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How to Call Quail

Quail are large, round birds commonly found throughout the western United States. The most familiar breed, the California quail, exists throughout the Pacific coast, southeast Idaho and northeast Utah. The Gambel's quail thrives in southern California and southwestern states. The colorful game birds are recognized for their decorative topknot and ka-KER-go call. You can attract quails by making and using a homemade quail call.

Things You'll Need

3-inch branch that is 1/2-inch in diameter
Pocket knife
Thick rubber band or blade of grass

Instructions

- 1
  Soak the branch in a bowl of water for 30 minutes to loosen bark.
- 2
  Strip off the bark with a pocket knife.
- 3
  Slice the branch in half lengthwise and place the halves with the cut side up.
- 4
  Whittle out a curved, 1-inch section in the middle of each branch half. Stop whittling when the deepest part of the curved section is half as deep as the original depth of the halved branch.
- 5
  Scrape a line going through the center of each branch half, lengthwise. The line should be 1/3 as wide as the branch.
- 6
  Place a rubber band or grass blade over the length of one branch half. Cover the rubber band or grass with the second branch half. The curved, uncut side of the branches should be on the outside.
- 7
  Secure one end of the quail call with rubber bands or a blade of grass, creating a whistle.
- 8
  Hold the whistle horizontally and place your mouth over the hole made by the whittled section. Pull on the unsecured end of the rubber band or grass to make it taut.
- 9
  Blow into the whistle to call quail.

Nature