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DIY pot striker
Strike the right note. Dan Saelinger

Calling in a gobbler is especially gratifying when you do it with a peg you’ve made. Materials aren’t fancy: a ¼-inch oak dowel plus a corncob; a solid fiberglass rod (white bicycle flagstaffs are great) or a broken carbon arrow shaft plus a ¾-inch oak dowel. Experiment with striker-tip angles, overall lengths, and ­materials​—​including hard plastics, laminates, and even hard rubber—to get a tone that works.

1. Corncob With Oak Shaft

A dried corncob (sprayed with acrylic sealer) and a ¼” oak dowel gives a traditional mellow tone. A great striker for close-in work.

2. Oak With Acrylic Shaft

A ¾” oak handle and a ¼” solid acrylic peg make high-​pitched, true sounds that travel long distances. Ideal for windy days.

3. Corncob With Carbon Shaft

A dried corncob (with acrylic sealer) plus a ¼” carbon arrow shaft has an edgy, gritty sound, with all the rasp of an older hen.

4. Oak With Fiberglass Shaft

A ¾” oak handle and a ¼” solid fiberglass rod provides clear, high-pitched notes. Good for long-distance calling.

Instructions > A Homemade Striker

homemade turkey striker
Cut the handle, drill and insert the shaft, and spray the handle. Chris Philpot

[1] Cut the handle 3½ inches long and the shaft 5½ inches.

[2] Drill a ¼-inch hole 2¼ inches deep in the handle, and insert the shaft.

[3] Ring the joint with hot glue, and spray the handle with acrylic sealer to finish.

Note: There is no need to drill a hole in a corncob. Simply cut the dowel at a 45-degree angle and push that end into the center of the cob 2¼ inches.

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