Mastering the art of turkey calls is a skill that significantly increases your chances of a successful hunt. Wild turkeys rely heavily on vocal communication, and mimicking their calls can attract birds into shooting range. Understanding the different types of turkey calls and how to use them effectively is key to replicating realistic sounds that match the behavior and circumstances of wild turkeys.
How to Call Wild Turkeys
Each type of turkey call has unique advantages and challenges. Selecting the right call depends on your comfort level, hunting situation, and the type of call you want to mimic. These calls are designed to create turkey sounds that attract the birds, with options like box calls and diaphragm calls offering different functionalities and effectiveness. Mastering turkey calls is essential for effective turkey hunting, as it enhances your ability to produce realistic turkey noises and improves your overall hunting success.
Understanding Turkey Vocalizations
Turkey vocalizations are a crucial aspect of turkey calling, and understanding the different types of calls is essential for successful turkey hunting. Wild turkeys make various sounds, including clucks, yelps, purrs, and gobbles, each with its own unique meaning and purpose.
Clucks
Clucks are a fundamental turkey sound, often used by hens to communicate with each other. They can be described as a series of short, staccato notes, typically used to get the attention of another bird. Clucks can be used by turkey hunters to reassure an approaching gobbler that a hen is waiting for him. This simple yet effective call can be produced using various types of turkey calls, including box calls and pot calls.
Yelps
Yelps are a basic turkey sound, often delivered in a series of single-note vocalizations. The meaning of the yelp can vary depending on how the hen uses it. Yelps can be used by turkey hunters to mimic the sound of a hen, attracting gobblers and other turkeys. This versatile call can be created using different types of turkey calls, such as mouth calls and box calls, making it a staple in any turkey hunter’s repertoire.
Purrs
Purrs are a soft, rolling call turkeys make when they are content. This call is often associated with feeding birds and can be used by turkey hunters to reassure turkeys as they get in close to their position. Purrs can be produced using a pot call or a diaphragm call, and they are particularly effective for calming wary birds and coaxing them closer.
Gobbles
Gobbles are a distinctive sound made by male turkeys, often used to attract hens and establish dominance. Gobbles can be loud and clear, making them an effective call for turkey hunters to use when trying to locate turkeys. Gobble calls are specifically designed to mimic this sound and can trigger aggressive responses from dominant toms, especially during the breeding season.
Kee Kee Run
The kee kee run is a variation of the kee kee call, which is a lost call made by young turkeys. This call is often associated with fall hunting but can be used successfully in the spring. The kee kee run is a series of high-pitched notes, often used by turkey hunters to mimic the sound of a lost turkey. This call can be particularly effective in areas where young turkeys are present, as it can draw in both hens and gobblers looking to regroup.
Cutt
A cutt is a series of fast, loud, erratic single notes, often used by a single turkey looking for companionship. This call can be heard at a great distance and is often used by turkey hunters to locate turkeys. Cutts can be produced using various types of turkey calls, including box calls and diaphragm calls, and they are particularly effective for exciting gobblers and drawing them in from a distance.
By understanding these different turkey vocalizations, turkey hunters can create effective calling strategies, using a combination of clucks, yelps, purrs, and gobbles to attract and locate turkeys. Mastering these calls takes practice and patience, but with time and effort, turkey hunters can become proficient in creating realistic turkey sounds, increasing their chances of successful turkey hunting.
Box Calls
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Description: A wooden box with a paddle lid that creates sound when scraped across the edges of the box.
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Advantages:
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Easy to use for beginners.
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Produces loud, realistic yelps, clucks, and purrs.
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Effective for long-distance calling.
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How to use:
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Hold the box steady and move the paddle across the edges in a steady motion to produce yelps.
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Apply softer, shorter strokes for clucks and purrs.
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Best for: Locating turkeys in open areas or forests where sound needs to carry.
Slate (Pot) Calls
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Description: A circular call made of slate, glass, or aluminum paired with a striker that creates sound when dragged across the surface.
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Advantages:
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Produces a wide range of realistic tones.
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Great for soft, subtle calls as well as louder calls.
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How to use:
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Hold the pot in one hand and the striker in the other.
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Use small circular motions for yelps and quick taps for clucks.
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Drag the striker softly for purrs.
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Best for: Precise calling at close to medium distances.
Diaphragm (Mouth) Calls
Description: A small, flexible reed call held in the mouth, known as a mouth call, that produces sound through airflow and tongue pressure.
Advantages:
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Hands-free operation allows simultaneous calling and aiming.
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Produces versatile and realistic sounds.
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Lightweight and easy to carry.
How to use:
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Place the call against the roof of your mouth.
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Control airflow and tongue pressure to create various calls, such as yelps, clucks, and kee-kees.
Best for: Experienced hunters who want hands-free versatility.
Push-Button Calls
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Description: A simple, spring-loaded device that produces sound by pushing a button.
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Advantages:
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Very easy to use, even for beginners.
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Produces consistent, realistic calls with minimal effort.
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How to use:
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Push the button gently for clucks or harder for yelps.
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Adjust the pressure to vary tone and volume.
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Best for: Beginners and hunters who need quick, easy calls.
Gobble Calls
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Description: Calls specifically designed to mimic the sound of a gobbler.
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Advantages:
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Highly effective for attracting dominant males during the breeding season.
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Can trigger aggressive responses from gobblers.
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How to use:
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Use gobble calls sparingly to avoid scaring off subordinate birds.
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Shake or manipulate the call to create a realistic gobble sound.
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Best for: Attracting aggressive toms during the peak of the breeding season.
Essential Turkey Calls to Master
Turkeys use a variety of calls for communication. Mimicking these accurately is key to convincing birds that your calls are genuine. Understanding turkey vocalizations and adapting your calling strategies based on turkey behavior is crucial for successful turkey calling.
Yelp
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Purpose: Used by hens to communicate with other turkeys.
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How to mimic: Produce a series of short, even tones with any call type. Box and slate calls are especially effective.
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When to use: To locate or call in gobblers over medium distances.
Cluck
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Purpose: A soft call used to signal contentment or alert other turkeys.
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How to mimic: Use a single short tone with a pause between calls.
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When to use: To reassure a gobbler as it approaches or when birds are already nearby.
Purr
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Purpose: A soft, contented sound that signals relaxation or feeding.
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How to mimic: Drag a striker lightly across a slate or use subtle airflow with a diaphragm call.
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When to use: To calm wary turkeys or coax them closer.
Cutt
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Purpose: A series of sharp, excited clucks used by hens to signal aggression or attract attention.
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How to mimic: Make quick, loud clucking sounds in rapid succession.
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When to use: To excite a gobbler or draw one in from a distance.
Gobble
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Purpose: The distinctive call of a tom used to assert dominance and attract hens.
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How to mimic: Use a gobble call or shake a box call aggressively.
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When to use: Sparingly during the breeding season to challenge a dominant tom.
Tips for Effective Turkey Calling
Match the Situation
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Use loud, aggressive calls like yelps and cuts when calling turkeys to locate birds over long distances.
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Transition to softer, more subtle calls like clucks and purrs as the birds approach.
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Observe the turkey’s behavior and adjust your calling intensity accordingly.
Avoid Overcalling
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Excessive or aggressive calling can make turkeys suspicious, especially in heavily hunted areas.
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Use a mix of calls with natural pauses to mimic real turkey communication.
Practice Regularly
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Practice using your calls at home or at a range to develop consistency and realism.
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Record your calls and compare them to recordings of real turkeys to refine your technique.
Stay Patient
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If a gobbler responds to your call but doesn’t approach immediately, avoid calling excessively. Turkeys may take their time moving toward you.
Adapting Calls to the Hunting Season
Early Season
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Turkeys are still flocked up, and gobblers may be hesitant to leave hens.
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Use subtle yelps and clucks to draw in subordinate toms or jakes.
Peak Breeding Season
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Gobblers are most responsive to calls during this period.
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Use a mix of yelps, cuts, and gobbles to excite and attract dominant toms.
Late Season
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Turkeys are more cautious and calls need to be softer and more realistic.
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Use purrs and soft clucks to coax wary birds into range.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of turkey calls is a combination of choosing the right type of call, understanding turkey behavior, and practicing realistic sounds. By adapting your calling techniques to the situation and season, you can increase your chances of drawing gobblers into range. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hunter, refining your skills with various calls ensures you’re prepared for every scenario in the field.
FAQs
What is the easiest turkey call for beginners?
Push-button calls and box calls are the easiest for beginners due to their simplicity and ability to produce consistent sounds.
How often should I call to a turkey?
Call sparingly, especially after a gobbler responds. Overcalling can make turkeys wary and hesitant to approach.
Which call is best for long-distance turkey hunting?
Box calls are ideal for long-distance calling because they produce loud, resonant sounds that carry well.
Can I use gobble calls all season?
Use gobble calls sparingly and primarily during the peak breeding season to challenge dominant toms. Overuse can scare off subordinate birds.
How can I practice turkey calls effectively?
Practice at home or in a quiet outdoor space, record your calls, and compare them to recordings of real turkeys to improve accuracy.