Slayer Chatter

Get hunting tips from pros, beef up your hunter education and share the obsession with other hunting fanatics.

The best gifts for hunters: 2022 holiday season edition

The best gifts for hunters: 2022 holiday season edition

Need gift ideas for a hunter this holiday season? They won't be disappointed if they unwrap any of these high-quality, hunter-tested gifts that the Slayer Calls team recommends.
Call more ducks, kill more ducks
Duck Call Demos

Call more ducks, kill more ducks

On this episode of The Slayer Hunting Podcast, one of the brothers behind the Mtn2Coast Outdoors hunting videos shares his e-scouting routine and stories from archery elk season.
The best duck call for beginners: Tips for picking your first duck call
Duck Hunting

The best duck call for beginners: Tips for picking your first duck call

Single reed. Double reed. Wood vs. poly vs. acrylic. How do you know which one makes the best duck call for beginners?
Pre-season decoy prep: 6 dos and don’ts to keep your rigs fresh
Duck Hunting

Pre-season decoy prep: 6 dos and don’ts to keep your rigs fresh

Experienced duck hunter shares his pre-season decoy prep dos and don’ts. It just takes a couple of minutes to clean and check your rigs and will pay dividends in terms of a successful season.
Pre-Season waterfowl checklist: 6 things to do before the duck opener
Duck Hunting

Pre-Season waterfowl checklist: 6 things to do before the duck opener

Experienced hunter M.D. Johnson shares six pre-season tips to help make your duck opener a success. Find out what gear he packs and how he prepares.
Slayer's Drake Slayer in Green, Voted best by Field and Stream
Duck Call Demos

Slayer's Tanner Hardy Demos the BEST Double Reed Duck Call

Rated BEST double reed duck call by Field & Stream, the Drake Slayer is versatile and easy-to-use. Great for beginners and experts.
How to maximize success on out-of-state elk hunts
Elk Hunting

How to maximize success on out-of-state elk hunts

On this episode of The Slayer Hunting Podcast, one of the brothers behind the Mtn2Coast Outdoors hunting videos shares his e-scouting routine and stories from archery elk season.
What Happens After: Post-shot archery tips
Elk Hunting

What Happens After: Post-shot archery tips

As any good hunter will tell you, the real work begins after the shot’s been made. Check out these post-shot archery tips from Bill Ayer and Cody McCarthy.
Troubleshooting Your Elk Hunt
Elk Hunting

Troubleshooting Your Elk Hunt

Ever find yourself in a bind, wondering what the pros would do? Slayer Calls CEO Bill Ayer and director of product innovation, Cody McCarthy, share their troubleshooting tips for five elk hunting c...
Expert duck caller leads new training for waterfowlers in the pit
Duck Hunting

Expert duck caller leads new training for waterfowlers in the pit

New hunters and longtime waterfowlers looking to slay more ducks can get expert training through Slayer's new video series. Plus, the new Ranger Single Reed means louder calling in duck season 2022.
Matt Carey, Slayer PRO, demonstrating how to run a duck call
Duck Hunting

Call the Wild—a "how to" series on how to use your call in the field

Call the Wild puts expert guidance on calling at hunters' fingertips. Waterfowlers can put in practice on the way to the blind.
Tips on How to Use the Enchantress External Elk Call | Cody McCarthy
Elk Call Demos

Tips on How to Use the Enchantress External Elk Call | Cody McCarthy

Joe McCarthy | RMEF World Elk Calling Contest | Professional Division Final Round
Joe McCarthy with Slayer's ArchAngel Bugle Tube
Elk Call Demos

Joe McCarthy places fourth in the 2022 RMEF World Elk Calling Championship finals

Joe McCarthy | RMEF World Elk Calling Contest | Professional Division Final Round
Inside the Hunting Pack: Randy Hoven’s list of elk season essentials
Elk Hunting

Inside the Hunting Pack: Randy Hoven’s list of elk season essentials

Fire chief Randy Hoven takes us inside the hunting pack for elk season, sharing his favorite items for a day hunt in western Washington.
A list of supplies for elk season: Inside Cody McCarthy’s hunting pack
Elk Hunting

A list of supplies for elk season: Inside Cody McCarthy’s hunting pack

Cody McCarthy shares his list of supplies for elk season, including his must-have, name-brand essentials.
2 world elk calling champions bugle to the top with Slayer Calls' ArchAngel
Elk Hunting

2 world elk calling champions bugle to the top with Slayer Calls' ArchAngel

Two world elk calling champions and two other finalists bugled their way to the top with Slayer calls at the 2022 RMEF World Elk Calling Championship in Park City, Utah.
Cody McCarthy’s top 5: The biggest mistakes elk hunters make
Elk Hunting

Cody McCarthy’s top 5: The biggest mistakes elk hunters make

World Elk Calling Champion Cody McCarthy gives his top five list of mistakes elk hunters make, recorded by veteran hunter M.D. Johnson.
The Inspiration Behind the Design of the Enchantress
Elk Call Demos

The Inspiration Behind the Design of the Enchantress

Bill Ayer, Slayer CEO, shares the Enchantress and the inspiration behind the design of the new, push button elk call.
Cody McCarthy Demos the Enchantress, External Elk Call
Elk Call Demos

Cody McCarthy Demos the Enchantress, External Elk Call

Cody McCarthy demos the Enchantress, Slayer's NEW external elk call. Patent pending.
First of its kind': Slayer Calls unleashes new class of elk push call
Elk Hunting

First of its kind': Slayer Calls unleashes new class of elk push call

The original design of Slayer's new Enchantress push call gives elk hunters manual control over diaphragm tension — and the most realistic sounds and bugles you've ever heard from an external elk c...
Q&A with Cody McCarthy: The newest member of Slayer Calls
Elk Hunting

Q&A with Cody McCarthy: The newest member of Slayer Calls

M.D. Johnson interviews World Elk Calling Champion Cody McCarthy, Slayer Calls’ newest coach and head of product innovation.
4 hot weather elk hunting tips: Beat the heat
Elk Hunting

4 hot weather elk hunting tips: Beat the heat

Check out these four tips for hot weather hunting, to give yourself the advantage in early elk season.
Choosing your first elk call: Tips for external calls, internal calls and bugles
Elk Hunting

Choosing your first elk call: Tips for external calls, internal calls and bugles

Veteran hunter M.D. Johnson shares his high-level elk call tips for novices, including the ins and outs of external calls, internal (diaphragm) calls and bugle tubes.
Slayer Calls introduces the first-ever acrylic handle for bugling
Elk Hunting

Slayer Calls introduces the first-ever acrylic handle for bugling

The new ArchAngel Acrylic Elk Call is a game-changer for hunters. It was created by world elk calling champion Cody McCarthy, now a coach and head of product innovation at Slayer Calls.
Elk hunting tips for beginners: the dos and don’ts
Elk Hunting

Elk hunting tips for beginners: the dos and don’ts

Check out this list of dos and don’ts — hunting tips for beginners looking to take down that big bull elk this season.
Our biggest news yet: Slayer Calls brings Joe and Cody McCarthy into the blind
Elk Hunting

Our biggest news yet: Slayer Calls brings Joe and Cody McCarthy into the blind

Cody McCarthy, world champion elk caller, joins Slayer Calls as coach and head of product innovation. His father, Joe McCarthy, joins on as product innovation lead.
10 tips for a successful turkey hunting road trip
Turkey Hunting

10 tips for a successful turkey hunting road trip

There’s something particularly exciting about hunting new terrain. Here are 10 tips to make your next turkey hunting road trip a success.
3 strut zone secrets for turkey hunters
Turkey Hunting

3 strut zone secrets for turkey hunters

Looking to get lucky in the strut zone? Here are three secrets every good turkey hunter needs to know.
In-season turkey call maintenance: Why and how it’s done
Turkey Hunting

In-season turkey call maintenance: Why and how it’s done

Turkey call maintenance is an important part of hunting preparation and success. Learn how to care for box calls, pot calls and diaphragm calls.
Turkey Hunting Safety: 10 rules of engagement
Turkey Hunting

Turkey Hunting Safety: 10 rules of engagement

Turkey hunting safety is no joke — even if going after a gobbler is already safer than playing a round of ping-pong.
Pre-Season Turkey Scouting Q&A
Turkey Hunting

Pre-Season Turkey Scouting Q&A

Learn the ins and outs of pre-season turkey scouting from seasoned hunter M.D. Johnson and Slayer Calls.
Everything you need to know about turkey decoys
Turkey Hunting

Everything you need to know about turkey decoys

Experienced hunter M.D. Johnson shares his tips for setting turkey decoys — including combinations of hens and jakes. Get the most out of your turkey decoy setup.
Turkey mouth calls: The pros and cons of diaphragms
Turkey Hunting

Turkey mouth calls: The pros and cons of diaphragms

Turkey mouth calls can replicate every sound in the wild turkey’s vocabulary, and then some. Here are the pros and cons of diaphragm calls, according to experienced hunter M.D. Johnson.
Julie's Grand Slam: Four wild turkeys in one spring season
Turkey Hunting

Julie's Grand Slam: Four wild turkeys in one spring season

This is the story of Julie McClellan and her 1998 Grand Slam wild turkey hunt through Florida, Texas, Iowa, and South Dakota.
Slayer Calls launches six turkey mouth calls in time for spring hunting
In the News

Slayer Calls launches six turkey mouth calls in time for spring hunting

Slayer Calls launches six turkey mouth calls in time for spring hunting Company CEO Bill Ayer shares his passion and inspiration for the new product offerings, as well as manufacturing challenges a...
6 Turkey Locator Calls You Need to Try
Turkey Hunting

6 Turkey Locator Calls You Need to Try

Never miss out on a sly tom ever again — six must try turkey locator calls and tips for luring out the biggest gobblers this season.
Turkey calls 101: An introduction to hunting hens and toms
Turkey Hunting

Turkey calls 101: An introduction to hunting hens and toms

Veteran turkey hunter M.D. Johnson shares his knowledge of turkey sounds, plus how and when to use different turkey calls.
4 Tips to combat frozen duck call reeds
Duck Hunting

4 Tips to combat frozen duck call reeds

Avoid frozen duck call reeds with these four tips from experienced hunter M.D. Johnson and the folks at Slayer Calls.
Canadas are waterfowl: Tips for hunting Canada geese
Goose Hunting

Canadas are waterfowl: Tips for hunting Canada geese

If you’re hunting Canada geese, you’d best do it over their home turf: water. Here are a few veteran tips to be successful.
The well-dressed duck hunter: Clothing tips for staying warm and dry
Duck Hunting

The well-dressed duck hunter: Clothing tips for staying warm and dry

Proper clothing keeps hunters in the field longer, so don’t delay. Here are the very best duck hunter clothing tip, guaranteed to keep you warm and dry all season long.
Slayer Calls launches its first set of big game hunting calls
Elk Hunting

Slayer Calls launches its first set of big game hunting calls

Slayer Calls' lineup of handcrafted hunting calls now includes an elk bugle, cow call and calf call. Get Slayer's thoughtful call design and relentless quality during elk season.
How to hide with a blind: 5 waterfowler tips for blending in better
Duck Hunting

How to hide with a blind: 5 waterfowler tips for blending in better

Wondering how to hide with a blind effectively this season? Waterfowler M.D. Johnson shares his tips and tricks for fooling ’fowl.
How to hide on the hunt: 3 common hunting pitfalls and how to fix them
Duck Hunting

How to hide on the hunt: 3 common hunting pitfalls and how to fix them

Where have all the ducks gone? Check out these three common hunting pitfalls and tips for how to hide from waterfowler M.D. Johnson.
Target acquired: Everything you need to know to hunt widgeon
Duck Hunting

Target acquired: Everything you need to know to hunt widgeon

Widgeon are the bread-’n-butter bird for many duck hunters across the country. Check out these tips for hunting them effectively.
The ‘Skinny’ on Silhouette Decoys: A Q&A with waterfowl calling champion Forrest Carpenter
Duck Hunting

The ‘Skinny’ on Silhouette Decoys: A Q&A with waterfowl calling champion Forrest Carpenter

Silhouette decoys are more popular than ever, but are they worth their salt? Waterfowl calling champion Forrest Carpenter says absolutely — and here’s why.
Duck Identification, Part 2
Duck Hunting

Duck Identification, Part 2

In this blog post, experienced waterfowler M.D. Johnson shares part two of his duck identification tips, including how to use habitat, sound, silhouette and color to identify your quarry.
Duck Identification, Part 1
Duck Hunting

Duck Identification, Part 1

In this blog, experienced waterfowler M.D. Johnson shares part one of his duck identification tips, including the differences between dabblers and divers, plus flight details, size and shape.
Slayer Calls launches its first easy-to-use speck call
Goose Hunting

Slayer Calls launches its first easy-to-use speck call

Speck calls are notoriously challenging to use, requiring two hands to create significant back pressure and to throw the call forward. But all of that is about to change with the Tar Belly Slayer.