Friction Calls

[DooWap]

I'm going to be turkey hunting for my first time next spring and I was wondering what would be a good mass produced friction call out there. I've been practicing a mouth call for a couple months now and have been getting pretty good, but I'd like a good friction call too. Just want some opinions.

[brittman]

Gander had every call they sold sitting out on display for you to try last spring. I suggest you try them before you buy.

Glass calls need conditioning (sand paper) and slate calls need conditioning (3M scotch pad) before they provide the right sound. May need to condition at the store - bring your own.

I would suggest an aluminum pot call. Many do not need conditioning and I have found easy to run. I called in a nice Tom in '04 using a commercial grade aluminum pot call.

FYI - While I believe pot syle calls ofter the the greatest variety of sound, they are not easy to master well. Most require two hand use - and thus movement is an issue too.

[Crusty old Swede]

A few more items of info, some glass and aluminum calls will work when wet but you'll need plastic or metal pegs/strikers - for when you have to hunt in the rain. Box calls come in handy when it's windy because they are generally speaking the loudest type of calls but they're big and a bit fragile. And the plastic versions of push-pin calls are easy to use, sound ok and are fairly rugged.

[Borch]

Generally the easier calls to use are the psuh pin calls followed by a boxcall and the slate type of calls.

Personally the friction call I like using most is a boxcall. Probably the most versatile friction call out there. Then It would be a slate over glass pot call. I like glass as well however they tend to be a bit more matainence than the slate surface. The aluminum can be good as well.

All the call maunfacturers make good calls.

Some of my favorite production calls are the Grand Old Master boxcall by Quaker Boy. The Double slate over glass Champoinship call my HS Strut. The Little Duece II slate by HS Strut. The Primos Power Crystal pot style.

Pick up a variety striker pack to add to your slate style calls. Sometimes just switch the striker will get them going.

Good Luck!