First Impressions of Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call
As an avid turkey hunter with over a decade of experience chasing longbeards across diverse terrains, I’ve tried countless mouth calls. The Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call, endorsed by the Bone Collector crew, immediately piqued my interest with its promise of versatility and ease of use for both amateur and professional callers. I was intrigued by the inclusion of two distinct calls – “The Illusionist” and “The Con Artist” – designed for different sound profiles, aiming to cover a wide range of turkey vocalizations.
My quest for the perfect mouth call stems from the constant challenge of adapting to varying hunting conditions and call-shy birds. I needed a reliable system that could produce both delicate and aggressive calls, without requiring extensive practice or constant adjustments. I’ve previously relied on single-reed and double-reed calls, but often found myself struggling to consistently achieve the desired rasp and tone.
Upon unboxing the Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call 2-pack, I was immediately drawn to the clean construction and the feel of the soft tape. The calls felt lightweight and comfortable, a stark contrast to some of the bulkier, less refined calls I’ve used. Comparing these to my old Primos calls and a custom-made call from a local artisan, the Bone Collector offerings appeared more streamlined and potentially more comfortable for extended use. I hoped that this would translate to better control and less fatigue during long calling sessions.
My initial impression was positive, leaning towards excitement. The Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call seemed to address my needs for versatility and ease of use. I was eager to hit the woods and see if these calls could truly bluff a wary gobbler into range.
Real-World Testing: Putting Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call to the Test
First Use Experience
I first tested the Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call on a spring turkey hunt in the oak-hickory forests of southern Missouri. I put both “The Illusionist” and “The Con Artist” through their paces. The morning was damp with a light drizzle.
“The Illusionist” proved to be versatile, easily producing soft yelps and clucks ideal for coaxing a gobbler closer. “The Con Artist” delivered on its promise of rasp, cutting through the morning fog with aggressive cutts that initially shocked a distant tom into gobbling. I did, however, find myself needing to make adjustments to the call’s placement in my mouth throughout the morning to maintain consistent sound, which was slightly disruptive.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of using the Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call in various conditions (sunny, windy, and during light rain), I found the durability to be acceptable but not exceptional. The tape showed some signs of wear, particularly around the edges, but the reeds remained intact and functional. Cleaning was relatively easy, requiring only a quick rinse with water and air drying.
Compared to my previous experiences with higher-end, custom-made calls, the Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call performed admirably. It offered a good balance of versatility and ease of use, although it lacked the refined sound quality and nuanced control of the custom call. The Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call outperformed my older Primos calls. It offered greater consistency and less air leakage.
Breaking Down the Features of Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call
Specifications
The Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call 2-pack includes two distinct calls: The Illusionist and The Con Artist. The Illusionist is hand-stretched and cut. It uses premium soft tape for comfort. The Con Artist is a 4-reed combo cut call. It is designed for a raspy sound with a clear front end.
Additional Features are listed as “No,” which is somewhat misleading, as the unique reed configurations and tape quality are indeed features. The call’s Length is 6 cm, Height is 0.75 inches, Width is 3.75 inches, and Weight is 0.06 lbs. These dimensions contribute to its lightweight and compact design.
These specifications matter because they directly impact the call’s sound quality, ease of use, and comfort. The Illusionist’s hand-stretched reeds allow for a broader range of sounds. The Con Artist’s 4-reed design creates the desired rasp, and the soft tape ensures a comfortable fit in the mouth.
Performance & Functionality
The Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call performs admirably in producing a variety of turkey sounds. The Illusionist excels at soft yelps, clucks, and purrs, ideal for close-range calling. The Con Artist shines with its raspy cutts and aggressive yelps, designed to reach distant gobblers.
One weakness is the call’s sensitivity to moisture. Excessive saliva can temporarily dampen the reeds, affecting the sound. It would be beneficial to offer these in a waterproof option. The calls exceeded expectations in terms of ease of use, requiring minimal practice to produce convincing turkey vocalizations.
Design & Ergonomics
The Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call boasts a well-thought-out design, prioritizing comfort and functionality. The use of premium soft tape ensures a secure and comfortable fit in the mouth, even during extended calling sessions. Its lightweight construction minimizes jaw fatigue.
The design is user-friendly, even for novice callers. There is a slight learning curve in mastering the nuances of each call. This is expected with any mouth call.
Durability & Maintenance
With proper care, the Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call should last at least one to two hunting seasons. The reeds are relatively durable, but the tape can wear down over time. Maintenance is simple: rinsing with water and air drying after each use.
Replacing the tape may be necessary after prolonged use. Luckily, it’s a fairly easy process.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call comes as a 2-pack. No additional accessories are included. There are limited customization options available directly from the Bone Collector.
The call is compatible with standard mouth call lanyards. It could benefit from the addition of reed trimmers for fine-tuning.
Pros and Cons of Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call
Pros
- Versatile: The 2-pack provides a range of turkey vocalizations, from soft purrs to aggressive cutts.
- Easy to Use: Suitable for both novice and experienced callers.
- Comfortable Design: Premium soft tape ensures a secure and comfortable fit.
- Good Value: The price is reasonable for a 2-pack of quality mouth calls.
- Realistic Sound: Produces convincing turkey sounds that can fool wary gobblers.
Cons
- Moisture Sensitivity: Excessive saliva can affect the sound quality.
- Tape Durability: The tape may wear down over time with frequent use.
Who Should Buy Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call?
The Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call is perfect for turkey hunters of all skill levels. It’s great for those seeking a versatile and easy-to-use mouth call system. It’s especially good for hunters who want to cover a wide range of turkey vocalizations.
Hunters who demand the utmost in sound quality and precision might prefer higher-end, custom-made calls. Those who dislike mouth calls altogether should skip this product.
A must-have accessory would be a mouth call lanyard to keep the calls readily available. Reed trimmers could also be beneficial for fine-tuning the calls to personal preferences.
Conclusion on Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call
The Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call offers a solid value proposition. It provides a versatile and easy-to-use mouth call system at a reasonable price. The 2-pack design, featuring The Illusionist and The Con Artist, caters to a wide range of calling styles and hunting scenarios.
I would personally recommend the Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call to turkey hunters seeking a reliable and effective calling system. Despite its minor drawbacks, the call’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses.
Don’t just sit there waiting for the gobbler to come to you, take control of your hunt! Get your Bone Collector Beard Bluffer Mouth Call today and experience the difference.
