Does your slate get humid outside and sound terrible?
 

Inside, no problem. But everytime I used it outside trying to call in a turkey, the striker slid on the surface and made more of a high pitched squeak sound. I even scuffed it up good and took sandpaper to the plastic striker. Does anyone else have this problem? Should I go to aluminum or glass, or do they all do this? I want to make clear crisp yelps like I can do inside the house! Trust me, the difference isn't simply that it sounds different outside. I think the slightest humidity glazes the surface or something!

Thanks for any advice you have!


< Message edited by DougMD -- 2/28/2005 2:44:47 PM >

RE: Does your slate get humid outside and sound terrible?
 

bump

RE: Does your slate get humid outside and sound terrible?
 

Is the temperature different outside? If there`s a big different then a warm call might "fog up" like glasses do. Leave the call in the car overnight and try it in the morning and see if that helps. Most of the time when hunting there isn`t a huge change in temperature because you`ve been outside for awhile allowing the call to cool.

RE: Does your slate get humid outside and sound terrible?
 

I also observed that if I keep my hand on, or over the surface of the call it collected moisture. I try to handle it only from th bottom when I'm not using it. If you pull the call out of your vest a lot it may smooth the surface too.

RE: Does your slate get humid outside and sound terrible?
 

Thanks. In the meantime, I'm latching onto that other slate thread to see what other kind of friction call to get, probably crystal.

RE: Does your slate get humid outside and sound terrible?
 

Doug,

First, try a different striker. Try a wingbone call, with the mouthpiece end. You'll be surprised at how nice that sounds.

Second, be particular when sanding the striker and slate. Go only in one direction on both. Move the striker against the striations on the slate for yelps/clucks, and then arcs/circles for purrs. If you move with the striations, with even the smallest amount of moisture, you will "slide" the striker, whereby friction is lost and you get the "squeak" you're talking about.

Third, I find that slate just doesn't sound as good when it gets moist. I personally like the ceramic calls (Sla-tek particularly) for use in the fog/drizzle.

RE: Does your slate get humid outside and sound terrible?
 

a glass call is usually more consistent.