tuning wing bone call

[Hangfire]

Does any one know the correct way to tune a wing bone turkey call?

I have made a few in the past but would like to do better. I just dug a couple wings out of the freezer and have boiled and cleaned leaving as long as possible.

All so does any one know how to open up the screen when writing a message? The resent topic area covers about 1/3 of my area to write. Makes difficult to correct errors.

[Whitelightning]

I am with you Hangfire, I have a wingbone call my Father in law made, he lives in Arkansas. Well the call is three pieces and it fell apart. I am not sure how to put it back together and tuning is a important part of it I am sure.

Any help would be appreciated

[turkeydancer]

Here's the link to NWTF "How to Make a Wingbone Call"

http://www.nwtf.org/tips_adventures/tips.php?id=287

[Hangfire]

I got information from a maker of wing bone calls.  He said the shorter the bones and smaller diameter the higher the sound.  Larger, longer bones the deeper the sound. He does not worry about trying to tune other than these guide lines: two bone calls higher than three bone, gobbler bones deeper than hen and jake bones.

[PA BEN]

Larger the bones sound more like a jake or tom yelp. Smaller one sound more like hen yelps.

[BPturkeys]

First off there is no "correct" tune when it comes to turkey calls. Just as all birds sound a little different, so will all calls. Basically, the longer the call, the lower the sound...but the diameter of the mouthpiece makes a huge difference in pitch. It has been my experience that a slightly flattened mouthpiece bone is easier to produce sound from, and the smaller the diameter, the higher the pitch. I will say this though, I have yet to find a set of "wild" turkey bones that failed to make a good serviceable call.  Even Tom and Jake bones work just fine, just make the call a little shorter to produce that little bit higher pitch sound that some hunters think the tom identify with hens. Hope this helps and I'd love to see some pic's of your calls.

[Turkeyman]

Nice calls Pa Ben

[Whitelightning]

Hangfire thanks, I used super glue and string to put the wing bone call back together, it sounds fine.

[Hangfire]

I have been holding the bones together with 5 minute epoxy and epoxy putty.

I clean up the bones, cut to fit, and do one joint at a time. I mix up a little 5 minute epoxy, and put enough to go around the outside of the base of the smaller  bone, that inserts into the larger bone. This way it does not go into the opening and obstruct it. I hold in place until hardens and then do the next joint, if a three bone call. After these joints are hardened well in place and completely dry, usually the next day, I mix up some epoxy putty.  It takes only a small amount to fill in the joint, and smoothed out to make a smooth transition from bone to bone. I will next wrap with nylon thread.  I have been having a little difficulty with this. I have tried fly tying thread, to fine,  I tried some nylon cord, to large, lumpy looking.  Tomorrow I am going into town and try and find some nylon thread for wrapping fishing rods. I think that thread Will be just right. I may or may not wrap a loop for lanyard on. 

After the bones are wrapped I will probably take a fine point permanent marker and put the year of bird killed, hen or gobbler and perhaps other pertinent information. I then put on a coat of Tru Oil, I have only completed 4 of these calls.  I am still learning to use them, and they are not pretty, but I am learning. I have four bones from my sons last years birds and my two birds, to complete.

Last year using the wing bone call, I had three 10 inch birds at 17 yards at 6:20 am opening day, two ran off.  Hunting with your own created call, adds a lot to the hunt.

[NWTFhunter]

Great looking calls PaBen !

[Hangfire]

Whitelightning, I have sent a couple of replies to your PM, let me know if they came through.

[Whitelightning]

Hangfire,
Thanks yes they all came through.