Rating the caller types.

[Iglow]

Just to my ear, none of them really sound like a hen yelping, I think it's just the sound pattern that does it ( same reason they gobble at crow calls) but imo a scratch box clucks best, a wingbone/trumpet type keekee and Jake yelp best, a pot type purrs best with a scratch box next. A box is loud but not versatile and a glass/carbon is waterproof along with the wingbone/trumpet. A mouth call is deadly cause it's no hands but it doesn't really make any of the common calls better than any other type. Overall I can do more with less with the scratch box. It's portable, quiet to carry, pretty durable, easy to use, can make most calls except keekee and can make soft calls when needed. All the above is my opinion, what's yours?

 

[Creek bottoms]

The problem is, I like them all.

 

[TN Larry]

I honestly try not to get caught up in what sounds best to me. I went through the craze a few years ago with buying a bunch of custom pot calls but most stayed at home. My advice is to work on what works good for you.

For me, it's finding a mouth call that fits my mouth and I can run to my preference. This is a Woodhaven red wasp for me. I'm gonna say 95% of the time, if I can't call him in with a mouth call, then he's not riding with me. I throw a pot call in some. Luckily over the years, several have made that ride which is what works for me and my preference.

 

[timberjack86]

I keep a tube, wingbone, and slate call and several strikers as my go to calls. Everyone in the woods especially on public is blowing a diaphragm call.

 

[muddyboots]

I use mouth calls a lot. Throw in a slate and my trumpet. It's deadly.

 

[MickThompson]

I use pots, a trough call, and a homemade scratcher or 2. Couldn't ever find a mouth call I was confident with

 

[Newt]

Mouth call sounds most realistic to me that's probably 90% what I use but I carry a aluminum pot for windy days and striking the other 10%

 

[deerhunter10]

98 percent of the time I use a mouth call all kinds. Aluminum or tube call to get loud if need be. Use pot calls some not a ton. Biggest thing with mouth calls is finding the cuts you like, then it's all wind control.

Some of the worst yelps/ turkey sounds I've ever heard in my life comes out of real hens.

 

[poorhunter]

The only time I've been fooled in the woods thinking it was a real hen was a guy running a box call. I hated those things in spite of that and refused to ever use one. Had a friend give me one a few years ago, and tried it out and it is now my main call to strike up a bird until it's too close to use, then I switch to a mouth call. I still have a few pot call that I like and use, but that box call is now my favorite. Makes me sick to my stomach to say that.

 

[Tn Joe]

I went through the craze a few years ago with buying a bunch of custom pot calls

Better stay away for the trumpets then

 

[ROVERBOY]

I have mouth calls, wingbones, boxes, slates, and scratch boxes. I use them all at times. The wingbones sometimes work when nothing else will .

 

[Setterman]

I only carry mouth calls and friction calls. I'd say 95% of my calling is done with a friction call. If they're close enough to see me move I better not be calling is my philosophy.

They might not sound good for anything other than purrs OP. But I've been told mine sound real at a distance. I don't think it matters a whole lot though, set up is far more important along with a cooperative bird

 

[Gravey]

I carry a couple mouth calls and slate calls. Use slate most of the time and when close switch to the mouth call.

 

[Iglow]

I wish I could use a mouth call, for those that can it can sure close the deal.

 

[Joe2Kool]

Mouth call is my favorite. But, I carry a couple of slate calls, box calls, and yelpers. If I'm setup and don't get a response, I'll wait 15 minutes and switch to a different call and keep rotating through them.

 

[TN Larry]

set up is far more important along with a cooperative bird

Say it louder so the ones in the back can hear it.

 

[Knothead]

I love the red wasp!! My #1 go to. Second to that, is a Woodhaven slate with a (1) Primos Bamboozled Striker or a (2) HS Strut "Rosewood" Striker.

Deadly!!

 

[Huntaholic]

METAL folgers coffee can, a good heaping handful of yellow yelper, shake that can and get ready! :D

 

[Huntaholic]

Seriously though, the BEST advice is already posted in this thread and its not mine.

 

[thirdwilliam]

I am a pot call guy. Never was able to use a mouth call. I also agree with Setterman, a willing bird and set up are the most important. One of my early mentors in turkey hunting told, if you are not where a turkey wants to be, you can be a world champion caller and not kill one

 

[Joe2Kool]

Seriously though, the BEST advice is already posted in this thread and its not mine.

Thanks Hunt. I know you're talking about me.

BTW, we're headed to Nebraska tomorrow. First time we've been there on opening day.

 

[knightrider]

You can literally sound like a dying goose being raped by a hawk and kill all the turkeys you want as long as you have the cadence down pat!!! The worst sounding calling ive heard has been old real hens. Woods savy trumps calling every time !!!!!

 

[Huntaholic]

Thanks Hunt. I know you're talking about me.

BTW, we're headed to Nebraska tomorrow. First time we've been there on opening day.

Ive never been out there this early! Good luck and keep me posted!

 

[REN]

the answer today is usually not the answer tomorrow. Turkeys are gonna do turkey things and they generally are not the same day to day.

for me its all situational and partly ease of use. I run a mouth call 90% of the time, just like the sound and I dont have to deal with grabbing a pot and striker and making sure its conditioned each time. When its just me and having to have my gun up and all the other stuff that goes with a set up I just dont always like messing with a pot call at the same time.

However If I am not the primary shooter on a hunt then I will use a pot call MUCH more because now Im focused solely on that task and not as worried about my gun and other factors.

As stated already, set up is more important IMO then how a call sounds. I believe more in WHEN to call and CALL type way more then how you sound on the call. Cutting is not always the answer lol. Soft clucks and purrs sometimes is all you need and even that very sparingly.

 

[Soft Talker]

I've killed more Gobblers with just clucks, combined with either scratching leaves or splashing water, than with any other Turkey sound. Soft, 2 and 3 note yelps would be a close second. I'm able to make these sounds using my trumpet, scratcher, slate pot, or mouth yelper with extreme realism.

 

[Southern Sportsman]

I'm able to make these sounds using my trumpet, scratcher, slate pot, or mouth yelper with extreme realism.

But of course. No one here would ever expect you to describe the quality of your clucks as anything less than "extreme realism."

 

[RoyalPrudent]

Just to my ear, none of them really sound like a hen yelping, I think it's just the sound pattern that does it ( same reason they gobble at crow calls) but imo a scratch box clucks best, a wingbone/trumpet type keekee and Jake yelp best, a pot type purrs best with a scratch box next. A box is loud but not versatile and a glass/carbon is waterproof along with the wingbone/trumpet. A mouth call is deadly cause it's no hands but it doesn't really make any of the common calls better than any other type. Overall I can do more with less with the scratch box. It's portable, quiet to carry, pretty durable, easy to use, can make most calls except keekee and can make soft calls when needed. All the above is my opinion, what's yours?

This is a solid take, but I'd put a good pot above most anything personally.

 

[REN]

This is a solid take, but I'd put a good pot above most anything personally.

IDK, you watch and hear guys like Dave Owens on a mouth call and WOW he can make sounds and tones I dont think you can get on pot call easily

 

[RoyalPrudent]

IDK, you watch and hear guys like Dave Owens on a mouth call and WOW he can make sounds and tones I dont think you can get on pot call easily

Agreed, But I don't think the average hunter can do that. I think they can get closer with a pot call. But let's be honest. Some folks could sound terrible with any call.

I once purred one in to ten yards with only my voice and no call. Sounded terrible. No question a cooperative bird and good tactics are the most important thing.

 

[REN]

Agreed, But I don't think the average hunter can do that. I think they can get closer with a pot call. But let's be honest. Some folks could sound terrible with any call.

I once purred one in to ten yards with only my voice and no call. Sounded terrible. No question a cooperative bird and good tactics are the most important thing.

oh 100%. I can cluck easier on a pot call and purr, also easier for me to roll from clucks to purrs in a rhythm easier on a pot.

If we are talking average hunter then the easy answer is pots and boxes. IMO realism though I personally lean to mouth calls just cause you can do things on those you cant do on the others


hardest sound for me has always been bubble clucks and purrs on a mouth call. I can vibrate that thing in my throat so in order to purr I have to use my tongue and lips to do it. Sounds fine after years or working on it BUT going from purrs to clucks etc with that limitation can be hard to do.