Zak,leave the rubber bands on.One purpose of the rubber bands is it returns the lid to it's original position when makin a call such as a cluck.On a double sided call they are used for the same reason when makin a gobble.As for chalk use an oil free chalk,such as carpenters or loggers chalk you can get sticks of chalk at about any hardware store and it's cheaper than if you buy it from a sportin goods store.