Best Walkie Talkie For Hunting 2023 - Top Long Range Radios For Hunters

Most hunters would never consider leaving home without a reliable set of walkie talkies. These essential pieces of gear enable two or more hunting party members to maintain a constant stream of communication. From camouflage skins to animal calls, modern hunting walkie talkies are discreet communication devices.

In many situations, hunters rely on their two-way radios to transmit emergency information or locate remote hunting partners before returning to camp.

In most states, hunters cannot discuss their kills in real-time. Still, not all marksmen are keen on spending hours alone in the woods. When the sound of silence becomes overwhelming, many hunters enjoy having the option to reach out to a nearby friend.

An open line of communication can cease budding anxiety and help the time pass quicker. Unfortunately, cell service isn't always an option.

We set out to find the most coveted hunting walkie talkies on the market. It wasn't easy to find two-way radios that could send signals through thick wooded areas and mountains. Still, we are highly satisfied with our picks and eager to share them with you!

Best Walkie Talkies for Hunting

Motorola MS350R 35-Mile Talkabout Waterproof Two-Way Radios - Best Overall


You'll have no trouble communicating with your hunting partner when you possess a set of Motorola's 35-mile two-way radios. These incredible walkie talkies boas rugged exteriors. They boast an Ingress Protection Rating of 67, meaning they can handle a brief soak in water.

The devices provide 35 miles of coverage for when your cell phone is no longer functioning. Users can communicate through the radios' 25 channels and 121 privacy codes.

Brightly lit LED screens to make these suitable for early morning and nighttime hunts. The walkie talkies bright bumble-bee like colorway is excellent for low-light conditions. However, it might reveal your location to animals.

Overall, these walkie talkies offer lots of volume and impressive sound quality. The signal held up in wooden areas and spiked in open fields.

Pros

  • Waterproof grade IP-67
  • 35-mile range
  • 22 channels and eight repeater channels
  • 121 privacy codes
  • Bright LED light

Cons

  • Waterproof rating is limited to dunks and heavy rain
  • Bright yellow color

Cobra MR HH450 CAMO Marine Radio - Customer Favorite


Hunting and fishing go hand in hand, right? The Cobra two-way radios are waterproof, and they float. Their ability to float makes them an excellent option for boat-bound anglers and woods-bound marksmen. These walkie talkies also enable users to replay old audio clips. The radios provide users with 15 miles of coverage. They also provide users with essential weather and emergency alerts via the S.A.M.E. Network.

Unfortunately, the automatic squelch feature occasionally overrides audio, making calls inaudible. Users can adjust the wattage of the radios to hone in on otherwise muffled messages. Other than that, these outdoor walkie talkies are an excellent buy. We give them our full approval.

The antennas on these walkie talkies are very long. As such, you're not going to want to stuff them into your back pocket. Of course, they do boast removable belt clips. The backlit LCD screens make it easy to see the displays under the veil of darkness.

Pros

  • The rugged design floats when it is dropped in water
  • Users can repeat sound bites if they miss something
  • S.A.M.E. Weather and emergency alerts
  • 15 mile range
  • Adjustable wattage lets you hone in on long-distance audio
  • Camouflage skin

Cons

  • Poor GRMS mode causes squelching over audio

Retevis H-777 Two Way Radio Single-Band Two-Way Radios - Best Budget Pack


Be the hero of your hunting group and invest in this very handy six-pack of two-radios. Retevis walkie talkies are not toys. These babies are capable of transmitting audio up to 2.5 miles away.

They even boast voice-prompted channel notifications. What's more, you can pair them with nearly any FRS or GMRS radios. Each radio has 16 channels. There are two dials on the radio, including one to adjust the channel settings and one for power and volume.

We love that these radios are rechargeable. Each walkie talkie comes with its very own docking station. A 2- to 3-hour charge gets users up to nine hours of battery life. The battery can be charged by itself. As such, users are free to switch batteries between radios or even stockpile extras.

The walkie talkies do not have backlit screens. However, they do have built-in flashlights. Users found the lengthy antennas to be somewhat annoying. However, these elements help to eliminate interference.

Pros

  • Come with six to a pack
  • Rechargeable via USB docking stations
  • Users can communicate with all H-777 2 way radios and other brands FRS/GMRS
  • CTCSS/DCS function provides users with enhanced privacy
  • Batteries offer eight to nine hours of continuous use per 2 to three hours of charging
  • Discreet solid black colorway

Cons

  • Does not pair well with some headsets
  • Lengthy antennas get in the way of natural movements

Motorola MR350R 35-Mile Range 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio - Best Upgrade Option


Are you for an upgrade option? Motorola's 22-channel two-way radios are a far cry from being budget-friendly. Still, they are one of the most coveted two-way radios on the market. That's because these radios support two-way communication over a whopping 35-mile range.

They have 22 channels and a built-in channel scanner. The walkie talkies also boast 20 call tones. Sadly, the tone options do not consist of any animal cries.

The 121 privacy codes make it easy to participate in private conversations. You never have to worry about ease droppers. There are also 11 weather channels to explore.

If you are out in the wilderness, these walkie talkies could be the answer to you and your partner's survival.

You never have to put down your hunting weapon to communicate. The Motorola walkie talkies support hands-free calls. They also feature an IP-51 rating, meaning they can withstand plenty of exposure to water and dirt.

A PTT power-boosting mode gives you users extra juice when they need it most. Accessories include removable belt clips, a single drop-in charger, a charger adapter, and an emergency preparedness checklist. The radios also boast built-in flashlights.

Pros

  • 35-mile range
  • 22 channels
  • Vibrating call alert (20 call tones in all)
  • 11 weather channels
  • 121 privacy codes
  • iVOX hands-free communication

Cons

  • Requires AA batteries
  • Very expensive

Kenwood TK-3402U16P ProTalk 5-Watt Two-way Radio - Best Long-Range Two-Way Radios


We're big fans of the Kenwood Protalk two-way radios. These walkie talkies boast a 36-mile range. The two-way radios give users access to 50 GMRS channels and 142 privacy codes. They enable hunters to communicate privately and discreetly.

The Kenwoods' animal call functions are also a significant selling point. These radios can conceal calls, making it sound as though they came from one of five different animals. The animal calls include turkey, duck, crow, cougar, and wolf sound bites. The walkie talkies also feature hunting-approved Mossy Oak camo skins.

Accessories include boom mic headsets, belt clips, 120-volt desktop chargers, AC adapters, DC adapters, and an owner's manual. We had no trouble overcoming the Kenwoods' learning curve. We are also pleased to see that the radios received weather and emergency alerts from the NOAA.

Pros

  • Awesome black Mossy Oak camo colorway
  • 50 GMRS channels to choose from and a channel-scanning function
  • JIS4 Waterproof Protection (can handle light splashing)
  • Five animal call alerts and a vibrate function
  • 142 CTCSS/DCS privacy codes
  • Impressive 36-mile range
  • Rechargeable battery packs with docking stations
  • NOAA weather alerts

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Limited by battery life

Midland GXT1050VP4 50 Channel GMRS Two-Way Radio - Best Selection of Channels


The Midland two-way radios look and feel like hunting gear. They have woods-ready Mossy Oak camo skins. They also boast rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, docking stations, and AC adapters. You can charge these walkie talkies while you are en route to your hunting destination.

The radios' built-in flashlights and brightly lit LCD screens make them suitable for nighttime expeditions. With over 50 channels and a 36-mile range, these walkie talkies will provide you with extensive long-distance coverage.

Unfortunately, the signals are sometimes lost to adverse weather and mountainous landscapes. Overall, you'd be hard-pressed to find two-way radios that are more suitable for the backcountry.

Pros

  • 50 GMRS channels
  • Mossy Oak Camo helps you go unnoticed
  • Up to a 36-mile range
  • Two boom mic headsets
  • Rechargeable battery packs and docking station
  • AC adapter for car charging
  • Backlit LCD screen

Cons

  • Some users reported that the walkie talkie sets did not coordinate well
  • Signal may be blocked by obstructions

BAOFENG BF-888S Two Way Radio - A Real Steal


Baofeng's two-way radios come six to pack, making them one of the most abundant and affordable deals on the market. These are excellent for discreet communication amongst large groups of hunters. We love the ergonomics of the rotary power switch and volume control.

Not to mention, the bright orange monitor and function buttons stick out amongst these otherwise black radios. A built-in flashlight makes it easy for hunters to communicate after sunset.

What's more, the Baofeng's rechargeable lithium-ion batteries enable users to stay away from pricey disposable batteries. Statistically, the BF-888S walkie talkies don't support long-distance communication. As such, these are only suitable for hunters who plan to stay within 400 meters of their pack.

Still, 16 channels and an over-the-ear listen device make it easy to participate in covert communication.

Since the radios come with removable plastic belt clips, they are suitable for tactical situations. The two-way radios are rugged enough for daily use. However, the company does not specify whether or not the walkie talkies are waterproof.

As such, we're not ready to give them our full approval for rugged expeditions.

Pros

  • Comes with six to a pack
  • Each walkie talkie boasts a rechargeable 1,500-mAH lithium-ion battery and charging dock (8-hour battery life per charge)
  • Radios come with complimentary over-the-ear listening devices
  • 16 channels with 400-470 MHZ frequency range
  • CTCSS/DCS function lets users can channels
  • Built-in flashlight

Cons

  • Only a 400-meter range
  • Poor quality when it comes to battery life

Floureon Four Pack of 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radios - Top Product Warranty


This four-pack of Floureon two-way walkie talkies are an excellent option for hunters on a budget. These radios boast 22 channels, with FRS and GMRS frequencies. The two-way radios have a maximum reach of 1.9 miles.

However, they are known to transmit signals even further when used on flat, open terrains, such as fields and lakes. You can increase your walkie talkie's power to improve the quality of the audio.

The walkie walkies have brightly lit LED screens. What's more, they have a unique channel scanning feature. Unfortunately, they struggle to transmit sound in poor weather conditions. The automatic squelch function helps to eliminate obstructive background noise.

Overall, you can expect to receive and send clear, crisp audio. The Floureon walkie talkies boast a year-long manufacturer's warranty. Floureon is known for keeping an open line of communication with their customers.

Pros

  • Covered by a generous 1-year warranty
  • 22 channels plus PMR system
  • LCD backlight plus onscreen battery life indicator
  • 1.9- to 3.1-mile maximum distance depending on the terrain
  • Adjustable wattage
  • Four to a pack

Cons

  • Calls do not transmit well through thick obstacles, such as walls and boulders
  • Each unit requires three AAA batteries

Buying Guide

Price

How much is too much to spend on a set of two-way radios? Two-way radios cover a wide range of price categories. The good news is there are some great walkie talkies in the budget range, which we consider to be between $25 and $75. There are also some excellent upgrade options, with some sets costing well over $300.

Higher prices often mean more functions, channels, and privacy codes. Pricier models also tend to offer higher wattages and longer battery lives. Not to mention, pricier models tend to more resilient.

Battery Life

These days, consumers have their choice between rechargeable and battery-operated walkie talkies. Both options have their pros and cons. For example, battery-operated walkie talkies require ongoing maintenance.

Users must stock up on AA or AAA batteries to ensure that their walkie talkies don't die. While disposable batteries can be a big nuisance, they also allow users to power up in the middle of a hunt.

Rechargeable walkie talkies just need to be docked at the end of a hunting session. However, there usually no way to extend the life of a rechargeable radio when on location.

Many two-way radios also have adjustable power settings. Users can turn the power down when they are not using their two-way radios. Adjustable wattage controls conserve energy for vital moments, enabling users to make the most of limited battery lives.

Range

How much distance is there between you and your hunting partners?

Typical walkie talkies offer anywhere from 1 to 35 miles of range. That distance will vary depending on the weather and terrain where you are using the radios. Consumers can expect to pay more for two-way radios that support long-distance communication between two or more people.

Think about the hunting ground that you frequent. How much distance is there between you and your partners, and what obstacles could get in the way of your signals?

Keep in mind that a walkie talkie's range is dependent on its wattage. A low-wattage walkie talkie can only send signals a short distance. A 4- to 8-watt walkie talkie may send a signal several miles.

There are plenty of things that may prevent walkie talkies from living up to their potential, including obstacles such as mountains, trees, and buildings.

Durability

Hunting is a demanding outdoor activity. Walkie talkies must be exceptionally rugged to survive typical hunting expeditions. Make sure that your radios can be exposed to a bit of water.
Most walkie talkies boast an Ingress Protection rating, often abbreviated IP. These ratings specify whether a device can handle brief exposure to moisture and dirt or lengthy submersions.
In the least, choose a walkie talkie that can handle a sudden downpour or snow shower. The backcountry can be very unpredictable, and in most cases, cell service is not existent. If your walkie talkie is your only line of communication, it needs to one that can handle its fair share of moisture, dirt, and hard impacts.

Conclusion - The Best Radios for Hunters

We hope you enjoyed our rundown of the top hunting walkie talkies. These incredible communication devices make it easy for you to communicate while you are on the prowl.

If you are in a rush, check out the 
Motorola MS350R 35-Mile Talkabout Waterproof Two-Way Radios. These radios have a long-distance range and several encrypted channels.

The 
Kenwood TK-3402U16P ProTalk 5-Watt Two-way Radios also make excellent hunting accessories. We love their Mossy Oak camouflage skins and covert animal call functions.

Give these or any other of our other top walkie talkie sets a try to see what you've been missing! We can't imagine taking a trip to the country without a set of trusted communication devices. We hope you wouldn't either!