13 replies to this topic

[Camoghost]

Looking at getting a call and was wondering which kind is easiest to learn how to use? I wish we could our Foxpros!!!

[yunggun]

I can't say that it's the easiest but, a diaphragm call, I've found, to be the most useful. It wasn't real hard to learn, it only took me a few hours to get it down, but it's not like working a box. The best thing about a diaphragm call is that it's hands-free, which is very useful for bowhunters or if you want to be able to work the call while your aiming your weapon. And because the call is operated by your mouth, you can get all kinds of sounds out of them. The sound is unbeatable, sounds just like a turkey.Anyway, just my opinion.

[mac]

Diaphram calls are good for locating birds, but a box call or slate call is the best to get them coming in. I usually use a mouth call (diaphram) when I get to a stand or just when I get out the truck to locate the birds, then when I'm set up I use a Primos box call - dominate and young hen.

[riobuster]

Box calls are the easiest to learn, but like Yunggun said it only takes a little while to learn to use any type of call. That being said I think you are going to find you will want more than one type of call because different situations require different calls. I have also found that some birds will act deaf to one type of call and gobble his head off to another.Box calls- Pros-sound great, easy to use, you can get good volume out of it for locating birds or calling in the wind, can make many different sounds including gobbling, good for kids to use. Cons-require movement to use, not a big deal if you are using one person to call and another to shoot but if it's just you and the birds are close..., they also have to be kept dry, if you are hunting in the rain you can keep it in a plastic bag or they do make waterproof models but I have not heard good things about the sound.Slate calls- Pros- sound great, can make many different sounds and be loud or as subtle as you like (nothing purrs like a slate) Cons- movement again, if you're using actual slate you will have to keep it dry, I would stick to glass or ceramic for waterproofnessDiaphram calls- Pros- probably sound the most realistic, require minimal movement, work in any weather, you can get some good volume out of it for locating birds, easy to carry, inexpensive. Cons- more difficult to learn and you may have to try different models to find one you like the sound of and that fits you, they don't last forever, I find I have to replace mine every year or two.If I could only have one call I would carry a diaphram call but since they only cost about $6 if i were you I would get a box call (you can get a great call for less than $40) and one or two diaphram calls. That way you will be pretty much set for anything.

[Cranky Farmer]

Great advice here! Get a good slate and mouth call. You can practice with the mouth call in the car. ( just don't leave them in there ... the sun and heat will destroy the reed) Some of the different surfaces such as glass is a little easier to take care of as compared to slate. My favorite sound is slate over aluminum, though. I bought it custom made off of E-Bay in 2002 and just love the thing. There should a ton of the on E-Bay now to choose from.If you get a mouth (diaphram) call get one with two reeds to learn on. Once you get the hang of it then you can move on to the fancier calls. When you're done for the year store them in the fridge in 50/50 water and mouthwash in a closed container. They will last for year this way.If you go to the NWTF website (http://www.nwtf.org) they have recordings of the different sounds that you want to learn to imitate.

[ShooterJohn]

I use a slate call as my primary caller. I love that thing. I have a great time out in the yard calling my locals over and talking to them. I've found I can really get them riled up or just get them to come visit. My big rooster has his eye on a couple of the hens that come by too. He does his little dance for them and has gotten into it with a couple of toms. They're bigger but my rooster is quicker. He's a hump and run kind a guy.

[Cranky Farmer]

He's a hump and run kind a guy.

That's priceless!! I just woke my infant daughter while laughing at that.

[mac]

. He's a hump and run kind a guy.

That's some funny stuff ...reminds me of someone ...

[mac]

Agree with Riobuster and Smallblock...you definitely have to find the right mouth call...I picked up one (forgot the model) by Primos and first time I used it (stupid me didn't practice) the first couple sounds were great, then for some reason it started sounding a like a goose coming in...it was a diff mouth call I had used in the past...you may go through $18-$24 finding the right mouth call, I finally did with a certain model/version by Primos (btw, I am not an employee of Primos...I had to say that as I looked through my posts and I must've said Primos - there it goes again - like 5-6 times...sheesh)

[yunggun]

I'm using a Primos Raspy mouth call right now that sounds pretty good but the call that I had last year was much better in my opinion. It's made by M.A.D. calls. I don't remember the name but it was a split V type and it was super loud. Primos advertises that their calls take less air pressure to use than other calls but I found this to be false. The M.A.D. call was very easy to get a good sound out of and it was a lot more comfortable than the Primos. The Primos calls are rigid and not bendable and so they don't fit quite as well in the mouth. If you can find a M.A.D. call somewhere you might want to give it a try.

[Camoghost]

Riobuster: you are my new Turkey call/ Turkey hunting daddy! I'll take everyones advice and order a few mouth calls and a slate call and a box call! This way I figure out which one works bes5t for me. Thanks you for all your help! Smallblock: great website for a beginner! Thank you!

[Camoghost]

Sorry for my broken english, Shooter Johns post had me laughing so hard I couldn't type...

[PredatorMaster]

I use the Slate Call and Box Call for wet conditions the wet box did the trick for me.

[riobuster]

Riobuster: you are my new Turkey call/ Turkey hunting daddy! I'll take everyones advice and order a few mouth calls and a slate call and a box call! This way I figure out which one works bes5t for me. Thanks you for all your help! Smallblock: great website for a beginner! Thank you!

With those 3 calls you will be off to a great start, but you will still need a push-button call, a tube call, a gobble call, a crow call, an owl call, a coyote howler (hey you probably already have this one!!) and don't forget to make a wingbone call from a turkey you kill