Turkey Hunting Tips - Calling Techniques

Calling turkeys is a crucial skill for successful hunting. Understanding the different types of calls and when to use them can significantly increase your chances of attracting a tom.

Understanding Turkey Vocalizations

Turkeys have a diverse range of vocalizations, each serving a specific purpose. Recognizing these sounds is key to effective calling.

Call Type	Description	When to Use
Yelp	A series of high-pitched notes, often used by hens to locate other turkeys.	Common locator call, especially in the morning or to solicit a response.
Cluck	A short, sharp note, indicating contentment or as an alarm.	Can be used as a soft locator or to reassure a approaching turkey.
Purr	A soft, rolling sound, often indicating contentment or feeding.	Best used when turkeys are close and you want to calm them.
Gobble	The distinctive call of a tom, used to attract hens and establish dominance.	Primarily a tom's call, but hunters can use it as a locator to elicit a response.
Putt	A sharp, urgent alarm call, indicating danger.	Avoid making this sound unless you want to alert turkeys to your presence.

Types of Turkey Calls

There are several types of turkey calls available, each with its own learning curve and unique sound characteristics.

Diaphragm Calls

Diaphragm calls, also known as mouth calls, are held in the roof of your mouth and produce sound by blowing air over a latex reed.

• Pros: Hands-free operation, allowing you to hold your gun ready. Can produce a wide range of realistic sounds.
• Cons: Requires practice to master. Can be difficult to use consistently if not practiced.
• Tips: Start with a single-reed call if you're a beginner. Practice controlling your breath and tongue pressure to vary pitch and tone.

Pot Calls

Pot calls, or friction calls, consist of a pot with a surface (slate, glass, aluminum) and a striker. Sound is produced by dragging the striker across the surface.

• Pros: Easy to learn and produce consistent sounds. Loud and effective for long-range calling.
• Cons: Requires two hands to operate, which can be a disadvantage when a turkey is approaching.
• Tips: Experiment with different striker materials and lengths to find the sound you prefer. Keep the call surface clean for optimal sound.

Box Calls

Box calls are made of wood and consist of a base and a lid that rubs against it.

• Pros: Very easy to learn and produce realistic yelps and clucks. Durable and weatherproof.
• Cons: Can be bulky to carry. Less versatile in sound compared to diaphragm calls.
• Tips: Use short, sharp strokes for clucks and longer, more deliberate strokes for yelps.

Locator Calls

Locator calls mimic the sounds of other animals (e.g., crow, owl, coyote) to make a tom gobble, revealing its location.

• Pros: Effective for finding turkeys in dense cover or at a distance.
• Cons: Can sometimes spook wary turkeys if used excessively.
• Tips: Use locator calls sparingly and strategically, especially at dawn and dusk.

Advanced Calling Strategies

Beyond basic calls, there are advanced techniques that can make you a more effective turkey hunter.

The Art of Soft Calling

Once a turkey is close, aggressive calling can sometimes spook it. Soft purrs, clucks, and subtle yelps can often be more effective at drawing a tom in.

Decoy Placement

Using decoys in conjunction with calling can be incredibly effective. Place decoys in an open area where they are visible to approaching turkeys. Consider using a submissive hen decoy to challenge dominant toms.

Reading the Turkey's Response

Pay close attention to how the turkey responds to your calls. If it's gobbling consistently, keep calling. If it goes silent, it might be looking for you, so be ready.

Patience is Key

Turkey hunting often requires a lot of patience. Don't overcall. Sometimes, less is more. Let the turkey work its way to you.