One of the oldest calls for hunting the wild turkey is the wing bone call. This type of call was first used by Native Americans and even today it is a very effective tool to have in your bag of tricks. Used correctly, many call wise Spring Gobblers fall victim to its unique sound.

Making a wing bone call is easy to do and the tools required are minimal with being found around the house

Tool list:

Step one:

There are 3 parts of a Turkey’s wing. The ulna, the radius and the humerus.  To remove the wings from the turkey you must find the ball joint where the wing attaches to the body. Cut around this joint with the knife separating tendons and cartilage. Once done the wing will remove very easily.

©Erik Nilsson, Game Hogg Hunt Club^TM

I also like to cut the area from the wings just behind the ulna and radius and the rest of the wing. This will allow you to use the rest of the wing for mounting or used for your favorite Gobbler decoy.

To remove the humerus bone from the other two just cut around and into that joint as well. The ulna and radius bone can be removed by making an incision between them and removing the flesh away.

©Erik Nilsson, Game Hogg Hunt Club^TM

To separate them simply cut them apart.  Clean any remaining flesh by scraping it away with your knife.

©Erik Nilsson, Game Hogg Hunt Club^TM

Step two:

Using a hacksaw, cut the ball ends off all three bones to expose the marrow.

©Erik Nilsson, Game Hogg Hunt Club^TM

Swab the insides of the bones with a pipe cleaner or a wire to remove as much marrow as you can. I like to run hot water as I do this to flush out all the marrow.

©Erik Nilsson, Game Hogg Hunt Club^TM

Place all three bones in a pan of boiling water and adding a little dish soap to the water.  Wait for about 10 minutes and check the bones. If some yellowing exists let them boil for a few more minutes. Adding water as needed. The bones can also soak in Hydrogen Peroxide and that will help whiten the bones

The small bone (radius) has one round end and one flat end. Insert the round end into the small, open end of the middle bone (ulna). 

Next, place the opposite end of the ulna into the small end of the humerus, The Humerus acts like a sound amplifier for the call.

©Erik Nilsson, Game Hogg Hunt Club^TM

By doing this you are trial fitting the bones together to make sure you have a nice fit. You can trim them some but be care full not to trim to much or you may have trouble getting them together.  Once you have them fitting nicely, mix up the 2 part clear epoxy and glue the pieces together. Be extra carful not to get any glue over the openings of the bones Allow glue to dry for 24 hours, and then file any rough or sharp edges on the flat mouthpiece of the bone.

©Erik Nilsson, Game Hogg Hunt Club^TM

As an optional decorative item, wrap thread around the joints and using the clear epoxy seal the thread all the way around being careful not to get too much epoxy on the bone itself.

You can customize your call any way you want to by adding a leather lanyard. Markings or what ever you chose.

To use your new call, place the flat tip of the small bone on your lips, and kiss or suck air through the call's length to create a yelp. Cup your hands over the open end of the call to change the resonance and to produce even more realistic sounds. The cluck can easily be made by placing your tongue over the small hole in the mouthpiece and quickly sucking while simultaneously pulling your tongue off the hole. With practice, you can produce all turkey sounds with this call except the gobble.

Good Hunting!