Making a turkey call

[asminuteman]

Bezon Riflemen,

Could I impose for some guidence?
I can work with leather, wood and steel, but...
(silly question) just how do you make (create) a turkey call....I understand its just bones.

any pic'? out there you'd wish to share....It is the season to gather those bones...

I haven't found anything in the "searches" of the forum....

thanks
a fellow riflemen aka green horn on this topic

 

[buford87]

I just finished making two calls recently, take the two large bones from the wing of the turkey and slowly saw both ends off of both bones ,i use a fine toothed hacksaw , clean the inside out of the bones with a thin piece of wire, coathanger or pipecleaner, fit one end of the smaller bone into the larger bone when you find a good fit glue together with elmers wood glue or school glue. Before glueing you can boil the bones in salt water for 1/2 hour to toughen up you can also soak in coffee to age .........................watch yer top knot.............. I should have said the two large bones in the same wing one will be smaller than the other but that way they will fit together

 

[gus13]

theres a tutorial on the horners bench. very easy to make,just cut 'em, clean 'em, boil 'em (use a little dish soap to help soften any of the marrow you might have missed),then fit 'em. use some epoxy or glue to get them to stick in place, and you have a working call.
prettifying it is up to you and your own imagination! :thumbsup:
heres a bad pic of the first one I ever made. not a work of art but it does work.used my own mix of beeswax and tallow for the "aging" and some necklace leather for the wraps (wax thread works better!)

 

[George]

any pic'? out there you'd wish to share....

When I got my bones ready for joining I melted a little beeswax and painted the end of the small one and inserted it into the larger one where I wanted it. The beeswax set up and held them together while I wrapped the joint with deer sinew, then I painted the wrap. Easy and fun project, and they work.

Spence

 

[hawkthrower]

Here is mine using the tutorial on the horners bench, Its the first one I ever made and I have two more to do.
Ron

 

[Black Hand]

I use the same methodology but boil the bones in Biz laundry detergent with enzymes. This stuff really cleans the bones well.

I cut the ends off, clean the inside (even boiling again in detergent to remove the strange taste/smell) and fit the bones. I use cutlers resin and sinew to join the bones.

 

[hoochiepapa]

OK, how come some are two part, and some three?
Nice looking stuff, by the way.

 

[paulvallandigham]

The longer the call, the deeper the "yelp" sounds.

 

[Bruce Bogart]

Here's a few I made.

Fun to make and learn to use!

 

[buford87]

When you make your call don't make just one. Each call will sound slightly different from any other call. If you have more than one you can work with them and decide which sounds better..............watch yer top knot...................

 

[asminuteman]

Outstanding - Fantasic - Wonderful

do I go to far?
Many Thanks to you all for the help
I'd tip the tricorn but I've been told that Its way to "city boy"

So...you are welcome in my camp anytime....
(coffee & rum)

Ken

 

[gus13]

OK, how come some are two part, and some three?
Nice looking stuff, by the way.

some are two bone and the others are three bone calls. it really depends on the maker and whats available which you prefer to make. (next one, I'll try using the femur as I've heard that works really good for the bell end!)

 

[mazo kid]

...any pic'? out there you'd wish to share....I haven't found anything in the "searches" of the forum....thanks
a fellow riflemen aka green horn on this topic

I realize this thread is slanted to turkey wing bone calls, but the title is "making a turkey call". I just wanted to show that there are several other options for making simple turkey calls. Here are 4 of mine:

yes, a clam shell half with a few drilled holes and a twig! How simple is that?

 

[George]

yes, a clam shell half with a few drilled holes and a twig! How simple is that?

Will you describe the making and use of the call, please? What holes, and why? Scrape the twig on the mother-of-pearl side, I presume?

Spence

 

[lonehunter]

Mazo, That is one sweet looking box call! :bow: :bow: :v

 

[mazo kid]

I'm not sure why the holes are there, that's how one that I saw was made. I would assume maybe for more resonance? Yes, rub the twig at a fairly steep angle on the inside.

 

[mazo kid]

Yes it is....but I can't take any credit for it. A retired friend works part-time at Pecatonica Rifle Works and has access to their scrap pile; he made that one and also the turtle shell call.

 

[hoochiepapa]

OOHH, now I can't wait for turkey season!
Thanks for the pics! Often wondered if a big clam shell had any use, now I know. :thumbsup:
Is there a secret to gettng the box call to sound right? I made one out of cherry, and the sound is too low and just not right. Maybe thin the sides?

 

[mazo kid]

OOHH, now I can't wait for turkey season!
Thanks for the pics! Often wondered if a big clam shell had any use, now I know. :thumbsup:
Is there a secret to gettng the box call to sound right? I made one out of cherry, and the sound is too low and just not right. Maybe thin the sides?

Mike, I'm certainly not the expert to ask, but I think you are right about thinning the box sides. Oh, I almost forgot another call.....for those who have slate in your area, find a small, thin piece and another twig and there you have another call. Don't have a picture of mine but it was made at Grand Portage rendezvous a few years ago during a seminar. The slate should be as smooth, thin, and flat as possible.

 

[hoochiepapa]

So much info!!
Thanks!! :hatsoff: