This hunt is unlike many others because of the excitement of “talking turkey” with wild turkeys. But mastering this language goes beyond simply mimicking sounds. Knowing the background, the tone, and the subtleties that go into making each call productive is key.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the world of turkey vocalizations, drawing from the expertise of both The MeatEater and Mossy Oak Gamekeeper, to equip you with the knowledge and skills to become a fluent turkey talker
The Six Essential Turkey Calls:
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Yelp: This basic two-note call is the most versatile, used by both hens and gobblers for various purposes. A series of yelps can signal “I’m here,” “come here,” or “I’m ready to breed.” The volume, cadence and number of notes can convey different meanings.
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Cluck: This single-note call is often used by hens to get the attention of other turkeys or to maintain contact within a flock. It can also be used to express contentment or to lure a gobbler closer.
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Purr: When feeding turkeys, they frequently make this soft, rolling sound to indicate their satisfaction. It can also be used to keep a gobbler in contact with other turkeys or to soothe an agitated gobbler.
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Cutting: This series of loud, rapid clucks is used by hens to express excitement or to draw attention to themselves. It can be effective in calling in a gobbler that’s hesitant to approach.
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Gobble: This loud, booming call is the signature vocalization of the male turkey and is primarily used to attract hens and assert dominance over other gobblers. The intensity and duration of the gobble can indicate the bird’s level of excitement and aggression.
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Putt: Turkeys use this sharp, single-note call as an alarm system to alert other birds of impending danger. As a hunter, you never want to hear it because it can scatter turkeys.
When to Use Each Call:
The effectiveness of each call depends heavily on the context. The best times to make each call are broken down here to increase your chances of success:
Yelps:
- Early morning: Use soft, infrequent yelps to locate gobblers on the roost.
- Mid-morning: Increase the volume and frequency of yelps to mimic a receptive hen and draw in gobblers.
- Afternoon: Use a variety of yelps, clucks, and purrs to keep a gobbler interested and moving towards you.
Clucks:
- Anytime: Use clucks to maintain contact with a gobbler that’s moving towards you or to get its attention from a distance.
- After a gobbler gobbles: Respond with a series of clucks to show interest and encourage the gobbler to approach.
Purrs:
- When a gobbler is close: Use soft purrs to calm the bird down and keep it interested.
- When a gobbler is hung up: Use purrs to mimic feeding sounds and encourage the bird to move closer.
Cutting:
- When a gobbler is hesitant to approach: Use cutting to excite the bird and draw it in.
- When a gobbler is with other hens: Use cutting to break up the flock and get the gobbler’s attention.
Gobble:
- To challenge another gobbler: Use gobbling to assert dominance and draw the other gobbler into a fight.
- To locate a gobbler: Use gobbling sparingly, as it can alert other hunters to your presence.
Putt:
- Never! This call will only spook turkeys and send them running.
Beyond the Basics:
Mastering turkey calls goes beyond simply knowing when to use each one. Here are some additional tips to improve your turkey-talking skills:
- Use a variety of calls: Don’t rely on just one call. Mix it up to keep the turkeys interested and guessing.
- Vary the volume and cadence: Turkeys respond to different levels of intensity. Experiment with different volumes and cadences to see what works best.
- Be patient: Turkeys don’t always respond immediately. Be patient and keep calling until the bird shows interest.
- Practice, practice, practice: The more you practice, the more confident and natural your calls will sound.
Additional Resources:
- The MeatEater: https://www.themeateater.com/hunt/wild-turkey/the-six-turkey-vocalizations-you-need-to-know
- Mossy Oak Gamekeeper: https://mossyoakgamekeeper.com/hunting/turkey-hunting/turkey-sounds-how-when-to-use-them/
- YouTube: Search for “turkey calls” to find instructional videos and demonstrations.
By understanding the different turkey calls and when to use them, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the language of turkeys and increasing your chances of success in the field. Remember, practice makes perfect, so get out there and start talking turkey!
There are a wide variety of different sounds or vocalizations made by wild turkeys. Listen to them here.
A lot of things go into successfully hunting wild turkeys, like calling them at the right time and place. Understanding the distinctive sounds that wild turkeys make under different conditions will increase your chances of harvesting a successful bird and advance your proficiency as a wild turkey hunter in general.
Sounds courtesy of Denny Gulvas of Gulvas Wildlife Adventures.
The adult hen assembly call is a series of loud yelps that are usually a little stronger and longer than a normal series of yelps. The assembly yelp is used by a hen to assemble her flock or young poults. It is a good call in the fall when trying to call a scattered flock back together. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The cluck consists of one or more short, staccato notes. The plain cluck often includes two or three single note clucks. It’s a good idea to call to a gobbler when he approaches, letting him know that a hen is waiting for him. Usually used by one bird to draw attention of another. This is a great call to try to get Gobbler to come into range if he starts to hang up. Additionally, when the birds are still on the roost, you can use it to subtly draw a gobbler’s attention to your presence. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The cluck and purr is a cluck followed by a rolling, almost staccato call. It is often associated with flock talk or the feeling of contentment. This call, which is typically not very loud but occasionally amplified, is well-received by turkeys because it gives them confidence as they approach your position. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Loud, sharp clucks that are often mixed with yelping. Cutting is a sign that turkeys are excited, not alarmed. Cutting has several uses in hunting. To get a hen that is cutting and a gobbler that is henned up to you, you can try cutting back. You will want to mimic her calls, while cutting off her vocalizations and being a bit more excited. The goal of this tactic is to get a dominant hen to spar with you; often, she will bring the gobbler with her. You can also cutt when you have tried soft calling to a gobbler that is hung up. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Similar sounds and notes as a plain yelp but much more excited, rapid and with more volume. This is not a sign of alarm, but indicates that a turkey is worked up about something. If a gobbler is henned up, you might be able to entice him to you by getting into a fight with the dominant hen in the flock. If you yell excitedly at her and cut off her vocalizations with your own calls, you might be able to lure the hen and the gobbler with her. A happy yelp can also be used after you’ve attempted soft calling a gobbler who has hung up. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Fly Down or Fly-up Cackle
Three to ten loud, staccato notes that are unevenly spaced out and become louder as the call nears its end usually make up a cackle. The cackle is usually associated with a bird leaving the roost, though it can also be heard when a bird is approaching a roost. A fly-down cackle is good call to tell a gobbler that a hen is on the ground. However, a fly-down cackle often works best if the gobbler is already on the ground before you call. If not, the turkey tom may stay on the roost and wait for what he thinks is a hen to come over to him before flying away. A fly-up cackle can also be a helpful tool when searching for roosted toms, as it might tempt one of them to gobble Your browser does not support the audio tag
The gobble is a loud, rapid gurgling sound made by male turkeys. The gobble, one of a male wild turkey’s primary vocalizations, is primarily used in the spring to draw attention from hens to his presence. Hunters should use caution when using a gobble, particularly on public land where it could attract other hunters to your location. It can also be a double-edged sword. A gobble could draw a dominant tom looking for a fight or deter less dominant birds that want to avoid getting beat up. It is often used as a call of last resort. However, it can also be effectively employed in the late evening to lure a tom to consume the roost. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The kee kee is usually a three-note call that lasts about two seconds. A variation of the call, the kee kee run, is merely a kee kee followed by a yelp. The kee kee is the call of lost young turkeys and variations are also made by adult birds. Its often associated with fall hunting and is used to reassemble a scattered flock. It can help you stand out from other hunters who use yelps and cutts in the spring by making you sound more natural, especially on public land. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The fundamental turkey sound is the plain yelp, which is frequently produced by a series of single-note vocalizations. Turkeys use the simple yelp as a basic means of communication, though the meaning of the yelp varies depending on the hen using it. It is also commonly used by a hen to communicate with a gobbler during mating season. This is a basic turkey hunting call. If you can yelp, you have a chance of being able to call in a turkey. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Purring is a soft, rolling call turkeys make when content. Turkeys use a kind of low-pitched speech to communicate, and feeding them often causes them to produce it. Although it’s not a very loud call, you can use it to reassure turkeys when they get close to your location. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The putt is a single or several sharp notes. Usually, the putt is taken as an alarm, meaning the bird is alerting people to potential danger after hearing or seeing something. This can be useful if a gobbler is within shooting distance but you are unable to get him to stop or raise his head. However, before putting at a gobbler it is best to have your shotgun ready and on target. After setting off the alarm, you won’t have much time to shoot because the bird will take off as soon as it senses movement. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The tree call is a series of soft, muffled yelps produced by a roosted bird, which sometimes gets louder as takeoff gets closer. Maybe accompanied by soft clucking. It is generally acknowledged as a call to communicate with others in a flock. It can be used to let a gobbler on the roost know you are there. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
What SOUNDS Do Turkeys Make?! | How To CREATE AND USE Turkey Vocalizations!
FAQ
What do different turkey sounds mean?
What turkey calls work when wet?
What is the most realistic sounding turkey call?
What is a turkey call?
Slate Turkey Calls – Another friction call, sometimes called pot calls. These are made from a round disc of slate, ceramic, or glass and paired with a striker of wood, carbon, or aluminum. The hunter scrapes the disc (AKA pot) with the striker at various angles to make different types of sounds.
How do turkey calls work?
During this time, turkeys make a variety of vocalizations to communicate with one another, and hunters can use turkey calls to mimic these sounds and lure birds within range. There are many different types of turkey calls to choose from, including box calls, slate calls, diaphragm calls, and more.
What are the different types of turkey calls?
There are many different types of turkey calls available to hunters. These include the box, diaphragm, friction (or pot call), and more. Understanding how to operate these and practicing them well before you hit the woods is key to learning how to call turkeys. Read our review of the best turkey calls here.
When should you use turkey calls?
Know when to use certain turkey calls, such as mouth calls, box calls, and slate calls. For example, on a windy day, a high pitched, loud box call will be more effective at striking toms. When a gobbler is close, you want to use a soft mouth call (so that you can have your hands on your gun, ready to shoot).