| by:
Jim Lawrence, photos: Dave Starrett
illustrations: Stephen MacEachern |
Let's Talk Turkey - Gobbler Gobbledegook
|
| How
to entice the toms into range |
It's essential for a turkey hunter to be able to "talk turkey."
There are a number of different mechanical calls on the market,
many of which make the whole range of yelps, purrs, clucks,
whines and cuts that let you sound like a seductive lady turkey. |
|
The
Diaphragm Call |
|
 This
is a small plastic or metal call with a reed that you hold
against the roof of the mouth with your tongue. It's the call
of choice for competitive calling and expert hunters, and
if you learn to use it, it will become your first choice.
The diaphragm call allows for hands-free calling and a wide
variety of calls, but it takes lots of practice and some callers
may find it difficult to use due to gagging and coughing.
|
|
The
Box Call |
|
 As
its name implies, the box call is a wooden box with a hinged
cover. It's probably the most common call owned by experienced
turkey hunters. By rubbing the top against the body, you can
produce a full range of sounds. It requires two hands to operate
and must be put down to shoot. The box call must be kept dry.
|
|
Easy
Yelper Box Call |
|
 This
is a variation of the box call marketed by Quaker Boy. It
"talks" by rubbing a chalked wooden striker on a spring against
the body of the box. It can be operated with one hand and
can even be attached to the forestock of the shotgun for a
muted yelp, often needed to bring the bird the last few yards
into range. The Easy Yelper must also be kept dry.
|
|
Peg
and Slate |
|
 This
call is reminiscent of running your finger nails down the
blackboard at school. It's a round piece of slate, usually
rimmed with a wooden holder, that is struck and rubbed with
a wooden peg to reproduce all the calls. There are also versions
made with aluminum or glass and a metal peg. This call requires
the use of both hands, but is an all-time favourite of experienced
turkey hunters. It won't work when wet. |
|
Wingbone
Call |
|
The wingbone call is handmade from the wingbone of a wild
turkey. This call takes a lot of experience to use and is
normally only found in the pack of a well-seasoned hunter.
|
|
Tube
Call |
|
This call is similar to a plastic or composite duck call.
It's held with one hand and the noise is made by blowing through
a reed or a series of reeds.
|
|
Locator
Calls |
|
These calls are used when scouting to get a big tom to gobble
in response. They often imitate the calls of owls, crows or
coyotes. 
|
| Read
more on spring turkey hunting: |
| Introduction
| Tracking Toms
| The Spring Collection
| Turkey Tools | Gobbler
Gobbledegook | A Day in the
Hunt | Quick Tips |
