Diaphram Call Question

[asonofgod]

I've been practicing with my diaphram calls about 5 days a week for about four months. I've seen hunting shows where, when using a diaphram call the caller will put their hand(s) up by their mouth, what purpose does this serve? Perhaps I'm missing something, but with as many cds and dvds and web sites I've gone to trying to perfect my calling, no one has mentioned why some people do this... Is it simply somethign to do with the microphone they use on the TV shows?

Sorry if this is a dumb question, thanks for being patient with me... again.

[zubba]

I think one main reason for this is to help control the direction of the call. For example, if a gobbler is coming in and you want you call to sound like the hen is walking away, the caller may muffle the sound or cover his mouth in the direction of the gobbler to represent this. Or when trying to locate a gobbler or calling to long range gobbler, the caller my cover the side of his mouth opposite of bird to try to get most of sound waves to go toward the gobbler....therefore being louder.

[SwampCollie]

Direction has a bit to do with it. But it also depends on exactly what call you are doing. For example, to do a "proper" kee kee (this is really more a calling judges than turkeys thing, but both apply), you need to get a nice whistle sound, rather than just the high sqeak that you will get reading the directions on the package. That squeak will in fact call turkeys in, but it won't win you any contests. So, some folks, who do call in contests and practice a heck of a lot for them, just do things the same all the time.

Also, depending on the call, you may want to get a certain pitch. Some calls only call in one pitch and one volume. So using your hands can control the volume, and at times the pitch as well.

The hands method is great for when the turkeys aren't around, but trying covering your mouth with your hands and shooting one at the same time if you want a challenge....can't be done!

[asonofgod]

Thanks a lot everyone for clearing that up for me.

[GobblerTracker]

The reason for using your hand as you call is to keep the gobbler from pinpointing you, he knows there is a hen near you.
As you call you are changing the direction of the hen he hears. Left hand up( right angle)hen is going right, right hand up (left angel ) hen is going left. Hand up but pointed ahead of you hen is not moving. You can make her walk around ( normal as they eat and move)or walk away( as you soften your calling)witch can be effective.
Hope this helps H.S. Strutt talks about this in one of their videos they also have a good one or two on beginner mouth calling.