Best Turkey Call for Beginners: Reviews & Recommendations

Embarking on your journey into turkey hunting comes with a host of challenges, and one of the most critical skills to master is the art of calling. A well-chosen turkey call can make all the difference between a successful hunt and a silent forest. For beginners eager to lure in those elusive gobblers, the market offers a variety of turkey calls designed to enhance your hunting experience.

In this article, we’ll guide you through some of the best turkey calls for beginners, providing reviews and recommendations to help you make an informed choice. From box calls to slate calls, we’ll explore the features, ease of use, and overall effectiveness of each call, ensuring you have the right tool in your hands when you venture into the turkey woods. Whether you’re a new turkey hunter or looking to upgrade your calling game, our reviews aim to assist you in finding the best turkey call for beginners and a successful, fulfilling hunting experience.

How to Choose a Turkey Call

The saying that goes, “The best turkey call for beginners is the one that brings the gobbler to the gun,” is an old one. That holds a great deal of truth. When used correctly, a longbeard can be drawn to your setup by any good call, provided the bird is in a favorable attitude. But, during a search, you never know what sound or even certain vocalizations will work, which is why it’s critical to have a range of possibilities.

If you’re a new turkey hunter, though, a push-button or box could be the ideal place to start. Both of those are simple to use and provide wonderful turkey noises. Purchase a multipack of mouth calls and discover which ones you feel comfortable using for a hands-free or minimalist approach. Even though mouth calls need more practice than other sounds, you can use them with ease if you have your gun ready and a turkey in sight.

Start with a couple of calls that you can execute with confidence and that results in a simple yelp. That sound alone has killed numerous turkeys, but as you practice and increase your vocabulary, you’ll discover the sounds that work best for your particular circumstance.

What To Look For When Choosing a Turkey Call

Choosing a turkey call involves considering various factors to match your hunting style and preferences. Here’s a concise guide on how to choose a turkey call:

1. Types of Turkey Calls:
   • Box Calls: Easy for beginners, produce loud sounds.
   • Slate Calls: Versatile and effective, producing realistic sounds.
   • Mouth Calls (Diaphragms): Hands-free, offer versatility but require practice.
   • Locator Calls: Mimic non-turkey sounds to locate birds.
2. Consider Your Skill Level:
   • Beginners: Start with user-friendly calls like box calls or simpler mouth calls.
   • Intermediate/Advanced: Experiment with slate or diaphragm calls for more versatility.
3. Sound Realism:
   • Consider how realistic the call sounds. Quality calls mimic authentic turkey sounds, increasing their effectiveness.
4. Ease of Use:
   • Choose a call that matches your skill level and comfort. Mouth calls may take practice, while box calls are generally user-friendly.
5. Versatility:
   • Opt for calls that produce a range of turkey sounds. Versatility can be crucial in different hunting scenarios.
6. Material and Durability:
   • Consider the material of the call. Wooden calls may have a traditional feel, while synthetic materials can be more durable and weather-resistant.
7. Portability:
   • If mobility is essential, choose compact calls that are easy to carry. Mouth calls are especially convenient in this regard.
8. Cost:
   • Set a budget and explore calls within that range. Quality calls are available at various price points.
9. Local Preferences:
   • Research what calls are commonly used in your hunting area. Local preferences can provide insights into what works effectively.
10. Try Before You Buy:

• Whenever possible, try out different calls before making a purchase. This helps you assess comfort and sound quality.

Remember, practicing with your chosen call is crucial for success. It takes time to become proficient, so invest time in learning and mastering the calls before heading into the field.

How To Familiarize Yourself With Your New Call

Familiarizing yourself with a new best turkey call is essential for successful hunting. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you become proficient with your new call:

1. Read the Instructions:
   • Start by reading the manufacturer’s instructions that come with the call. This will provide specific details about how to use and maintain the call.
2. Understand Call Types:
   • Know the type of call you have (box call, slate call, diaphragm call, etc.) and understand the basic mechanics of how it produces sounds.
3. Watch Instructional Videos:
   • Many manufacturers provide instructional videos online. Watch these videos to see and hear how experienced callers use the specific call you have.
4. Practice Basic Sounds:
   • Begin with basic sounds such as clucks, purrs, and yelps. These are foundational turkey sounds that are effective in various hunting scenarios.
5. Start Slowly:
   • When using a mouth call, start by making basic clucks and purrs before attempting more complex sounds. Practice the correct positioning of the call in your mouth.
6. Record Yourself:
   • Use your smartphone or another recording device to capture your calls. This allows you to listen back and identify areas for improvement.
7. Practice Regularly:
   • Consistent practice is key. Spend time each day practicing different calls and perfecting your technique. Repetition builds muscle memory.
8. Vary Your Calling:
   • Experiment with different pitches, volumes, and cadences. Turkeys can respond differently to variations in calling, so develop a diverse repertoire.
9. Simulate Realistic Scenarios:
   • Envision different hunting scenarios and practice calls accordingly. For example, simulate a hen feeding, a group of turkeys, or a solitary gobbler.
10. Hunt with Experienced Callers:
    • If possible, hunt with more experienced turkey hunters. Observing their calling techniques in the field can provide valuable insights.
11. Adjust for Field Conditions:
    • Practice in outdoor conditions to understand how weather, wind, and terrain affect your calling. This will help you make real-time adjustments during a hunt.
12. Hunt Responsibly:
    • Once you feel confident with your calling, start incorporating it into your hunting trips. Remember to hunt responsibly, follow local regulations, and prioritize ethical hunting practices.

By dedicating time to practice and familiarize yourself with your new call, you’ll enhance your ability to effectively communicate with turkeys in the field. The more comfortable and skilled you become, the greater your chances of a successful hunt.

Types of Turkey Calls

Friction Calls

Friction calls are our first choice since we think they are the finest for new turkey hunters. They can faithfully mimic all of the significant noises that a hen turkey makes, and they are reasonably simple to master. We most likely bought the inexpensive friction calls that killed the first few turkeys we killed at Walmart.

In case you are not aware, a friction turkey call usually consists of two components: a striker and a pot, sometimes known as the “soundboard.” Typically, the pot has a calling surface on top and is constructed of plastic or wood. The calling surface could be composed of copper, aluminum, glass, slate, or any number of other materials.

A small wooden rod known as a striker usually has an expanded top or cap.

Every call has a distinct sound because of the variety of materials used to create the strikers, calling surfaces, and pots.

How to Use

The turkey hunter holds the pot in one hand and the striker in the other when making the friction turkey call. The hunter can simulate different turkey vocalizations, such as yelps, clucks, purrs, and cackles, by pressing down on the calling surface of the pot and moving the striker in circular motions.

By altering the striker’s pressure and movement speed, the call’s volume and tone can be changed.

Push Pin Call

The simplest turkey call for a novice to understand and operate is the push pin call. They are fairly infallible. The drawback is that they can’t produce as many sounds as a friction or diaphragm call, and they sound less realistic.

A push-pin call, for those who are unfamiliar, is a small wooden or plastic box with a spring-loaded wooden or plastic peg, or “pin,” sticking out of the side.

The push-pin call is easy to use and reasonably priced, but it can still be a potent tool for bringing in a gobbler. The push-pin call is an excellent way to get started in turkey hunting if you’re not experienced with friction calls and don’t have the time or desire to learn how to use one right away.

How to Use

The hunter grasps the box in one hand, inserts the pin with the index finger, and allows the spring to return the pin to its starting position. The sound produced by this back-and-forth motion is high-pitched and raspy, resembling the yelps and clucks of a hen turkey.

By altering the force and length of the pin’s movements, you can change the call’s volume and tone.

Box Turkey Call

In terms of convenience of use, the push-pin call comes out on top over the box turkey call. Over the years, many turkeys have been killed by hunters using only a box call in their vest.

Box calls don’t have the same range of sounds as friction and diaphragm calls, but they are slightly more adaptable than push-pin calls. They work particularly well on windy days or when calling loudly to locate a bird that is far away.

The box call is a small wooden rectangular box with a lid that slides over the top edges of the box and makes turkey noises by friction. Whatever your level of experience, a box call is an invaluable addition to your arsenal when it comes to turkey hunting. When all other methods fail to elicit gobbles, the call’s volume is ideal for doing so. Even though I wouldn’t choose to carry just one call, it’s a good idea to have one on hand to supplement your other calls.

How to Use

The hunter holds the box in one hand and slides the lid back and forth with the other to make the box turkey call. Turkey vocalizations include clucks, yelps, and gobbles, which the hunter can imitate by adjusting the lid’s movements’ speed and force. The speed and pressure at which the lid moves can be changed to alter the call’s volume and tone.

Diaphragm Mouth Calls

Of all the turkey calls, diaphragm calls, or mouth calls, are the most adaptable, but they are also the hardest to master. They can mimic almost any sound a hen turkey makes with a lot of practice, and you can do it without using your hands.

Diaphragm calls are made up of tiny latex reeds and a tape-covered, metal frame shaped like a horseshoe that fits in your mouth’s roof. A variety of turkey vocalizations can be produced by the call by applying pressure to the reeds with your tongue and then blowing air across them.

Diaphragm calls are made with varying quantities of latex reeds that have been cut in one or more ways to produce a variety of sounds. Fewer reeds in a call make it generally easier to use and learn. More reeds in a call can make it sound raspier, but they also take more air to operate.

By adjusting the tongue’s position, pressure, and airflow, one can modify the call’s volume and tone. With practice, hunters can create a variety of realistic turkey sounds using diaphragm calls.

We do not advise using diaphragm turkey calls as your first call when heading into the woods due to the learning curve associated with using them. Nevertheless, we advise purchasing one right away so you can begin training on how to use it.

How to Use

Purchase one of the two high-quality double reed calls listed below, watch a ton of educational YouTube videos, and get practicing. You might not be able to use it this season, but by the following year, you ought to be able to mimic the majority of a hen turkey’s sounds and advance your turkey hunting skills.

Best Turkey Calls: Reviews & Recommendations

1. Best Turkey Call for Beginners: H.S. Strut Push-Button Call

Push-pin calls are a great addition to any vest, particularly for those who find it difficult to use a mouth call and prefer a less mobile option than a box or friction call. You can run the H.S. Strut Push-Button with one or both hands, and it makes excellent soft calls when turkeys are around. You can even mount the call on your gun with the included strap.

Although you can run it with one hand, we found that you can get better results with smoother yelps and sharper clucks if you use both hands and position the call precisely. Even so, the sound quality is excellent when using just one hand. We were also amazed by how well this call performed when we used it to create a realistic purring sequence with just one hand. Although it’s not the loudest call, it’s best suited for close quarters.

Key Features

• Design with ergonomics
• Wooden and slate surfaces that are striking
• Enables one-handed use

Pros

• One-handed use
• Ergonomic design
• Produces realistic turkey sounds
• Budget-friendly

Cons

• Not as loud or versatile as other calls

2. Best Turkey Mouth Call: Rolling Thunder Game Calls Josh Grossenbacher 3-Reed Combo Cut

One of the best combo cuts for turkey mouth calls, it produces sharp, high-pitched cutting and cackles along with an easy rollover from the clear first note of a yelp into the deeper, raspier second note. Josh Grossenbacher, a skilled caller who won the 2015 World Championship Turkey Calling Contest and the 2017 Grand National Head-to-Head championship with his hand-made calls, is the creator of Rolling Thunder.

We were thrilled when Grossenbacher sent me this call to test in the spring of 2021 because we had watched him run his calls on gobblers from Kentucky to Oklahoma. When we went on a basic timber hunt in Wisconsin, we used Grossenbacher’s Combo Cut for the first time. We hit a gobbler that was within range but barely out of sight by striking it across a deep swamp. Just when we thought we would see the turkey, the longbeards started fighting and another gobbler charged in.

Recognizing that the interaction was about to take a bad turn, we aggressively purred on the three-reed combo cut. We were done hunting when one of the gobblers popped his head over a small rise. We’re not mouth-call experts, but this call allowed me to move between vocalizations without being noticed during the hunt.

Key Features

• 3-reed combo cut
• Relief cut in middle reed
• Thick latex

Pros

• Easy to work
• Versatile turkey sounds
• Hands-free

Cons

• Not for beginners

3. Best Friction Turkey Call: Primos the Freak

Pot calls, like the Primos Freak, can produce pure sounds of turkey and are easier to run than diaphragms. Pot calls have always had the disadvantage of being two-handed, so you can’t always call when a turkey flies into view. But the Freak can be used one-handed thanks to a leg strap and a contoured design on the bottom of the call (so you can have your gun ready while bringing that gobbler those last few steps). Its design makes it difficult to carry inside your pocket or vest, which is a drawback even though it works well for one-handed calling.

Key Features

• Frictionite calling surface
• Includes a mounting strap 
• Comes with a cover to keep the surface dry

Pros

• Single-handed operation
• Accurate sounds
• Frictionite surface is forgiving 
• More user-friendly than competitors

Cons

• Silent compared to glass calls
• Bulky

4. Best Slate Turkey Call for Cutting and Running: The Grind Cooker Pot and Peg Slate

Cutting and running is an excellent strategy, and slate calls are perhaps the most adaptable equipment for the task. You could also try striking up a bird and cutting the distance to ambush that turkey. You can make soft purrs for gobblers nearby or loud, high-pitched yelps for birds that are farther away.

In March 2020, while on a run-and-gun hunt in Florida, we put the Cooker slate to the test when we used this call to locate a distant swamp gobbler and moved closer to get within shooting range. We set up and let the bird get going with a few quiet yelps and clucks, then we gently purred to get him within easy shooting range.

Key Features

• Pot with laminated maple and walnut.
• Hickory stake
• Inner glass sounding board and slate top

Pros

• A large variety of realistic noises
• Sturdy, laminated pot
• Excellent for close-quarters or extended calls

Cons

• Requires two-handed operation

5. Best Turkey Mouth Call Multi-pack: Woodhaven Pure Turkey 3-Pack

When you consider calling sounds, volume, and overall weight, mouth calls are perhaps the most adaptable turkey calls available, and this three-pack from WoodHaven is no exception. With its two-sided cutting, the Hammer T produces clear clucks, purrs, and tree yelps in addition to a clean front-end note and easy two-tone yelps. You don’t need a lot of air to produce these sounds thanks to the cut’s design. You should be able to use this mouth call relatively easily even if you’re not very skilled at it.

No matter which side of your mouth you use, the Hammer Tooth call makes it easy to help even if you don’t have it positioned perfectly. It’s like having two batwing cuts in one call. Due to the loose reed construction, more dynamic sounds may be challenging for beginners to produce.

The Modified Cutter is just as dynamic as calls with more or tighter reeds, but it’s easier to blow with its loose three-reed construction. The tape on these calls doesn’t fray or wear out as quickly as other brands, even after frequent use.

Key Features

• Medium-size tape
• Three different cuts
• Durable reeds

Pros

• No motion is necessary.
• Comparatively cheap
• A broad range of sound levels

Cons

• Needs practice

6. Best Turkey Box Call: Hook’s Custom Calls: Assassin Box

The Hook’s Assassin can be used in nearly any circumstance, such as quiet tree yelps, loud, beseeching yelps, or midday cut-and-run sessions. The wood on the lid of the Assassin has precisely the right amount of weight to make it yelp audibly when you drag it across the frame, which is its best feature. It also requires very little practice. This makes it simple to use for novices, and experienced users should discover that this call produces a realistic-sounding turkey in almost any situation. The fact that it’s not a two-sided box is the only drawback.

Key Features

• Cherry wood box with a purple heart cover
• Lopsided conversation
• Incorporates box chalk

Pros

• Easy to use
• Versatile sounds
• A wide range of volume

Cons

• Two-sided boxes may be preferred by some.

7. Best Turkey Locator Call: Hook’s Harrison Hoot’n Stick Owl Call

Although they may not be the most effective, owl calls are among the most versatile locators that can cause a turkey to gobble. Nothing is more so than Hook’s Hoot’n Stick. This call has all the features you could want in a locator call: it sounds incredibly realistic, is easy to use, and is durable. It also comes with a gorgeous burned osage option, though Hook’s only produces fifty of these each year. If you would rather have a crow call and are not among the fortunate 50 who receive this call, the Woodhaven Real Crow is an excellent alternative.

Key Features

• Options: synthetic, walnut, or burned osage
• Easy to use
• Manually adjusted five times James Harrison, the NWTF Grand Nationals Owl Calling Champion

Pros

• Easy to blow
• Incredibly realistic sounds
• Sturdy

Cons

• Limited stock each year

8. Best Crow Call: WoodHaven Real Crow

When hunting for turkeys, we believe the crow call should be the last option. If you’re having problems hitting a tom, you could try yelling an emphatic, “Caw! Caw! Caw!” to get a stunned response. After you’ve found the gobbler, you can try calling him in with hen calls as you get closer. If you’re going to use a crow call, go with a high-quality model like Woodhaven’s Real Crow.

The birch barrel on this wooden call produces deeper, more realistic tones than those found on less expensive plastic calls. All you have to do is add air because the call is already tuned. However, keep in mind that a lot of hunters, particularly on public lands, overuse crow calls. To get the most out of this call, use it sparingly.

Key Features

• Birch barrel
• Loud volume
• Realistic tones

Pros

• Sounds much better and more realistic than plastic crow calls.

Cons

• Spendy

9. Best Value Friction Call: H.S. Strut Cookie Cutt’r Pot Call

As far back as we can recall, H.S. Strut has been making turkey calls. They are renowned for offering reasonably priced, high-quality hunting gear. We adore the Cookie Cutt’r call for novice turkey hunters because of its distinctive lid, which instructs novice shooters on how to manipulate the striker to produce the different sounds of a hen turkey.

Key Features

• A slate-like striking surface combined with an injection-molded pot
• Cool lid to instruct novice turkey shooters on how to use the call
• Yelps, clucks, and purrs can be precisely produced with the slate calling surface.

10. Best Budget Push-Pin Call: H.S. Strut Push Button Yelper

Once more, H.S. Strut makes the list with a reasonably priced turkey call. It’s their Push Button Yelper this time. Made of poplar and walnut, the hand-tuned push-pin call reproduces yelps, soft clucks, and purrs with remarkable accuracy. The H.S. Strut Push Button Yelper is an excellent choice for new turkey hunters on a budget because it is a push-pin call that is infallible.

Key Features

• Very easy to use
• Affordable
• Replicating yelps, soft clucks, purrs, and tree talk accurately

11. Best Waterproof Push-Pin Call: Quaker Boy Cyclone

For more than 45 years, the family-run business Quaker Boy has been making inventive turkey calls, and the Cyclone push-pin call is no different. The call is waterproof and features birch dowel, maple striker, and mahogany sides, making rainy-day turkey hunts a breeze. The call also doesn’t need any sanding or chalk.

Key Features

• Construction of mahogany, maple, and birch
• Water-resistant
• Volume that can be changed
• Press the Clucker button.
• Does not require sanding or chalk.

12. Overall Best Box Call: Primos Hook-Up Magnetic Turkey Call

Without a Primos option, you couldn’t have a list of the best turkey calls. Having been in business for forty years, Primos is known for producing high-quality hunting gear for professional hunters. The hook-up for new turkey hunters is our favorite because it uses a powerful magnet to maintain the paddle at the ideal angle for realistic-sounding yelps, cuts, and purrs. A Gobble Band is also included in the call for producing fantastic-sounding gobbles.

Key Features

• Keeping the correct lid angle and applying the right pressure is made completely foolproof by the magnetic lid.
• Contains a Gobble Band for lifelike gobbles (use caution when utilizing that feature on public property!).
• Excellent yelps, cuts, and purrs that sound good at loud and quiet volumes

13. Best Waterproof Box Call: H.S. Strut Final Roost

A walnut paddle rests atop a poplar box in the Final Roost box call, producing raspy yelps and cuts. A waterproof paddle and box edge make this medium-sized box call ideal for wet or foggy mornings when many other calls are unusable. All of these fantastic features at a remarkably low cost.

Key Features

• Makes wonderful, raspy yelps, cuts, and purrs.
• A medium-sized call that fits more compactly in your turkey vest
• For those gloomy or rainy mornings, the box’s edge and lid are waterproof.
• Reasonably priced

14. Best Beginner Diaphragm Turkey Call: Woodhaven Modified Cutter

As we previously stated, Woodhaven is renowned for producing excellent personalized turkey calls, and their mouth calls are among the best available. Their Modified Cutter is a fantastic choice for novices due to its simplicity of use and capacity to generate high-quality yelps, cuts, and cackles in addition to gentle clucks, purrs, and tree yelps.

The call was created by World Champion caller Steve Stoltz and has a.004 top reed with a combo cut over two prophylactic reeds, making it simple to blow for both novice and experienced turkey shooters.

Key Features

• Created by Steve Stoltz, a world-champion caller
• For novices, the combo cut style makes blowing simple.
• Produces a variety of sounds, ranging from gentle clucks, purrs, and tree yelps to forceful Cutts, yelps, and cackles.

15. Best Selling Beginner Mouth Call: ESH React

World-champion turkey calls hand-build the ESH turkey calls, which are best-selling on Amazon. The React is a 3-reed mouth call with an inverted combo cut that is ideal for novices as a foolproof mouth call. The call is made to precisely resemble yelps, excited cutting, soft clucks, and purrs.

Key Features

• It is simple to blow and makes wonderful clucks, purrs, yelps, and cutting noises.
• Created by the world-class turkey caller Pat Strawser
• Made by hand in the United States

Calling Tips for Beginners in Turkey Hunting

1. Start with simple calls: Before moving on to more complicated calls, start with the most basic ones, like Yelp and Cluck. Prioritize learning these calls before tackling others, such as the purrs, cuts, and cackles.
2. Listen and imitate: Try to mimic the sounds of a wild turkey as closely as you can by listening to them in their natural environment. To find areas that require improvement, record your calling and compare it to the sounds of wild turkeys.
3. Practice regularly: Regularly practice your calling, ideally in a setting similar to the field. This will enhance your calling abilities and provide you with a deeper comprehension of the behavior of the birds.
4. Use a variety of calls: Since turkeys are talkative birds, it’s crucial to imitate their natural sounds by using a range of calls. You can increase the effectiveness of your calling by alternating between loud and soft calls, as well as different pitches and tones.
5. Be patient and persistent: It’s crucial to be persistent and patient when calling wild turkeys because they can be erratic and elusive. If you don’t receive a response right away, don’t give up. Continue honing your skills and experimenting with various calls until you discover the one that suits you the most in various circumstances.

Honing Your Calls

If you’re not familiar with calling or hunting turkeys, concentrate on having a conversation with the gobbler (or hen) rather than straining to make the right amount of notes or rhythm. If you’ve ever heard real hens running around in the woods, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that sometimes they don’t seem to be paying attention to rhythm or number. Even though those are crucial, mastering them requires practice, and it’s much simpler if you already know how to use a turkey call.

Having a wide variety of calls is also beneficial. Turkey’s voices differ, just like people. A gobbler might be attracted to a particular tone, pitch, or sound; some hens are clear and high, while others are deeper and raspy. In the woods, you don’t need to tote a crate of calls, but it’s a good idea to have at least one sturdy box, a few different cut-mouth calls, and a pot or two. You have access to an incredible range of sounds thanks to this variety, and any one of them could be the winning combination to get a gobbler close. You’ll become proficient at calling turkeys after a sufficient amount of practice and time spent in the woods.

FAQs

1. Which turkey calls are necessary?

Every single one of them. As a way to sound like multiple turkeys, most seasoned hunters carry a variety of calls, some of which work better in certain circumstances than others. Some elite hunters are so good at that call that they may carry no more than a diaphragm or other instrument. Carrying two or three diaphragms, a turkey box call, a pot call, and possibly one or two “oddball” calls, like a tube, trumpet, or wing bone, is generally a good idea.

2. Which turkey call is the simplest for us?

The simplest turkey call for most people is a push-pin (or push-button calls) call since all you have to do is insert the pin into the box; it takes care of everything else. Although they take a little more “skill,” boxes are still generally easy to use. Pots are not difficult to run, but you do need to learn the correct way to hold the pot and striker, the best motions to make different calls, and how much pressure is appropriate to apply to the pot and striker.

The hardest calls are probably those that use air, such as diaphragms, tubes, wing bones, and trumpets, which need careful tongue pressure and tight air control. But, don’t set boundaries for yourself. If you feel more comfortable running a pot or diaphragm than another call, go with that one.

3. Which turkey call is preferable, the slate or the glass?

In some circumstances, glass and slate turkey calls are preferable to the other. These are both excellent instruments with a variety of sound effects. Additionally, one may perform better than the other based on the gobbler and the day.

Slate is a favorite of many seasoned callers for early-morning hunts because, even on very humid spring mornings, the surface still plays well, and glass surfaces can be finicky when they absorb any moisture. However, glass calls frequently produce louder, higher-pitched calls than slate call if you’re trying to get a bird in the middle of the day.

4. How early should I start calling turkeys?

The timing of a turkey call depends on the specific phase of the turkey season and the behavior of the birds. Here’s a general guide:

1. Roost Calls at Dawn:
   • Begin with soft tree yelps or tree clucks at dawn when turkeys are on the roost. This can attract gobblers looking for hens as they start to fly down.
2. Morning Calling:
   • As turkeys fly down from the roost, continue with soft calling. Mimic the sounds of hens feeding and socializing to attract gobblers.
3. Mid-Morning Lull:
   • During the mid-morning lull, use softer calls to locate lonely gobblers or curious hens. Turkeys may be less active during this time.
4. Afternoon Calling:
   • In the afternoon, especially if hunting later in the season, resume calling them. Turkeys may be actively feeding or looking for companionship.
5. Adjust Based on Turkey’s Behavior:
   • Pay attention to the response of turkeys. If they are gobbling and seem receptive to calls, continue calling. If they are silent or unresponsive, adjust your strategy.
6. Be Patient:
   • Patience is key in turkey hunting. Gobblers may take time to respond, so allow for pauses between calls and be prepared to wait.
7. Experiment:
   • Be willing to experiment with different calls and volumes. Sometimes, less calling is more effective, especially if the turkeys are being cautious.
8. Late Season Considerations:
   • In the later part of the season, turkeys may become more call-shy. Use softer and more subtle calls to mimic the behavior of experienced hens.

Remember that turkey behavior can vary, and what works one day may not work the next. Adapt your calling strategy based on the specific circumstances, and be attuned to the responses of the turkeys in your hunting area.