I found a dried-out terrapin shell in the woods a few years ago and glued a piece of slate in it. It sounds pretty good with my hickory striker. I read that it is illegal in some states to possess a terrapin shell and I've been surfing the web trying to find out if they are legal in VA and TN? Does anyone know? I'd never kill a terrapin for the shell, but would like to try my call in the woods. Sure don't want to be caught with a shell if they are illegal though. I've found a couple more shells while scouting this Spring. If they are legal, I would like to find out how glass or aluminum would sound. Has anyone tried this? Thanks.

I'm not sure if they're legal or not, but I found a shell in the woods, too.

I don't think they'll illegal to possess, but they are illegal to sell. I say this because I play guitar, and tortoise shell picks are highly sought after.

You can't sell them, but you can possess them. I have made several over the years, and I give them away to turkey hunters I meet along the way. I use only the ones I find already dead. If I give one away, I ask the person to give me one if he finds one. I make it a point for them to not kill one just for it's shell!
Keep em Gobblin!
Struttinbird

Tenn has gone all over the map on this I htink...I have made some shell calls and givenm them to friends but now Iam leary of it. you defintitely cannot sell the shells themselves or the alls , and now I am not sure if you can even possess them...call800-332-0900 and ask TWRA...