6 Types of Turkey Calls to Consider this Spring
With turkey season quickly approaching, it’s time to dust off the old callers and practice your best yelps, clucks, cackles, and purrs. Whether you are a beginner or the U.S. Open Calling Champion, it’s always a good idea to re-familiarize yourself with your calls and brush up on your turkey vocalizations.
Just like every turkey is different, every hunt is different and presents a unique set of challenges and variables including weather, environment, time of day, wind direction, etc. So when it comes to turkey calling, you want to make sure you have a good understanding of the available options and how to use them, so whatever circumstances your next hunt holds, you are ready.
Here is a list of 6 popular turkey calls that you can add to your calling repertoire this spring.
Photo: Bone Collector
Push-button Calls
Push-button calls are known for their ease of use. Many experienced hunters refuse to use them because they believe they are only for beginners. While they might be simple, that does not negate their effectiveness. These calls can be especially effective when hunting on public land due to the fact that turkeys on public land learn to avoid certain repetitive sounds. And with the amount of reed and slate calls vying for their attention on opening day, a simple cluck, purr, or yelp from a push-button call, might be just the trick to drawing them in.
How it works
A push-button call uses the friction of two pieces of wood rubbing together to create sound. The caller pushes up and down on a spring-loaded wooden dowel with a block of wood attached to it. the The wooden block rubs against a pyramid-shaped piece of wood attached to the bottom of the call box creating different patterns of sounds depending on how fast or slow the dowel is pressed.
Photo: Primos
Slate Calls
Slate calls, also known as pot calls, are another friction-based call. A slate call is a round disc or “pot” made of slate, ceramic or glass that is paired with a striker. The striker, which is made of materials such as wood, carbon or aluminum, is used to create different sounds when in contact with the surface of the pot.
While slate calls are slightly more complicated to learn and operate than a box or push-button call, their benefits outweigh their cons. “I personally like using a slate call because I can make all the turkey calls I need. Anybody can use these calls, from a beginner to an expert turkey hunter,” says Josh Ilderton of The Untamed. Additionally, each slate call will create a different sound depending on the materials the disc and striker you’re using are made out of. One disadvantage to these calls is that they require both hands to operate, so they are not ideal for hunting in close range.
How it works
The striker is used to scrape the disc at various angles, speeds, and intensities to create virtually any turkey sound you can imagine. The number of sounds and patterns a slate call can produce is limited only by the knowledge and experience of the caller.
Photo: Primos
Locator Calls
When gearing up for your next turkey hunt, a locator call is a must-have. Locator calls, unlike other calls, are not meant to imitate turkey sounds. “With a locator call, you don’t give up your position, a gobbler just thinks there’s an owl, a crow, or a woodpecker, and will go about his business, and then you can go move in and set up on him,” says Ilderton. During the spring season, toms are much more likely to respond with a shock gobble to loud sudden noises. “I’ll hit a crow call, hear a gobble off in the distance, and then I check out HuntWise, check out the terrain, and then move to that bird. We aren’t going to turkey call to him until we’re close enough to set up.”
How it works
Locator calls can be used to locate a tom in the early morning when he is still on the roost, or later in the day to identify his location within a section of timber or field. Depending on what type of locator call you are using, there are several different techniques you can use to create more authentic sounds. The important thing to remember is to make sure you are in a location where you can easily hide, in case you call and a gobbler is already within shooting distance.
Photo: Primos
Diaphragm Calls
Diaphragm calls, also known as mouth calls, are small, horseshoe-shaped devices use a rubber or latex reed that vibrates to create sound. “Diaphragm calls aren't the easiest to learn, but once you know how to use one, they are effective because you can be mobile and don’t need to use your hands to call,” says Ilderton. Because the the diaphragm call is controlled with the mouth, hunters can continue calling right up until the moment they’re ready to take the shot. Although extremely versatile, diaphragm calls are not as loud as other calls, so if you’re trying to call in a tom from a long distance, you may want to start with a louder call, like a box call or a locator call to determine his location.
How it works:
By holding the diaphragm call in their mouth, the caller blows air towards the roof of their mouth, engaging the reed and creating a series of vibrations. By changing the pressure of the air and the position of the tongue, hunters can imitate virtually any turkey sound.
Tips for beginners:
If you have never used a diaphragm call before, make sure to set aside plenty of time to practice before opening day. You’ll want to be fairly comfortable with these calls before using one on a hunt. For beginners, a single reed call is the best to learn with as it is the easiest to operate.
Another important factor in choosing the right diaphragm call is finding the right size call for your mouth. This may take a little trial and error until you find the right fit. Once you’ve found a call that feels right for you, you can start practicing some simple yelps, cuts, clucks, and purrs, by changing the air pressure and cadence of your voice. Patience is key to learning how to use a diaphragm call as they have the steepest learning curve of all the turkey calls.
Photo: Primos
Box Calls
A box call is a popular turkey call that is easy enough for beginners, but versatile enough for the pros. While traditionally made out of wood like walnut, cedar, and mahogany, some companies are creating weather-proof metal box calls. These metal box calls not only withstand harsh weather conditions, but they also create a crisper sound than that of a wooden box call.
With box calls, depending on your skill level, the possibilities are virtually endless. You can create a wide variety of sounds with a little creativity. Many skilled hunters claim the box-call as their go-to call when turkey hunting.
How it works
Like a push-button call, a box call uses friction to create sound. A thin wooden box and wooden lid (or paddle) scrape together to create yelps, clucks, cuts, purrs, cackles, whines and more. Master this call and you’ll be irresistible to a tom.
Photo: Primos
Wing Bone Calls
Wing bone calls are the OG’s of turkey calls. As their name clearly states, these calls are made from the wing bones of a turkey which are pieced together to create an instrument that the early hunters used to lure in gobblers, long before any commercial calls were available. Once the bones are removed, they are boiled and the marrow is removed to create a hollow center.
How it works:
Wing bone calls are extremely easy to operate. By simply tightening your lips together around the end of the wing bone and making a sort of puckering or kissing sound, the caller can create a yelp or a series of yelps. While these calls aren’t very versatile, they are fun to use and allow you to tap into your primitive side.
How to select the best turkey call for you
With all of these turkey calls to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to decide which call is right for you. However, the truth is, there is no magic call. Because every hunt is different, it will be in your best interest to get acquainted with several different calls if you want to increase your chances of success this spring.
Having options when you are on a hunt is always a good strategy as turkeys can be as unpredictable as the weather. If you are new to turkey calling, you may want to start with something simple like a push-button call or a box call. For more seasoned hunters, a slate call or a diaphragm call might give you the versatility and realistic sound you need to fill your tag. Or you may want to try your hand at hunting like our nation’s first hunters and build your own wing bone call.
Whatever you decide, make sure you put in the time to learn how to properly use your call. It could make the difference between filling your tag or coming home empty-handed.