Mastering the Turkey Call: How to Speak the Language of Spring Gobblers
Justin Hunold
today at 5:21 PM
I’m sure you've spent time in the spring woods chasing gobblers, and you quickly realized that turkey hunting is equal parts patience, woodsmanship, and conversation. That last part—conversation—is the best. The better you speak their language, the more likely a Big, Puffed-Up, Tom will come strutting your way. Let's dive into the most essential vocalizations and styles of turkey calls every spring hunter should master or at least understand to help them walk out of those woods heavier than they walked in.
Turkey Call Styles
Every Turkey hunter needs to know how to run at least one Turkey Call proficiently. There are good arguments and situations for all styles of calls. There are many different styles of calls, such as Wing Bone, Push Button, and Tube Style. Each of these has its place, but for most hunters, we can break calls down into three distinct categories: Box Calls, Pot and Peg Calls, and Diaphragm Calls. Let's break down each of the three main calls, how to use them, and the pros and cons of each.
Box Calls
When I was a kid, my Uncle Andy still lived with my grandparents. He was still pretty young. When he wanted to impress a 4-year-old, he would run into his room and grab a box call. I remember trying to figure out how he was making all those noises. I’m 42 now and still always have a box call in my call arsenal.
Box Calls are pretty simple. They have a long piece of wood called a paddle that is loosely screwed into one end of a rectangular box of wood that is tapered thinner toward where that paddle and box make contact. When using a long or short side-to-side stroking method of contacting the paddle to the edge of the box, the call makes noise due to friction.
These calls are loud and can cut wind better than the other calls on the list. When using turkey calls to locate birds, for some reason, I have had a lot of luck getting a turkey to gobble to a box call when nothing else will work. They are simple; anybody can use them. That's the pro.
The con is movement. To run a box call, you are inherently moving a lot.
Pro Tip: Hold your call Upside Down. Put the paddle handle between your index and middle finger. With a bit more control, you can run it faster and louder or softer and quieter.
Pot N Peg
There is something about that sweet, sweet tone of wood on a slate surface, and that is exactly where a Pot N Peg comes in. In fact, they are often called slate calls because, for years, that was the main material they were made from, but Glass, Aluminum, and other materials have come into play over the years.
I like the tones and sounds a Pot N Peg can make. Using them is easy—not box call easy, but still attainable quickly. Holding the Peg or Striker like a pencil and stroking it at varying lengths, angles, and pressure against the surface of the pot will illicit those tones. The pot should be held “Eagle Claw” style from the bottom. Then, you can use your hand to increase or decrease volumes by opening and closing the grip against the bottom of the call.
Before using a pot and peg call, it needs to be conditioned or 'scratched up'. Most calls come with the correct abrasive pad for this. Simply scratch the surface in a straight-line pattern, leaving the dust on. This process helps increase the sound of the call.
The advantage of this style of call is its versatility. With a pot and peg call, a hunter can produce a wide range of tones and sounds, simply by changing the striker or adjusting hand position, pressure, and angle. This adaptability can be a game-changer in the field. The con is you’re still moving a lot—less than a box but still more than a mouth call or a push button.
Pro Tip:
When it comes to pot calls, I like to have at least two different types with me at any given time. Normally, it’s a slate call and a glass or crystal call. The tones of these materials are varied enough that I can normally get an answer from a tom with one or the other. Also, it's worth noting that slate and rain do not mix. Aluminum, Crystal, or Glass can all run pretty well in the rain with the right striker.
Diaphragm or Mouth Call
If I could only take one call into the woods, it would be a Diaphragm or mouth call. The first time I turkey hunted, it was with my Uncle Jeff, and he used an old Quaker Boy mouth call. Man, he can talk turkey, and he killed them with a diaphragm before I knew anyone else consistently bagging Toms. You use your mouth and tongue to communicate constantly, some folks more than others. I believe it makes the use of a diaphragm highly effective- it’s talking turkey.
Diaphragms or mouth calls are simple: they are pieces of aluminum shaped in a U with latex reeds stretched over the open part of the U. Then, the call perimeter is increased in size and comfort with some sort of synthetic tape. Latex reeds usually come in single, double, or triple layers and have different “cuts” or shapes for one of them. The more reeds, the easier it is to vary sounds, but the more mouth, tongue, and air pressure it takes to make the right sounds. That being said, most folks run double or triple-layered calls exclusively.
There will be a hump in the metal frame U on a mouth call. That hump shows the top of the call. It goes against the roof of your mouth. You can bed the frame or cut the tape slightly to get a better fit for your mouth. Then press the middle of your tongue against the latex and add air pressure to make sounds. There are tons of videos and instructions on how to make the actual call sounds, but in the end, for a lot of folks,s making these sounds on a mouth call is very intuitive. You’re used to talking.
The pros of mouth calls are the lack of movement and the intuitive nature of call tone, sounds, and volumes. They are also weatherproof, making them a reliable choice in any condition. If there is a con, it's the gag reflex some folks have when trying to use these. They just don’t work for some folks.
Pro Tip:
Experiment and find a brand of call and latex cut that fits you. Some hunters will gravitate toward a certain cut, like a bat win,g for instance, but my advice is to get two of those batwings and then two more of the same brand with a different latex reed setup. Sometimes, what sounds significant to you on a daily basis doesn’t sound great to a tom on that day. Mouth calls are chea,p, and variety is the spice of life. Give them a call on something other than your go-to workhorse.
Yelp
The yelp is the turkey hunter's peanut butter sandwich—it's the go-to vocalization hens use to communicate their location and willingness to socialize. A simple series of rhythmic, ascending notes, the yelp can be used in a wide range of situations and can coax a tom into range even when nothing else will.
When using a box call or slate call, start gently, gradually increasing volume and urgency to simulate an interested hen, then tapering down to the same volume you started at. Use a diaphragm call when you need your hands free. Remember, with a mouth call, use the principles of the outside and inside voice. When they are far away, use your outside voice. The closer they get, the more you want to lean into the inside voice.
Cluck
Short, sharp, and understated, the cluck is often a hen’s way of saying, “I'm here, and everything’s okay.” Clucking can reassure a wary bird that's hesitant to step into the open. Be careful, though—too many rapid-fire clucks can signal an alarm and push turkeys away.
If you are calling or hunting around other turkeys like hens and jakes and you hear a single click that is loud and sharp, be on your best turkey behavior, do not move, and do not call. That single cluck is often a hen who knows something is up and is about to bugger out. Practice gentle, spaced-out clucks with your pot call to keep things calm and convincing.
Purr
Think of the purr as turkey contentment made audible. This subtle, rolling call indicates relaxation and is excellent for sealing the deal when a gobbler is almost in range but hanging up just out of reach. Drag your pot call striker lightly in small circles, lightly and slowly, or vibrate your diaphragm softly to create this gentle, calming sound.
I mentioned my Uncle Jeff earlier. He killed almost all of his birds' purring, not all the fun stuff like Yelping, cutting, or clucking. He had never even heard of someone trying a Kee Kee Run when he was drawing toms in with a simple location set of yelps and then drawing them in with passive purring. It’s tough to overcall with simple purrs.
Cut
Cuts are loud, aggressive clucks often delivered in rapid succession, signaling excitement or urgency. Think of them as, “Hey, come here now, look at this.” If you have to compete with a live hen, Use cuts to simulate an excited or agitated hen. You usually won't win that battle, but it’s worth a shot with Cuts. Aggressive cuts combined with yelps can spark curiosity and aggression in a gobbler, pulling him toward you.
Cuts can definitely contribute to overcalling. This is a direct head-to-head call for me. I will also use it often when I have multiple gobblers responding but not committing.
Kee Kee Run
The Kee Kee run is predominantly associated with young turkeys trying to regroup after becoming separated from the flock, making it ideal for fall hunting. Think of it as a very high-pitched Yelp. This call can occasionally pique the interest of spring turkeys as well.
I will use a Kee Kee run if I feel like I may have spooked birds out of an area that didn’t necessarily peg me as a hunter. I will also use it when there is any sort of flock working in the area. It’s not a go-to for me, but it does live in my call arsenal. Deliver it softly and sparingly as an added layer of realism when traditional calls aren’t getting a response.
Gobble Tube
This is the last style of call on the list and is separated from the rest. You can successfully hunt turkeys with the calls and sounds listed above. A Gobble Tube can add realism to your decoy spread if you’re using a Jake Decoy or a Strutter. The other time that this can be a game changer is when you’re trying to get an Old Boss Tom to commit. Make some hen calls and then hit him with a gobble from a gobble tube if he is hung up. Just be careful with the movement required to give that call its action.
Matching the Moment
Remember, context is everything. Early in the season, quieter, subtler calling usually pays off as gobblers are still cautious. As the season progresses and turkeys become more vocal, don't be afraid to ramp up your calling intensity.
Your ultimate goal is to create believable, natural turkey conversations. With practice, you'll learn when to talk turkey aggressively and when to whisper sweet turkey nothings into the morning air. Mastering these turkey calls won't guarantee a trophy longbeard, but it will undoubtedly increase your chances of filling tags—and making memories—in the spring woods.