I have three types that I use. Slate, Aluminum and Glass. The slate one gets the best sound but if it is raining it is useless. The glass is decent but if there is moisture the aluminum is the go to. I run a box call on windy days as the sound carries further but now since I have gotten into bow hunting for them the mouth call is my go to.

 

Tons of great calls and makers out there. I have no complaints with david halloran turkey calls. Killed a lot of birds using both his pot and box calls. Then again I killed a lot of birds using the primos freak call too.

 

I like the yellow slaytec best

 

I like aluminum . Just seems to be a little picky with the stick you use on it and keeping the right pad to keep its surface prime , seems to like a cedar striker but hickory isn't bad until the tip getting to worn out .

 

Its very hard to beat some of the stuff John Sinclair makes. That said once I learned mouth call I dont use much else anymore

 

I would practice on my commute to work with a mouth call. For me Tom Teaser makes the best mouth call. I believe it was called cracked corn or something like that

 

Tons of good call builders out there these days, mostly just depends on how much you want to spend. I'd try to find someone local, they're probably going to know more about what the birds in your area like sound and tone wise. But if you're more interested in just ordering a call and being done, I'd look at some david hallaron calls, I really like his myself. But each person likes a different sound and pitch in their calls.

 

Mine. This one is made out of deck board from a crab boat in alaska

 

I like Slate for the variances I can make in volume and pitch. There are so many good makers it would be hard to pick one. I use an old Cody Spec II for what it is worth.

 

I use slate and it works just fine. I hunt exclusively out of blinds, so it stays dry. Ive tried several and friends have as well. I don’t think there’s any difference in end results between the various brands.

 

Since I know a guy who builds calls (I usually shave off his whiskers) I can tell you that the variables are endless. I just put together some purple slate in wenge pots and then made a rough sound file for a few buddies. They thought it was glass or crystal. What I'm getting at is evey combo of wood, soundboard, and surface affects the call. Then there's internal and external dimensions. And the striker...

 

I like aluminum.
However I also run glass and crystal. I've got a Cody call that is 20 years old. Recently found Kenneth Mullins on Facebook Rolfe Hollow Calls. He lives in West Virginia. He makes pot calls and custom calls. It has a personal meaning for me.

If you're interested in his calls PM me I'll give you his number. I was going to post it. But I don't want a scammer to get his number.

Good luck.

 

I like aluminum.
However I also run glass and crystal. I've got a Cody call that is 20 years old. Recently found Kenneth Mullins on Facebook Rolfe Hollow Calls. He lives in West Virginia. He makes pot calls and custom calls. It has a personal meaning for me.

If you're interested in his calls PM me I'll give you his number. I was going to post it. But I don't want a scammer to get his number.

Good luck.

I've had good luck with Cody calls too. I've called a lot of birds in with clearance sale commercial type pots as well.

 

Try "Old Gobbler" forum. Go to the pot call thread. You will find all the info you will ever want and more.

 

I love my David Halloran Twisted Sister and I just got a Buster's red slate that sounds amazing. It will be up first this year. If you are wanting a pot call that can play when wet get the Enticer Silver Thunder Extreme. That call plays when wet, dry, or damp and sounds really really nice. I love mine.

Silver Thunder Extreme Aluminum - Enticer Turkey Calls

1 Dry Striker Included with Call This is the call a child can work, just touch it with the striker & it will come alive.

www.enticerturkeycalls.com

 

Depends on how you define best….if your “new” to pot calls…I’d highly recommend slate over glass in a 3.25 or 3.5” pot ….. super easy to use, different tones are easily achieved by using edges vs. center, you can add different strikers and get completely different sounds.

As others have said so much goes into a call from the quality/type of wood for pots and strikers to surface and soundboard materials.

I have never called in a bird with something ‘fancy” crystal over aluminum in snake wood pot with ebony mun striker (don’t ask how much that cost[emoji15]) that didn’t respond to slate over glass.

Slate doesn’t work well if gets wet, thus aluminum, brass, glass, surfaces…but I do believe those surfaces are not only a little more difficult to work well, they are also the most impacted by the pairings of pot/striker wood and sound board…basically more finicky…whereas slate over glass is virtually fool and fail proof.

As far as brands that I used before I began to build my own, that I would actually recommend….
Ed Jenkins -Ghostmaker Calls
John Sinclair

In that order….both call makers do excellent work. I feel Ed’s calls are built with much more of a personal touch and focus toward performance as opposed to aesthetics.


Hope this helps

 

I have a Ghostmaker, a few Sinclairs and a 12-Ringer. 😀

 

CRYSTAL MISTRESS

 

Like fishing lures a lot of calls are meant catch the buyers eye and wallet.
Most turkeys aren’t perfect. The key is to match the tone and cadence of the hens in your area. I’ve bought a lot of calls from cheap to close to 100 and usually the 4 dollar MAD diaphragm ends up calling them in.

 

I am a tremendous fan of Tom Teaser diaphragm calls…custom performance from production line….cracked corn and butt naked hen are both deadly in every state and season I’ve used them…..at those prices you can toss at the end of each season and get new ones [emoji106]

 

i 2nd this.
the TT mouth calls are special

 

I like John Sullivan calls. Great guy and makes great calls, I only have about 15 or so.
Lucky

 

My pot calls are from 3 makers: Jim Pollard (Pollards Elite Calls), Wendell Rye (Lights Out Turkey Calls), and Sam Pharr aka sinko on AT(Gooserbat turkey calls). I mainly use slate, crystal or glass, and aluminum. I have a couple that I made my self that are really awesome sounding even if I must say so myself! There are a lot of excellent call makers and all produce calls that can exceed out ability to use them. Find one or two and learn how to use them to perfection and gain the confidence that you need to call in those longbeards.

 

I make custom ones and they are amazing

 

I talked to Sam at Gooserbat calls this afternoon and listened to him playing some on-hand pot calls. After discussing the characteristics of various combos, I ordered a green slate over glass that sounded really good over the phone. I was also interested in a ceramic surface, but am low maintenance during spring turkey season. When it arrives, I will shoot a photo and share.

 

I have 2 pots I use…Halloran crystal mistress and a Blodgett double trouble which is two sided but I only play the slate portion.

So many good call makers these days!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Message me and I will send you one no cost to try out

 

that is a great gesure

 

I use a Mountainside Game Calls, glass over slate. I’ve been really pleased with its performance!