Man made animal calls

[Kevin M]

Besides turkey calls, what other types of calls were used by Native Americans and perhaps colonists? I was thinking of deer hunting and having a signal to use between groups. In the early wars they used a turkey call. I am afraid if I clucked on a turkey call the deer would leave the mountain as they are not common here. Just curious. I am thinking in the lines of a call that you hold in your hand made of period materials and not just holding your hand to your mouth and making a call with your own voice.

 

[Rebel]

Actually, deer might come to the turkey call out of curiosity. I have had them come into varmint calls when calling for coyotes.

 

[Kevin M]

Are there any varmint calls that can be dated back to the 18th century? Made out of bone or cut out of cane or anyting like that?

 

[Rebel]

I doubt that people back then were too concerned with calling varmints. Most just shot game for food i would think, and didn't waste powder and lead on varmints.

 

[Kevin M]

Varmint calls will sometimes call in bigger critters. Can you think of any other calls that indiginous people to the United States might have used or that Europeans might have brought with them? Besides the turkey call

 

[Rebel]

Birchbark moose call.

 

[CrackStock]

I don't know what they used, but I used a 35 mm film canister and Burger King straw to make a turkey call. Worked pretty well. Did okay for turkey, but worked better on deer!

CS

 

[Rebel]

I made a bunch of turkey calls out of bamboo. They work fine.

 

[CrackStock]

I have seen those as well and have been eyeing a bunch of bamboo in a lot on the way home...

Some is big enough to call elephants!

LOL

CS

 

[freetrapper20]

Reeds work good too.

 

[Kevin M]

I use the wingbones from a turkey to make a turkey call that is pretty decent. I would like to learn more about making other types of calls. You guys have any pics?

 

[Rebel]

Yea, but don't know how to post them.

 

[Riley/MN]

I never tried it, but remember seein somethin about makin a squirrel call from a couple of pop-bottle caps. Does anyone know what I'm talkin about? Not me for sure. Not even sure if you can get pop in bottles with that type of top (without goin to barley-pop).

 

[brubincam]

just put your lips together like a kiss, make a kissing sound, fools squirrels around here

 

[Stumpkiller]

I never tried it, but remember seein somethin about makin a squirrel call from a couple of pop-bottle caps. Does anyone know what I'm talkin about? Not me for sure. Not even sure if you can get pop in bottles with that type of top (without goin to barley-pop).

Yes. Two nickles work, too. You lick your thumb and index finger tips, place the bottle caps (or coins) over the finger pads and "click" them together three or four times rapidly. "tic-tic-tic-tic". About as fast as you can say it. It either sounds enough like a squirrel eating a nut or just a curious enough sound that it brings them around a branch or tree to check out the source. It really does work.

I suppose you could use two flints to make it PC. :haha:

 

[Rebel]

If you take 2 bottle caps and drill or punch small holes in the center, then tape them together, bottom to bottom. Put the cap up to your lips and blow through the hole. Some experimenting with hole size and position may be needed. I use one for a quial call. I also make varmint calls from 2 popsickle sticks. Soak them until they are flexible, and then put a small round stick or something in the center between 2 of them and clamp the ends somehow. I use small rubber bands. After they dry, take the bands off and put a rubber band, about 1/4" wide, lengthways over one of them and put them back together with rubber bands on each end. Place in mouth and blow across rubber band. Squeezing down with your lips can produce different notes.

 

[Black Hand]

I used to use apricot pits to make a similar whistle when I was young. Drill holes in each side and work the seed out, then blow or suck (can't remember which one) and it will make a whistling sound. Might work for squirrel???
Black Hand

 

Using my tongue and cheek, with my teeth clenched I suck air in and make a sound like a squirrel chastising an animal. Draws them out for me. Learned that one when I twere a lad living in the Appalachians.

Just :m2c: