checking out calls
 

I would like some recommendations. I work at a public library in Kentucky and we are considering creating a hunting call collection to circulate. What would you recommend that we offer in a "starter" collection of calls. We are thinking about starting out with calls for white tail deer and turkeys. Keep in mind that if any calls would be used that would touch your mouth we would have to be able to clean them thoroughly...preferably by soaking them.

Primos sells a doe bleat called The Can..It's a can that you tip to make the sound of a doe bleating..Soaking a call with a reed in it would probably not work right unless you took the call apart and dried off the reed and inside of the call if that is possible. How about swabbing the outside with alcohol and a rag. There are 5 basic calls: Doe bleat,Fawn bleat,Young buck and Mature buck grunt.Also the snort wheeze.

Thanks! This info helps...we would like to have a collection that will offer variety to our patrons. Is there a good place for me to look for reviews of different calls?

Apparently public libraries in Kentucky are very different than I'm used to. I read, "our library is starting a call collection," and my immediate thought is, "why?"

Most of the factory calls out there now are all synthetic, perfect to soak in mouthwash or astringent to clean them up between users. I probably wouldn't waste my time with that liability (possibility to be a hub for transferring diseases, just for some stupid buck calls), but to each their own. Calls are cheap, cheaper than tags, a box of ammo, dang sure less than a rifle or bow, cheaper than a camo shirt. Calls ain't stopping anybody from going hunting.

Rembering learning turkey calls...
 

on an old fashion vinyl record. The kind they used when the Beatles were first popular. Reminds me I have unplayable, by me, cassette tapes. I know someone's discovered the internet already.

There are a lot of turkey calls -- broadly referred to as friction calls -- that you don't put in your mouth: box calls, pot calls, push-pull calls, gobble calls.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...s=turkey+calls

This is just plain weird. Why does the library want to circulate calls? Liability alone is one major reason this is a foolish idea.

Why not look into audio and/or video recordings of vocalizations?

Go to any Major Hunting Store via Internet and browse thru the different types of Deer,Turkey and Predator Calls.Some of the Big Names Calls are as followed!There are several Custom Call Makers out there also but it would cost a little more to buy them.

M.A.D. Calls
Primos
Knight & Hale
Lohman
Circe
FoxPro

Thanks for your suggestions for call manufacturers. I also appreciate your suggestion of offering recordings of vocalizations that's a great idea! We would like to offer this collection to our patrons because we are located in a rural community were hunting is a popular sport, but monetary resources are very limited. Our thought is to offer a variety of calls for our patrons to try out before they spend their own money to build a personal collection. We would like to do this in conjunction with offering more hunting related programs since one of our most highly attended programs each year is a hunters education class. It is easy for us to bring women into the library with craft classes, but harder to get the men to come out...

Maybe several of Us that use different type calls could leave a list of Calls we've used and felt were of good quality and realistic sound to reccomend others to buy and use?

Knight & Hale Cottontail Rabbit call,clear plastic with black end.Very good quality,easy to use and great sound!

Primos Kat-Nip Bobcat Caller,Green and Black in soft rubber mouth and harder plastic end,well made and realistic sound!

Primo's Lil Dog Howler/Barking mouth Calls,small Green Colored open reed Caller for softer sounds and Pup yelps.Larger White and Black horn open reed Howler mouth call...good sound well made!
Lohman "Circe" Jack Rabbit mouth call,pale green in color,loud and good clear sound well made!

Hammerin' Crow Call,black and dark orange colored enclosed reed caller,great sound,easy to use and well made!

I'll check my other Mouth Calls and see which ones sound good and are well made and any that had issues and add them to the list!