I am not what you would typically consider an 'easy sell' when it comes to new products.  Moreover, I am even more stubborn with my regards to new takes and new spins on long standing products. 

I was loitering about my local shop earlier today thinking like I always am anytime between June and the following March about turkey hunting.  Not needing anything except the calendar to advance two months, I never considered spending any money on calls.  I had picked up a box of shells to try out my 20 gauge, but I need a new pot call about like I need a tax audit from the IRS.

I've always been a turkey hunter, and I've always been a waterfowler.  I know the name Zink Calls well from their waterfowl calls.  Infact, I myself blow one of his acrylic short reed goose calls to the exclusion of just about everything else.  I don't harp on any one company much as "the best" at anything, and this is no exception.  I think there is a right call for everyone, and I can tell you that someone makes it, but it may or may not be the same one I use myself.

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Pot style turkey calls, however, are a different ball game.  Requiring no wind, no back pressure, no tounge or jaw placement, one pot call should in theory sound about the same in the hands of any experienced user.  Tempo, timing and rythm will vary by individual of course.  This simple fact means it is pretty easy and pretty obvious to sort out the good from the bad and in short order.

There I am standing in the store, and I see one of these new Zink 'Power Hen' Turkey calls.  I picked it up and read the literature on the reverse of the package and gave a look over the call.  The first thing I noticed was that whoever made this thing obviously hunts turkeys, or else hired a bunch of turkey hunters to design it.  There is a rubber grip ring built into the outer rim of the call, which makes holding the thing with sweaty late spring hands a much easier thing to do, no doubt.  The neatest feature, in my eyes, is the recessed, built in, striker conditioner found on the bottom side of the call.  You can see it in the picture here, at about 2 o'clock on the call between the sound ports. While I think it is perhaps just a bit too course, light pressure will do fine.  And if you ever get any junk on your striker tip while hunting (and it will happen), you don't have to break out a conditioning kit to be back in the game fast.  It also comes with a conditioning pad (as every call should) and an included copy of Zink's first ever spring turkey based DVD.

All this design was good and fine and well, but only one thing really matters when it comes to a game call; sound.  I went to the counter and got the blessings of the clerk to disrupt the store with the sounds of spring.  I selected the handsome laminate flared tip striker, set my hands and struck out a series.  Honestly, that was probably all it took.  I went through a few clucks, few purrs, and tried the second striker in hard ash/hickory.  I put it back in the package, paid for it, and am now sitting here in front of my computer spreading the word about what I think is one of the absolute finest sounding slate calls I have ever put my hands on (and I've run quite a few).  This calls sound is an absolute home run. 

If you are in the market for a slate call and are willing to spend a few extra dollars for a custom quality sound that will last you a lifetime, this call is worth a look.  If you do not need a new turkey call, and do not intend to purchase one either, please tread near this one with caution.  It will jump in the truck and come home with you.  Zink Calls is also offering a crystal and aluminum surfaced pot call in addition to the slate call which I purchased. 

 As an afficaiando of mouth yelpers, I am really interested to try their new line of diaphram calls.  In conjunction with Shane Hendershot, the 2008 World Champion, and Josh Grossenbacher, an accomplished contest caller as well, Zink has designed six new mouth calls for the spring of 2009.  If their sound is anything close to what the slate call sitting in front of me is, then they are going to sell out in short order.