Speaking as a call maker, it is easier to make a round call because it is done on the lathe and/or drill press. I don't know if that is the main reason, but that is why I do it. You can order slate in any dimension (oval, rectangle, round, etc). There are a lot of slate calls made in different shapes and styles, but I think round is easier to make and is comfortable in your hand. There have also been a few turtles who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of killing toms.

please dont kill turtles to make calls.

find a dead one, roadkill, whatever.

i'm no tree hugger, but turtles are way too cool to kill for that reason.

turtles grow verrrrrrrrry slowly, a turtle that is big enough to make a call out of is at least 15 years old, possibly 20,50, or even 100.....

i'm "that guy" who will run across 4 lanes of traffic to help a turtle cross to the other side. saved 9 of them last spring alone!

i think it's a waste of an animal to kill it to make a call that can be purchased for 4.99, or made with wood for even cheaper. you wouldnt kill a turkey just for it's wingbones, would you?

just my .02.

flame away

-moose

Heavens no! I did not mean go out and hunt turtles to make slate calls. However, if you happen to stumble on a turtle shell, by all means grab it. Also, if an unsuspecting snapping turtle should happen to bite your fishing bait, I don't see a problem removing him by lethal methods. Then to avoid wasting an animal, use him for soup and a turkey call.

cool!