Turkey Wing Bone and Tube Calls

[Phantom Gobbler]

Just received a "bare bones" wing bone turkey call (Dry Dog Ridge) and also a tube call (Ambrosia Maple by Close Calls) from Midwest Turkey Call Supply.

I have never used either of these types of calls before and would appreciate any tips (or recommended links, books or videos to go to) ......... to start learning how to use them properly.

Has anyone had any luck using either type of call on Washington Birds?  What types of wing bone or tube calls do you use?  I know a few of you make your own sweet wing bone calls.

[Whitelightning]

I am going to watch this thread. My Father in law gave me two Wing bone calls he made last year. I have played with them but sure don't have it mastered by any stretch of the imagination. I also have been thinking about a tube call.

Let the learning begin

[Tree Killer]

I've made lots of wingbones for folks.  I get a decent yelp out of them and a pretty good cluck, but not much else.  I have best luck holding it with the bell pointed down with the outside of the arc, UP.  Cup your hands around the bell, but don't shut off too much of the air.  Then suck, or "kiss" the mouthpiece.  Takes a lot of practice and they occasionally tickle your lips, but they do make a sweet yelp.



I also make some combined with Blacktail deer sheds.  Some of these really have a sweet tone to them!  But it kind of depends on the density of the antler.

[Hangfire]

I think the wingbone call gives me the best response of any call. A few yelps and I don't call again for 15 minutes unless I get a bird searching for me. The sequence for me is a short series of yelps3 to 5, then I do a few purrs and clucks with a scratch box call. If I get a reply  and it repeats its self I may give a little yelp with the wing bone call. I do not call real often, about every 15 minutes. The longer I hunt these birds the less calling I do.
I carry a box call if I haven't had any luck and am kind of searching. I seem to get replies from birds that are willing to come in when using the wingbone. I have called in spots with a box call, and not gotten a reply, and before leaving try the wingbone and get a immediate reply.

I try to save the bones from any turkeys I get to make my own calls. I also have calls I have made for my son. grandsons and nephews. It adds much to the hunt.

I think I have the ultimate hunting combination, a flintlock 12 ga, I built. Wing bone, scratch box calls, and powder horn that I made.

[Whitelightning]

hangfire, that sure is a great combo you have going I don't use a flint but I do use a Muzzle loading shotgun.

I have two wing bone calls from my Father in-law made from wing bones of Arkansas Toms. I cant seem to get a good sound or yelp out of them, any suggestions?

[quadrafire]

I've made lots of wingbones for folks.  I get a decent yelp out of them and a pretty good cluck, but not much else.  I have best luck holding it with the bell pointed down with the outside of the arc, UP.  Cup your hands around the bell, but don't shut off too much of the air.  Then suck, or "kiss" the mouthpiece.  Takes a lot of practice and they occasionally tickle your lips, but they do make a sweet yelp.



I also make some combined with Blacktail deer sheds.  Some of these really have a sweet tone to them!  But it kind of depends on the density of the antler.

TreeKiller
Those are sweet. Nice work. I gotta try that.

[yelp]

Just received a "bare bones" wing bone turkey call (Dry Dog Ridge) and also a tube call (Ambrosia Maple by Close Calls) from Midwest Turkey Call Supply.

I have never used either of these types of calls before and would appreciate any tips (or recommended links, books or videos to go to) ......... to start learning how to use them properly.

Has anyone had any luck using either type of call on Washington Birds?  What types of wing bone or tube calls do you use?  I know a few of you make your own sweet wing bone calls.

Ron Clough of Close calls makes some great calls. 

[Hangfire]

Whitelightning. I don't consider myself a good turkey imitator. The video's and contests put to much emphasis on sounding exactly like a sound that may not be like all turkeys. Many turkeys could not win a turkey calling contest.
I live in the N.E. corner of the state so get to hear turkeys frequently. They all sound different. To get my wingbone calls to sound some what like a hen yelp, I kept practising. I used the lower barrel of a ball point pen to practice with. It makes a reasonable sound and was easier for me to start with. I think the thing that helps me the most is to have a spot to rest my lips against when you kind of kiss/suck on the tip. I grip the stem between my thumb and forfinger and adjust the depth the call goes into my mouth. When I got so I could make a sound I keep practising. I have found that I do not put the stem in the center of my lips but partially to the right side. That works best for me. I can't make any sounds other than a yelp, other people get more out of them.

Good luck.

[CallMaker]

Once mastered the wingbone will be one of the most effective calls a hunter can use. They will not make the range of sounds a box or slate call will but I find the to produce when the birds ignore all other types of calls. I cannot speak to the tube call as I have never used one.

Ed

[Hangfire]

Callmaker has Trailsend Turkey Calls. They are very good. I have one of his scratch box calls. I think a wing bone call combined with a scratch box is a very good combination. I still use the box call on occasion, when I want to reach out but, have better luck getting them to come in with the wing bone. Often if the bird is within a couple hundred yards I get a reply with the wing bone when I wouldn't with the box call. I like the scratch box for a added sound. It seems to calm birds down. I have had hens come in behind me and alarm. I do some purrs and light clucks and they calm down and begin to feed. I think the scratch box adds realism to the other calls. It is a short range call but adds a lot. I have lost all most all my high pitch hearing and have always been tone deaf but the combination works for me.

[Machias]

When birds get quiet due to pressure I have two calls I break out, a skoal can slate call with a corncob striker, very soft, sweet purrs, clucks and yelps and the wingbone call.  Most REAL hens do not run around the woods cuttin and yelping loudly like we all call.  Pressured toms like those soft realistic calls after they've had the loud aggressive calling thrown at them for several days.

[Hangfire]

Callmakers calls, are "Gobblers End" not trails end as I had posted.

The remarks about softer calling sure seems to be right.

[turkeydancer]

Tube calls work easily and are productive also ... doesn't take much air to use ... mouthing the word "tuck"  softly will give you a cluck ... a little harder and more emphatic gives you cutting ... mouthing the word "shuck , shuck, shuck" will give you the yelps.  I like using the tube call while slapping my hat against my leg for the fly down cackle ... usually gets one heck of a response.
 

[PA BEN]

I've had some un-call-a-bal toms before and used the wing bone call and had them come in like the Pied Piper.

[Phantom Gobbler]

I've had some un-call-a-bal toms before and used the wing bone call and had them come in like the Pied Piper.

PA Ben, I'm kinda liking the "sound" of your testimonial!!     I'm going to carry mine in the woods this spring and give er a rip and see what happens.

Phantom on the wingbone and Yelp and Turkey Slayer on the squealers ...............  this has got some real potential. 

Thanks all for sharing your tips on both of these types of calls.  It'd always fun to throw something new into each season.