Using Calling Techniques to Hunt Turkeys: Best Practices

Turkey hunting is an exhilarating sport that combines patience, skill, and strategy. Among the various tactics employed by successful hunters, calling techniques stand out as one of the most effective ways to lure turkeys into range. This article will explore the best practices for using calling techniques to hunt turkeys, ensuring that you can maximize your chances of a successful hunt.

Understanding Turkey Calls

Before delving into specific techniques, it’s crucial to understand the types of calls available to turkey hunters. There are four primary types of turkey calls:

Box Calls: Easy to use and highly effective, box calls are great for beginners. They produce loud, realistic turkey sounds and are perfect for long-distance calling.

Slate (or Pot) Calls: These calls require a striker and a slate surface. They offer great versatility in the sounds they can produce, from soft purrs to loud yelps.

Diaphragm (or Mouth) Calls: These calls are placed inside the mouth and require practice to master. They are hands-free, making them ideal for close encounters.

Locator Calls: These calls mimic the sounds of other animals like owls or crows to elicit a gobble from turkeys, helping you pinpoint their location.

Best Practices for Using Turkey Calls

1. Master the Basics

Start by mastering the basic calls: the yelp, cluck, purr, and cutt. These sounds mimic the natural vocalizations of turkeys and are essential for attracting them. Practice these calls frequently to ensure you can produce them confidently in the field.

2. Understand the Season and Timing

The effectiveness of different calls can vary depending on the season and time of day. During the early season, turkeys are more responsive to yelps and clucks, as they mimic the sounds of hens seeking mates. As the season progresses, you might need to use more aggressive calls like cutts and cackles to provoke a response from wary gobblers.

3. Be Realistic

Turkeys have excellent hearing and can easily detect unnatural sounds. Strive to make your calls sound as realistic as possible. Avoid repetitive, mechanical calling and instead, mimic the natural rhythm and cadence of turkey vocalizations.

4. Use Call Combinations

Using a combination of different calls can be highly effective. For example, start with a series of soft yelps to simulate a hen, followed by a few clucks and purrs. This combination can make your calling sequence sound more natural and enticing.

5. Know When to Call and When to Be Silent

Overcalling is a common mistake among turkey hunters. While calling is crucial to attract turkeys, knowing when to stay silent is equally important. If a turkey is responding but not closing the distance, it might be best to stop calling and let curiosity bring it closer. Additionally, if a turkey goes silent after responding, give it some time before calling again.

6. Adjust to the Conditions

Weather and terrain can impact how well your calls carry. On windy days, use louder calls like box calls to ensure your sounds reach distant turkeys. In dense woods or on calm days, softer calls like slate or diaphragm calls can be more effective.

7. Practice Patience and Persistence

Turkey hunting requires patience. Even with perfect calling techniques, turkeys may take their time approaching. Stay persistent and be ready for sudden opportunities. Sometimes, a gobbler may appear silently and unexpectedly.

Final Thoughts

Using calling techniques effectively can significantly enhance your turkey hunting experience. By mastering the basics, understanding the season, being realistic, using call combinations, knowing when to call and when to be silent, adjusting to conditions, and practicing patience, you can increase your chances of a successful hunt.