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Western Rivers Gamestalker Combo Electronic Caller

Western Rivers Gamestalker Combo Electronic Caller

The skill of calling various animals and birds has in the most part always evaded me, so I’ve always preferred to get myself into the right position and just wait. However, a short telephone call from Andrew Small at BushWear has now got me well and truly hooked on calling a whole variety of birds and various animals into range. Reason being, Andrew very kindly sent me this new outfit, an attaché case that comes complete with the calling unit, remote control, all the wires and downloading cables you need to add even more calls along with the Deceptor Rabbit Decoy.

Powered by eight AA batteries and looking ostensibly like a small radio clad in Next Microprint camouflage, each end of the shower proof unit houses a large, deep horned loud speakers that can be operated either singularly or both together. A broad handle allows the shooter to safely carry the unit whilst a simple control panel complete with small LCD green screen allows the shooter to turn on, adjust the volume and select from any one of the standard four hundred and twenty five pre-programmed calls contained on the 1GB memory card. Beneath this a small rubber cover protects a series of USB sockets that allow for MP3 or WAV based internet downloads to be transferred from your laptop directly into the call’s memory.

Remote Control and a Wascally Wiggling Wabbit…

A 9 volt battery powered remote control with a short, stubby hinged aerial allows the shooter to deploy and vary the calls and volume at distance. The switches and green LCD screen of the remote emulate those of the main unit. Call wise since the Apache is American, the bulk of the pre-programmed calls are of little use in the UK, moose, brown bear, beaver, cotton tails, turkey, cougar, elk, leopard, lion, raccoon and coyote little more than entertaining. However, the various fox, crow, geese, magpie, squirrel and rabbit calls, copies of the American species are actually extremely useful and effective.

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It’s whilst using the rabbit calls it’s an idea to deploy the twin AAA – battery powered Deceptor Rabbit Decoy. Also available as a separate item, the decoy is made up of a fur felt rabbit-like ‘glove puppet’ that is pulled over a wire frame. The body of the decoy – and most importantly the movement – is sufficiently realistic enough to fool a fox or other bunny predator. The wire frame attaches to a two-piece powered base unit that causes the decoy to twist, turn and rotate, so emulating an injured rabbit.

In Use

To use the Apache all you need do is locate it somewhere safe in the vicinity of the animal or bird you wish to decoy, turn it on and select the appropriate call. The only technicality you’ll have to become acquainted with is the volume. Set it on too loud and you’ll achieve the opposite effect to the one you were after whilst too low and nothing will hear it. Various outings more or less proved that about half volume is the most effective whilst the calls themselves are actual high quality sound recordings of the bird or animal in question not computerised simulations.

Get the volume, time of day and location right and you’ll be surprised - as I was - as to how effective the Apache is at luring in your intended quarry. Make sure that you are suitably concealed and positioned - or in a hide - for the maximum effect. A word of advice though, if you intend using the Apache Pro on a regular basis, invest in a set of rechargeable batteries, all three units detailed here are noticeably battery heavy if powered by proprietary alkaline. 

Not especially cheap but none the less remarkably effective, the Apache Pro Combo costs £299.99p and that includes the Rabbit Deceptor that would normally set you back £34.95p separately.    In respect of the additional calls, by visiting and downloading from www.gsmoutdoors.com/maestro/digital-sounds/ a whole host of additional calls can be instantly sourced, the selection and variation of which are numerous and versatile. For more detail on the Apache Pro Combo and all the Western Rivers calls visit www.bushwear.co.uk or give them a call on 0845 2260469.

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