---
title: "How to Make a Cow-Horn Yelper to Call in a Turkey"
description: "Hailing from eastern Virginia a century ago, this call was employed for fall turkey hunting, though its high-pitched yelps will work equally well in the spring. It operates like a wingbone yelper, but the cow horn softens and directs the sound of the call. With practice, you can add clucks to your repertoire."
date: "2015-10-28"
modified: "2015-10-28"
authors:
  - name: "Larry Case"
    link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/larry-case/"
url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/hunting/2015/10/how-make-cow-horn-yelper-call-turkey/"
categories:
  - "Gear"
  - "Hunting"
  - "Hunting Gear"
  - "Turkey Hunting"
---

# How to Make a Cow-Horn Yelper to Call in a Turkey

![](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/22/M5NE3AKUUJF7XMT6UW6LGVM6IM.png>)

Hailing from eastern Virginia a century ago, this call was employed for fall turkey hunting, though its high-pitched yelps will work equally well in the spring. It operates like a wingbone yelper, but the cow horn softens and directs the sound of the call. With practice, you can add clucks to your repertoire.

**1. WINGBONE MOUTHPIECE**
The old timers insisted on a young hen wingbone for a mouthpiece. They believed this gave the call a keener, more piercing tone because of the bone's smaller diameter. Gobbler wingbones will work, but to best imitate the call of a hen turkey, you need a hen wingbone.

**2. CATHETER TUBE**
A rubber catheter tube is the best material to mate the mouthpiece with the horn. Look for a size 22 or 24 French-style catheter, available at medical-supply stores. Push the flared end of the tube over the horn. Cut the other end on a 45-degree angle, and push it over the wingbone. Use a wine cork to keep the mouthpiece clean. Play the call by sucking in with short, sharp purses, as if you were blowing kisses.

**3. COW HORN**
Preparing the horn is the first and most difficult step. Saw the horn about 4 inches below the tip, and then shave down its thickness both inside and out. The old masters did this with a pocketknife and a piece of glass, but a wood rasp and increasingly fine Emery paper will work. The thinner the wall of the horn, the better—the horn should vibrate slightly in your hand when you call.