If I attempt to purr on a diaphragm, I can produce a sound, but it won’t resemble a turkey call. But without much practice, I can use my slate call to purr, yelp, cutt, cluck, tree cackle, and even kee-kee run. The ease of creating realistic calls is why I rely heavily on a slate call each spring.
But the most common “slate call” I use is actually a glass call, which brings up the confusing topic of terminology related to turkey calls. Technically what I have reviewed here is a roster of the best pot calls. There are five common surfaces for pot calls: slate, glass, crystal, ceramic and aluminum. These are all commonly referred to as “slate calls,” even though not all of them are made of slate. To keep things simple and make sure you get a review of every call on the market, I’ve included all pot call surface types in this review and labeled them all “slate calls.” ”.
I tested 14 of the best slate calls on the market to bring you my top ten picks. The calls I’ve tested range from under $20 budget options to premium production calls around $100. Here are my top choices.
Calling in a gobbler is an exhilarating experience, and choosing the right turkey call can make all the difference But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the world of turkey calls and find the perfect one for your spring hunt.
Understanding the Different Types of Turkey Calls:
Before diving into specific models, let’s understand the different types of turkey calls:
- Pot Calls: These are the most versatile and popular type, featuring a wooden pot and a striker to create a wide range of sounds.
- Diaphragm Calls: These fit inside your mouth and are operated by your tongue and palate, offering hands-free calling.
- Mouth Calls: Similar to diaphragm calls, these fit inside your mouth but use your lips and tongue to create sounds.
- Box Calls: These consist of a wooden box with a hinged lid that produces deep, resonant gobbles.
- Friction Calls: These use a striker rubbed against a surface like slate or glass to create a variety of sounds.
Choosing the Right Turkey Call:
The best turkey call for you depends on your experience level, hunting style, and budget. Here are some factors to consider:
- Experience Level: If you’re a beginner, pot calls are a great starting point due to their ease of use and versatility. As you gain experience, you can explore diaphragm or mouth calls for more nuanced sounds.
- Hunting Style: If you prefer run-and-gun tactics, a pot call is ideal for its portability and loudness. For close-up calling, a diaphragm or mouth call offers better control and softer sounds.
- Budget: Turkey calls range in price from affordable to premium. Set a budget and research options within your range.
Top Turkey Calls for 2024:
After much investigation and testing, the following are some of the best turkey calls for 2024:
- Best Pot Call: Esh Old Hunter Classic – This call offers excellent sound quality, excels at mid-range calling, and is built with high-quality materials.
- Best Glass Call: Woodhaven Cherry Classic Crystal – This call produces high-pitched, raspy sounds, is loud and well-made, and comes with two strikers and a conditioning kit.
- Best Value Slate: Primos Rare Breed – This call delivers great sound quality for its price, excels at close-to-medium-range calling, and is built with good craftsmanship.
- Best All-Weather: Woodhaven Fusion Ceramic – This call works even in the rain, produces medium volume, and is easy to run.
- Best Under $30: Primos Ol’ Betsy – This call offers surprisingly good sound quality for its price, is easy to work, and comes with a wood and plastic striker.
- Best Aluminum: Esh AnoHen – This call combines the best qualities of glass and slate calls, is well-rounded, and easy to maintain.
- Best Value Aluminum: Hunters Specialties Custom Craft Aluminum – This call easily creates rich turkey sounds, is easy to make loud or soft calls, and comes with a good striker.
- Best Double Sided: Esh Flip Over – This call offers a loud and high-pitched glass side combined with a close-talking slate side, and is nicely finished.
- Best for Youth: Hunter Specialties Cookie Cutt’r – This call is easy to use, not too loud for new callers, and affordable.
- Best Value Glass: Zink Thunder Ridge Crystal – This call offers good volume and high-pitched, raspy tones, and comes with a wood striker.
Additional Tips for Choosing a Turkey Call:
- Consider the surface material: Slate is best for soft calls, glass for loud and raspy calls, and aluminum for rich and raspy tones.
- Think about the pot material: Wood offers resonance and beauty, while polycarbonate is more consistent in wet conditions.
- Don’t underestimate cheaper calls: Some affordable options can still produce great sounds and kill turkeys.
- Experiment with different strikers: The striker can significantly impact the sound of your call.
- Practice, practice, practice: The more you practice, the better you’ll become at using your call and calling in turkeys.
Choosing the right turkey call is an important step in your spring hunt. Knowing the various kinds of calls, taking into account your hunting style and experience level, and looking through the best choices will put you in a good position to select the ideal call for bringing in those gobblers. Remember, practice is key, so get out there and start calling!.
How I Chose the Best Slate Calls
I’m not a competition caller or an exceptionally good turkey hunter. I’m an average hunter who loves hunting turkeys. So even though I’m not as good at running a pot and peg as Rodney Eckstine is, chances are good that you will be too if a call sounds good in my hands.
Here’s how I evaluated the slate calls for the average hunter.
My goal was to determine which calls resemble turkeys and which vocalizations each call is most adept at producing. I recorded every call with a Rode shotgun mic so you could hear their yelp, cutt, cluck, and purr for yourself. All the calling was done with the included striker.
As I used the calls, I recorded their tone and volume, and I made notes in each review about what I saw. Having all the calls in one location and comparing them side by side made it much easier to choose the best-sounding calls in each category and narrow the field.
One of the main advantages of a slate call is that they’re easy to use. A caller with experience can easily hit delicate notes and adjust volume, while a novice hunter can easily make turkey noises. I judged ease of calling by how consistently I was able to produce specific calls. Furthermore, I made an effort to mimic typical errors like exerting too much pressure or gripping the call or striker too tightly.
Wood friction calls contribute to more punched tags, making them sentimental and potentially heirloom pieces. So, you want a call that’s built well, looks nice, and will last. I dinged calls that didn’t use quality wood and showed poor craftsmanship. I was especially critical of calls over $80.
This review covers calls with two sides, calls for novices, and calls that function in the rain. Using their own tests, such as having beginners successfully run a call that was created for them and using all-weather calls in the rain, I evaluated those features.
Best Glass: Woodhaven Cherry Classic Crystal
Key Features
- Includes two strikers, conditioning kit, and lid
- Can be customized with engraving or photos under the crystal
- Made from quarter-sawn cherry
- Also available in slate
- Made in USA
- Price: $95
Pros
- High pitched and raspy
- Loud
- Well made
Cons
- Can’t call as softly as others
If you want raspy, two-tone yelps and aggressive cutts that reach the next ridge, you need to carry the Cherry Classic in your vest. It produces complex notes compared to the one-dimensional sounds you get from lesser calls. It excels at yelps and cutts, but takes a little finesse for purrs. To purr on this call, try moving your hand up the striker, using very little pressure, and using a freshly conditioned area. Its overall high pitch allows it to kee-kee really well. Just move your striker toward the edge for kee-kees.
The quarter-sawn cherry is gorgeous, and the call as a whole is done beautifully. It’s a call worth every cent of its $95 price tag.
Another great crystal call is the Woodhaven Ninja Crystal, which has been my go-to for years.