Why I Chose the Quaker Boy Double Easy Yelper: A Hands-On Review
The allure of the wild turkey, its cunning intelligence, and the challenge of calling it within range is a siren song for many hunters. For years, I’ve relied on my gear to bridge the gap between my intent and the bird’s response. My search for a reliable, user-friendly turkey call led me to the Quaker Boy Double Easy Yelper. Quaker Boy has a long-standing reputation in the hunting community for producing quality calls, and the promise of an “easy” yelper struck a chord with me, given the often-frustrating learning curve associated with mastering certain calls. I’ve seen other hunters struggle, and I was seeking a tool that wouldn’t add to that frustration. Upon receiving it, the initial impression was one of simple, functional design. It felt surprisingly lightweight, yet solid enough for field use. While I considered a few other common friction calls, the simplicity implied by the name “Double Easy” was the deciding factor. There’s a certain satisfaction in finding a tool that just works, and my immediate reaction was one of hopeful anticipation.
Real-World Testing: Putting Quaker Boy Double Easy Yelper to the Test
First Use Experience
My initial testing grounds for the Quaker Boy Double Easy Yelper were my own backyard, a quiet patch of woods behind my house, and later, actual early morning turkey hunts during the spring season. The goal was to replicate the conditions a hunter would face – from crisp dawn air to the unpredictable gusts of wind that can disrupt sound. I tested it on different surfaces, holding it in various positions to see if ambient noise or my own stance affected the sound.
The call proved surprisingly intuitive from the outset. There was no significant period of fiddling or consulting a manual; the action of drawing the striker across the surface felt natural. The sound produced was a clear, sharp yelp that cut through the morning air effectively.
My only minor surprise was how sensitive it could be to the angle of the striker. A slight adjustment in pressure or angle could subtly change the pitch or rasp, which, while requiring a touch of finesse, also opened up more sonic possibilities than I initially anticipated. This meant I needed to pay attention to my grip and stroke, but it wasn’t an overly complicated skill to acquire.
Extended Use & Reliability
Weeks turned into months, and this yelper became a regular companion on my hunting trips. It endured being jostled in my vest, tossed onto the forest floor (accidentally, of course), and exposed to early morning dew and occasional light rain. Despite this, its performance remained remarkably consistent.
There were no signs of structural degradation; the plastic didn’t crack, and the surfaces didn’t become unduly smooth or worn down. The consistency of the sound produced after dozens of uses was impressive, a testament to the durable components Quaker Boy utilized.
Maintenance was, as expected, minimal. A quick wipe-down with a damp cloth after a hunt was usually sufficient. I found it’s best to store it dry to prevent any potential moisture from affecting the sound board over time.
Compared to some of the budget friction calls I’ve used in the past, this one held up significantly better. Those cheaper options often warped or lost their sound quality relatively quickly. The Double Easy Yelper, on the other hand, feels like a long-term investment, offering reliable performance that I’ve come to depend on.
Breaking Down the Features of Quaker Boy Double Easy Yelper
Specifications
The Quaker Boy Double Easy Yelper is designed with simplicity and effectiveness in mind, boasting a straightforward yet robust construction. Its primary material is what feels like a durable, high-impact plastic, chosen for its resilience in the field. The call measures approximately 11 inches in length, with a width of 5 inches and a height of 2 inches. This larger size contributes to the ease of grip and manipulation, ensuring it’s not easily lost or fumbled.
The weight is a mere 0.2 oz, making it exceptionally lightweight and thus, unobtrusive when carried in a hunting vest or pocket. There are no additional features listed, highlighting its singular focus on producing realistic turkey yelps. The species it targets is, of course, Turkey. This minimalist approach to specifications is a deliberate choice by Quaker Boy, emphasizing that the core function of the call is paramount, with no unnecessary complexity to hinder its use.
Performance & Functionality
The core function of any turkey call is its ability to mimic the natural sounds of the target species, and the Double Easy Yelper performs this task admirably. Its design facilitates the production of clear, sharp yelps that carry well through woodland environments. The ease of use is its most significant functional advantage.
The “Double Easy” moniker is well-earned. The striker glides across the sound board with minimal effort, producing a convincing yelp with a moderate amount of rasp. This balance is crucial; too much rasp can sound unnatural, while too little can lack the authentic “edge” that attracts a wary gobbler.
While it excels at producing basic yelps, advanced users might find it slightly less nuanced than more complex calls with multiple sound surfaces or strikers. However, for its intended purpose – providing a reliable and straightforward way to call turkeys – its performance is excellent, exceeding expectations for a call in its price bracket.
Design & Ergonomics
The design of the Quaker Boy Double Easy Yelper is inherently functional, prioritizing user-friendliness. The materials feel robust, suggesting it can withstand the typical rigors of outdoor use without complaint. The plastic construction is smooth to the touch, with no sharp edges or uncomfortable seams.
Ergonomically, the call is well-conceived. Its substantial length and width provide ample surface area for a secure grip, even with cold or gloved hands. This generous size is a key factor in its ease of use, reducing the chance of accidentally dropping the call or losing your grip during a critical moment.
The striker, typically made of wood or a similar material, complements the call’s body. Its shape and texture offer a comfortable hold, allowing for controlled strokes. The simplicity of the design—a single-surface call with a dedicated striker—means there’s virtually no learning curve, making it accessible even for novice hunters.
Durability & Maintenance
Based on my extensive use, the Quaker Boy Double Easy Yelper is built to last. The resilient components Quaker Boy uses suggest it’s designed for years of reliable service, even with frequent use throughout multiple hunting seasons. I have yet to encounter any failure points, and the sound quality remains consistent.
Maintenance is refreshingly simple, which is a significant plus for any piece of gear intended for the outdoors. A quick wipe-down after use is generally all that’s required to keep it in optimal condition. It’s important to ensure it dries thoroughly before storing it to prevent any potential long-term issues with the sound board.
There are no readily apparent weak spots in its construction. The integrated design means fewer parts to break or wear out. This straightforward durability makes it an excellent choice for hunters who demand gear that can withstand the elements and consistent field application.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Quaker Boy Double Easy Yelper comes as a complete package, typically including the call and its corresponding striker. There are no additional accessories or external components included or readily available for this specific model. Its design is intentionally self-contained, meaning there are no slots for interchangeable strikers, different sound boards, or other add-ons.
This lack of customization is a deliberate choice by Quaker Boy to maintain the call’s core simplicity and ease of use. While some hunters might prefer the ability to swap components to fine-tune their sounds, this model is designed to offer a consistent, effective yelp straight out of the box. The focus here is on straightforward functionality rather than modularity.
Pros and Cons of Quaker Boy Double Easy Yelper
Pros
- Exceptional ease of use: The “Double Easy” name is accurate; it’s remarkably simple to operate, even for beginners.
- Consistent, realistic yelps: Produces clear, sharp turkey yelps with a pleasant amount of rasp.
- Durable construction: Made from resilient components that hold up well to field use and varying conditions.
- Lightweight and portable: Its 0.2 oz weight makes it unobtrusive in a hunting vest.
- Great value for the price: Offers reliable performance without a significant financial investment.
Cons
- Limited sound variation: May lack the complex nuances required by advanced callers compared to multi-piece calls.
- No customization options: It’s a fixed design with no interchangeable parts for personalized sound tuning.
- Basic aesthetic: The design is purely functional, lacking the more refined or naturalistic aesthetics some hunters prefer.
Who Should Buy Quaker Boy Double Easy Yelper?
The Quaker Boy Double Easy Yelper is an ideal choice for novice turkey hunters or those who are new to using friction calls. Its inherent simplicity makes the learning curve practically non-existent, allowing new hunters to focus on learning calling sequences and strategies rather than mastering the call itself. It’s also an excellent option for experienced hunters who appreciate reliable, no-fuss gear that performs consistently.
Anyone who prioritizes ease of use and portability will find this yelper to be a valuable addition to their kit. It’s perfect for those who want a dependable call that won’t fail them in the field, regardless of their experience level.
However, serious turkey hunters who demand a wide range of complex vocalizations and enjoy fine-tuning their calls with interchangeable strikers or multiple sound surfaces might find this model a bit too basic. If you’re seeking ultra-realistic mouth calls or complex box calls for advanced mimicry, you might want to explore other options. For those who appreciate a straightforward, effective tool, this call is hard to beat.
Conclusion on Quaker Boy Double Easy Yelper
The Quaker Boy Double Easy Yelper lives up to its name, offering a remarkably accessible and effective tool for any turkey hunter. Its straightforward design, resilient components, and consistent performance make it a standout in its category. For its price point, the value offered is substantial, providing a reliable way to produce realistic turkey yelps without a steep learning curve or significant investment.
I would unequivocally recommend this yelper to anyone entering the world of turkey hunting or those who simply want a dependable call that works. While it may not satisfy the most demanding niche hunters looking for advanced customization, it excels at its primary function: bringing turkeys within range. It’s a testament to Quaker Boy’s understanding of what hunters truly need – gear that is both effective and easy to use in the challenging conditions of the outdoors.