Single Reed Turkey Call? The 127 Detailed Answer

Written by Josh Honeycutt. Updated on January 14, 2022 8:06 am

Every year hunters try to identify the best turkey calls and mostly look for ones that suit them. After all, stubborn eaters are not easy to trick. These cunning longbeards might have pea-sized brains, but they’re incredibly adept at dodging hunters, even those who know a thing or two about calling.

Luckily, quality gear can help even the odds. Choosing the best turkey calls for your arsenal is an important pre-season task. However, there are numerous products on the market. Some are great. Others are good. Some are bad. Separating the cream from the manure can be a challenge.

Of course, picking the best turkey calls for hunting may seem subjective. And in some cases it is. But there are certainly options that stand out from the crowd. Check out the following.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Turkey Call

As with any purchase, there are things to consider before you drop the cold, hard cash. Turkey hunters should think about numerous things – including difficulty, hunting style, geography, prices and more – before pulling the trigger on a purchase.

skill levels

Different hunters have different skills. Hunters should be honest about their own abilities and choose turkey calls that suit them best. Still, it’s important to keep improving. So don’t be afraid to buy calls and practice with them before taking them home. Always strive to get better, even with calls you haven’t mastered yet.

Beginner: Push button and tube calls

Push Button and Tube Calls Advanced: Box, Glass, Slate, Wingbone, and Mouth (diaphragm) calls.

Crate, Glass, Slate, Wingbone, and Mouth (diaphragm) Calls Expert: Crate, Glass, Slate, Wingbone, and Mouth (diaphragm) calls

hunting styles

Hunters choose specific turkey hunting styles. These can vary greatly from one to the other. As such, certain types of calls are often better suited to certain hunting styles.

run and shoot

sit and wait

attracting

subjects

Etc.

Turkey Subspecies

Another consideration is which turkey subspecies you will be hunting. Wild turkey chickens sound different across the country. Hearing real birds where you are hunting can help set the tone for the general sound of the flock you are trying to mimic.

Eastern turkeys have a medium tone and tone. Heavy rasping likely.

Merriam’s turkeys have a high pitched tone and tone. Heavy grating unlikely.

Osceola turkey chickens have a medium tone and tone. Heavy rasping likely.

Rio Grande turkey chickens have a medium to high pitched tone and sound. Severe rasping is unlikely but is present in some hens.

call volume

Soft Calling: Mouth, glass, slate, wing bone and push button calls

Medium calls: mouth, glass, slate, wingbone, and push button calls

Loud calling: mouth, glass, slate, and box calls

Mouth Call Designs

Bat Wing Cut: A great all-rounder with a good rasp.

A great all-rounder with a good rasp. Cutter Cut: This is the reputation design made to get loud, especially for hilarious cuts, cackles, and howls.

This is the reputation design made to get loud, especially for boisterous cuts, cackles, and howls. Double Cut: A higher-pitched call that’s great for certain vocalizations, e.g. B. Kee-Kees.

A higher reputation that’s great for certain vocalizations, e.g. B. Kee-Kees. Ghost Cut: A great call design for soft, scratchy yelps, kee-kees, and whistles.

A great call design for soft, raspy screams, kee-kees, and whistles. Split V Cut: A call made for whining, cutting, and everything in between.

A call made for howling, cutting, and everything in between. W-Cut: Another all-rounder that’s made for a good, raspy scream, but also covers other vocalizations.

Prices

Calls to Turkey involve wide price ranges. At the lower end is the mouth (diaphragm). It’s the cheapest turkey you can buy. At the high end are custom box and pot calls. These are generally considered showpieces, not used in the field, and when they are, not very often. However, some are intended for field use.

Best Turkey Call for Beginners: Primos Bombshell

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Why it made the cut

There are several push button turkey calls on the market. Most are made of wood, which aren’t typically as durable as plastic. And most competitors can’t be fitted to your best turkey shotgun barrels like this model.

main features

Attaches to your keg

Plastic construction

9 x 5.5 x 2 inches

advantages

Always ready

Easy

Small size

Disadvantages

More expensive than competing products

The Primos Bombshell is the best turkey caller for beginners and an excellent push button style turkey caller. It’s made from quality materials that offer durability, probably more so than competing products. It’s also lightweight, costing less than a tenth of a pound. Its dimensions are also quite small given the nature of the call. And the crowning feature is that it mounts to your shotgun barrel, which is great for using while still keeping your hands on the gun and ready when scavengers get close.

Best Turkey Mouth Call: Primo’s Hook Hunter Mouth Calls

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Why it made the cut

I’ve used a lot of mouth calls, and I didn’t like a lot of them. But my favorite of all time? The Primos Hook Hunter mouth call series. And my favorite is the Sharp with its spike cut design. It’s the most realistic and consistent mouth call I’ve ever used and great for a variety of mouth shapes and sizes.

main features

Various cuts (reed designs)

Optimal size and shape

Realistic sounds

advantages

Various reed cuts and designs

build quality

Durable Materials

Disadvantages

Higher price than some other market options

Many of the mouth calls on the market decay and degrade quickly, especially when used frequently. The Primos Hook Hunter series is not one of them, making it our pick for the best turkey mouth call. It is a well established collective of calls that hunters can rely on throughout the turkey season. It comes with premium reeds and a durable outer shell.

Again, this call requires little air to work, especially when compared to competing calls. I prefer this because it’s so much easier to use soft calling when turkeys are closer. However, you can also be loud. And the best? It’s easy to vocalize each of the different sounds a turkey makes with this series of mouth calls.

Best Slate Turkey Call: Zink Calls Power Hen Thunder Ridge Series

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Why it made the cut

This best slate turkey call offers one of the most consistent calls at an affordable price. Its design allows hunters to call quietly when needed and much louder when needed, e.g. B. on windy days and birds at a greater distance.

main features

Pot call style

High quality slate material

Injection molded pot

advantages

Durable design

Lightweight construction

Ultra realistic sound

Disadvantages

The green coloring makes it easier to lose

The Zink Calls Power Hen Thunder Ridge series is an excellent option for those who want a reliable friction call. This slate and striker combo weighs about half a pound thanks to the plastic pot. Feels good in the hand, sounds great. With a well-trained hand, it will attract longbeards as it should.

This slate phone also offers durability thanks to its sturdy design. This option is built for quality, which means you won’t have to replace it as quickly as other slate calls on the market.

Best Friction Call: Primo’s waterboard box call

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Why it made the cut

When choosing a Best Friction Call, it is important to understand how these calls work. As the category suggests, friction is obviously the answer. However, friction is hampered by water and rain, which are common during turkey season. Therefore, it is important to choose a call that will mitigate this problem. Thanks to the waterproof coating, this call works even when wet.

main features

Waterproof and works in the rain

mahogany box

Canary Paddle

advantages

Two-way call

good sound

Works when wet

Disadvantages

Limited design options in wood

The Primos Waterboard Box Call is the king of friction calls, especially when you need one that works when it’s wet. We’ve all been on turkey hunts where our slate and box calls get wet and ultimately become useless until they dry up. With the waterboard this is not a problem. In my experience, it sounds even better when it’s a little soaked.

This call is made of mahogany (box) and canary (paddle) wood. Due to its relatively small design, it fits perfectly in your turkey vest or backpack. It’s also lightweight, meaning it won’t add to the overall strength of your pack when trekking through the turkey forests in spring or fall.

Best Turkey Box on a Budget: Strut Commander Pallbearer Dugout Box Call

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Why it made the cut

Some turkey hunters want the best turkey box visit that doesn’t cost a lot of money. The Strut Commander Pallbearer Dugout Box Call checks this box, among other things. It’s a medium-sized call that also helps save space in your backpack or vest.

main features

Lightweight (0.29 pounds)

11 x 2.5 x 5 inches

mixed material

advantages

Durable construction

Call on both sides

Comes well coordinated

Disadvantages

Unappealing aesthetics

The Duck Commander Pallbearer Dugout Box Call is, in my opinion, the hands-on turkey hunter’s call of choice. It’s affordable, isn’t flashy, and gets the job done well. That’s what a turkey hunter needs.

The Pallbearer Dugout also has a very realistic sound that you need from a phone call too. It can also cover a wide range of vocalizations. Best of all – it’s easy to use making it perfect for you, the seasoned turkey hunter, as well as others who may not be.

Best Turkey Box Call Splurge: Lynch World Champion Box Call

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Why it made the cut

When people think of box calls, this is the call that often comes to mind. It’s famous in the friction world, and for good reason – it’s the best turkey boxing call at a premium price. It also offers abilities that others don’t have, such as: B. A unique design that allows chicken vocalizations on one side and feeding calls on the other.

main features

Double-sided design

mahogany wood

hand tuned

advantages

Unique design enhances chicken and feeding sounds

Ideal for beginners and experienced turkey hunters

75 years experience in a box call

Disadvantages

Bigger size, occupying more space

The Lynch World Champion Box Call is crafted from straight mahogany (box) and walnut (paddle), which ultimately enhances the sound of the call. This is more realistic than plastic models and other wooden materials. As mentioned, it offers a two-sided design, one optimized for chicken vocalizations and the other for feeding calls. This makes it versatile.

Thanks to its intuitive design, this call makes authentic turkey sounds. It is handmade in the USA and is already tuned. It’s a great take-out option.

Best Glass Turkey Call: Bone Collector Sweet April Glass Call

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Why it made the cut

Those wanting a long lasting quality glass call should consider the Bone Collector Sweet April Mahogany Pot Call with glass over glass. This is the best glass turkey call because it is long lasting and sounds very realistic.

main features

Mahogany and glass materials

High calling area

Works in wet weather

advantages

Cute sounding design

Durable construction

Big striker included

Disadvantages

More expensive than other market options

The Bone Collector Sweet April Glass Call is an excellent option for turkey hunters who want a great glass pot call. This option works well even in rainy weather and wet conditions. It produces the scratchy sound you want, even when it’s wet outside.

Weighing less than a quarter of a pound, this option is also very light. It also doesn’t take up much space in your backpack or vest. This is an excellent turkey call for your arsenal.

Best Custom Turkey Call: Woodhaven Custom Calls Legend Glass Friction Call

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Why it made the cut

Those wanting the best custom turkey call should look no further than the Woodhaven Custom Calls Legend Glass Friction Call. It sounds amazing and is made to last. It produces very realistic chicken vocalizations.

main features

Premium components

walnut mug

Sound surfaces made of glass

advantages

Do real double note yelps

Realistic cackling, slicing, purring and howling

Very good strikers included

Disadvantages

More expensive than some other market options

The Woodhaven Custom Calls Legend Glass Friction Call is a great option for those wanting a high-end pot call. Additionally, you can do true double no-yelps, which is more difficult with certain competing products. And with the two included strikers, you can quickly switch the sound and give that Wiley Tom the flattery it needs.

This also comes with a surface protection lid and conditioning kit. This allows you to keep it in great working condition. It also helps preserve the authentic sound that this call is known for.

Best Turkey Tracker: Strut Commander Hootie Owl Turkey Tracker

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Why it made the cut

This is one of the best putt locator calls out there simply because it sounds great. This call mimics a barred owl well and is excellent for finding early morning and late afternoon birds. This call is very easy to learn and use. Experienced and novice hunters alike can use this model.

main features

Extremely light at 0.15 pounds

Pocket size (5 x 1.25 x 1.25 inches)

Mixed Materials

advantages

lightweight construction

great gray owl sounds

Incredible volume range (soft to loud)

Disadvantages

Neutral color design makes it easy to lose on the floor

The Strut Commander Hootie Owl Turkey Locator Call is ideal for locating birds early and late in the day. It’s just what you need to shock an unruly bird without enticing it to come to you. This is important as hunters often want to close the range and get in the best possible position. You can’t do this if the turkey hears a chicken vocalization and comes to you first.

It is also very light and hardly contributes to the overall weight of a hunting backpack or vest. It also feels good in the hand when it is operated. Also, this is a very affordable location caller calling under $10. Overall, it is the ideal locator call for turkey hunters.

methodology

Choosing the best turkey calls isn’t easy. There is a large pool of products to browse through. There are many companies and even more individual models to look at. This is a challenge that requires a great deal of time and thought, and we do not take this task lightly. When making my selection, I looked at the following areas.

Sound: Turkeys are quite adept at detecting the sounds made by other turkeys, so the quality of the sound produced by a call is one of the most important factors.

Turkeys are quite adept at detecting the sounds made by other turkeys, so the quality of the sound made by a call is one of the most important factors. Ease of use: A call is useless if you can’t execute it the way it was designed. I’ve chosen easy-to-learn calls so you can focus on the hunt.

A call is useless if you can’t make it work the way it was designed. I’ve chosen easy-to-learn calls so you can focus on the hunt. Materials: Calls quickly become valuable items. I’ve selected calls that will stand up to the harsh conditions of the field so your new favorite call won’t fail after a few outings.

After considering all the relevant factors, I came to the tips shown above. I have used many of these in the field and kept and operated even more. I am confident that you will get what you need from any of the turkey calls listed here. All of them are durable, made of quality materials and sound like real turkeys, which is the most important quality of all.

frequently asked Questions

Q: What is the loudest turkey call? The easiest turkey call to get loud with—while maintaining realism—is the box call. However, slate and glass calls, as well as mouth calls, can also get loud. Q: How long are turkey mouth visits? In general, mouth calls should only be used for one season. Even when kept clean and sterile, reeds wear out and turkey sounds begin to distort. However, storing mouth calls in the refrigerator when not in use can extend their lifespan. Q: How do you choose a turkey call? When choosing a turkey caller, it is important to consider the skill level, hunting style, preferred call design, product prices, and the subspecies of turkey you will be hunting. Q: What is the easiest turkey call type to use? The easiest turkey call to use is the push button call. Then boxing calls. Then calls pot (glass and slate). Q: What is the most difficult turkey call type to use? For most turkey hunters, the most difficult turkey call type to use is the mouth call (diaphragm call).

Final Thoughts on Best Turkey Calls

Overall, there are plenty of turkey calls that tick the relevant boxes. The ones I selected sound like real turkeys in the first place, which is the most important quality. They’re also easy to use and durable, so you can count on them for years to come. Choose one of the above based on the hunting scenarios you come across and go after them. Good luck in the turkey woods this season.

When to Wrap Up a Glass Turkey Call

Are you an old dog who can’t learn new tricks? Some seasoned turkey hunters become addicted to certain turkey calls and often neglect the vast majority of the other great options that arise. While it’s difficult to argue with their experience, trying out new calls can be a huge benefit. This is especially true for someone who has been hunting and calling turkeys for decades. So why not try something new and maybe find your new best turkey? While a glass turkey call is by no means new to the market, some people seem hesitant to use it. In the video below, Michael walks you through some of the reasons you should really consider adding a glass turkey to your turkey vest this spring.

Debate between glass and slate

If you’re already using pot calls, there’s a good chance you have a slate call or two. And while slate turkey calls produce deep and realistic tones that work great on turkeys (did we mention the Lights Out Slate call?), they do have some downsides in certain situations. For example, they usually lose their potency when they get wet. A surprise rain event, high humidity, or being dropped into the dewy morning grass can all spell disaster for your turkey hunt if that’s the only turkey call you have on you.

Glass turkey calls, on the other hand, do not lose their ability to make turkey sounds when they get wet. If they get soaked from the rain, you probably won’t be thrilled to keep chasing, but the striker will continue to make realistic sounds as if nothing happened.

Michael comments, “Typically glass calls do better when it comes to humidity in the springtime when there’s a thunderstorm hitting which obviously causes a problem when it’s soaking wet, but glass calls usually do better when humidity is involved…where a slate call would have a deeper, richer.” Clay, but water can completely muffle the call-up.”

Another benefit of a glass turkey call is that it can easily produce the raspy tones of a hen, while still maintaining a high pitch. So when you first drag the striker across the surface, it starts very high and transitions to lower, raspy tones. This is a great advantage for cutting through the woods and reaching distant toms. The Sweet April Glass Call is a good choice for this. The tuned mahogany tumbler is glass over glass and comes with a durable hardwood mallet.

Best Use for a Glass Turkey Call

As you can see, both types of turkey calls work great in different scenarios. And there are other types (e.g. crystal, aluminum, ceramic, etc.) that work well too – we’re not here to beat any of them. But with the advantages of glass calls discussed above, there are some scenarios where a glass turkey call has the upper hand.

First, if you’re hunting in areas where high humidity is a constant companion during turkey season (e.g. the south) or if you expect occasional spring showers, a glass turkey is probably a better carry-along choice. Turkeys can be a bit more predictable in the rain. So if you can persevere and keep hunting, a glass call will help you a lot more than a slate call.

Second, we mentioned that glass calls have the benefit of being high. You don’t always want a super loud call as it could startle toms or make them hang up and wait for a hen to come over to them. But that high pitch can cut through the woods better than lower pitches without having a high volume. Because of this, a glass call can reach and hit a turkey very well from afar. If an interested tom closes the distance, you can switch to a mouth call for close-range action, eliminating the extra movement. But for that first exposure to distant turkeys, a glass call is hard to beat.

“If I had a friction callsign in my turkey bag it would be a glass call…it has a higher pitch and tone, typically than a slate call…it’s sharp, precise, cuts through the wind, so it makes a great call.” They to slap a turkey…some of those sweeter, more subtle calls aren’t so good for slapping a turkey,” explains Michael.

As said, we’re not here to knock on other turkey calls – they all have their place. But if you’re not already using glass turkey, you could be missing out! Michael demonstrates the sweet April call in this video, check it out by clicking the link below!

Todd Amenrud

Timing is important in so many things we do, from listening to a musical beat to hitting a baseball to timing the stock market. The better you can anticipate the pulse, peak or sweet spot, the better you will do. This is perhaps more true of turkey hunting than other game hunting. From knowing when the eaters best respond to your tactics, to knowing when to initiate a specific hunt, as they say, “timing is everything”.

The changing seasons

Just as fall hunting season catches whitetails during the rut, spring is breeding season for turkeys. While the decreasing amount of daylight brings whitetails to the rut, the increasing photoperiod indicates that it is time for turkeys to begin the rituals and reproductive process. Depending on the region of the United States you plan to hunt in, certain parts of the season will be better than others. Knowing roughly when the different stages of breeding occur can help you know which season to apply for, when to take your hunting leave, or what tactics to use for the time you have available to hunt.

Feeders can vocalize early in spring, especially during warming trends. But just because tomcats eat doesn’t mean breeding has started. They can eat all year round. Usually we need more evidence than scant eating to guess when breeding actually started, such as when breeding started. B. strutting tomcats and increased vocalizations from the rest of the herd.

Going against Mother Nature

As most of you know, hangovers eat to tell chickens where to find them. By calling them up and expecting them to come to us, we are going against Mother Nature in a way. They also add the visual appeal of strutting for the ladies – so it’s a little backwards to the way people do it.

When the male incubates the hen, sperm is stored in the hen’s oviduct and fertilized eggs can be laid up to four weeks after mating. One mating is usually enough to fertilize an entire clutch, but hens can be bred over and over again.

Chickens begin laying eggs with the onset of spring, and she will lay one egg almost every day until her nest contains about eight to 16 eggs. You will usually find an average of about a dozen or so clutches of younger hens. Chickens nest on the ground, so a tight cover is a must. They often find nests near sources of food and water, so hatching chicks will have bugs, plants and seeds to eat once hatched. The hens begin to sit on the eggs after they are all laid and incubation lasts about 25 to 30 days.

From my experience, it’s easiest to bring in a tomcat when the real hens aren’t very cooperative. So if you look at the big picture for the whole season, your luck should come before breeding really gets going, or later in the season when the hens are sitting on their eggs.

hunting print

Pressure can also come into play. At the beginning of the season, it can be easier to summon a cat since it hasn’t been summoned by other hunters who might fail at the craft. I’ve heard people say that eaters become “call shy”. I don’t think turkeys become call-shy, I think they become “stupidly hunt-shy”. When turkeys want to meet other turkeys, they make noise no matter the time of year.

In some states, turkeys may not begin nesting until the last few days of the season. In other states, the birds are already nesting when the season starts, but the best hunt, or should I say one of the easiest times to call a eater, is when the hens are nesting. Trouble is, that time is likely to come later in the season, and it’s possible ten other hillbillies may have screwed the birds before it’s your turn. Just because they should come to the call doesn’t mean they will come. So pressure can also play a big part in how easy it is to lure a bird into your setup.

When to Call a Gobbler

OK, so let’s limit ourselves to the time of day. From my perspective, the best times of day are right from the roost, then again from about 8:30 to 9:30 when more chickens leave the feeder to lay an egg, and again from about 11 to noon.

It’s pretty obvious why eaters react from the roost; It’s a new day and they’re not necessarily at chickens yet. However, if they are occupied by chickens, your chances drop precipitously. But if you’ve located the bird(s) the night before, or have an idea of ​​where it’s perched and ready to approach, it’s possible to summon the entire flock. Just make sure you don’t get too close and knock the birds off their roost. Better yet, once you’ve looked around and have an idea of ​​their daily patterns, you can often anticipate where they’re going next.

After the feeder breeds its original harem around 8:30-9am, it will start looking for more willing females. It often helps to just stay where you are and wait. It’s amazing how a bird with a brain the size of a pistachio seems to remember where other cries came from earlier in the morning.

I hear many hunters say they haven’t called many birds after 10am. I’m not sure if it’s because they just stop trying or just give up, but I’ve had quite a bit of success during that time. I’ve killed my fair share within minutes of the season ending for the day in states where it ends at 12pm or 1pm. like Ohio or Missouri. I’ll admit my favorite times are listed above, but don’t throw in the towel too soon.

See Productive Chick Conservation for more wildlife management tips. Every spring, when the moment of truth arrives and we end a pre-season of anticipation with a buckshot, we take for granted the survival story that turkeys have had up to that point. Few animals have to make such a perilous journey through life as the wild turkey. From the day a wild turkey is laid as an egg until it dies, some predator is trying to have it for dinner.

Variables to consider when hunting turkey

Location: Wild turkeys tend to nest in largely forested areas, but due to large-scale deforestation in recent decades, they have also learned to adapt and thrive in environments with very little forest cover. Some of the best states to hunt wild turkeys are New York, Wisconsin, Alabama, Missouri, and Pennsylvania.

Solunar Calendar: According to a 1926 theory by John Alden Knight, the movement of animals is influenced by the position and fullness of the moon. This theory is said to have been used by hunters and fishermen long before Knight’s theory was published and is still widely accepted and accepted today.

Season: Wild Turkey’s activities change depending on the season. The best time of year to hunt turkey also depends largely on which state you are hunting in, but is generally between early spring and mid to late fall.

Time of day: Because turkeys make their nests in trees and on the ground in wooded areas, one of the best times of day to hunt is first thing in the morning. Get to your hide early and listen to the yapping, cackling and chattering of the turkeys as they go in search of breakfast.

Temperature: Temperature can play a role in noise levels from wild turkeys. Since turkeys are most active during periods of mild weather, it is estimated that they are at their loudest when temperatures are between 60-69 degrees Fahrenheit. Much like humans, too hot or too cold and their activity slows down.

Barometric Pressure: Average barometric pressure also affects feeding activity. Higher pressure is often associated with higher vocal activity in the birds. According to research, turkeys are most active at 29.9 to 30.2 inches.

General Weather Conditions: As a general rule of thumb, turkeys are most active on calm, clear days in the mornings and early afternoons. Activities in Turkey generally decrease in bad weather conditions like wind and rain. On extremely wet and rainy days, turkeys are neither vocal nor very active.

Wind: Similar to rainy days, turkeys tend to be calmer on days with moderate to strong winds. High winds can also affect the hunter’s ability to hear wild turkeys, even when they are on the move.

Maintaining the word of mouth

I had a turkey hunt in Kansas two years ago that was ruined by a relentless cough, and while the source of the cold that entered my throat and upper windpipe will never be known, I still wonder to this day if there was any product a bacterial buildup on my mouth was calling.

Do not laugh; it makes sense I remember having a conversation with Mark Drury and a few others a long time ago at a turkey camp in Missouri, where we were all sniffing and hacking. Someone hinted that we’re growing bacteria when we dutifully put our diaphragms in the fridge for safekeeping. And he might have been right.

So as I head towards another spring season and a trip back to Kansas for a rematch with these Rio Grande gluttons, I’m being extra cautious, even if that means I’m going all out due to my all-out efforts.

I soak my calls in Listerine when I’m not using it. The advertising says it kills germs that cause bad breath, so I’m pretty sure it kills all germs and essentially disinfects my calls. It might degrade the latex a little and shorten their lifespan; I’m not sure. But it’s a small price to pay to tip the odds in my favor to stay healthy during spring eater season.

Taking care of your mouthpiece — and let’s face it, we usually have a lot to take care of — really starts at the point of purchase, says Randy Panek, maker of Strike Zone mouthpieces (www.wildtalker.com).

“The first thing you should do when you get a new call is go to the sink and wash off all that white powder in between all the reeds,” says Panek, himself a former competition caller and a veteran turkey hunter. “Every latex contains talc from the supplier. Then take your call and half-dry it with a paper towel.”

After that, you should separate the reeds with plastic reeds or a toothpick. Then let the call dry in a cool, dark place. Repeat this several times until the call has “matured”, which essentially sets the reeds in place and lets the call sound as it was made.

However, latex will degrade over time. Here are some tips to help you stay on the phone longer:

• Keep away from heat and light – especially sunlight.

• Wash off your call after use. What you eat and drink and other fluids in your mouth speed up the breakdown process.

• Store the Call in a cool, dark place after the reeds have dried.

• Heat is a big problem with mouth sounds. Leaving a call on your truck’s dashboard means trouble. This causes the latex to expand and affect the sound of the call as it loses its flexibility.

I soak my calls in Listerine or a similar mouthwash before using them, at least for a short while before putting them in my mouth — sometimes overnight, although it’s likely to shorten the lifespan of the call. I’m really scared of developing a chacking cough that can cripple a turkey hunt, and right or wrong, I often attribute it to a poorly cleaned mouth call.

In the mornings when I go hunting some of my mouth sounds need some warm up time to allow the reeds to separate. Others work well right away after I put them in my mouth. But it usually only takes a minute for the call’s reeds to separate and offer the sound I’m looking for.

Bottom line, I essentially sanitize my calls by soaking them in mouthwash before using them each morning. Having to buy a few extra calls along the way is a good trade-off for my health during spring eater season.

Mouth calls, also known as diaphragm calls, can be intimidating but have some advantages over other types of calls.

Mouth calls are popular with Oregon turkey hunters because:

They are easier to keep dry during the wet spring season than box or slate calls.

Because the call is in your mouth, you can call a turkey without moving and potentially startling the bird.

With practice, they can produce very realistic turkey sounds.

Parts of a mouth call

A mouth call consists of four parts. Starting on the outside of the call there is:

The ribbon. The band prevents air from blowing around the reed and instead flowing through it. The tape is usually made of a somewhat pliable material that can be adjusted to fit your mouth.

The frame. The frame, usually made of rigid plastic or aluminum, will stretch and hold the reed in place.

The tab. The tab is on the back of the frame – the closed part of the call. It helps tension the back of the sheet and identifies which side of the call is going up or down. For most calls, the tab goes down when you put the call in your mouth.

The reed(s). A thin membrane of latex (or a similar type of rubber) that vibrates when air passes under it, making sounds you hope will sound like a turkey. Some calls have multiple reeds to produce multiple tones.

Some sheets also have cuts along the exposed edge to mimic various sounds.

Buy your first word of mouth

When purchasing your first turkey mouth call, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Start with a simple single reed call with a straight edge reed. These are the easiest mouth calls to master.

Consider starting with a smaller call until you get used to having a call in your mouth.

Be glad that mouth calls are relatively cheap, as you may have to try a few to find the one that works best for you.

With a word of mouth

Start slow. Your initial goal is to simply make a sound, not necessarily to mimic a turkey. In order to produce a sound, it is important to position the mouth call correctly in the palate.

Put the call in your mouth with the open side facing you. Use your tongue to position the call in the roof of your mouth, about halfway between your front and back teeth. For multi-reed calls, place the short reed down.

Experiment with where you put the call in your mouth. Move the blade forward or backward a little until it feels most comfortable. Also, feel free to shorten the band for a better fit in your mouth.

Place the top of your tongue against the tape and pin the call to your roof of the mouth. The idea is to create a seal so air doesn’t flow over the top of the tape or around its edges. When you blow lightly, you want air to move over your tongue and under the call.

Air flowing under the reeds causes them to vibrate and generate noise.

When you blow, your air should come from your chest or diaphragm. Remember to mist glasses or binoculars to clean them – that’s where the air should come from. Don’t blow through your mouth like you’re blowing out a candle. Air should be forced out of your chest.

make turkey noises

To make an outcry

A chicken assist is the easiest and should be the first turkey sound you try to make with a mouth call. With the call in your mouth, lightly press the tube with your tongue and blow while saying the word “yelp” or “chalk.”

At first it will probably tickle; that’s ok and normal. Experiment with call placement, tongue pressure, and airflow until you’re producing quality sounds without tickling your mouth. Keep working on it until you hear a soft squeak. Once you hear a single scream, work on producing a series of screams.

to make a purr

There are two ways to create a purr: by blowing and flapping your lips, or by blowing and flapping your tongue. In either case, the goal is to produce a smooth, short, non-threatening sound.

Purrs — like yelps and other sounds produced by a mouth call — can vary in volume depending on how hard you blow and in tone depending on how much tongue pressure is applied.

To make a chuckle

Create a gurgle by letting out a short, sudden puff of air while saying the word “puck.” Build air pressure in your diaphragm (chest) and then quickly release it.

To end the call, quickly close your lips and pause the audio. The cackle is a short, fast note used in combination with whines and purrs. It’s a good try to try when a tom is hung just out of range.

To make a cut

The Cutt is nothing more than a souped-up version of the cackle. To make cutting noises, relax. The sounds are simply a long drawn-out series of consecutive cackles. Instead of saying the word “puck” as you exhale, try saying “pick” or “peck” as you cut.

When cutting, the airflow is pulled out longer than when cackling. Sounds are usually produced in rhythmic groups of ones, twos, threes and fours. Think Pick-PickPickPick – PickPickPickPick – PickPick. When you make that call, be excited and loud. This can be a fun and rewarding sound to make with a diaphragmatic call, but it takes some practice to master.

to make kee-kee

Kee-kee calls work well in the fall season. Apply tongue pressure toward the front of the reed, narrow the airway under your tongue, and blow hard while saying “kee-kee” or “tee-tee.” The result should be a high Kee-Kee reputation.

Taking care of your call

In order for your bad breath to work well, you need to take care of it day after day and season after season.

If not properly cleaned and stored, mouthpieces can dry out, chip and become unusable. When carrying mouth calls, use leather or plastic pouches that allow air to circulate around the calls. At the end of the day, rinse out any mouthwash you’ve used in mouthwash to rid it of bacteria, then towel dry.

When the season ends, clean and dry your calls before storing them. Test every call at the start of each season. Make sure they produce crisp, clear tones and not muffled sounds with uncontrolled vibrations. If the audio quality is poor, it’s time to replace the call. In order for your mouth sounds to function effectively, you should take proper care of them.

At a previous BHA rendezvous, we had a chance to sit down with Jason Phelps, owner of Phelps Game Calls, and chat about turkeys. Jason is a die hard turkey hunter and moose hunter who designs all kinds of calls for moose, turkey and other wildlife.

Jason gave some tips for the use, care and maintenance of diaphragms or mouth calls. Membrane calls consist of a rigid inner frame and a flexible outer frame that supports a latex sheet. The call is placed on the palate and the forced air creates (hopefully) a realistic chicken sound that brings in a glutton. Using this call allows you to have your hands free to use your shotgun and talk on the phone at the same time.

Q: How long should a hunter expect a diaphragmatic call to last?

A: Turkey calls can last up to 2 to 3 years with proper care.

The two parts of the call that can go wrong are the latex and the tape. The latex will wear down over time and the tape can delaminate if not dried.

Q: What are some membrane call care and maintenance tips?

A: Rinse the calls with clean water and let them dry. Then place small plastic reed separators (a half-broken toothpick will work) between each layer of latex to separate them and allow to dry. Then put the calls in the freezer.

DO NOT keep the calls in direct sunlight or near excessive heat. The latex in the calls is very UV sensitive and degrades very quickly.

Q: When do you know a call has been shot other than the reed being snapped?

A: Membrane turkey calls with latex will wear out over time. The best way to tell a call is wearing out is by the lack of a high-pitched, sharp tone. The call should be replaced when the high notes can no longer be reached with increased air pressure from a caller.

Many consider oral diaphragms to be disposable and plan on buying new calls every year, but if you take care of them, it’s possible to squeeze multiple seasons out of one call.

Q: Is there a way to avoid those nasty sore throats when you talk on the phone a lot?

A: Clean up your calls after each hunt. Drinking water throughout the day and making sure your throat doesn’t get dry is the best advice to prevent your throat from getting dry while on the phone all day.

Q: Is there a specific type of diaphragm a beginner should look out for?

A: Ease of use should be the number one factor when a beginner selects a membrane call. You should look for calls that don’t require a lot of air to work.

membrane calls

Diaphragm calls, also known as mouth calls, are small, horseshoe-shaped devices that use a rubber or latex blade that vibrates to produce sound. “Membrane calls aren’t the easiest to learn, but once you know how to use them, they’re effective because you can be mobile and not have to use your hands to call,” says Ilderton. Because the diaphragmatic call is controlled with the mouth, the hunter can keep calling until he is ready to shoot. Although membrane calls are very versatile, they are not as loud as other calls. So if you’re trying to call a tom from a long distance, you should start with a louder call, e.g. B. a box call or a locator call to determine his location.

How it works:

By holding the diaphragmatic call in the mouth, the caller blows air toward the roof of the mouth, engaging the reed and creating a series of vibrations. By varying the air pressure and the position of the tongue, the hunter can imitate virtually any turkey sound.

Tips for beginners:

If you’ve never used a diaphragm before, give yourself plenty of time to practice before opening day. You should be pretty comfortable with these calls before using one on the hunt. For beginners, a single cane is the best to learn as it is the easiest to use.

Another important factor in choosing the right diaphragm is finding the right size for your mouth. This can take a little trial and error to find the right fit. Once you’ve found a call that feels right to you, you can start practicing a few simple screams, cuts, chortles and purrs by changing the air pressure and cadence of your voice. Patience is key when learning how to use a membrane call as they have the steepest learning curve of any turkey call.

We believe the number one goal when creating turkey calls is realism! Realistic sounding turkey calls will kill more turkeys… that’s the bottom line. When it comes to building diaphragm mouthcalls, we believe manufacturers should consider every detail to ensure customers are receiving the highest quality, best sounding mouthcall volume money can buy.

So how can you ensure that you, the consumer, are buying the best membrane turkey available? Here are a few things we think you should look out for:

Look for mouth calls that are hand built. Attention to detail and craftsmanship are key.

Make sure each piece of latex is “miked” for consistency in thickness.

Look for any piece of latex that needs to be popped before final stretching.

The best mouth calls have latex stretched by hand!

You want each piece of latex to be hand laid on top of each other for perfect reed placement.

Hand cut mouth calls always outperform machine cuts.

Look for calls that are 100% made in the USA.

Overall, remember: Consistency is key. Companies that build membrane phones with the details listed above will produce consistent products time and time again.

If you’re looking for your next turkey hunting mouth call, you’ll find a company that has had the same highly produced calls in their lineup year after year. You can bet they’ve cracked the code to answering the question “How do we build the best word of mouth?”

Consistent use of handcrafted maw calls ensures turkey hunters are equipped with the best tools available to achieve greater success in the field.

So hunter, what’s the best thing about your vest?