Hunters Specialties HSWCC70163 Bull Hooker Cow Call Green Review

The Hunters Specialties HSWCC70163 Bull Hooker Cow Call Green Made a Bold First Impression

The Hunters Specialties HSWCC70163 Bull Hooker Cow Call Green arrived with the promise of simplifying my elk calling setup. As an outdoor and tactical gear specialist, I’ve spent over a decade refining my hunting strategies, and effective communication with game animals is paramount. I’ve always been on the lookout for calls that are both easy to use and reliably produce authentic sounds, which this call claimed to do with its internal-reed design and molded membrane.

My quest for the perfect cow call stemmed from frustration with complicated diaphragm calls. They often require extensive practice and can be difficult to master, especially in the heat of the moment when a bull is closing in. I needed something more intuitive, more reliable in varying conditions, and that wouldn’t leave me fumbling when opportunity knocked. I remember a hunt a few years back where a magnificent 6×6 bull came within 50 yards, only to spook when my diaphragm call squeaked instead of mewed.

The Bull Hooker Cow Call arrived in simple packaging, highlighting the call itself and the included lanyard. The molded green plastic felt sturdy and lightweight. The external membrane was flexible and appeared well-secured.

I considered other similar calls before settling on the Hunters Specialties Bull Hooker. The Primos Hyper Cow Girl was a contender, but its price point was significantly higher. Another option was the Elk Reaper Seduction Cow Call, however, I was concerned about its bulkier design hindering quick and quiet deployment.

My first impression was cautiously optimistic. The compact design and simple mechanics of the Hunters Specialties HSWCC70163 Bull Hooker Cow Call Green suggested ease of use. I was eager to test its sound quality and durability in the field.

Real-World Testing: Putting Hunters Specialties HSWCC70163 Bull Hooker Cow Call Green to the Test

First Use Experience

I field-tested the Bull Hooker Cow Call during a pre-season scouting trip in the Colorado Rockies. The terrain was a mix of dense timber and open meadows, with elevations ranging from 9,000 to 11,000 feet. I spent several hours practicing different cow elk vocalizations, from soft mews to more aggressive estrus calls.

The call performed reasonably well in dry conditions, producing a decent range of cow sounds with varying pressure on the membrane. However, when exposed to light rain and morning dew, the membrane became slightly less responsive, requiring more effort to produce consistent tones. The ease of use was evident, needing only minimal practice to create basic cow sounds.

One minor issue arose after the first hour of use: moisture began to accumulate inside the call, which slightly muffled the sound. I addressed it by occasionally blowing sharply into the call to clear the moisture.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several weeks of consistent use, the Bull Hooker Cow Call has proven to be a reliable, though not perfect, addition to my pack. There are minimal signs of wear and tear. The molded plastic has held up well to being bumped around in my pack and exposed to the elements.

Maintenance is straightforward. I simply wipe it down with a dry cloth after each use and occasionally disassemble it to clean the internal reed with a cotton swab. Compared to the finicky nature of diaphragm calls that require careful cleaning and storage, the Bull Hooker is a breeze to maintain.

My previous experience with higher-end diaphragm calls yielded superior sound quality and tonal range. The Bull Hooker Cow Call doesn’t quite match that level of realism, but it offers a significant advantage in ease of use and consistent performance in less-than-ideal conditions. The durability of the Hunters Specialties product is far superior to some more complex calls I have used in the past.

Breaking Down the Features of Hunters Specialties HSWCC70163 Bull Hooker Cow Call Green

Specifications

• The Hunters Specialties HSWCC70163 Bull Hooker Cow Call Green is a mouth-blown elk call designed to mimic cow elk vocalizations.
• It utilizes an internal-reed design for improved durability and consistency. The external molded membrane allows users to manipulate the sound.
• The call is constructed from molded green plastic and includes a carrying lanyard. It is lightweight for easy carry.

These specifications are important because they directly impact the call’s ease of use, durability, and sound quality. The internal reed design minimizes the risk of reed damage common with external reed calls. The molded membrane design is intended to allow for a wide variety of elk sounds.

Performance & Functionality

The Hunters Specialties Bull Hooker performs its primary job of producing cow elk sounds adequately. It is relatively easy to produce basic mews, chirps, and estrus calls with minimal practice. However, achieving advanced vocalizations and subtle tonal variations requires more skill and experimentation.

Its main strength lies in its simplicity and consistent performance. The main weakness is that it is not capable of producing the realistic sound of some higher-end diaphragm calls. It meets the basic expectations of a budget-friendly cow call, but don’t expect professional-grade sound quality.

Design & Ergonomics

The build quality is acceptable for a call in this price range. The molded plastic feels durable enough to withstand regular use in the field. The lightweight design and included lanyard make it comfortable to carry for extended periods.

The design is user-friendly. There is no significant learning curve to produce basic cow sounds. Its intuitive design is what separates it from more complex alternatives.

Durability & Maintenance

The Bull Hooker Cow Call is designed for durability. It should last for multiple seasons with proper care.

Maintenance is simple, requiring only occasional cleaning of the internal reed. The simple design helps extend its useful life.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Hunters Specialties HSWCC70163 Bull Hooker Cow Call Green comes with a carrying lanyard. There are no other included accessories.

There are no official customization options offered by Hunters Specialties. The molded plastic design limits modification possibilities. The market for aftermarket accessories is very small for this product.

Pros and Cons of Hunters Specialties HSWCC70163 Bull Hooker Cow Call Green

Who Should Buy Hunters Specialties HSWCC70163 Bull Hooker Cow Call Green?

The Hunters Specialties HSWCC70163 Bull Hooker Cow Call Green is perfect for beginner elk hunters looking for an affordable and easy-to-use call. It is also a good option for experienced hunters who want a reliable backup call that requires minimal maintenance.

Those who should skip this product are experienced elk hunters seeking professional-grade sound quality and advanced vocalization capabilities. They would be better served by investing in a higher-end diaphragm call and dedicating time to mastering its use.

A must-have accessory would be a small microfiber cloth to occasionally wipe the external membrane dry. A small container of desiccant packets to store the call in after use will also help remove moisture.

Conclusion on Hunters Specialties HSWCC70163 Bull Hooker Cow Call Green

The Hunters Specialties HSWCC70163 Bull Hooker Cow Call Green offers a solid value proposition for budget-conscious elk hunters. It offers ease of use, durability, and reasonably reliable performance.

At a price of $10.99, the price is justified. Its simplicity and consistent performance make it a worthwhile investment, especially for beginners.

I would recommend the Bull Hooker Cow Call to anyone looking for an entry-level elk call that is easy to learn and use. It’s a reliable tool to add to any elk hunter’s arsenal. Get yours today and start calling in those bulls!