Turkey calls

[Coodster]

I was going to post this on the pitching arrows at turkeys thread but didn't want to hyjack the post so...........

What is a good beginners call? This willl be the first time hunting turkeys, and with bow. i was thinking of one of the plunger type calls that you use one finger, is this a good type/style call? Never used a mouth call or box or slate or plunger type, so please be specific on brand and type.

Thanks

looking forward to april and turkey hunting

[danosage]

Coodster, I found a box call to be pretty easy to use. I picked one up from "CallMaker", Ed Blankinship. It sounds great. Pick up a tape or CD, practice, & you're all set. His web site is:

http://www.tradstore.com/gobblersend/

Dan

[Braden]

I like a good box call like Lynch's fool proof or Primos Box Cutter. I consider it a good call fo a beginner to use, but not really a beginner call. I never go out without mine. I usually take a mouth call and some sort of friction call. Sometimes the turkeys like one better than the other. If you haven't heard, wild turkeys sound awful; would never win a calling contest. I think that the rhythmn is actually the most important. Get a copy of "Real Turkeys" or one of Primos instructional DVDs or Cds. But I think that those push button calls will work well also. Speaking of calls, I would also consider a good locator call. Owls are good in the morning, I like crows for midmorning, and a peacock call works like magic in Texas. Try and do an owl hoot with your mouth. Don't feel self conscious, there is no one else out there to hear you. Once you get comfortable with doing it, it will be one last call that you have to carry.

Man... sorry to ramble. I could just talk about my philosophies on turkey hunting all day long. By far, my favorite. Just haven't graduated to the bow; still tote my 12 gauge.

Braden

[1bjd]

A good box call is easy to use and Ed Blankenship makes a GREAT call.
He is a member and a good guy! And his wifes art work is unbelievable! John

[Pinelander]

Yes, Ed's box calls are very nice and have a good resonance to them. Most any box call or slate call on the market is a good one, turkeys aren't all that particular and each hen has a slightly different tone. You can mess up a call and just follow with another one and all is good. I've heard hens yelp so hideously, you would think it was a hunter out there flubbing up real bad. Like Braden said... some of them would be hard-pressed to win a calling contest.

For just starting out, go to a local sporting goods (hunting) outlet and get an instructional tape on calling. Any of them will do fine, it's the rythmn and cadence that matters most and you'll be ready to go in no time. Once you've heard the real thing when you're out there, it's very easy to mimick them and broaden your knowledge of turkey sounds.

Mouth diaphram calls take a bit more practice than the other calls, but are very versatile because of the "no hands required" feature. Once practiced, they can reproduce any sound that a turkey makes. They are excelllent for making the "kee-kee" run call that is heard in the fall, which is more difficult to do with a box or slate.

The box call is very easy to use and versatile. Makes very good clucks, yelps, purrs, and with a little practice can do the "cutting" like no other. On windy days or wanting birds very far away to hear you, the box provides more sound volume than the others.

The plunger type call is not as versatile, yelps and purrs is about it. Can't vary the level or pitch of the sound all that much. The smaller ones are very useful in taping them on the side of the forestock of a shotgun and utilize "one-handed" operation.

A slate call is a bit more difficult to use than a box, but it's easy enough for a beginner to use, just takes a little practice. It sounds very realistic and is by far my favorite turkey call.