Turkey calls are at the top of the list in order to be a successful turkey hunter. Walk through the doors of the National Wild Turkey Federation Convention & Sports Show and you will see more people selling turkey calls than just about anything else.
A fun and inexpensive project would be to make your own pot call. To make things even better would be to make your own pot call and then kill a turkey with it. There are several companies that sell turkey call kits, but I recently bought a kit from Brookside Game Calls that included a walnut pot, glass soundboard, slate playing surface, striker, and directions. This is a fun project you can do at home.
The materials needed are easily obtained and include:
- Fine Grit sandpaper for sanding the call. I used 150 grit with good results.
- Glue. Brookside recommends GOOP, but I used Loctite with good results. It is important to make sure the glue you use is waterproof.
- Oil-based polyurethane to protect the call.
- Nylon Style Clamp.
Step 1:
When received the call kit, the pot had some rough surfaces. We used 150-grit sandpaper until the edges were smooth.
Step 2:
To protect the surface, I applied a fine layer of oil-based polyurethane that I wiped on with a rag. You could also use the polyurethane from a spray can. The shafts of the strikers were finished in the same manner, but the tip end was left unfinished for better sound.
Step 3:
After the pot was dry, we applied a thin layer of glue to the center of the call. Center the soundboard on the soundboard standoff. Clamp the soundboard into place and allow to dry.
Step 4:
Once the soundboard was dry, then it is time to apply the top of your call. This can be done by either applying a bead of glue to the underside of the playing surface or apply a thin bead of glue to the rim of the call where the playing surface will sit. I chose to apply glue to the rim of the call, and it worked well.
Step 5:
With the playing surface of the call in place, use your clamps and allow the glue to dry for about 12 hours.
Practice
Now that you have made your very own turkey call, the only thing left to do is practice with the call until you are able to make realistic turkey sounds.
Brookside Game Calls has many kit choices from which to choose. Even though I purchased a kit that had everything needed to make a call, you can purchase products separately to make the call you like. With a variety of woods to choose from for pre-cut pots, soundboards from all the popular materials and playing surfaces including glass, slate, aluminum, and crystal.
There are also many different kinds of wood for striker pegs and tops to choose from to complete your pot call. Another option is to purchase a kit to make a box call that sounds just as fun and is simple to make.
