Like many people that receive a new product claiming to work, I was skeptical. I received my new prototype ‘Buck Reel’ from Reel Game Calls owner Drew Rouse last October while hunting together in the bluff country of southwestern Wisconsin. I wasn’t convinced this new Buck Reel could make a difference in my hunting success. See I had reason to be skeptical. At this point I had utilized a typical ‘can’ doe bleat call for the better part of the last decade. Over the course of hundreds of hunts, and endless empty encounters after flipping the can over again and again — I had little faith a different doe bleat would provide success. Until it did.
SO EASY TO USE
It didn’t take me long to fall in love with this new revolutionary deer call. Right away I found the call super easy to use. I was able to manipulate both the volume and tone of the Buck Reel simply by increasing or decreasing my air flow or by squeezing down lightly on the call with one hand. Unlike the troubling inconsistency with trying to keep a can call bleat short and concise, I was easily able to make short bleats emulating a true doe estrus bleat. Needless to say I quickly became excited to take this call out into the Wisconsin hardwoods.
REELING IN A WISCONSIN GIANT
Over the next two weeks I was amazed at the effectiveness of the Buck Reel. I was able to call at least a half dozen bucks into shooting range while blind calling (calling without having a buck in sight) during the first three-day weekend I worked the call. The morning of November 12th ensured that a Buck Reel will forever remain in my pocket every time I hit the whitetail woods. After an eventful morning had me watching bucks run and chase does in the woods across a field, I decided to switch treestands at 8:30am. After methodical step-by-step walk to my new treestand set-up I approached the base of the tree. Before I could start my ascent I was shocked to have a 10-point buck scramble up the bluff from a hollow below with his nose to the ground. Dejected as he sprinted wildly up to the ridge top, I pulled out my Buck Reel from my pocket and attempted three Estrus Bleats in hopes of bringing him back down to my location. What happened next was even better! Seconds later a small 4-point buck came crashing up the same hollow, followed by a massive 12-point beast we had nicknamed ‘Splitter 2’ for his matching split G2s on both sides of his rack. After Splitter 2 bullied and chased off the small buck, he spun around and head straight back towards my tree. Not seeing the doe he was after he started back down the hollow, but presented me with a 35 yard quartering awayshot. I had just ‘reeled’ in the biggest buck I had ever laid eyes on in the wild. It was pure jubilation later that day when I recovered the animal less than sixty yards from where I had made the shot.
WHY IT’S A GAME-CHANGER
I’ve already mentioned this call is super easy to operate. Besides being able to manipulate tone and duration of the call – I believe their are two other overlooked factors that make this call stand above all other doe bleats. I cannot underestimate the importance of being able to control the volume of a doe bleat. A can call provides one finite volume. I can make a Buck Reel bleat loud if I need to grab the attention of a distant buck – however, even more important to me is I can feel extremely confident in finessing a soft, subtle bleat if that buck is in close proximity. This can mean the difference in a buck skirting me at 50-60 yards or closing the distance to within bow range.
The second game-changing factor this call has is its size. This call easily and comfortably fits in my pants pocket, or in the chest pocket of my jacket or vest. It is in my hands instantly if I need it, whether I am up in the tree or walking to my stand. The problem with many can calls is the awkward size – never comfortable in a pocket – and doing you
no good stuffed in your backpack when you want that call now. The Buck Reel is always in my pocket – ready to call in another buck this season – and it should be in your pocket
this season too. Get the call that can make a difference in your hunting season!