I've been practicing with my hand callers lately, since we are almost entirely snowed in, in terms of access to regular hunting setup locations (Big Honkers will second that).
Being a newb with these (photo 1), I only have two good wood models, the Faulk 50 and the Gibson Short Magnum. I like what I'm hearing and so do the locals that can't be shot at. I also have a couple of cheesy plastic jobs that came with turkey calls. As I said, I am practicing on the crows here in town mostly to annoy them. It works. It's also fun to alert the flock of 20 +/- wild turkeys that a nearby homeowner feeds--that's another story--but I will sometimes stop and roll the window down and give them a couple of blasts just to watch all those very large, overweight toms and hens alert, big time. As a side note, it would be terribly unsporting to shoot one of these turkeys, as they are nearly domesticated and largely brainless. Plus, they're just outside the city limits by about 50 yards. On the other hand....
The problem with the Gibson is one that I figure more than one of you has experienced and can diagnose. The Gibson's reed is closer to one side of the two mouthpieces than the other (photo 2). As such, it will usually stick to the closer side due to the moisture from my breath after only one or two toots. I've played around with it quite a few times to ensure that both mouthpiece sides are equal and moved the reed deeper and farther out; still sticks.
I've had the same problem with all of my calls except my Gibson. I've had it only 2 months, blow it 3-4 time a week, and the reed has'nt stuck yet. Gibson calls...the BEST ever!
I use olive or canola cooking oil on the other calls, and now, they rarely stick. Take a thin piece of cloth, soak it lightly in either oil, and slide one ply of the cloth with the oil between the reed and the inside of the mouth piece. Do this for both sides of the reed, assuring that the reed and both mouth pieces are slightly wet. Do not wipe them dry.
You might want to wash the mouth pieces and the reed in alcohol to sterlilize them before applying the oil.
If this procedure does not alleviate the problem, then soak the whole call in 120 weight gear lube overnite. You may not want to use the call afterwards, but at least the reed won't stick!!!
I have found only one call that will not stick or freeze up in cold weather no matter what is the clear plastic Haydel's TC-87 Crow Call. A mouth call only sticks when you need it. zI think it's a good idea to keep a Haydel on your lanyard for this reason regardless of what you think is the best call.
Yes.. do not drink any fluids but water....an hour or so before using any mouth call. Sugar drink residue in your mouth will cause excess sticking. So will many other drinks including coffee. This is not a cure-all.. but it helps. Clean reed and both sides of the mouth piece frequently as well. I have coated all mouth pieces with Rain-X and other stuff.. it gives mixed results..
Yes.. do not drink any fluids but water....an hour or so before using any mouth call. Sugar drink residue in your mouth will cause excess sticking. So will many other drinks including coffee. This is not a cure-all.. but it helps. Clean reed and both sides of the mouth piece frequently as well. I have coated all mouth pieces with Rain-X and other stuff.. it gives mixed results..
skip
Makes sense. At first glance I thought you were offering medical advice. This theory sorta messes up the guys who chew or dip.. I'm wondering if I can get that reed to bend the other direction a bit...
NCH:
I'll look up the Haydel.
KenCrow:
I'll try the oil; though not the 120 wt.
Thanks all!
__________________
"Arms are the only true badges of liberty. The possession of arms is the distinction of a free man from a slave." -- Andrew Fletcher 1698
I'm wondering what common plastic materials might be useable to experiment with as reed material: milk jug (maybe too thick?), or other items. Any ideas?
Man! It's 1 MAR already and still snowed out of most places!
__________________
"Arms are the only true badges of liberty. The possession of arms is the distinction of a free man from a slave." -- Andrew Fletcher 1698
You have diagnosed your own problem, the mylar reed is to close to one side, and air pressure will stick it to that side, locking up the call. The reed needs to be sitting straight up and down, dead center. Sometimes mylar will warp a bit and end up like that. I would have Darrel send you a couple new reeds and slap one in. Or if you have some .010 mylar, cut your own using the original as a guide.
Mylar can be straightned out a bit, but it can be a bit frustrating. You can pop the mouthpiece out and try to work it till its straighter, should get the call working.
JMO,
Mark
-- Edited by Lonehowl on Monday 2nd of March 2015 04:58:48 PM
. This theory sorta messes up the guys who chew or dip.
. I'm wondering if I can get that reed to bend the other direction a bit...
