Calling in a mature gobbler generates a special kind of excitement during spring turkey hunts. It’s guaranteed to jack up your heartrate, and make you come back for more.
To enjoy turkey hunting’s spring tradition, you don’t have to be an expert caller. You do, however, need the right tools and know how to use them.
One of the easiest calls for beginners to learn and one of the most versatile for turkey hunting is the slate call, also known as a friction call or pot call. It produces every call, loud or subtle, for coaxing gobblers in close. Slate calls consist of a pot and striker. The pot is a wood or plastic body that holds a slate, crystal, glass or aluminum surface. Pots and strikers are available in various woods to customize the sounds.
You can choose your slate call at a nearby archery shop, which you can locate here.
Once you have your slate call, start practicing and learning how to make turkey sounds. Before starting, use sandpaper or a Scotch Brite pad to prep the slate’s surface. Most slate calls come with a small piece of sandpaper or scratchpad to get you started.
To prep your slated, don’t sand in a circular motion. Sand back and forth to create straight lines across the surface. You’ll stroke your striker against the grain you created to make realistic, consistent turkey sounds. Once you’ve prepped your call, you’re ready practice.
For any hunter who wants to succeed in the field, calling turkeys is a necessary skill. The slate call is a favorite among turkey hunters due to its characteristic rasping sound. However, mastering this call requires practice and understanding of its nuances. This in-depth manual will provide you the skills and information you need to use a slate call successfully and draw in those elusive gobblers.
Understanding the Slate Call:
The slate call consists of a flat, circular piece of slate, typically housed in a wooden frame. A striker, usually made of wood or acrylic, is used to scrape across the surface of the slate, producing the desired sound. The pitch and tone of the call vary depending on the pressure applied, the speed of the scrape, and the angle of the striker.
Essential Techniques:
- Grip: Hold the call firmly in your non-dominant hand, with your thumb and index finger resting on the sides of the frame. Ensure a secure grip that allows for smooth movement of the striker.
- Striker Position: Place the striker between your thumb and index finger of your dominant hand. The angle of the striker should be slightly tilted towards the slate, with the tip making contact with the surface.
- Scrape Technique: Begin by applying light pressure and scraping the striker across the slate in a back-and-forth motion. Gradually increase the pressure and speed to create louder and more raspy sounds. Experiment with different angles and speeds to find the sweet spot for your desired call.
- Common Calls: The slate call is versatile and can produce a wide range of turkey vocalizations. Some essential calls include:
- Cluck: A series of short, high-pitched clucks, mimicking the sound of a hen feeding.
- Yelp: A single, loud yelp, often used to locate or challenge gobblers.
- Purr: A soft, continuous purring sound, used to soothe or reassure hens.
- Cackle: A loud, aggressive cackle, used to intimidate or challenge other hens.
Practice Makes Perfect:
Mastering the slate call requires dedicated practice. Start by focusing on producing clear, consistent clucks and yelps. Gradually expand your repertoire to include other calls. Practice in a calm environment so you can concentrate on the sound and improve your technique.
Additional Tips:
- Use a diaphragm call in conjunction with the slate call. The diaphragm call allows for hands-free calling, while the slate call provides a more realistic sound.
- Listen to real turkeys. Pay attention to the sounds they make in different situations and try to replicate them with your call.
- Experiment with different strikers and slates. The materials and construction of the call can affect the sound produced. Find a combination that works best for you.
- Be patient and persistent. Learning to use a slate call takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Keep practicing and you’ll eventually master this valuable skill.
With dedication and practice, you can become proficient in using the slate call and increase your chances of success in turkey hunting. Remember, the key is to understand the call’s nuances, experiment with different techniques, and most importantly, have fun in the process
Happy turkey hunting!
How to Make 3 Common Turkey Sounds
The Yelp: This common sound is made by hens, the female turkeys. Hens yelp in spring to communicate with toms or gobblers, the male turkeys. To make a yelp, apply light pressure with the striker while making small, tight ovals with its tip. A larger oval produces sounds more like those of a jake or tom yelp.
The Cutt: Clucking is a terrific call when hunting because hens use it to attract a tom’s attention. If a yelp means “hello,” a cluck means “HELLO!” Hens usually make several clucks in quick succession. To make a cutt, apply pressure and snap the striker toward you. If you make unintentional squeaks don’t sweat it. Turkeys do the same thing when cutting.
The Purr: Just as cats purr when content, turkeys purr while feeding and feeling secure. This soft vocalization is great for coaxing skeptical toms. To complete the illusion of feeding turkeys, scratch nearby leaves with a stick in between your soft purrs. To make a purr, apply light pressure and drag the striker tip in a straight line. Once you master this call, make a sequence of purrs by changing the striker’s direction.
The best way to learn about turkey sounds is to listen to them. You can hear all of these calls and many others on the National Wild Turkey Federation’s website. Click here to listen. Share this…
How to Hold the Call
Hold the pot with your nondominant hand, using the tips of your fingers on its outer rim. Placing the pot in your palm will muffle the sound because it comes from the bottom of the pot.
Using your dominant hand, hold the striker at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the slate’s surface. This is similar to holding a pencil. If you grip the striker toward the tip you’ll produce higher-pitched sounds. If you hold the striker higher, you’ll produce deeper sounds. Most people find the sweet spot about 1½ inches from the striker’s tip.
Pro tip: Don’t lift your striker off the surface when calling. Keeping it pressed against the surface helps prevent unintentional sounds and produces better sounds.
Making a Turkey Call – Woodturning
Do you need a slate call for turkey hunting?
Every turkey hunter needs a good slate call. This is an excellent call and I would recommend it to any hunter who is serious about turkey hunting. David, just another example of your outstanding turkey calls ! Thank you I just got the cherry slate call.
How to make a turkey call?
If you are a beginner, it’s better to use a simple model – a friction turkey call. It includes tools like push/pull, pot, or box calls. They don’t require much practice to master several sounds. An electronic call is a care-free option. However, check if it’s allowed in your state. Season. Adjust the call choice to the season.
What is a slate turkey?
The Slate turkeys are medium to large sized birds with very beautiful appearance. They may actually be any number of shades between pure black and white, but only ash-gray colored birds are eligible for showing under the directive of the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection.
How do you make a Turkey sound with a corn cob?
The corn cob is the striker. Use the slate call to mimic wild turkey sounds. Hold the striker by the handle in 1 hand and the slate/sound chamber in your other hand. Move the striker over the slate’s surface. Perform this action with even circular motions. Tune the slate turkey call. Do this until you’re satisfied with the sound.