The thrill of turkey hunting lies in the delicate dance between hunter and prey, a game of wits and skill. One of the most crucial tools in a turkey hunter’s arsenal is the turkey call, a device that mimics the vocalizations of wild turkeys, enticing them into range. Mastering the art of the turkey call can significantly increase your chances of success in the field.
Understanding Turkey Vocalizations
Before diving into the intricacies of calling, it’s essential to understand the language of wild turkeys. Turkeys communicate through a variety of vocalizations, each with its own distinct meaning and purpose. Some of the most common calls include:
- Gobble: This deep, resonating call is typically made by male turkeys, known as gobblers, to attract females and establish dominance.
- Yelp: A high-pitched, excited call made by both male and female turkeys, often used to communicate with other turkeys or to signal excitement.
- Cluck: A soft, rhythmic call made by hens to keep poults (young turkeys) close or to communicate with other hens.
- Purr: A low, rumbling call made by hens to attract gobblers or to signal contentment.
- Kee-kee: A high-pitched, warning call made by both male and female turkeys to alert others of danger.
Choosing the Right Turkey Call
With a basic understanding of turkey vocalizations, you can choose the right call for your hunting situation. There are two main types of turkey calls:
- Mouth Calls: These calls are small, handheld devices that use your mouth and diaphragm to create turkey sounds. They require practice and skill to master, but offer the most realistic and versatile calling options.
- Box Calls: These calls consist of a wooden box with a hinged lid that produces turkey sounds when scratched with a peg. Box calls are easier to use than mouth calls, but offer less versatility in terms of sound variation.
Learning to Call Like a Pro
Once you have chosen your call, it’s time to start practicing. Here are some tips to help you master the art of turkey calling:
- Start with the Basics: Begin by learning how to make the most common turkey calls, such as the gobble, yelp, and cluck. Practice these calls until you can produce them consistently and realistically.
- Listen to Real Turkeys: Spend time listening to recordings of wild turkeys to get a feel for the natural rhythm and inflection of their calls.
- Vary Your Calls: Don’t just stick to one call. Use a variety of calls to mimic the natural behavior of turkeys and keep them interested.
- Be Patient: Learning to call turkeys takes time and practice. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Keep practicing and you will eventually see improvement.
- Use the Right Calls for the Situation: Different calls are effective in different situations. For example, gobblers are more likely to respond to aggressive calls like gobbles and yelps, while hens are more likely to respond to softer calls like clucks and purrs.
Additional Tips for Turkey Calling Success
- Use proper calling etiquette: Avoid calling too loudly or too frequently, as this can spook turkeys.
- Be patient and persistent: Turkeys may not always respond immediately to your calls. Be patient and keep calling until they come into range.
- Use decoys: Decoys can help attract turkeys to your calling location.
- Set up in a good location: Choose a spot with good visibility and cover, where you can call without being seen by turkeys.
- Be safe: Always wear hunter orange during turkey season and be aware of your surroundings.
Mastering the art of the turkey call is a rewarding endeavor that can significantly increase your success in the field. By understanding turkey vocalizations, choosing the right call, and practicing your calling skills, you can become a more effective turkey hunter and experience the thrill of calling in a gobbler. Remember, patience, persistence and proper calling etiquette are key to success. So, grab your call, head to the woods, and start calling like a pro!
Step 5: Tape Up
Next, take three pieces of your waterproof tape, about 3 inches long, and layer them. This gives you one piece of tape 3 layers thick. Next, place the piece you cut out of the frame’s interior in the middle of the tape. Make a hole in your piece of tape the precise size of the opening in your frame by tracing around the cutout with your razor knife. Lay your frame with the latex inside on the tape after cutting the hole in it. Try to line it up so the opening in the frame is over the hole. Be as exact as possible here. After you are happy with how your frame is positioned, pull the latex taut and adhere it to the tape that surrounds the frame. You want a little tightness here, but dont overstretch. If the reed is overstretched, you will get too high a pitch. Then fold the tape over and press it together.
Step 2: Frame On!
This is the first step to a homemade call. Making your frame. The metal component of the call that gives it strength and holds the latex in place is called the frame. Cut around the bottom of your can after cutting down the side so that you have a long strip of metal. Discard the bottom or save it to make more frames. Lay your lengthy metal strip out flat and draw at least one frame on it as soon as you have it. The frame should look something like the last picture. The frame should be about 2 inches long by about 1 inch wide. If possible, print out this at 2 inch by 1 inch, and trace it onto your metal. By no means does this have to be exact, but closer is better. After you have your frame traced onto your metal strip, you need to cut it out. Cut along the outline first, and then fold your frame in half. Cut the interior portion of the frame out, and then unfold it. Save this interior portion for tracing it later.
Making a Simple Turkey Call
FAQ
What do you say to make a turkey mouth call sound?
Can you use your phone to call turkeys?