The pot call, also known as the friction call, is preferred by inexperienced and beginner turkey hunters due to its realistic sounds and simplicity of use. It is an essential tool for turkey woods because it can simulate the yelps, cuts, clucks, and purrs of a hen.
To maximize the benefits of a pot call, the hunter needs to know how to use it properly and take routine maintenance and conditioning steps.
Pot calls have four main parts – the calling surface, sound board, pot and striker/peg. Generally, the calling surface is made of one of four main materials – slate, glass, crystal and aluminum.
The friction created when you rub the striker across the calling surface makes the turkey sound. To generate the necessary friction for authentic turkey sounds, the call needs to keep its surface roughened. The goal is to generate as much friction as you can between the surface of your call and the tip of your striker. The moisture and oils on your hands can cause the surface of your call to become slick over time, which will lower the sound quality. For this reason, you need to regularly condition (roughen up) the calling surface.
Chris Parrish, a professional staff member at Knight and Hale, suggests routinely conditioning your call to ensure that it sounds its best each and every time you use it.
To condition your call, you’ll need to use sandpaper or Scotch Brite pads, depending on the surface material. A Call Conditioning Tool is ideal for preparing surfaces for all friction calls.
To begin with, Parrish cautioned against using a circular sanding motion on any friction call. “You want to sand across the grain in the same direction or in a back and forth direction. This will make realistic turkey noises as the striker runs across the grain as you run across the surface. Running with the grain can create skips and misses, which will negatively affect the sound. Sanding the same way each time will keep your calling consistent. ”.
For slate calls, such as the Long Spur Slate Pot Call, Parrish advises against using sandpaper in favor of a Scotch Brite pad because the latter can “dig in” and wear down the surface more quickly. You can find Scotch Brite pads at stores such as Walmart or Home Depot.
For aluminum calls, such as the Long Spur Aluminum Pot Call, Parrish recommends using 120-grit sandpaper. “This size sandpaper helps to ensure that you don’t create big grooves on the aluminum surface. You want nice, fine grooves to produce realistic calls. ”.
Prior to conditioning a crystal or glass call, such as the Long Spur Glass Pot Call, the call should be prepared using a glass tool, also known as a glass stone—essentially, a fine-grit whetstone.
“Then take 80- to 100-grit sandpaper and finish prepping it,” Parrish said. “The stone is tough enough to cut the glass; then the sandpaper can roughen it up. ”.
For ceramic calls, like the Ol’ Yeller Classic Ceramic Turkey Pot Call, Parrish likes to use 220-grit sandpaper.
“You need to use a fine sandpaper because the ceramic surface can wear easily. Scotch Brite isn’t quite enough to cut and take out the striker line. Ceramic usually doesn’t take as much sanding as some of the other call surfaces. ”.
In addition to conditioning your friction calls, you want to protect them as well. Purchase a case or protective cover for your calls. After prepping them and when you’re not using them, put them in that case.
According to Parrish, the striker’s tip needs to be prepared in order to remove any pieces of aluminum, slate, ceramic, glass, or crystal. To prep the striker, just take a piece of sand paper or Scotch Bright and sand the tip.
“After I condition the tip, I put a drill bit cover on the end,” he said. ” It will slide right over the striker tip to protect it. ”.
With proper care, a well-made pot call can provide you with many fruitful years of calling in the turkey woods.
Hey there, fellow hunters! If you’re looking to up your turkey-calling game, then mastering the art of conditioning a glass turkey call is a must. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, so you can create a call that sounds as sweet as a spring gobbler’s song.
What You’ll Need:
- A glass turkey call: Choose a call that fits your hand comfortably and has a clear, resonant tone.
- Chalk: Opt for white chalk, as it provides the best contrast against the glass.
- Sandpaper: Fine-grit sandpaper will help you smooth out any rough edges on the call.
- Cotton balls: These will be used to apply the chalk and polish the call.
- Patience: Conditioning a glass call takes time and practice, so be patient and don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t sound perfect right away.
Step 1: Cleaning the Call:
Before you start conditioning your call, it’s important to clean it thoroughly. This will remove any dirt, debris, or oils that could interfere with the sound. Simply wash the call with warm water and mild soap, then dry it completely with a soft cloth.
Step 2: Applying the Chalk:
Once the call is clean and dry, it’s time to apply the chalk. This will create a smooth surface that will help the call produce clear, high-pitched sounds. Here’s how to do it:
- Hold the call in your non-dominant hand.
- Use the sandpaper to lightly roughen the surface of the call.
- Dip a cotton ball in the chalk and rub it over the surface of the call.
- Continue rubbing until the call is evenly coated with chalk.
Step 3: Polishing the Call:
After you’ve applied the chalk, it’s time to polish the call. This will assist in getting rid of extra chalk and produce a polished, smooth surface. Here’s how to do it:
- Hold the call in your non-dominant hand.
- Use a clean cotton ball to polish the call in a circular motion.
- Continue polishing until the call is smooth and shiny.
Step 4: Testing the Call:
Once you’ve polished the call, it’s time to test it out. Here are some tips for testing your call:
- Hold the call in your non-dominant hand.
- Place your mouth over the top of the call.
- Blow into the call using a short, sharp puff of air.
- Listen to the sound of the call.
Step 5: Adjusting the Call:
You can adjust the call by adding or removing chalk if it doesn’t sound quite right. Here’s how to do it:
- To make the call sound higher-pitched, add more chalk.
- To make the call sound lower-pitched, remove some chalk.
Step 6: Practicing with the Call:
The best way to improve your turkey-calling skills is to practice regularly. Here are some tips for practicing with your call:
- Start by practicing basic calls, such as yelps, clucks, and purrs.
- Once you’ve mastered the basic calls, you can start practicing more complex calls, such as gobbles and fighting purrs.
- Practice calling in different locations and under different conditions.
Tips and Tricks:
- Experiment with different types of chalk. Some hunters prefer to use different colors of chalk, or even a mixture of colors.
- Use a call lanyard to keep your call handy while you’re hunting.
- Take care of your call. Clean it regularly and store it in a protective case when not in use.
With a little practice and patience, you’ll be able to condition a glass turkey call that sounds amazing and helps you bag more gobblers. So get out there and start calling!