Make Turkey Wing Bone Calls: A Beginner’s Guide

Informal, Encouraging

Friendly, Encouraging

Want to connect with nature and try a cool new skill? Crafting turkey wing bone calls is an awesome way to do it! The satisfaction derived from the sound of your finished call is unique. A sharp knife, a simple tool, is essential for preparing the wing bones. Tom Turpin, a master call maker, has inspired many with his beautiful creations. The National Wild Turkey Federation promotes responsible hunting and conservation, ensuring we can all enjoy the outdoors for years to come. So, are you ready to dive in and learn how to make your own turkey wing bone calls? It’s easier than you think, and the results are truly rewarding!

Okay, so you want to craft the ultimate beginner’s guide to making turkey wing bone calls? Awesome! Here’s a structure that’ll have even total newbies happily clucking away in no time.

Make Turkey Wing Bone Calls: A Beginner’s Guide

Alright, first things first. We need to ease our readers into this whole thing. Starting with a BANG is key to hook them and keep them reading.

• The Allure of the Wing Bone Call: Kick things off with a short, engaging paragraph or two explaining why someone would even want to make a turkey wing bone call.

  • Talk about the tradition, the unique sound, the satisfaction of crafting something yourself, and maybe even a quick anecdote about a successful hunt using one.
  • Make it sound cool, personal, and achievable. Paint a picture!

• Brief Overview: Quickly explain what a turkey wing bone call is in simple terms. Just a sentence or two is enough here. Don’t overwhelm them with details yet.

Why Make Your Own Wing Bone Call?

This section is crucial. People need to know the why behind the effort. Showcasing the benefits of DIY approach is very important.

1. Cost-Effective: Let’s face it, buying calls can get expensive. Highlighting the savings achieved by making one’s own call can be a great motivator.

2. Personalization: Underscore the satisfaction and unique qualities that come from making something with your own hands. This could talk about how one can customize the sound, look, and feel of the call.

3. Connection to Tradition: Mention how this process connects them to a long history of hunting and craftsmanship.

4. Master a New Skill: Showcasing the thrill and excitement of learning a new skill and mastering the art of crafting a turkey call.

Gathering Your Materials

Now that they’re excited, it’s time for the nitty-gritty. Remember, we’re talking to beginners, so be super clear and detailed.

• The Bones: This is the obvious starting point.
  • Explain where to get turkey wing bones (from a harvested bird, from a butcher, etc.).
  • Emphasize the importance of using cleaned and dried bones.
  • Briefly describe the different bones you’ll need (humerus, ulna, radius) and why. A picture or diagram would be gold here.
• Tools: List everything they’ll need. Think beyond the obvious.
  • Knife or saw (for trimming)
  • Sandpaper (different grits)
  • Drill (with various bit sizes)
  • Epoxy or glue
  • Cleaning supplies (soap, water, bleach solution)
  • Safety glasses
  • Gloves
• Nice-to-Haves (Optional): Mention any optional tools that can make the process easier or more aesthetically pleasing.
  • Wood lathe
  • Decorative wraps (string, leather)
  • Wood burning kit

A table can nicely summarize all necessary tools.

Item	Purpose	Notes
Turkey Wing Bones	Main material for the call	Cleaned and dried. Humerus, Ulna, and Radius.
Knife or Saw	Trimming and shaping bones	A small, sharp knife or a fine-toothed saw works best.
Sandpaper	Smoothing bone surfaces	Various grits (e.g., 120, 220, 400) are recommended.
Drill	Creating holes for sound and assembly	A handheld or drill press with a set of drill bits is useful.
Epoxy or Glue	Bonding bone pieces together	Choose a strong, waterproof epoxy or glue suitable for bone.
Cleaning Supplies	Cleaning bones and work area	Soap, water, and bleach solution for sanitation.
Safety Glasses	Protecting eyes during sanding and sawing	Wear safety glasses at all times to prevent eye injuries.
Gloves	Protecting hands during cleaning and gluing	Wear gloves to keep your hands clean and protected from chemicals.

Preparing the Bones

Okay, this is where things get real. Walk them through each step of preparing the bones for assembly.

1. Cleaning and Sanitizing: Detailed instructions on how to clean the bones properly.
   • Soaking in a bleach solution
   • Scrubbing away any remaining tissue
   • Rinsing thoroughly
2. Drying: Emphasize the importance of thoroughly drying the bones. Mention different methods (air drying, using a dehydrator).
3. Trimming: Explain how to trim the bones to the desired length.
   • Show examples of different trimming styles.
   • Stress the importance of safety when using a knife or saw.
4. Sanding: Describe the sanding process to smooth out the bone surfaces.
   • Start with coarser grit sandpaper and gradually move to finer grits.
   • Explain how to achieve a smooth, professional finish.

Assembling the Call

This is the heart of the guide. Step-by-step instructions are essential.

1. Drilling:
   • Explain where and how to drill the necessary holes in the bones. Diagrams are extremely helpful here.
   • Explain why the placement of the holes matters for sound quality.
2. Gluing/Epoxying:
   • Detailed instructions on how to glue the bones together.
   • Emphasize the importance of using the right kind of adhesive.
   • Explain how to clamp the bones together while the adhesive dries.
3. Finishing Touches (Optional):
   • Explain how to add decorative wraps or wood burning designs.
   • Show examples of different finishing styles.

Each step needs to be clearly numbered with an accompanying image and well explained description.

Tuning Your Call

The call is assembled, but does it sound right? Here’s where we dial in the perfect turkey talk.

1. Adjusting Hole Size: How altering the size of the drilled hole can affect sound.

2. Sanding Fine Adjustments: Minor sanding adjustments to perfect the tone.

Mastering the Sounds

Now that the call is built and tuned, time to learn to use it!

• Basic Calls: Start with the most essential turkey calls:
  • Cluck
  • Purr
  • Yelp
  • Cutt
• Practice Makes Perfect: Emphasize the importance of practice.
• Resources for Learning: Point them to helpful online resources (YouTube videos, sound recordings).

By following this structure, you’ll create a guide that is comprehensive, easy to understand, and genuinely helpful for anyone looking to make their own turkey wing bone call! And most importantly, have FUN writing it! Let your enthusiasm shine through.

So, get out there, give making your own turkey wing bone calls a shot, and see if you can’t strike up a conversation with that gobbler you’ve been after. There’s just something special about calling in a bird with a call you crafted yourself. Good luck this season!