Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call Review

What Led Me to Try the Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call

The crisp autumn air, the rustle of leaves underfoot, and the thrilling possibility of a gobbler answering your call – these are the elements that draw so many of us to the turkey woods each spring. For years, I’d relied on a rotation of tried-and-true friction calls, each with its own quirks and capabilities. However, this past season, I found myself consistently struggling to produce the specific, clear yelps and cutts needed to coax a hesitant tom out of the timber. I needed a call that could cut through a brisk wind and deliver nuanced tones that simply sounded right, and the marketing for the Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call caught my eye with its promise of clear, far-reaching sounds. The manufacturer, Bone Collector, is known for its commitment to hunting gear, and the description specifically mentioned a glass over glass design, which is a combination I’ve had good experiences with in the past. While I briefly considered a different brand known for its intricate wood carvings, the focus on sonic clarity and all-weather performance steered me toward this particular friction call. My initial impression upon unboxing was one of solid craftsmanship, and I felt a distinct sense of curiosity mixed with a hopeful anticipation for what it could bring to my next hunt.

Real-World Testing: Putting Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call to the Test

First Use Experience

My initial testing of the Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call took place on a blustery morning in a dense hardwood stand, the kind of environment where wind can easily drown out softer calls. I found a relatively sheltered spot and began working the call, using the included Diamond Wood striker. The first few clucks and purrs were surprisingly clear, and even with a stiff breeze, I could hear the notes carrying well. As I progressed to yelps and cutts, I noticed the call had a distinct ability to produce a sharp, cutting sound that didn’t become muddled in the wind. It took a little bit of adjustment to find the perfect sweet spot on the striker and the glass surface to elicit the exact pitch I was aiming for; it wasn’t immediately intuitive to get the rasp I desired. However, after a few minutes of practice, I began to understand its unique feel and how to manipulate the striker for different tones. The premium mahogany cup felt comfortable in my hand, and the overall build quality suggested it could withstand the rigors of the field without issue.

Extended Use & Reliability

Over the course of several hunting trips and practice sessions, the Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call has held up exceptionally well. I’ve used it in light rain, across temperatures ranging from chilly mornings to warmer afternoons, and it has consistently performed without any noticeable degradation in sound quality. The glass over glass construction seems to be remarkably resilient to environmental changes. There have been no signs of cracking, warping, or stiffness in the materials, and the striker remains in good condition. Cleaning is straightforward; a quick wipe down with a dry cloth after each use is usually sufficient, and I’ve found no need for any specialized maintenance beyond that. Compared to some of the more delicate friction calls I’ve owned in the past, this friction call has proven itself to be a robust and reliable companion. It’s certainly held its own against both budget options, which often falter quickly, and higher-end calls that can be overly sensitive to moisture.

Breaking Down the Features of Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call

Specifications

The Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call is built around a glass over glass soundboard configuration, a key element for achieving its advertised clarity and volume. The cup is crafted from a premium Mahogany, contributing to both its aesthetic appeal and acoustic properties. This particular model is designed specifically for Turkey species calls. It comes standard with a Diamond Wood striker, chosen for its balance of hardness and weight to produce a range of vocalizations. The Color is described as Hardwood, indicating a natural wood finish. Its Fabric/Material is primarily Wood for the cup, combined with glass for the sound surfaces.

These specifications translate directly into performance in the field. The glass over glass design is crucial for producing the sharp, clear yelps and cutts that are necessary to cut through wind and distance. The premium Mahogany cup provides a comfortable and stable platform for the caller, and its material choice often lends itself to a pleasant resonance. The Diamond Wood striker is a good all-around choice, capable of producing a variety of tones from soft clucks to loud, aggressive cutting. The hardwood aesthetic is also a plus for a hunting tool, blending in well with natural surroundings.

Performance & Functionality

The primary job of any turkey call is to mimic the vocalizations of a hen turkey, and the Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call does an admirable job of this, particularly in its ability to produce clear, loud calls. Its strength lies in its aggressive cutting and loud yelps, which are essential for attracting a gobbler from a distance or when facing windy conditions. I found it particularly adept at producing sharp, cutting sounds that really carry.

However, achieving softer, more nuanced purrs and clucks requires a bit more finesse with the included Diamond Wood striker. While it can produce them, it takes careful pressure and angle adjustment to avoid an overly sharp tone. This isn’t necessarily a flaw, but rather a characteristic of its design that favors louder, more piercing sounds. It meets expectations for clarity and volume but requires practice for its subtler capabilities.

Design & Ergonomics

The premium Mahogany cup of this friction call feels substantial and comfortable in the hand, offering a good grip without being overly bulky. The finish is smooth and natural, contributing to its overall premium feel. The glass over glass surface is well-seated within the cup, showing excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The ergonomics are quite good; the shape allows for a natural hand position, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods. There was a slight learning curve to master the precise pressure and angle needed for different calls, as mentioned, but this is typical of friction calls and not necessarily a drawback of the design itself. The inclusion of the Diamond Wood striker feels balanced and appropriately weighted for striking the glass surface.

Durability & Maintenance

Based on its construction, this friction call feels like it’s built to last. The wood cup appears robust, and the glass over glass surfaces are securely integrated. I anticipate it will hold up well under typical hunting conditions for many seasons.

Maintenance is straightforward, requiring only a simple wipe-down after use to remove any dust or debris. The Diamond Wood striker is also durable and shows no signs of significant wear after multiple uses. There are no obvious weak points or components prone to failure, which is a major plus for a piece of field equipment.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call comes with a single, but effective, Diamond Wood striker. The product description explicitly notes that combining this call with different strikers can change tonality, pitch, and raspiness. This suggests a degree of customization is possible by experimenting with various striker materials and shapes. While no other accessories are included, the inherent nature of friction calls means the striker is the primary interchangeable component for altering sound.

Pros and Cons of Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call

Who Should Buy Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call?

This friction call is an excellent choice for experienced turkey hunters who need a reliable call capable of producing loud, cutting sounds to reach gobblers in challenging conditions. If you frequently hunt in windy areas or dense woods where sound penetration is critical, this call will serve you very well. It’s also a great option for those who appreciate the tactile feel and classic sound of glass-on-glass calls but want a more robust construction.

However, absolute beginners might find the finer nuances a bit challenging to master initially without significant practice. Those who prioritize extremely subtle and soft clucks above all else might want to experiment with different strikers or calls specifically designed for that purpose. For those looking to enhance its capabilities, I’d highly recommend exploring various striker materials like carbon or specialized wood blends to unlock the full tonal spectrum of this call.

Conclusion on Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call

The Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call is a powerful and well-crafted tool for any serious turkey hunter. Its glass over glass soundboard, paired with a premium Mahogany cup, delivers the clear, far-reaching calls necessary to bring a gobbler into range, even in less-than-ideal conditions. While it excels at producing aggressive yelps and cutts, mastering its softer tones requires a dedicated practice session with the included Diamond Wood striker, or perhaps experimenting with other strikers to unlock its full sonic potential. Considering its solid construction, reliable performance, and the clear advantage it offers in challenging environments, this friction call represents a strong value for its price. I would confidently recommend it to any hunter looking for a dependable and potent addition to their turkey hunting arsenal, provided they are willing to put in the practice time to master its capabilities.