Wingbones!

[DonBo]

With the turkey season on everyones mind these days, I was wondering if anyone else kept the wingbones for these unique trophies?

Wish I could tell you these handmade calls sound great and I've called in many big birds with them, but the truth is, I have not.

When the season opens, I hope to put a post together about how to make these. In the meantime, save the wings from your spring trophy and I'll attemp to help you through the process.

Good luck!

[Lund79]

Nice work. I make wing bone calls too although I don't wrap the joints. I would be interested to hear what material you use and the process of the wrap. I would really like to dress my calls up. I typically use 2 bones on the toms and all 3 with a hen.

I have used my wingbone calls and have called in birds while using them. There is nothing like the feeling of calling in a bird with a call you made. The hardest part is describing how to use one. I explain it like you are puckering really hard. Sucking in just a small amount of air. Each note is separated with each suck. I like to lay the call off the side of my mouth rather than in the middle. I also cup my hands over the end of the call and re-direct the sound.

[Sorgy]

I have to finish my Wing bone calls. The bones are bleached just need to glue them up.

Good luck

Steve

[sticknstring]

I'm a proud owner of one of Don's unique wingbone calls! The craftmanship is superior & makes for a great decoration piece. But as much as I try, I can't get it to sound anything like a hen turkey! My wife on the other hand, she can blow it like a champ! Go figure.

[Gordie]

Don Those look great.

Joey my son was just asking about wing bones so hopefully we fill our tags and we will look forward to your tutorial.

[Archerysniper]

Don Those look great.

Joey my son was just asking about wing bones so hopefully we fill our tags and we will look forward to your tutorial.

I might have a few laying around you can have let me do some digging gordie.

[DonBo]

I would be interested to hear what material you use and the process of the wrap.

I fist grind down the joints with a Dremel tool, then apply bondo and sand smooth. I then wrap them with a heavy thread of some kind. The ones shown are embroidery thread and an artificial sinew, both can be found at any craft store. I wrap them the same way you would the serving on a bowstring, or the wrap on fishing rod eyes. A quick google search will show you how it's done.

With the thread, I apply several coats of clear fingernail polish to finish them off. Guess you could use an epoxy too.

[DonBo]

Then after they're put together you can really dress them up.

With a little creativity in the display they can really make a nice trophy you'd be proud to show off.

[Archerysniper]

They look awesome Don thanks for shareing.

[IlliniWalli]

those look great. 2 thumbs up.

how do they sound?

i made a couple wingbones a few years back and after a lot of practice could make them talk. tried them a couple times in the woods with no luck and quit carrying them. i just have too many other calls i sound a whole lot better with.

[MarkStrand]

I, too, own a Don Buckentin original wingbone call, and it's one of those really cool things in my office that I stop and look at all the time. It reminds me of turkey hunting every day of the year. (It's the one with the beautiful turkey picture and feather image on it, in the photos here.) Got it in heated bidding at the East Metro Full Fans NWTF banquet.. which, by the way, is coming up again on March 29.

[DonBo]

Hey MarkStrand, welcome to HSO and thanks for those awesome photos! Great reminder for our upcoming banquet.

[Lund79]

Wow...those are incredible. I don't know if I want to bring those calls in the woods for fear of losing it. Nice decorative piece.

Have you thought about cutting a piece of antler and sliding it on the radius (smallest) bone? This would allow for attaching a lanyard to carry the call around your neck. Mine look plain compared to yours. Here is a photo of mine (think I'll start to wrap my joints). I like a smaller call so I cut my bones down more. Each call you make has a different sound to it.

[Lund79]

I forgot to add that I generally use 2 bones on toms and 3 bones for a hen. The reason being the toms bones are bigger.

[DonBo]

Okay guys, many of you will be hunting soon. (yes I'm jealous, as I still have about a month before I get to go)

If you would like to make your own wingbone call from that trophy, here how to get started while you're still in the field.

Cut the wing from the turkey right where the joint attaches to the body. In looking at the wing, the bone nearest the body will be the largest. Next will come the two middle bones, then the tip of the wing. Cut these joints apart, being careful not to break the bones. Discard the wing tip. All you will need are the first and second section of bone. With a sharp knife, clean all the meat from the shanks of the bones and from both tips of the two smaller bones.

Toss these bones in a ziploc bag and put em in the freezer, then wait till I get one so I can show the rest of steps.

Good luck and stay tuned!

[Lund79]

I will add that it is much easier to clean the meat off the bird while dressing it out rather throwing the whole wing in the freezer and doing later.

[DonBo]

I will add that it is much easier to clean the meat off the bird while dressing it out rather throwing the whole wing in the freezer and doing later.

You're absolutely right, MUCH easier.