Post by Swampbird on Mar 14, 2006 3:40:41 GMT -5
Many turkey hunters will be purchasing new mouthcalls for Turkey Wars 2006, but very few actually know that they're distroying their calls effectiveness by the methods they use to clean the calls.
New Calls
New calls should be held under cool running water to clean between the reeds. Most new calls are just stuck in the mouth and the caller starts blowing.
Mouthwash
Mouthwash is an alcohol and the reeds of all mouthcalls can be distroyed by its use. If you must use any mouthwash, cut the solution to 25%mouthwash and don't soak the call, just dip and clear under cool running water, being sure to rinse between the reeds.
Cleaning the Mouthcall
The mouthcall will last longer when cleaned the proper way that dosen't destroy the tape and/or reeds.
Soaking the call allows the reeds and tape to become saturated and they will loosen, thus destroying the calls' pitch. Wrinkles in the reeds is a sure sign that the call has lost its full potential.
Use Tone-Savers, toothpicks, etc and hold the call beneath warm running water allowing water to flush the areas between the reeds, while slowly turning the water to cold.
Remove Tone-savers, toothpicks, etc and holding the call with opening downward, thump the call to help dislodge excess water from between the reeds. Replace Tone-Savers, toothpicks, etc. and allow to dry. (place in front of AC to get more airflow between reeds)
Mouthcalls will usually last just one season, with proper care, but there are those who think their mouthcalls from last seaon are good enough. Well, take a good look at the reeds! Are they wrinkled? If so, they've lost their full potential. Use as practice calls and purchase new calls for Turkey Wars. I usually get 2 of each calls I use and have a backup, incase I do blow out a reed and a bird is answering that call.
I hope this information helps keep your mouthcalls working at their full potential by keeping them out of the soak and out of the mouthwash.
If you doubt the effectiveness of this cleaning method, clean one call this way and another with mouthwash and/or soaking and see which last longer during this season.
New Calls
New calls should be held under cool running water to clean between the reeds. Most new calls are just stuck in the mouth and the caller starts blowing.
Mouthwash
Mouthwash is an alcohol and the reeds of all mouthcalls can be distroyed by its use. If you must use any mouthwash, cut the solution to 25%mouthwash and don't soak the call, just dip and clear under cool running water, being sure to rinse between the reeds.
Cleaning the Mouthcall
The mouthcall will last longer when cleaned the proper way that dosen't destroy the tape and/or reeds.
Soaking the call allows the reeds and tape to become saturated and they will loosen, thus destroying the calls' pitch. Wrinkles in the reeds is a sure sign that the call has lost its full potential.
Use Tone-Savers, toothpicks, etc and hold the call beneath warm running water allowing water to flush the areas between the reeds, while slowly turning the water to cold.
Remove Tone-savers, toothpicks, etc and holding the call with opening downward, thump the call to help dislodge excess water from between the reeds. Replace Tone-Savers, toothpicks, etc. and allow to dry. (place in front of AC to get more airflow between reeds)
Mouthcalls will usually last just one season, with proper care, but there are those who think their mouthcalls from last seaon are good enough. Well, take a good look at the reeds! Are they wrinkled? If so, they've lost their full potential. Use as practice calls and purchase new calls for Turkey Wars. I usually get 2 of each calls I use and have a backup, incase I do blow out a reed and a bird is answering that call.
I hope this information helps keep your mouthcalls working at their full potential by keeping them out of the soak and out of the mouthwash.
If you doubt the effectiveness of this cleaning method, clean one call this way and another with mouthwash and/or soaking and see which last longer during this season.