Photo: Buckmasters tip contributor Bill Neibecker uses empty box turtle shells to craft uniquely beautiful and functional turkey calls.
Next time you find the dome of an empty box turtle shell in the woods, stick it in your backpack. If it’s in good shape, you can make a unique homemade slate turkey call.
It’s best to find one in good shape to start, but if it has a couple of fixable cracks or loose scales, use epoxy for repairs.
Wash the shell well, and then decide if you want to paint it before sealing.
If its natural colors haven’t faded, you might opt to keep them. But, it’s fun to create your own designs and camo patterns.
The next step is to spray-on or brush-on clear polyurethane sealer, coating the shell both inside and out.
Now you’re ready for the slate. Most flooring stores and hardware retailers carry it. You’ll want the thinnest piece of slate they have.
Trace the bottom portion of the shell bottom against the slate, making sure to leave an opening in the head section, and maybe the a little bit of the tail section. This allows the noise to escape, much like the sound hole of a guitar.
I don’t pencil the outline directly onto the slate; I put masking tape on both sides of the slate, first. Slate is brittle and will burr less if you cut through masking tape.
I use a handheld offset grinder with a thin blade, taking my time, and being careful to not twist the blade as I cut.
Attach the slate to the shell with clear silicone. Wipe up excess silicone with a damp rag.
After the silicone dries, rough up the slate with sandpaper. Now you’re ready to grab your striker and call in a gobbler! I make my own strikers, but commercial strikers work just fine.
— Editor’s Note by Tim H. Martin
Box turtle shells (although technically a tortoise) make wonderful heirloom turkey calls that are both functional and beautiful.
I love the photos of calls made by tip contributor, Bill Neibecker. Google “Turtle Shell Turkey Call,” for many more ideas, and you’ll see there are numerous ways to construct them. Each shell has its own shape, and no two are alike.
Slate cutting might seem intimidating, but YouTube has several videos about cutting and shaping it. Like Bill says, make sure to purchase the thinnest slate you can find. It sounds better, and is easier to shape.
— Photos Courtesy of Bill Neibecker
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