Calls getting moldy?

[bald9eagle]

Anyone ever had issues with your mouth calls getting moldy? I have used turkey mouth calls for 25 years and have only ever had one do this. I usually keep them in the fridge when not in use. I have had 5 different elk calls go moldy on me even after letting them air dry before storing them. Is it something to do with the material used for elk calls vs turkey calls? The first 2 calls were in a small sealed bag and the last three in a call case that I had turkey calls in. I tried washing them off, rinsing them in mouth wash, letting them air dry, put them up both dry and wet, kept them in the fridge and on the counter.

I'm just curious if it is something with latex vs prophylactic material.

[Ryan Conkle]

I have never encountered that, I rinse my calls off after use and then store them in the fridge all year just like you said that you do... interesting.

[Elkhunttoo]

I make sure to drop mine in the dirt atleast 15-20 times a year to prevent this problem

I've never had a problem, I would like to say I wash them off but it usually just throw them in a case and in with my hunting gear. I try to let them dry off most of the time.

[CurlyTail]

I believe that an Elk call has identical materials as a Turkey Call, and that the care is the same

I replace mine every year no matter what

[bald9eagle]

Yeah I've had turkey calls stay forgotten in vest, I've rinsed calls off, I've stored them in fridge, left them in my work bag, etc. and never had thus problem. Now I've bought 5 elk call and all five have done this. Didn't know if elk calls used different material since they are stretched tighter than turkey call.

[bald9eagle]

Just pulled one of my turkey calls out of the fridge and gave it a go. I can bugle on it better than with the elk calls...lol. Go figure.

[stringunner]

I have never had this problem. I keep mine in an old chew can with holes drilled in the top and bottom to allow air flow. Take them out use them, then toss them back in.

[Lefty]

Ill put my calls in pant or shirt pocket and keep them dry.
Get rid of the moisture and mold shouldn't be growing. A fridge could be a better growing medium than drying or a freezer,.. It could be an interesting scicens project seeing what bacteria your putting on your calls to grow mold

[Csrbowhunter]

Mine were the same way. I put in rubbing alcohol overnight. Then washed them off with a wash rag. Then put them in mouth wash for a couple of hours. The last time I'd used them I had the flu and didn't want that crap again

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