Little bit of everything, mostly name brand but some custom stuff, I use mouth and slate/friction 99.9% of the time and a box for screaming real loud or in the wind for locating.
My favorite mouth call from last year was a four reed split V call from TalkingStick Game Calls (somwhere in PA) called the Blackbeard....I brought 5 different gobs to the gun with this one call!
Best advice that I've ever heard is you have to find your own 'best' because what works for me probably WILL NOT work for you and visca versa!
Good hunting,
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The First 100 years are the toughest
I mostly use slate and mouth call combos. You can really simulate multiple birds by using the mouth call and the slate at the same time. As far as brands, I use several.
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Remington Model 11-87 Premier 12 Gauge
Remington Model 870 SPS-T Camo Thumbhole 12 Gauge
Ruger M77 Mark II .270 w/ Nikon 3-9x40 Buckmasters
My favorite call lately has been the Primos Power Crystal. Knight and Hale's Ol' Yeller is a good friction call too, and Andy Kaiser makes some nice friction calls... Fav mouth call is Quaker Boy's Old Boss Hen (I think thats what they call it).
My favorite call is a friction call. Yes I do make them,but I love how versatile they are. Anything but a gobble, and depending on the surface and technique, raspy or clear sounding!
my first good call was the primos power crystal which i take into the woods faithfully every season, but i also love my custom ones, they all are special in one way or another and i feel i have to take them in the woods with me just because everyone uses the crystal , so the birds are going to hear me , say" oh, is that a new hen in town?'' and come running ....they all have thier own sounds .
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Don't go leaving your ethics in the truck
Ilike friction calls. Easy to use and they produce results! I like slate or glass calls for the lost part. But never under estimate the power of the box yelper! You know the clamp on the barrel kind! Anyways, thats my 2c
i use Cane Creek Calls outta KY. they are fantastic calls. check out their website canecreekcalls.com they have video clips of the owner using all the calls and he is simply awesome. i bought the custom glass friction call and i love it. it was around 40 bucksand it sounds great for me as well as looks good. they have good mouth calls too.
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Hoyt and Benelli.....Best of the Best.
Trevor
www.lostrivergamecalls.com
You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'