An apparatus for calling deer, and methods of its use; the apparatus having an adjustable sliding element moved longitudinally by the user to adjust the dimension x of a vibrating reed to vary the sound generated by the deer call. The device includes a barrel assembly having a cut-out opening in its side, with a vibrating reed mounted therein on a reed holder. A tone-adjusting slide assembly, manually accessible through the cut-out opening, has a reed contact band extending transversely and clampingly across the reed so as to clamp it at any of various selectable locations depending on the axial position of the tone-adjusting slide assembly. The pitch of the sound can be adjusted without disassembling the deer call.