Friction or box call?

[Evil_EdwardO]

I'm trying turkey hunting for the first time. I have a diaphragm call but was also thinking of getting either a box or friction call. Is there a preference? What are the pros/cons? Thanks in advance.

[turkeyfeather]

Get both! 

[Evil_EdwardO]

I don't really have the money for both right now but probably will eventually if I get into it like I think I'm going too.

[buckfvr]

I use both as well......for a beginner, box may be best.  Go out and listen to content hens feeding and going about their business....those subtle sounds will bring the toms in if you learn when and how to use them.....listen to the turkey woods.

[turkeyfeather]

Your gonna get lots of differing opinions, but my  is to get the friction call first. Lots of people will say the box is easier to learn on but I disagree. I think the friction is easier and more versatile. Personally I would have gotten the mouth calls last as they are by far the hardest to learn.

[buckfvr]

I have handed both box and slates to new guys and told them to make turkey sounds.......seemed to me they had a bit more luck with the box......but if you can get some instruction from someone....should be able to use either.

[Evil_EdwardO]

I'm actually doing well practicing with the diaphragm but figured I should get at least one different call (for now). I use diaphragms for predator hunting, which made me lean into trying diaphragms for turkey.

[SB]

Personally I would go with the friction call, much more versital and you can get better, more realistic sounds out of it for closer range calling.  It is all about angle of the striker and making sure to sand the surface in one direction to get the "friction" between the striker and surface. The box call will be a bit bigger, but they do work and sound well for long distance calling.

[Mfowl]

I would also suggest a friction/pot call. Consider a glass pot with several different strikers (carbon,plastic and wood.) A glass suface will work when its wet/damp while a slate will not produce sound when it gets wet. Plus with the different strikers you can get different sounds out of the same call. Personally I get a better sound from my slate call but rain and condensation can take it out of the equation.

[Diehard0123]

Box calls are nice if the wind is blowing, the sound travels better but slate calls are better for soft light calling.  Check online (Ebay) you can probably find a combo pack or find them both really cheap, some of the bargain stores online have old or discontinued calls for only about $10 sometimes even less.  As a beginner don't be in a hurry to go out and buy top of the line calls as you are still learning to use them anyway.  You can also check out a push button call or a wingbone call.  If you have the resources you can try making a slate call or a basic friction call.  there are sites online that can show you how.

[Diehard0123]

You can find some inexpensive calls here:
http://www.wingsupply.com/categories/game-calls/turkey-calls.html

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/browse/turkey-calls.aspx?c=52&s=404

[C-Money]

I use both as well. Can you go to a sports store and play around with each a little and make a decision then? Either work well, pick the one you like. Be sure and practice with your diaphragm call, using the two together can be a game changer.

[Evil_EdwardO]

I'm sure I'll eventually end up with both but sounds like the friction call is more my style. Thanks for all the input everyone. Now to practice and start scouting.

[MrsTurkeyFeather]

Good luck!! There are definately pros to both....but i agree...youll get the most variaions of calls out of  a friction/pot call...if you can swing a few extra bucks for a extra "striker", do it, you'll be amazed at the sound difference!! On the same note, you may find a bird who wont respond to one but goes ballistic for the other!