|
|
Post by hawkeyes on Aug 12, 2020 13:02:19 GMT -7
Cooler temps, moderate cloud cover which led to a wonderful day in the forest. My main goal of today was to aquire my favorite squirrel call, and one that is absolutely so simple I never even bothered to share. With the season fast approaching it indeed is my favorite time of year, and a past time I enjoy more than any other game hunt. Now I'm unable to verify the use of this method in early times but it's so efficient I truly wonder if an assumption of it's use is warranted. Spend some time under a beech, hickory and best yet... Walnut and you'll find exactly what you need and that is two walnut shells. One I call the striker and drone shell. It's as simple as cupping the drone shell in the hand and tapping to create a cutting sound, and scraping to produce a very accurate bark. I almost always use a cutting sound after a shot to calm them back down into a normal routine and the results are always pleasant. Absolutely give this a try! You certainly will be amazed at how accurate the two sounds are and loud at that. My theory is the forest always provides!  |
|
|
|
Post by paranger on Aug 12, 2020 13:18:04 GMT -7
That is FANTASTIC! I have never heard of this technique, but can't wait to try it when squirrel season opens here next month. Thanks for sharing your secret!
|
|
|
|
Post by hawkeyes on Aug 12, 2020 13:23:55 GMT -7
That is FANTASTIC! I have never heard of this technique, but can't wait to try it when squirrel season opens here next month. Thanks for sharing your secret! Absolutely try! My grandfather did this along with using two quarters. However IMO the resonating effect of the two halls is much better and sounds so realistic. Worth noting, dry halls are best. What I'll do is collect a bunch and dry over a fire or let them sit in the sun for the day. Definitely drives the moisture and produces an even crisper call. |
|
|
|
Post by Sicilianhunter on Aug 12, 2020 14:12:39 GMT -7
That is FANTASTIC! I have never heard of this technique, but can't wait to try it when squirrel season opens here next month. Thanks for sharing your secret! Absolutely try! My grandfather did this along with using two quarters. However IMO the resonating effect of the two halls is much better and sounds so realistic. Worth noting, dry halls are best. What I'll do is collect a bunch and dry over a fire or let them sit in the sun for the day. Definitely drives the moisture and produces an even crisper call. Hawk, Great tip!! Along with PARanger, I am thankful for you sharing valuable hunting skills !! I don’t know if I can find a walnut tree in the woods here but I did zero a black walnut tree in a neighbor’s yard that may need a few of its fruit liberated for the cause!! Any chance you could post a video of you calling? How did your Grandfather use the quarters? |
|
|
|
Post by hawkeyes on Aug 12, 2020 14:29:19 GMT -7
Absolutely try! My grandfather did this along with using two quarters. However IMO the resonating effect of the two halls is much better and sounds so realistic. Worth noting, dry halls are best. What I'll do is collect a bunch and dry over a fire or let them sit in the sun for the day. Definitely drives the moisture and produces an even crisper call. Hawk, Great tip!! Along with PARanger, I am thankful for you sharing valuable hunting skills !! I don’t know if I can find a walnut tree in the woods here but I did zero a black walnut tree in a neighbor’s yard that may need a few of its fruit liberated for the cause!! Any chance you could post a video of you calling? How did your Grandfather use the quarters? I'm betting you won't find many in an open space like a yard. Best bet is to find a good nut tree and regardless of the species there is almost certain to be halls from them littering the floor. However... obviously not the most common thing in your parts. Quarters work much in the same way, I'd reckon a silver dollar would work very well, potentially better than quarters given their size. Key with the quarters is to use the serrations on the edge and rake it across the raised ridges of the other while its held between the fingers much like the walnut hull. I personally don't like the quarter method, walnuts just work much better. How do I post a sound recording? I was just thinking about doing that. Just looked for a recording thing on this phone (new one gents, broke the ole one) why the heck would it not have a recording function? The damn things do everything else. |
|
|
|
Post by Sicilianhunter on Aug 12, 2020 14:50:44 GMT -7
Hawk, Great tip!! Along with PARanger, I am thankful for you sharing valuable hunting skills !! I don’t know if I can find a walnut tree in the woods here but I did zero a black walnut tree in a neighbor’s yard that may need a few of its fruit liberated for the cause!! Any chance you could post a video of you calling? How did your Grandfather use the quarters? I'm betting you won't find many in an open space like a yard. Best bet is to find a good nut tree and regardless of the species there is almost certain to be halls from them littering the floor. However... obviously not the most common thing in your parts. Quarters work much in the same way, I'd reckon a silver dollar would work very well, potentially better than quarters given their size. Key with the quarters is to use the serrations on the edge and rake it across the raised ridges of the other while its held between the fingers much like the walnut hull. I personally don't like the quarter method, walnuts just work much better. How do I post a sound recording? I was just thinking about doing that. Just looked for a recording thing on this phone (new one gents, broke the ole one) why the heck would it not have a recording function? The damn things do everything else. Hawk, You could go to your camera feature, choose video and film yourself doing the call with the hullsThat should also record the sound |
|
|
|
Post by hawkeyes on Aug 12, 2020 16:25:15 GMT -7
I'm betting you won't find many in an open space like a yard. Best bet is to find a good nut tree and regardless of the species there is almost certain to be halls from them littering the floor. However... obviously not the most common thing in your parts. Quarters work much in the same way, I'd reckon a silver dollar would work very well, potentially better than quarters given their size. Key with the quarters is to use the serrations on the edge and rake it across the raised ridges of the other while its held between the fingers much like the walnut hull. I personally don't like the quarter method, walnuts just work much better. How do I post a sound recording? I was just thinking about doing that. Just looked for a recording thing on this phone (new one gents, broke the ole one) why the heck would it not have a recording function? The damn things do everything else. Hawk, You could go to your camera feature, choose video and film yourself doing the call with the hullsThat should also record the sound Ah, good idea! Let me see what I can do. Okay I did that, worked great but the image hosting site will not allow me to post it. If anyone is interested in the audio please PM me with your email. |
|
|
|
Post by brokennock on Aug 13, 2020 8:00:27 GMT -7
I actually have read of this trick before, including the use of quarters. I can't remember where I read it. Probably some old book on hunting or old copy of a hunting magazine from days gone by.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sicilianhunter on Sept 29, 2020 7:12:44 GMT -7
Hawk,
Unfortunately, this excellent calling trick was not going to work in the location I previously hunted.
The Aberts squirrels here in NM feed on pine nuts and acorns.
There wasn't a damn walnut tree to be found!!
However, the cutter call made with quarters would definitely work>
I have only seen modern versions made from threaded PVC rod though.
Do you think on made out of more period materials like bone or horn would produce the same sound?
|
|
|
|
Post by hawkeyes on Sept 29, 2020 10:13:39 GMT -7
Do you think on made out of more period materials like bone or horn would produce the same sound? Only way to know is to give it a go. Whip something up and report back in. Assumptions lead to trouble but likely I'd say either would work equally well if correctly made. |
|
|
|
Post by Sicilianhunter on Sept 29, 2020 11:46:47 GMT -7
Do you think on made out of more period materials like bone or horn would produce the same sound? Only way to know is to give it a go. Whip something up and report back in. Assumptions lead to trouble but likely I'd say either would work equally well if correctly made. Hawk, I think I will start with horn. For some reason I think it will hold up better to the kind of use the call would demand |
|
|
|
Post by hawkeyes on Sept 29, 2020 15:08:43 GMT -7
Only way to know is to give it a go. Whip something up and report back in. Assumptions lead to trouble but likely I'd say either would work equally well if correctly made. Hawk, I think I will start with horn. For some reason I think it will hold up better to the kind of use the call would demand I'm thinking bone with have more resonance to it, which would carry the sound better. Try both for sure! Horn being more dense definitely will be more durable, likely both may do the same thing equally well, no idea, just thinking out loud. |
|
|
|
Post by Sicilianhunter on Sept 29, 2020 15:53:32 GMT -7
Hawk, I think I will start with horn. For some reason I think it will hold up better to the kind of use the call would demand I'm thinking bone with have more resonance to it, which would carry the sound better. Try both for sure! Horn being more dense definitely will be more durable, likely both may do the same thing equally well, no idea, just thinking out loud. Can’t hurt to try both! |
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Oct 26, 2020 22:16:29 GMT -7
Hawkeyes,
I knew of the quarters trick from way back, but the Walnut hulls is a "new" one, and looks like the real thing.
Richard/Grumpa
|
|
|
|
Post by hawkeyes on Oct 27, 2020 4:39:13 GMT -7
Hawkeyes, I knew of the quarters trick from way back, but the Walnut hulls is a "new" one, and looks like the real thing. Richard/Grumpa A "new/ old" method indeed. I've been using the same nut hulls all season so far. |
|
