Calls... For a beginner

[bowhuntr311]

Hey all,

Im going to be doing some turkey hunting this year and I know NOTHING about calls, and even less about turkey hunting in general.

A few buddys that have hunted them a bit, say that I sound good with the calls for being my first few times with them.

When I went to spend my Christmas Present from work at the local sporting goods shop, they had a million different mouth calls. I had no idea what to get, so I didnt get any.

Whats the pros and cons to box and slate calls. I can work the slate calls farely well, is glass better than stone?

Dean

 

[muddy]

I've never been much of a mouth call guy as I can call with my voice, but I've always has luck with Hunter Specialties triple reeded mouth calls. A lot of guys on here have better input for a mouth call, especially some of the newer ones.

Box calls are great for windy days, they seem to cut through the air if you asked me. I have a WoodsWise mystic hen, it works great for me.

Slate/glass calls all sound different to me, which is why I have about a dozen of them. /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif One day a turkey will like one, the next want another one.

If I were you I'd get the slate call you can work the best and stick with it. Try a bunch of box calls and do the same. As far as mouth calls go, that's going to be trial and error, just be patient with them as they can be very frustrating.

Good luck.

 

[muddy]

The thing I like most about slate/glass calls is you can get really quiet and make the purrs and clucks sound very very realistic. Sort of a "finesse" type of call in my book.

 

[THA4]

Get 20 of everything!!!!!!!!

hahaha

I take three "slates" to the woods with me, Power Crystal, an actual slate, (great for purring) and a synthetic type (slatek)
then i have about a dozen strikers. each striker sounds differnt, so that gives you even more versitility.

i take one loud box call for windy situations or runnin and gunnin.

as far as mouth calls go..... Muddy is right, try a few different brands, and go with what works best. i use homemade mouth calls the most, but i also have a few HS calls, but the calls i like best are Wood Haven Mouth calls. they are a bit spendy, but in my opinion the best sounding mouth calls available....

practice A LOT and you will find that it comes pretty easy

Good luck!!!

 

[risto2351]

I would start with a good old box call for starters.

With so many products on the market I would make sure you could make all the sounds on the box call before you start expanding too fast.

The box is the easiest and usually the mouth calls can be the hardest. They say a good ole single reed is the one to start with but I started with a double reed it was just easier for me.
I really like the H.S. raspy old hen. Each one is different just depends what you like.

I also agree with what Muddy and Thomas recommended.
Plenty of time to practice, practice, practice until season.

Good luck to you.

 

[iowabucks]

If you want something really easy, try a push button caller. There are many types out there that are cheap and foolproof.

Knight and Hale makes the "lonesome hen". One of the best sounding calls i have ever used. Madd also makes "the egg". Many others out there.

I like using mouth calls but i sound terrible. No big deal cause sometimes the hens do too. I usually use a mouth call and a box or pushbutton call to try to sound like 2 hens.

 

[jkratz5]

Slate calls are great because you can sound like 4 different birds with 1 call and 4 strikers. I like to carry a couple slate calls and 3 or 4 strikers in my vest and the versatility of this is generally all I need. However, I do keep a mouth call in my mouth just in case a bird slides in on me unannounced, this way I am not totally screwed.

The Woodhaven mouth calls are dynamite, they make a huge variety of calls, everything from beginner calls to what the pros use. They are a bit pricey but you can usually catch a 3 pack for under $20 and they hold up much better than the other mouth calls I have used.

I haven't ever used a box or push button call so I don't really have any input for you there. Good luck and you have plenty of time to get good on the calls before season. The best thing you can do, especially with a mouth call is whenever you are driving somewhere by yourself throw it in and keep on practicing.

KRatz

 

[gersdorf]

I am still a novice at turkey hunting but I like to use slates or a box call. The first call I bought was a HS Strut slate over glass call. Very easy to use. I have quite a few friction calls now and a couple of box calls. I carry a few different strikers and slates/glass calls with me. I have tried a few different mouth calls and I can't hardly make a sound with them. Good luck!

 

[Skully]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bowhuntr311</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey all, Im going to be doing some turkey hunting this year and I know NOTHING about calls, and even less about turkey hunting in general.</div></div>

Just do this: Walk around the woods calling out: "Here......turkey,turkey,turkey,turkey. Works every time cept when it don't. /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif No really, I started out with a box call and now use a mouth call and several friction pot calls. I like the plethora of sounds yo can get from a slate or crystal type call. Try them all! /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

 

[teeroy]

quaker boy push button call seems to work for me more often than any other call i haul. for the pure beginner, a mouth call is something to play with, not to hunt with. box calls, slates, that is your bread and butter.

 

[DannyBoy]

I've been in your same position bowhunter...The answer is.............Lynch's 'Fool Proof' box call=dynamite in the sticks...Plus, keep a good mouth call in your vehicle (the cold will help them stay in good shape) and yelp your ass to and from work every day...I like the combo of that box call with an H.S. Strut Old Boss Hen mouth call. Your best bet is to just get into some sticks and listen to the pros, then try and duplicate that...I'm def. not a pro, or even a Turkey hunter anymore (due to some extenuating circumstances) but I've called in some gobblers for buddies NO PROB with those two calls. Best thing to do is SCOUT...find out where they roost one night then set up on em the following morning (very early)...may have to shock them into gobbling, an owl call often works, then if everything goes as planned, a 30 lb. double-bearded gobbler will fly from his roost and respond to your 'fool proof' calling, gobbling his way to within 40 yards of your weapon....then wait for it...wait for it...CRACK!

Game Over