logan wittmer said:
Hey everyone,
I was wondering if anyone had any information (preferrably with pictures) about making hunting horns? Ive read alot of Articles on making powder horns but what is differant making a hunting horn? Is there anywhere where i can buy pre-made mouth pieces? Thanks for any help.
Welcome to the forum, Logan. I picked up what used to be a real nice hunting horn at a bargain price... then turned that baby into a powder horn! The mouthpiece had been chipped out and the seller never even considered just reshaping or recarving it a little further down on the spout. It had only a simple hole with a small bugle shaped mouthpiece carved on the end... pursing the lips was what gave it the pitch... just like a bugle.
As for making your own, cleaning and shaping the exterior would be similar to making a powder horn, just leave off the base plug. Check this out:
[url]
http://www.nmroyalrangers.org/FCF/making_a_powder_horn.htm[/url]
Where these folks recommend using paint on the spout, I like using fabric dye better. Soak the end of the horn in the dye until it gets to the shade you like.
Other decoration is usually scrimshaw (incised carving filled with ink or stain of a contrasting color, like sailors used to do with whale's teeth, etc) or raised carving. As for shaping the mouthpiece, I guess you would do it just like shaping the pouring spout on a horn... just have to get the shape right.
Carving can be done with a rotary cutter (Dremel tool), but I use a pocket knife, files, and rasps to make my horns. Some are pretty thick, so you can have lots of room to work with.
Plenty of helpful folks around here... just jump in and get started... you can get raw horns for as little as $5 each if you shop around... when you get stuck or have questions, just ask! Someone here has been there and done that and will have an answer for you.
I just stuck a bugle mouthpiece in the hole in the end aand didnt put a plug in the big end. works great and PC be darned. my wife uses it for calling the kids. Bob
