Avid turkey hunters know that having the right call can make all the difference in bagging that elusive tom. While there are many excellent manufactured turkey calls on the market, the classic wing bone call has remained popular for generations due to its unique, authentic turkey sounds. Making your own wing bone call from wild turkey bones is deeply satisfying and a great project for the off-season. With just a few simple tools and materials, you can craft a homemade wing bone turkey call that will lure in wary longbeards.
Choosing the Bones
The starting point for a great homemade wing bone call is finding the right bones. You’ll need:
- The first 3 bones from a turkey’s wing
- Preferably from a mature tom, jake, or adult hen
- Larger bird bones work better if only using 2 segments
Wild turkey wing bones have the ideal shape and structure to produce realistic turkey calls. Using bones from a mature bird provides thicker, heartier bones that can withstand repeated use. Many hunters save wings from turkeys they harvest to later craft calls.
Cutting the Bones to Size
Once you’ve procured suitable wing bones the next step is cutting them to the appropriate size
- For a 2 segment call, cut the bones shorter, omitting the largest section
- For a 3 piece call, cut all 3 bones so they fit snugly together
- File the ends with sandpaper so they join smoothly
- Remove marrow from inside the largest bone section
Take care not to crack the outer bone layer when hollowing out the marrow. Cut bone ends at slight angles until you achieve a tight fit when piecing the bones together. Custom fitting the bones is key.
Gluing the Bone Segments
With bones cut to size, glue the pieces together using:
- Super glue gel for optimal bonding
- Thread wraps around the joints for reinforcement
- Hot glue to fill uneven gaps if needed
Avoid forcing bones together as they can crack easily. Let glue dry fully before handling further. Add super glue over thread wraps to prevent unraveling. A snug bone segment fit ensures better sound production.
Shaping the Mouthpiece
The smallest wing bone section will form the mouthpiece. Some final shaping will optimize its feel and usability:
- Sand the flattened end to smooth and round the edges
- Can add a lanyard hole in the middle for easy carrying
- Personal preference on thickness and angle of mouthpiece
Filing the mouthpiece end achieves a comfortable shape against your lips. Don’t over-sand as you want some rigidity to vibrate against your mouth.
Making the Right Turkey Sounds
Mastering realistic turkey calls takes practice, but here are some tips:
- Cup both hands around the wide “trumpet” end to capture suction
- Create kissing or sputtering sounds through the mouthpiece
- Press lips to center or side of mouthpiece
- Keep lips loose and vary pressure for high and low tones
- Make loud, staccato clucks and longer yelp sounds
Listen to actual turkey calls to mimic cadence and frequency. Your hand position alters the sound chamber. Find the right lip placement and air flow to reproduce hen clucks, young poult peeps, and excited gobbler yelps.
Advanced Wing Bone Call Tips
Once you gain proficiency, try these advanced tricks:
- Use slate, glass, or wood scraps to make strikers for slate call sounds
- Add chalk or powdered graphite inside the trumpet to absorb moisture
- Coat the call with polyurethane for protection and easier cleaning
- Tie on additional bones or sticks to create unique sounds
Don’t be afraid to experiment! Customizing and modifying the basic wing bone call results in innovative, handcrafted turkey calls.
Troubleshooting Your Homemade Call
Having issues with your homemade call? Try these troubleshooting tips:
- Uneven bone fit – re-sand ends and re-glue for tighter seal
- Bones cracked – ensure bones are from mature bird and avoid forcing
- No sound – check mouthpiece shape and sand inside trumpet end
- Low volume – thin trumpets walls, sand mouthpiece thinner
- Squeaking – moisture in chamber, add chalk/graphite, keep dry
With practice, you’ll learn how to adjust the call and your technique to create ideal sounds. It just takes experimentation.
Get Creative with Turkey Wing Bones
Crafting DIY turkey calls from wild bones is a time-honored tradition. Follow the basics, then get creative with strikers, multiple chambers, and added elements to make signature calls. Beyond calling in more birds, the handmade process reconnects you to the hunt. Once you master the art of wing bone callmaking, you can customize the sound however you’d like while producing deadly turkey lures out of discarded bones. Get ready to create and test your homemade calls this season!
Frequently Asked Questions about Wing Bone Turkey Calls
What are the best turkey wing bones to use?
The first 3 wing bones from a mature tom, jake, or adult hen work best. Larger bones from bigger birds allow for 2 segments.
How do you join the bones together?
Glue the cut bone segments using super glue gel and thread wraps. Hot glue can fill uneven gaps. Add super glue over threads.
What gives the wing bone call its sound?
Creating suction with your mouth while cupping the “trumpet” end produces realistic turkey sounds. Vary lip pressure and position.
How long does it take to master a wing bone call?
It will take regular practice to consistently recreate clucks, yelps, purrs. Mimic real turkey vocals and keep trying different techniques.
What maintenance do wing bone calls require?
Re-apply glue if joints loosen. Coat with polyurethane for protection. Store in dry place to prevent warping.
Introduction: Wingbone Turkey Call
Step 2: Cut Bones to Length
