Liam Carter
A horseshoe nail turkey call is a device used to mimic the sounds made by turkeys, such as clucks, purrs, yelps, cutts, and kee kees. It is made by using a horseshoe nail as a striker against a piece of slate or limestone. This type of turkey call has been used for years and is known for its effectiveness in replicating the sounds made by turkeys, often sounding like a real turkey. In this article, we will explore the steps involved in making and using a horseshoe nail turkey call, including the materials needed and the techniques employed to create the desired turkey sounds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Horseshoe nail, slate |
| Use | Mimics clucks, purrs, yelps, cutts, and kee kees |
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What You'll Learn
The striker: a horseshoe nail
The striker is a key component of a turkey call, and in this case, a horseshoe nail is used as the striker. The nail is worked against a surface, traditionally a piece of slate, to create a variety of sounds that mimic turkey calls. The nail's shape, size, and material are all important factors in creating the desired sounds.
Horseshoe nails are typically made of metal and have a distinctive U-shape with a pointed end. The U-shape provides a good grip for your fingers, allowing you to hold it securely while striking the slate. The pointed end creates a precise contact point with the slate, producing clear and crisp sounds.
To create the yelps, clucks, purrs, and cutts that attract turkeys, you need to master the technique of dragging the nail across the slate. The sound is produced by the friction between the nail and the slate, and by varying the pressure and speed of your drag, you can create different pitches and tones. Practice makes perfect, and with time you'll be able to produce a range of sounds that will have you sounding like a real turkey.
Using a horseshoe nail as a striker is a traditional and effective method for turkey calling. It's a simple yet versatile tool that, with practice, can produce a wide range of sounds to attract those gobblers. So, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned hunter, adding a horseshoe nail striker to your collection of turkey calls is definitely worth considering.
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The surface: a slate or limestone rock
The surface of your turkey call is an important consideration, as it will impact the sound produced. For a horseshoe nail turkey call, slate or limestone rock are ideal materials for the surface. Here's what you need to know:
Slate is a popular choice for turkey call strikers. It is a type of rock that is durable and produces a clear, crisp sound. When using slate, you can create a variety of turkey sounds, including clucks, purrs, yelps, cutts, and even kee kees. The slate surface allows for a smooth and consistent strike, resulting in realistic and effective turkey calls.
Limestone, specifically limestone river rock, is another suitable option for the surface of your horseshoe nail turkey call. Like slate, limestone is a natural stone that offers a unique sound profile for your calls. It tends to produce a slightly softer and warmer tone compared to slate. John Earl, a seasoned turkey caller, is known to use a piece of walnut with a blacksmith's nail driven through it, rubbed against a limestone rock to create a clear "yelp" and an extremely soft "putt."
When selecting your slate or limestone surface, consider the size and shape that best suits your needs. The surface should be comfortable to hold and allow for easy manoeuvrability when striking the nail. You can experiment with different shapes, such as a flat slab or a slightly curved surface, to find the one that feels most natural in your hand and produces the desired sound.
It's worth mentioning that the specific type of slate or limestone can also make a difference. Different varieties of these rocks may vary in terms of hardness, grain structure, and acoustic properties, resulting in subtle variations in sound. If possible, test out different samples to find the one that creates the turkey sounds you desire.
Remember to properly prepare and finish the surface of your chosen material. Lightly sanding the slate or limestone can create a smoother surface for better sound production. Additionally, applying a thin coat of oil or wax can enhance the appearance and protect the rock from moisture and dirt, ensuring a longer lifespan for your turkey call.
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The sound: mimic clucks, purrs, yelps, cutts, and kee kees
To make a horseshoe nail turkey call, you need a horseshoe nail and a piece of slate. The nail is the striker and the slate is what you strike.
To mimic clucks, purrs, yelps, cutts, and kee kees, you need to work the nail striker against the slate. The slate provides a surface for the nail to make sounds against. By changing the pressure and speed of the nail against the slate, you can create different pitches and tones, which can be used to mimic the various sounds a turkey makes.
Clucks, for example, are short and sharp, and often used by turkeys to communicate danger. To create this sound, you would need to make a quick, sharp strike with the nail. Purrs, on the other hand, are softer and more drawn out. To mimic a purr, you would use slower, more fluid movements with the nail.
Yelps are another common turkey vocalization. They are often described as a sharp, high-pitched sound. To create this sound with your nail call, you would need to strike the slate with a quick, snappy motion, similar to a cluck, but with a slightly different tone. Cutts are similar to yelps but with a more abrupt start and a higher pitch. Again, speed and pressure are important factors in creating this sound.
Finally, kee kees are a distinct type of turkey vocalization. They are often described as a two-note call, with the second note being higher than the first. To mimic this, you would need to create two distinct sounds with the nail striker, one right after the other, with a slight variation in pitch.
With practice and experimentation, you can use a horseshoe nail and slate to create a diverse range of turkey vocalizations, making it a versatile and effective tool for turkey hunting or birdwatching.
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The hold: how to hold the nail and rock
To make a horseshoe nail turkey call, you need to hold the nail and rock in a specific way to create the desired sound. Here is a detailed guide on the proper way to hold the nail and rock:
The Hold:
- The nail: Hold the horseshoe nail firmly between your thumb and index finger. Position the nail so that the pointed end is facing down towards the slate or rock. You will use this point of the nail to strike the surface and create the sound.
- The rock: In your dominant hand, hold the slate or river rock forming a cup against your stomach. This provides a stable base and allows for a more controlled movement when striking the nail against the surface. Place your dominant hand with the rock against your stomach, keeping your wrist straight and your elbow bent. This position ensures that you have a comfortable and steady hold.
- Striking motion: With the nail held firmly in your fingers, strike it against the surface of the slate or rock in an upward motion. This motion creates the desired sound that mimics turkey calls. Adjust the force and speed of your striking motion to vary the volume and tone of the call.
- Fine-tuning the sound: Experiment with different angles and areas of the rock or slate to produce varied sounds. Different areas of the striking surface may create higher or lower tones, allowing you to mimic various turkey calls effectively.
- Practice and comfort: Finding a comfortable and controlled hold is essential. Practise holding the nail and rock in this manner to build muscle memory and ease of use. This will ensure that you can use the turkey call smoothly and effectively in the field.
By following these steps and practising the hold, you will be able to master the art of holding the nail and rock for a horseshoe nail turkey call. This unique and traditional method of calling turkeys requires precision and practice but can result in incredibly realistic and effective turkey sounds.
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The technique: moving fingers to change tone
The technique of moving fingers to change the tone is an essential aspect of using a horseshoe nail turkey call. This traditional method, passed down through generations, involves a unique combination of a walnut bowl and an ordinary limestone river rock. The walnut is crafted into a bowl shape, with a blacksmith's nail driven through it to act as a peg.
To create the call, the limestone rock is held in the hand, forming a cup against the caller's stomach. The walnut cup is held in the other hand, with all four fingers resting on top of the opening. By adjusting the distance between their fingers, the caller can manipulate the tone of the call as it is stroked across the limestone.
Moving the fingers farther apart increases the space between them and the walnut, resulting in a lower-pitched tone. Conversely, bringing the fingers closer together reduces the distance and produces a higher-pitched sound. This technique allows the caller to create a range of sounds, from a clear "yelp" to an extremely soft "putt," mimicking the diverse vocalizations of turkeys.
The horseshoe nail turkey call is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of hunters, who have crafted this unique tool to attract turkeys by imitating their distinct calls. It showcases the importance of understanding turkey behaviour and the ability to replicate their sounds accurately to enhance the chances of a successful hunt.
Practitioners of this technique can develop their skills and refine their ability to adjust finger placement to produce a diverse range of turkey vocalizations. With practice, callers can perfect their craft and improve their success in attracting turkeys during hunting expeditions.
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Frequently asked questions
A horseshoe nail turkey call is a tool used to mimic turkey sounds to attract or call in turkeys.
To make a horseshoe nail turkey call, you need a horseshoe nail and a piece of slate. The nail is worked against the slate to produce the desired sound.
With a horseshoe nail turkey call, you can mimic clucks, purrs, yelps, cutts, and kee kees.
Horseshoe nail turkey calls are effective in mimicking a variety of turkey sounds, allowing you to attract or call in turkeys by producing familiar sounds that the birds are accustomed to hearing.
