Turkey Hunting And Turkey Talk
An important skill involved in turkey hunting is the ability of the hunter to learn the wild turkey vocabulary. This knowledge allows the hunter to imitate the turkey sounds in an attempt at luring in a gobbler.
Turkey vocabulary from a hunting point of view revolves around each sound that the turkey makes, understanding what the sounds mean, and how to use this information in the field.
Although there are many turkey sounds, the below list is the most commonly heard. Some of the sounds, such as the yelp, have different variations.
Turkey Sounds
- cluck
- purr
- yelp
- cutt
- cackle
- putt
- gobble
To listen to how these sounds are made by real turkeys, live wild turkey sounds at the NWTF.org.
Understanding Turkey Sounds
Turkeys, for the most part, make noise almost constantly under relaxed conditions. The purr and cluck are used to show contentment.
The yelp is used in different situations such as while on the roost, when attempting to locate other turkeys, during the breeding season as an attractant for gobblers, or while tending to daily activities.
The cutt is a more explosive and excited sound. Although not exclusive to the breeding period, it is used by hens during this time to draw attention from gobblers.
The cackle is used as the hens fly up to and down from their roosting tree.
The putt is used as an alarm call to acknowledge some form of danger.
The gobble is often heard during the spring in response to sounds made by the hen.
How To Use Turkey Sounds
Turkey calls can be used to make the sounds of a turkey. This requires the hunter to become proficient with the call.
In most cases, learning when to call and what sound to make is more important than sounding perfect.
This knowledge will allow the turkey hunter an increased chance at being successful in the hunting field.
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:
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.
Make Contact With Gobblers
Turkey Hunting Tips: A key advantage while turkey hunting is to maintain contact with the gobbler. This can be done by either sight or by calling tactics.
Keep Them In Sight
Some gobblers get moody and for what ever reason will refuse to gobble no matter what. In these situations, keeping a visual on them when can be helpful.
Although this tactic is better situated for fields, whenever possible, keep the gobblers in sight. This way one can see how, if any, response to calling is occurring.
Is the gobbler strutting? Is the gobbler headed in your direction? Is the gobbler headed away from the set up? Keeping visual contact will answer these questions.
Keep Them Gobbling
The other side of contact comes by way of gobbling. The idea here being to use whatever calling style that will get a gobble response.
Sometimes soft yelps and purrs may be wanted. Other times aggressive yelps and cutting will be more preferred by the gobbler.
In either case, as long as vocal contact between the hunter and the gobbler is occurring, the odds of having success on the gobbler will usually improve.
Gobbles will let the hunter know the approximate location of and where the gobbler is headed. This will help in deciding whether or not the hunter needs to stay put or needs to relocate for a better set up.
Even on gobblers that don’t come towards calling, keep up the vocal contact. The gobbler may be with hens. At some point in time he may decide to head your way.
Remember that often a gobbler will go silent once he starts heading towards the sounds of calling. Be patient and allow him time to make his way into the set up area.
Other Helpful Turkey Hunting Tips
Single Gobbler Tactic
Turkey Hunting Tips:As the turkey hunting season progresses, often gobblers can be found alone later in the morning. In most cases, these gobblers will be more susceptible to turkey calling techniques at this time.
After locating a single gobbler, try to set up within a hundred yards or so without being detected. Make sure this location will allow the gobbler easy walking access with no obstacles to work around.
Once in position, start off calling with soft yelps, purrs, or clucks to see if the gobbler responds. In some cases the gobbler will respond by gobbling immediately during or shortly after the hunters calling effort.
If this occurs, continue calling softly once or twice more and then stop calling altogether. Often the gobbler will head in the direction of the hunter. Be patient and wait the gobbler out.
In other cases, the gobbler will only respond to more aggressive yelps and cutting type calling tactics. In this instance, increase the aggression level as need be for a few series and then stop calling. Allow the gobbler to work his way into the set up.
If after thirty minutes or so the gobbler has not made an appearance, start back calling. Sometimes it will be necessary to continue being aggressive to the gobbler all the way in. Each gobbler will be different. Allow the gobbler to dictate the calling sequences and style.
Other Helpful Turkey Hunting Tips.
Hen Calling Tactic
Turkey Hunting Tips: Turkey hunting boils down to a match of wits between the hunter and the gobbler. But sometimes getting a hen irritated can result in bringing the gobbler in just as successfully.
The key to calling in a hen or several hens, is to draw their attention. This may be done at daybreak while the hens are still on the roost or throughout the day when hens are observed on the ground.
In order for the plan to be effective, the hunter must be willing to call as much, or sometimes as little, as necessary to get a response from the hen.
Use clucks, purrs, yelps, or even cutting if need be. Once a response is made by the hen, start mocking every sound that she makes. If the hen clucks, you cluck. If the hen yelps, you yelp. Be louder and more aggressive than she is.
The idea is to make the hen mad enough to fly down to or move towards the calling hunter. If the hunter can be effective with this method, generally the hen will bring the gobbler with her.
This technique will require the hunter to set up within 100 yards or so of a roosted hen or a hen that is already on the ground.
The worst case scenario will result in the hen moving away from the area. However, often this can be very helpful in situations where the gobblers are not responding to normal calling tactics.
Other Helpful Turkey Hunting Tips.
Turkey Hunting Tips-Diaphragm Calls
The diaphragm call is considered one of the best types of calls used for turkey hunting. It allows the hunter to make any turkey sound. It is only limited by the skill of the user.
What Is It
The diaphragm call is a small horseshoe shaped piece of metal surrounded by a rubber cover. It has thin latex reeds which aid in producing sounds. There may be one or more reeds. The diaphragm is made to fit inside the upper roof of the mouth.
How They Work
The diaphragm is inserted into the roof of the mouth. The tongue is placed against the diaphragm. The user then blows air from the chest. The air circulates through the reeds and produces sounds. By changing the pressure applied by the tongue, the sounds will change. The amount of air flow will also affect the sounds.
The amount of reeds will dictate the type of tone that a diaphragm produces. A single reed will make a clearer tone. As the number of reeds increases, the diaphragm becomes more raspy. This allows the hunter the ability to experiment to find a sound that best meets individual needs.
Tips For Use
The diaphragm call is not easy to master. It will in most cases be harder to learn than any other call. However, with patience and continued practice, hunters of all ages can become proficient.
One important thing to know is that the diaphragm works best when fitted to the individual users mouth. It should be a tight fit in the upper mouth. This can be obtained by trimming the outer edges of the call until it fits properly.
The key to success with a diaphragm call is practice. It will take time, but when mastered, it will be well worth the time and effort.
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Turkey Hunting Tips-Striker Friction Calls
The striker friction call, also known as the pot and peg call, is another valuable tool for turkey hunting. These calls can be used to produce all turkey sounds. With a little practice, they can be easily used.
Styles
The striker call has a small pot like chamber with flat top surface. The flat surface can be made of a variety of materials. These materials may include slate, glass, aluminum, or other materials. A striker or peg is used to create sound. The striker also comes in a variety of materials such as wood, graphite, and others.
How It Works
A striker call works by using the striker or peg to apply friction or pressure to the pot’s upper flat surface. It is a two handed turkey call. The striker can produce soft or loud volume sounds depending upon how much pressure is applied. They are very versatile to use.
The tones or pitches of a striker call are changed by both what the pot surface is made of or they type of striker that is used. By simply changing from a wooden striker to a carbon striker, the call will produce a completely different sound. The same goes with using different pot surface materials. Its like mocking two different hens. This is very helpful in the turkey field.
Helpful Tips
When using a striker call, make sure to keep the pot surfaces sanded. This can be done with extra fine sand paper or an abrasive pad. Lightly sand across the surface top in one direction making a rough feel. Draw the striker across the surface against the newly formed grains. This will keep good friction between the surface and the striker.
Make sure to practice often in order to improve on skill levels. The striker friction call is useful to anyone in the turkey hunting field but is especially helpful for those unable to use other type calls.
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Turkey Hunting Tips-Box Calls
The box call is one of the oldest tools used to call in turkeys. They are relatively simple to learn and are very versatile. They can make all sounds in the turkey vocabulary. Box calls are used by both beginners and veteran turkey hunters.
Grains And Sizes
Box calls can come in a variety of wood grains and sizes ranging from small compact to extra large. The grain and size differences impact the volume and pitch of the calls. The tighter the wood grain is the higher pitched the box call will be.
How They Work
Box calls make sounds when the top paddle is moved across the rail sections of the box. Increasing or decreasing the pressure will change what sounds are made. The pressure affects both the volume and the pitch. Less pressure equals lower volumes. More pressure equals higher volumes.
Maintenance
The main thing to remember about maintaining box calls is keeping the friction steady. Repeated use will cause the paddle or rails to wear down. This will reduce the friction between the two resulting in poor sounds. A dry sponge with an abrasive side can be used to lightly sand the underside of the paddle and the rails. This should be done at the beginning of the season and throughout when needed. The box call should also be re-chalked after sanding using chalk made specifically for box calls.
The only other issue to be concerned with is keeping the box call dry. It does not function properly when wet. So it is important to remember this if turkey hunting during wet weather.
Skill And Practice
As with any call, practice makes perfect. The more time spent using the call, the better the skill level will be. Use a video and listen to turkey vocals to learn how each sounds. Then practice until each purr, cluck, yelp, cutt, etc is mastered.
The box call is an excellent tool to use in the field. The key is mastering its use through practice and understanding when to make what sound. Remember that the box call requires two hands to operate. So the hunter should be careful once the gobbler gets close.
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Turkey Hunting Tips-Locator Calls
A locator call is used to find the locations of gobbler turkeys. It is a tool that mocks the sounds of other creatures found in the wild. These calls are designed to make a gobbler shock gobble. They can be used prior to sunrise and throughout the the day.
Using Locator Calls
The use of locator calls while turkey hunting will only benefit the hunter and should be used. In many cases, this call will be the first call to be used at the beginning of the hunt. Regardless of which locator call, it can often be used successfully to get a response.
Using a locator call rather than a turkey call at times is more helpful to the hunter. It will give up the turkeys position without having the turkey think there is a hen nearby. This allows the hunter the chance at moving in closer for a better set up. It also reduces the chances of a gobbler that is close by suddenly flying in on a hunter and being spooked.
Calling Tips
The only way to find out which locator call will work best is to experiment. Don’t be afraid to use call sounds normally heard at nightly hours during the middle of the day. For example, an owl hooter can be just as effective in the afternoon as before sunrise. The key is trying a variety in any given area.
Start out by making soft notes. Keep the sequences short. After a few minutes without response, increase the volume. Continue to keep the sequences short. This will help in reducing the chances of drowning out a responding gobble sound. Listen for any response that may occur and try to get a good idea of which direction the gobble came from.
Types Of Locator Calls
- Owl hooter
- Crow call
- Coyote call
- Hawk call
- Peacock call
- Woodpecker call
As with any call, the key to success is using it properly. Spend time practicing and learning the skills needed.
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