Archive for the ‘Turkey Hunting Tips’ Category
Diaphragm Turkey Call Reed Differences
The diaphragm turkey call has become one of the most popular calls to date. The call provides the hunter with the ability to produce all sounds made by the wild turkey. There are many varieties of the diaphragm call on the market. For the most part these differences are based upon the type and amount of reeds. Here is a look at these reeds.
Thin reeds will aid the caller in making easier notes. The reeds are easier to blow air through. The different sounds made by thin reeds are a result in the number of reeds on the call.
Thicker reeds generally produce a louder sound. The are harder to master due to added amount of air flow needed to correctly make turkey sounds.
Notched or split reeds are intended to create a more raspy sound when cutting or cackling.
Single reed calls are the easiest to use and are excellent for beginners. They make good yelps and clucks. They have clear tones. They require less air flow to use properly.
Double reed calls provide more note action. They generally provide higher volume and tones. They offer a more coarse sound and are raspier than single reeds. They allow for better cutting and cackling sounds. They are good for beginners but do require a little more practice.
Three or more reeds are raspier sounding and bring more excitement and volume to the call. The are very beneficial in expanding turkey sounds. They are harder to use and intended for more experienced callers.
Stacked reeds create intense cutting and cackling sounds. They are generally raspier like an older hen. They produce higher volumes. They are better for experienced callers as they require a longer time to master.
If new to using mouth calls it is best to start with a single or double thin reed call. As calling abilities increase experimenting with additional reeds, splits, or stacks can be helpful in perfecting more sounds.
Diaphragm turkey calls are usually the clearest and most realistic sounding of all calls. They are harder to learn but with enough practice can be perfected. The results of being proficient will usually be worth the additional time needed.
Related:
How Close To A Roosted Gobbler
Turkey Hunting Tips: One of the first decisions to make while turkey hunting is how close to get to a roosted gobbler. There is no perfect answer. The logic is to set up as close as possible without being detected.
There will always be certain factors while turkey hunting that will helping making this decision. For the most part, experience in the field will be the deciding factor.
This experience comes from knowledge. The knowledge comes from an understanding of turkey behavior and an understanding of the terrain to be hunted.
Understanding Turkey Behavior
In most cases, the gobbler on the roost will generally have a predetermined route of travel at the start of the day.
Barring such things as being spooked, an overly excited hen, or even weather conditions, the gobbler will usually fly down in the same general direction each day.
For the hunter, this is one part of the turkey hunting equation.
Understanding Terrain
The hunter is wise to have a good idea of how the turkey hunting terrain is set up. What areas is the gobbler more likely to travel? Are there any obstacles that may prevent the gobbler from moving through and so forth.
How thick or how open is the terrain? Can the gobbler see for long distances or is there plenty of leaves and foliage to hide the hunters movement?
Another thing to consider is how far away is the gobbler on the roost? If the gobbler is facing away from the hunter, gobbles will appear farther away.
The gobbles can also be muffled by ridges or thick foliage. In this case, again the gobbler may be closer than he appears to be.
Understanding this information will help the hunter with deciding on the best possible location for a turkey hunting set up.
So the answer to the question of how close should a hunter get to a roosted gobbler will always depend upon individual situations, knowledge of the terrain, and of course experience in the turkey hunting woods.
Other Helpful Turkey Hunting Tips
Turkey Calling Imperfections
Turkey Hunting Tips: Ever listened to a turkey calling contest in person or on television? The callers try to produce as clear, crisp, and asperfect sounding notes as humanly possible.
Now have you ever heard a real hen turkey in the wild? They are just talking naturally with many odd notes or tones. The differences are related to calling perfection. On the callers part, not the hens.
In the wild it is not uncommon to hear a live hen making less than perfect sounds. They will squeak, squeal, sound off key, pause in mid call, go up and down in volume, sound almost hoarse, or simply just sound bad.
In many cases hunters new to turkey hunting, or even those that have some experience, can be afraid when it comes time to call in a gobbler. Sure they call a few times, but if they hit a wrong or imperfect note, they suddenly clam up.
The only way to become a successful turkey calling hunter is to stick with it. Everyone can and does make mistakes. Even the turkeys.
Sure it is important to practice and become proficient with the calls of choice. But an occasional blooper is normal. Just keep going with the sequence as if nothing happened.
In some instances, making an additional squeal or squeak may be what gets the gobblers attention and response. The imperfect sound may make him sound off when the perfect one didn’t.
So keep on clucking and yelping and let those imperfection build confidence in the turkey hunting field.
Other Helpful Turkey Hunting Tips.
