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Specializedjon

Specializedjon

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Culleoka (Middle TN)
Went yesterday and bought a mouth call/"stick thingy" call at BPS. While sitting in traffic on the way home last night I threw that mouth call in and thought I'd give it a go (ZERO experience with one of these). Surprisingly, I got a sound out of it. Not really a "turkey sound", more like a cat that just got ran over by a truck sound. 😂 I got some good turkey sounds out of the stick thing.

Any suggestions/brands/tricks would be appreciated with the mouth call. Tickled the crap out of my tongue for about 10 min. Surely I'm doing something wrong.

- FNG
 
TNTreeman said:
That'll work dude! The stranger the sound the more curious it makes the turkey. They love strange sounds and sudden movements; brings em right in. Trust me.
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SERIOUSLY??? Is it supposed to tickle the crap out of my tongue? Or is that just my turkey virginity wearing off?
 
hahah. It took me a good 2 weeks years ago when I first tried one to get it even close to a turkey sound.

main issue people dont do right when first trying them is they dont put it far enough back in the roof of their mouth (gag reflex for some) and they dont apply decent pressure with their tongue.

Put it as far back on the roof as you can and use the main part of your tongue to rest on the back of the frame of the call. then the front part of your tongue to let air in and out. I recommend anyone new to it to try and get a 2 reed at most to start with, those are the easiest to learn on then you can move to a 3 or 3.5 reed. Stay away from "cutter" type designs in the beginning and just get batwings or ghost cuts initally (or the standard 2 slit edge 2 reeds)

then just work on rolling out "yuck, yuck,yuck" sounds with 2 notes. As with anything hard to do it gets easier with practice, then you can move around to different cut designs to find the ones you really like.
 
REN said:
hahah. It took me a good 2 weeks years ago when I first tried one to get it even close to a turkey sound.

main issue people dont do right when first trying them is they dont put it far enough back in the roof of their mouth (gag reflex for some) and they dont apply decent pressure with their tongue.

Put it as far back on the roof as you can and use the main part of your tongue to rest on the back of the frame of the call. then the front part of your tongue to let air in and out. I recommend anyone new to it to try and get a 2 reed at most to start with, those are the easiest to learn on then you can move to a 3 or 3.5 reed. Stay away from "cutter" type designs in the beginning and just get batwings or ghost cuts initally (or the standard 2 slit edge 2 reeds)

then just work on rolling out "yuck, yuck,yuck" sounds with 2 notes. As with anything hard to do it gets easier with practice, then you can move around to different cut designs to find the ones you really like.
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Thanks REN

I only understood three words of what you just said...."yuck, yuck, yuck"

I don't think I had it far enough back initially. Thanks for the lesson. I look forward to traffic now 😂 (sorta)
 
If it's tickling your tongue you're doing it wrong. That's not a knock against you. It took me a long time before I could even make one squeak. But it should probably be further back in your mouth. You'll use the middle of your tongue to control how much air flows over the reed. Your tongue should have minimal contact with the latex as it vibrates, except when purring and a few other soft sounds. When I'm yelping the tip of my tongue is pressed against gums below my bottom front teeth.

Mouth calls are very user specific. I've never much liked most woodhaven mouth calls but have buddies that sound incredible with them. Different tape size/shape, different latex thickness, different latex tension, number of reeds, reed cuts, etc., etc. You'll just have to try a bunch and find one or two you like, then go from there.
 
Specializedjon said:
Thanks REN

I only understood three words of what you just said...."yuck, yuck, yuck"

I don't think I had it far enough back initially. Thanks for the lesson. I look forward to traffic now 😂 (sorta)
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lol Adam kinda said it better then I tried to. Its hard to explain via words vs in person.

Also NOTE - make sure the actual cut layer of the latex is pointed in the correct direction (Roof of your mouth vs pointing down)
 
You don't have to sound like a grand champion competition caller. The worst sound I've ever heard was on public land years ago. I just knew some guy was about to show up and it was a hen. Just practice a bunch. Driving back and forth to work is where I did all of my practicing. Makes the time go by.
 
Just wait until you are driving and practicing, accidentally sneeze or cough, about swallow and choke on the thing, all while going 70 on the highway. On a different note that may tickle your tongue if you don't have them seated deep enough, when I was about 11 or 12 I had to cut some of the material off to get them to fit correctly. Once I learned how to use one though they are amazing and easy to pack around.
 
I would start with a 2 Reed call. Not trying to promote any brand here but if you are buying from a store look at the Zinks Hen Yelper, Woodhaven V2, Primos Limb Hanger, Primos Diamond cutter(this is a 3 Reed call but is fairly easy to use. Then practice with it.
 
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I like Woodhaven calls. Since you are a beginner any call will work. Try a basic double reed to start. Also, there is an app called turkey tech that shows you how to use a mouth call and a friction call. It is good for beginners.
 
IMO Mouth calls save a lot of turkeys from beginners.

If you hunt very long you'll realize Woodsmanship and knowing when to call/not to call will be the two biggest things in your success.

I would focus on figuring out that stick thingy and then scratch some leaves when they get inside 80-100 yards.

Regardless of what you see on TV, don't call to them when they are within 100 yards and you can see them clearly.
 
The first time I put one in, the vibration was terrible. I'll translate all those words you didn't understand 😁. Randomly move the call around in your mouth. Randomly Put pressure in different places. And try to make turkey sounds🤣🤣. It'll come to you snd you'll put down those slate and box calls!
 
Specializedjon said:
Went yesterday and bought a mouth call/"stick thingy" call at BPS. While sitting in traffic on the way home last night I threw that mouth call in and thought I'd give it a go (ZERO experience with one of these). Surprisingly, I got a sound out of it. Not really a "turkey sound", more like a cat that just got ran over by a truck sound. 😂 I got some good turkey sounds out of the stick thing.

Any suggestions/brands/tricks would be appreciated with the mouth call. Tickled the crap out of my tongue for about 10 min. Surely I'm doing something wrong.

- FNG
Click to expand...
Get you a handful of different brands and try them, practic, and maintain them. Eventually you'll get the hang of it and it will be a game changer you. Good luck!
 
Gravey said:
You don't have to sound like a grand champion competition caller. The worst sound I've ever heard was on public land years ago. I just knew some guy was about to show up and it was a hen. Just practice a bunch. Driving back and forth to work is where I did all of my practicing. Makes the time go by.
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Really? I do it in my garage/office/mancave. If my practicing isn't ticking off the wife, I'm doin it wrong!
 
SES said:
If it doesn't fit your mouth just right, get out the scissors. Trim just a little at a time until it fits the way you want it to. I've had to cut down every one I've ever used.
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I agree. But play with any new call for a while before you trim. Some calls have fairly stiff tape and it may take a little while for it to form to the roof of your mouth. I ruined a couple when I first started learning to use them by trimming when the real issue was stiff tape or user error.
 

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