Which Turkey Slate?

[Neiko]

I was wondering which brand of slates are the best. Do I want glass? Thanks to anyone who answers.

Here Turkey Turkey Turkey!!

[LABS4ME]

I've got several now... my favorite is the Power Crystal. It is a little louder and higher pitched than most, put the sounds are unbelievable! It really helps on windy days. When I started out, I bought a Black Widow, very easy to use and it got me my 1st bird that year. I've got a couple of true slates and they do have nice mellow tone, but it always seems like I have fog or dew or mist getting on the surface messing it up. I also have the "freak". I don't really care for that call at all. Hope it all helps!

Good luck! Ken

[Borch]

Calls are really more about personal preference for the most part.

One thing is that certain surfaces are more forgiving for the beginner than others. Slate is one of the more forgiving surfaces. Glass tends to need rreconditioning more frequently. The crystal calls tend to also need more frequenbt reconditioning.

They all will have different sounds. Combine your slate type calls with several different strikers and you'll have very versatile calls.

I've tried, slate, glass, crystal, aluminum and some of the composite surfaces. I also have a dozen or so different strikers as well. But I also go back to 2 favorites. The rest are good calls. But like I say guys will always have favorites.

I suggest you go try some out a your local hunting store. Buy the one that you like the best and pick up a striker kit too.

Good Luck!

[TomBow]

I don't think it matters too much which brand of slate call you try. I have a Primos Alumislate, a Freak and a Power Crystal and they all sound pretty good. The most important thing is learning calling sequence, IMO. Check out the NWTF website for actual turkey sounds. I taped them off the website, then listen to them and try to mimic the cadence and pitch of the real birds.

[Zarkohl]

What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of slate calls verses glass or alum. calls?

Also, are there any type of type of stikers that you should avoid on certain types of surfaces, such as a carbon stiker on glass, slate or alum.?

Thanks.

[Borch]

The the different surfaces you get different sounds. Different surfaces require more prep than others to keep then sounding good. Some work better when wet than others. One disadvantage to some aluminum calls is the shiney surface. But several now come with a dull coating.

Slate a lower more mellow tone. Works well wet or dry with the correct striker. More tends to require less prep work.

Glass a midrange tone. Needs a little more prep work. Doesn't work as well when wet.

Aluminum a high pitched tone. Depending on surface may require a moderate amount of prep to none at all.

Borch

[TomBow]

Can't say there's a rule on not using a certain material-striker on any slate material. I will say I have a carbon striker that came with my Primos Alumislate which is about 2/3rds the diameter of a pencil and it kind of sounds like nails on a chalkboard compared to a wooden striker on the same surface. I think it's due to the carbon striker creating higher (beyond human hearing) frequencies when used on the aluminum surface. But those frequencies are probably good for long distance calling, reaching out there and getting the bird's attention. I prefer the wooden or acrylic striker but use the carbon striker sometimes when the humidity is high and/or the conditions are damp. I just muffle the sound a bit when it sounds like the bird is getting close then pretty much shut up if I can see the bird. Don't want to get pin-pointed by the bird, I want him to seek out the "hen".

[Neiko]

Thanks everyone for your help! I opted to go with the Power Crystal. It was nice and loud and sounds really good. We will see what Tom and friends think about it. I also purchased a Understaker HS choke to shoot my Hevi-Shot with. I hope I have a deadly combo. I leave Wed for Indiana to hunt until Sunday and then I head back to hunt MN until Wed. Good luck to all.

Neiko