Author Topic: Box Calls and/or Slate Calls? (Read 597 times)

Michael Brigman · « **on:** October 30, 2004, 10:23:22 PM »

Is a box call and a slate call basiclly the same call? I'm a new turkey hunter and don't know much about the two calls. The only sporting good store in my area carries both types of calls, but the guy that works there seems to know as much as me about turkey calling, and that's not much.
I could sure use some help, guys. For my first call should I buy a box or slate, and who makes the best kind? I live in north-east TEXAS, and I'll be after the eastern turkey, if that helps any...

Thanks,
Michael Brigman

savageT · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2004, 07:26:46 AM »

Michael,
Having limited experience w/ turkey calls, I went to Google for help....hope this helps answer your questions!
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/tip/tip_read.asp?tid=147740&sid=7

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #2 on:** October 31, 2004, 02:40:49 PM »

Box calls and slate calls are both friction calls. Box calls, like the name implies are just wooden boxes with a "paddle" that contacts the curved top sides of the box to create the sound. There are also push-button box calls that have a dowel rod that goes through the box attached to this is a small block that makes contact with a pointed block attached to the bottom of the box. The dowel has a spring that returns it to the original position after each push.

Slate calls use slate or glass or some combination of materials as a surface to move a striker across. The stricker could be a dowel or carbon fiber tube. It usually has a handle to amplify the sound as the striker is dragged like a match across the surface of the call.

I think if you are a beginner you might try a push button box call. They are easy to use and make a repeatable sound easily. Quaker Boy makes good ones.

You might also want to pick up a call with an instruction tape. Even an audio tape is good because you can practice various calls.

Steelhead · « **Reply #3 on:** October 31, 2004, 03:05:33 PM »

When in doubt use a box call. I have called more turkeys with a box then anything else, and from great distance. In fact when hunting in Texas and Arizona the only call they cared anything about was a box.

When I first started I carried ONE lone Lynch Fool Proof box. Today I head out with about 10 different mouth calls, a few slates, a scratch call and a couple of box calls. The last 2 turkeys I killed were with that lone Lynch call I carried my first season 16 years ago.

Michael Brigman · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2004, 02:33:31 AM »

Thanks Jack,
Our TX season doesn't start until April, 2005. So I have plenty of time to practice. I have seen the push-button boxes on TV and in magazines, but I have not seen any in the stores in my area, only the standard slate and the box calls. I may just get one of each and try to learn them both.
Also, I can't find the Quaker Boy calls, I even called the store in the next county over. Who else makes good calls?

Thanks

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2004, 08:46:29 AM »

Like Steelhead, I started out with a Lynch box call and still have it.

I like Hunter Specialties stuff but have only used their mouth calls and slate call. VarmitMaster got me to buy a Cody glass (slate) call which is really nice but they are high end ($$$).

You can carry extra strikers with slate calls to make it sound like a flock of turkeys.

Push button calls you can use one-handed if you have to.

It's good to learn the mouth call (although IMHO it's the hardest to master) since friction calls can become worthless if it rains.

Since you've got plenty of time you might consider mail ordering exactly what you want.

Ed Blankinship · « **Reply #6 on:** January 06, 2005, 02:14:47 PM »

These two calls are not the same. One should carry both for the ability to change if no one talks back to one type. The most overlooked/under-used call is the wingbone yelper. This call, IMO, is the best call...period. I have called more birds from longer distances, under bad conditions with a wingbone than with any other type of call. I say this in spite of the fact that I dearly love to build box custom calls.

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2005, 10:54:04 AM »

Nice bird Ed, especially since you nailed it with a bow. This will be my second (or third?) year of turkey hunting. I just picked up a box call a year ago and have yet to kill a bird, but that aside, it's nice to have variety. My favorite is the slate and the mouth call comes in second. But the box call has a much richer tone and is more life-like. I use a Primos Box Cutter for my box call.

Ed Blankinship · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2005, 02:22:58 PM »

I arrowed a hen in the fall hunt as well but I don't count those much. Hunting food sources is not the same as calling in the spring. I'm a little biased on calls, those that I make are the ones I use. I love the box calls for sound ans looks but for a real produced the wingbone gets the nod. Not as popular as other calls. More used by older hunters. Take a lot more practice to play well than a box or slate call.