How To Call A Turkey
Turkey Hunting Tips:
The wild turkey has many sounds that are used to communicate. They use these sounds for a variety of reasons such as safety, gathering of the flock, mating rituals, and others. The turkey hunter should learn to understand these calls and when to use these calls in the field. Knowing how to call a turkey will greatly increase the hunters chances for success.
Hen yelp: The hen yelp sound is made to indicate to the male gobbler that the hen is ready for breeding. The yelp is used to notify other turkeys of the hens location. The yelp is also used to gather the flock together. Generally the hen making the most yelping sounds is considered the boss hen which is in charge of the turkey flock.
The hunter can use the hen yelp after daybreak and throughout the day. The hen yelp is used to call an interested gobbler into the hunters set up locations. The logic is to excite the gobbler into thinking there is a hen ready for breeding.
Hen cluck: The hen cluck is used on a regular basis while searching for food and while traveling. The cluck can be used to indicate the hens location. The cluck is used often prior to flying down from a roosting position. The cluck can also be used to let gobblers know that the hen is available for mating.
The hunter can use the hen cluck with the hen yelp. This will provide the gobbler with more indication of the hens location.
Hen cutting: The hen cutting sound is made when the hen is excited and preparing to be bred. The cutting sound lets the gobbler know of the hens mating intentions.
The hunter can use the hen cutting call along with yelps to increase the excitement level. This will fire the gobbler up in anticipation of finding a mate.
Hen cackles: The hen cackle is another sound made when the hen excited. The cackle is also made when flying down from a roosting position.
The hunter can use the hen cackle as another excitement style call and a fly down call.
Roosting tree yelp: The hen makes the roosting tree yelp while on a roosting position. This tree yelp is softer and quieter than a normal yelp. This is a wake up type call preparing the flock for fly down and lets the gobbler know of her location.
The hunter can use the roosting tree call first thing in the morning while turkeys are still in the trees. This will let the gobbler know of the hunters location.
Hen putt: The hen putt is a sound made to indicate danger and to alert other turkeys.
The hunter should not use the hen putt as it is an alarm call.
Hen purr: The hen purr is a sound of contentment and indicates that the hen is relaxed.
The hunter can use the hen purr to indicate all is well to the gobbler. This call can be used on very leery gobblers.
Gobble: The gobble sound is made mostly by the male gobbler. The gobble indicates the gobbler’s location and the desire to breed. Gobble sounds can be used by older male turkeys to indicate their dominance.
The hunter will rarely need to use the gobble call. However, occasionally it may be used as a challenge to other gobblers.
The hunter should become familiar with these calls and learn how each of these sounds are made. There are plenty of DVDs that offer helpful information. Using these turkey hunting tips on how to call a turkey will provide the hunter with valuable tools for a successful hunt.
Turkey Hunting Calling Tips
Turkey Hunting: With turkey season upon us once again I thought it would be refreshing to give a few turkey hunting calling tips. Anytime that you enter the woods it is good to remember that turkey hunting situations are always different. There is never an exact science or perfect way to call a turkey every time you hunt. Being able to adapt and change calling techniques is important. The following is one scenario.
Locator Call: To start with most hunters begin their hunt just before daybreak by using some type of locator’s call. These calls, such as the owl call, are used to get a turkey to gobble while still sitting on the roost. This way the hunter can find the gobbler’s position and move in on him just as the sun rises before the gobbler flies down from the roost. The trick is to use the call just enough to gain an advantage without over saturation so as not to spook the gobbler.
Setup Area: Once you set up in the area where you want to hunt, usually within one hundred fifty yards of a roosted gobbler, then you can continue your turkey calling. There are a wide selection of turkey calls available, find the one’s that you are comfortable with and can use properly. Whether it’s a box call, friction call, mouth call or some other, make sure you practice before hunting.
Begin Calling: I generally start off with soft yelps and clucks. The gobbler will be able to hear you at that distance no matter how soft you call. If interested, he may answer with more gobbles or simply fly down from his roost in your direction. If the gobbler responds but stays in the tree, be patient and try your call again in about ten minutes. Don’t over call, as this may cause a cautious gobbler to become leery resulting in him leaving the area. Listen for the sounds of wings flapping upon fly down.
After Fly Down: When the gobbler does decide to fly down, make a few more soft yelps and clucks. Pause for a few minutes and call again. Usually an interested gobbler will come towards you during this time. Just remember that he may circle around you first before making an appearance. If this happens, remain patient, but make sure you can reposition yourself if he comes in from behind you. Wise gobblers often use this approach. Once you feel he is coming in stop calling.
Gobbler Hang Ups: Sometimes turkeys will come towards you but not come into eye sight. Often they will begin moving in a side to side or back and forth direction. They move left or right for forty or fifty yards then back the opposite direction. Or they may move towards you and then away from you. This is normal turkey behavior. The gobbler is waiting for his hen to approach him. Don’t fall for this, stay put.
If this happens, try increasing the volume and number of yelps and clucks briefly. This may bring him right in on top of you. If the gobbler refuses to respond to this approach, stop calling altogether. Many times this will make the gobbler curious enough to move towards you. Remember that this is a courtship between you and the gobbler. You have to win his trust.
Hopefully with a little luck you will have success. So try these turkey calling tips the next time you go hunting.
Related: Turkey Hunting Tips
Practice Your Turkey Calling
Turkey Hunting Tip:
The day before turkey season is not the time to begin practicing your turkey calling techniques. For best results you should make it a habit of practicing all year long. At the very least, you should start several months before the season starts. You should learn how to make a variety of sounds with the calls from clucks to yelps. You should also learn to change the tones and the pitches of your calls.
There are several types of turkey calls available on the market. Three of the more popular are the mouth diaphragm call, slate call, and box call. Any of these calls can be used with a little practice.
The box call is probably the easiest of the calls to master. They produce sound by moving a striker arm over the edge of the box frame. There are many varieties of box calls from two handed versions to single handed push pull type calls. These calls are good for long range calling.
The slate call is another turkey call that is fairly simple to master. These are generally a round case with some type of slate on top. They use a pencil type peg to scratch the slate surface as to produce sounds. These two handed calls are better for medium to shorter calling distances.
The diaphragm mouth call is probably the hardest to master. They are a small horse shoe shaped metal covered with latex. They fit into the roof of your mouth. They produce sound by blowing air across the latex. These calls are probably the best all around once you learn how to use them correctly.
If possible learn to use different styles of these calls. There are a wide selection of turkey calling DVDs available to help you learn. Being able to do this will greatly increase your chances for success.
