Tuff question!! I have had birds answer each type of call, and each works very well. Some guys stick with a box call, others strictly use mouth or "pot" calls. You will have many varied answer's to this question.
You'll have the best success with the call you learn to operate the best. They all sound like turkeys.Every one of them willhave the gobblers running toward youone day, and ignoring you the next. Find 4 or 5 calls that sound a little different and learn to use them well. You'll have the best success with all of them.
As the first two responses have said, turkeys will respond to one call one day and completely ignore the call the next. I seem to have more responses to a slate call, but that doesn't mean that it is the "best" or that it will even get a responses when you use it. Get familiar with several calls and see what works more often for you.
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Remington Model 11-87 Premier 12 Gauge
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I carry everything I can because you never know which call or tone they will respond to best. If you are ever at a place where the birds are really talking you will find some of them sound plain sorry, so don't let your skill level stop you from calling.
An old trick I have used that sometimes pays off is to mimic sound for sound as the ole boss hen. It can really piss her off and instead of pulling the Tom's away she will come to kick some arse.
I think the box is the easiest to start with, then a slate or glass, and keep working with a diaphragm call. There are some easier to use diaphragms on the market these days. Don't overlook all the push button and what I call gimmick calls because sometimes they produce a different sound the birds will respond to.
Good question!
Everyone is different!
Some people just take to certain calls. I think that with a little practice the pot, and box calls are the best. I also think that the tube call is one of the most effective calls in the woods, bar none, its just a tone they dont hear very often!
PM me if you would like me to explain it more over the phone!
Good luck in your search and let us know what you choose!
jalvia,
That is a very good point. A lot of people dont know this, but a 2 note yelp kills turkeys, and a 1 note yelp doesnt...you have to get the rollover to kill birds!!!
Like I said, PM me and Ill run a few different types of calls for you!
Martin are you asking about the actual sounds that a hen will make? If so the yelp is the most common. But all the sounds she will make are all effective in the right situation.There are different types of yelping plain yelping, soft tree yelping,lost hen yelping,also gobbler yelping can be effective.Then there is clucking and cutting and purring. And the kee kee all these sounds have there place. confused yet?
listen to jalvja, I like a slate, for the simple reason if a tom is seemingly uninterested I can mimick that with soft feeding clucks and purrs, or on the next breath an overly excited pleading sharp crisp series of yelps, or I can blow the woods away with a flydown cackle that has got many gobblers on they're feet and heading my way.
in the fall I'll take a boxcall, just produces better results for me and I have no idea why.
RR
What is the most effective hen call???????
