver, the Cobra ACXT645 radios will prepare you for storms and emergencies by sounding weather alerts. It includes rechargeable NiMH batteries and a two-port charging dock and can also be used with AA batteries. In addition to these features, this radio is water-resistant. It has 22 channels and 121 privacy codes. The Cobra ACXT645 has impressive features, which makes it one of the best two-way radios for hunting and is easy to use by hunters.
Pros
- It has VOX hands-free transmission.
- It has a built-in LED flashlight.
- It has NOAA weather channels.
- It is water-resistant.
Cons
- Fragile belt clips.
- No anti-squelch function.
12. Retevis RT16
There are so many different radios, but the Retevis RT19 is the fairest of them all. Retevis RT19 radio is a long-range walkie talkie. It is very suitable for indoor and outdoor use; it is one of the best two-way radios for hunting. Its compact body and light weight make it easy to communicate with your fellow hunters anywhere, anytime, to make sure everyone is safe. Retevis RT19 radio features 22 channels, 11 NOAA weather alert channels. It has a long-lasting battery life as it runs on a 1000mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality.
- Vox hands-free operation.
- It has a squelch function.
Cons
- Fragile belt clips.
- It is not water-resistant.
13. Motorola Talkabout Radio MH230R
The Motorola Talkabout MH230R is a must-have radio for hunters during the hunting season. It is unarguably one of the best two-way radios for hunting. Its spectacular features make it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. The Motorola Talkabout MH230R radios have 22 channels, each with 121 privacy codes, NOAA weather alerts to keep you updated in case of emergencies and storms, and runs on rechargeable battery packs. In addition to these, it is a long-range device with a range of up to 23 miles.
Pros
- It has a dual power option.
- It has a VOX hands-free function.
Cons
- It is not water-resistant.
- No noise cancellation feature.
14. Midland X-TALKER
You can never go wrong with the Midland X-TALKER36 radio, and it is one of the best two-way radios for hunting. Its Mossy Oak camo pattern gives you the best outdoor experience. It is ideal for hunters and every other outdoor enthusiast. The Midland X-TALKER36 GMRS two-way radio features 22 GMRS channels, 121 CTCSS privacy codes, and built-in NOAA weather alerts that will automatically scan through available weather channels locks onto the most vital weather channel to give you weather alerts. It is a maximum range of GMRS two-way radio, and it runs on rechargeable battery packs.
Pros
- It has a Hands-free function.
- It has a micro USB charging cable.
- It is easy to use.
Cons
- It has fragile belt clips.
- It is not water-resistant.
15. SAMCOM FPCN30A
Samcom 5watts two-way radio is an easy to use, long-range radio with max performance of up to 30 miles. The two-way radio features 20 channels with privacy codes, a backlit LCD that can easily read the status of the channel and setting, a built-in speaker with additional earbud attachments. It runs on a 1500mAh rechargeable battery and has long-lasting battery life. The Samcom 5watts Walkie-Talkie is one of the best two-way radios for hunting.
Pros
- It is water-resistant.
Cons
- No noise cancellation feature.
- It has fragile belt clips.
Overall Best Buy
All the radios on this list are the best two-way radios for hunting in their own rights. They fit into different budgets and satisfy the needs of different users. But the top pick would be the Midland GXT1050VP4. This, without any doubt, is the best walkie talkie for hunting as it comes equipped with a range of features that would make for the best hunting experience.
Best Budget Buy
When you consider the fact that you are getting five states of the art devices at under $70, would you be able to realize how sweet a bargain this is? You can equip your party of five with radios ready to work outside the box in one purchase. These radios come with many functions, including 16 memory channels, 155 Privacy tones, high/low power mode and many others.
FAQs
Where to buy the best hunting walky-talkies?
Choosing a brand and model is just half the problem when you eventually settle for the one you want, you would need to locate a store that has it available. You are often left with two options, walking into a physical store near you or ordering the radio online, with both options having their pros and cons.
The advantage to buying your two-way radios for hunting at your local store is that you get it that very day, you would not need to wait for a courier service to deliver it to your address, and the downside is that you might need to settle, as they might not have your desired model available on their shelves.
When you choose to shop with online stores like Amazon, you can rest assured that you would find just the product you are looking for, with little to no physical interactions. The only downside is the wait time until the product is delivered. If you have any problem with the product or the service, you can always ring or chat up their customer service.
How to pair walkie talkies?
Pairing walkie talkies is usually very easy as most radios are ready to connect immediately outside the box. If you have a problem connecting the radios, they must be of different brands or models. If this is the case, troubleshoot by following these steps.
STEP 1:
Try turning the radios to the same channel. If this does not work, it must mean that the radios have different frequencies programmed to different channels.
STEP 2:
Manually tune both devices to the same frequency. If you are still unable to pair the radios, it must be because the radios have different privacy codes installed.
STEP 3:
Privacy codes give the users privacy and more channel combinations, so there is always a free channel to transmit or receive transmissions. There are two types, Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) and Digital Coded Squelch (DCS). Simply turn off the squelch systems on both devices, and you should have no problem pairing them.
