Chalk for turkey call?

I've heard that the sidewalk chalk has some kind of waxyness to it that helps it survive rain. Heard that was bad for the call box.
 
If you want a wet call I would think of something like the Knight and Hale wet willy call. It has a protective coating on it for the rain.

wetwilly.jpg
 
I've heard that the sidewalk chalk has some kind of waxyness to it that helps it survive rain. Heard that was bad for the call box.
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Sidewalk and blackboard chalk does have wax and other additives in it that makes the chalk sticks glide more easily over the surface and to keep them from breaking. Carpenter's chalk has additives in it to make it more visible and to stick better. Over a period of time, these additives may create a shiny spot on the mating surfaces resulting in squeaks and slippage....the reason we chalk our box calls in the first place. While they do not work as well as chalk meant for use on box calls, they do work if one cannot find anything else. For box calls the driest and cleanest chalk work the best.

Some of the newer box calls work without having to be chalked and are better in wet weather than the old style. I still prefer the tone and sound quality of the old calls tho and keeping them dry, chalked and sanded correctly, are just part of the deal.
 
What about rock climbing chalk or gymnast chalk?
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.....again,
For box calls the driest and cleanest chalk work the best.
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While they are all called "chalk", not all "chalks" are made from the same type of calcium deposits. Rock climbing and gymnast chalk are made to be more water(sweat) resistant than other types of chalk. Chalkboard and sidewalk chalks are made from softer materials. Both may or may not contain other additives that may deter the chalk from doing it's job on wood calls. I know of some turkey hunters that swear by pool chalk.

Only way to find out for yourself is to try it yourself. If it doesn't work, lightly sand it off and try something else. Like natman, I bought a stick of call chalk some 20 years ago and still have most of it left.
 
The first tape on calling by RichardBen Lee,

mentioned using the blue [hockey puck] carpenters found a lumber yards.
avoid the white blackboard.

Used the hockey puck since 1984 on my Lynch Model 101 and got extra for hunting buddies for their paddle calls.

Good luck and HAVE FUN!
 
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