How to Make a Deer Whistle

A deer whistle is a hand or electronic whistle that produces a shrill, high-pitched sound that alerts deer. Its purpose is to stop deer instantly, based upon their natural tendency to freeze in their tracks when they hear loud, high-pitched noises. The deer are trying to locate and determine the threat potential of the source of the sound. Deer whistles are used where high numbers of auto accidents involving deer occur. They are also carried and used by bicycle riders on roads through wilderness or woods. The do-it-yourself deer whistle is an air-blown, handheld device made of PVC pipe, without tonal holes.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Permanent marker
  • 1/2-inch schedule 80 PVC pipe
  • Hacksaw
  • Steel vise
  • T-square
  • Power drill
  • Reciprocating saw
  • Craft knife
  • 1/2-inch pine doweling
  • PVC adhesive
  • Small screwdriver
  • Hammer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure and mark a 4-inch length of 1/2-inch schedule 80 PVC pipe.

    • 2

      Use a hacksaw to cut the 4-inch piece of PVC pipe. Select the truer end of the cut piece of pipe as the mouthpiece end. Mark that end with a small "X."

    • 3

      Mount the piece of PVC pipe in a steel vise. Use a T-square and marker to draw a line along the entire long axis of the pipe.

    • 4

      Measure and make crossmarks on the line at the 1 1/2-inch and 2 1/4-inch distances from the mouthpiece end.

    • 5

      Use a power drill to drill a 1/2-inch hole into the PVC pipe midway between the two crossmarks.

    • 6

      Insert the blade of a reciprocating saw manually into the drilled hole and use it to carve a rectangular hole, 1/4 inch wide by 1/2 inch long. Use a craft knife to clean the edges and corners.

    • 7

      Measure, mark and use a reciprocating saw to cut a 1/2-inch piece of pine wood dowel. Insert the dowel vertically in a vise and draw a cut line across the end of the dowel, 3/16 inches from the edge of the dowel.

    • 8

      Use a reciprocating saw to rip cut through the length of the 1/2-inch piece of dowel at the cut line in its end. Save the small piece of dowel you cut off.

    • 9

      Cover the curved outer surface of the small piece of cut dowel with PVC adhesive and slide it inside the mouthpiece end of the PVC pipe. Use a small screwdriver to press it against the inside of the pipe.

    • 10

      Cover the curved outer surface of the large piece of cut dowel with PVC adhesive and slide in into the mouthpiece end of the PVC pipe. Be sure that the top and bottom edges of the two pieces of dowel line up, forming a rectangular open space between them the width of the saw blade's thickness. Cut another 1/2-inch piece of pine doweling, coat it with PVC adhesive and work it into the other end of the PVC pipe to plug that end.