I’m playing around making some calls on a lathe. What kind of finish for deer calls would be optimal? I like a glossy look but not sure shiny is best in a tree stand....thinking just a boiled linseed soak would be ok. Thoughts?

Craig

what does a deer call look like?

I’m guessing your question is sarcasm but I mean a grunt call. I use them bowhunting regularly. Obviously with the lack of input here no one knows or cares which is fine as it was just a curiosity question anyway.

Craig

Do what ever floats your boat. If deer, elk, and pronghorn around here spooked at every shiny reflective object, they would die from exhaustion.

I usually finish up with an "urrrp urrrrp urrrrrrrrp!"

Depends on the type of wood. Burnish the call then Linseed followed by bees wax put on while on the lathe is a nice natural finish. You can go over it with a paste wax and buff it up some after it has cured for a little more gloss. Linseed oil first then Tru-Oil or any good varnish like Tried and True or Waterlux for a little more shine and weather proofing. I would do this on the lathe as well and go for some heat on the application rag. Another option is linseed followed by cyanoacryllic (super glue) for even higher gloss. Go to the bowl turners sites for how they do these finishes. Inside I would just use some Linseed or tung oil to reduce any changes from moisture. The oil will just delay the swelling but it will happen slowly enough to not change the pitch while hunting.

On duck calls I used tung or linseed inside and out and after several days did a wipe on wipe off with spar varnish or teak finish for boats and they held up fine to wet conditions.