What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

I`m not new to hunting but have never hunted turkeys and will start this spring with my boys. Question is, what combo. of calls would be good starter set? Can you get by with one call or should you have three or four?

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

Actually, I would recommend you pick one and concentrate on it. Better to be well versed in one than to have a variety that you can't use for crap. I would suggest a box or slate call to start. Much less of a learning curve than a mouth call.

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

They have the push button calls that are very easy to use. I would say the slate is next. Practice Practice Practice...

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

Exactly! I have a friend that bought one of those "Tom Coffin" push button calls and the first time I saw it I was like, "WTF is that thing?!" Well, after hearing it I must say I was impressed! It makes some of the best purrs that you'll hear from a plastic call. I'd all but guarantee that if someone used one to purr and scratched some leaves now and then that a bird would come in.

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

I would say a push button call would be the best to start out with

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

Slate call is a good place to start

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

One's that have not been in someone Else's mouth:D

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

hahahahahahaha lmao

Heck no you dont want that. [:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(][:'(]

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

A push button would be the easiest to start out with, but the volume is usually not very loud. If you are hunting on a windy day, even though turkeys hear extremely well, he may not respond to your call. This is where a box call may come in handy. I would try both. They are both easier to use than a slate or mouth call for a beginner. I have tried to teach a couple of guys to use a mouth call and they still can't get it. I would buy a couple of mouth calls though and practice.Mouth calls are just about the only call I use. I have a couple of slate-pot calls I like to mix in too. Just remember, you don't have to have something expensive or fancy to call in a turkey, you just need to know when to call and when not to. That will come with experience. A box or push call will work just fine for you.

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

Thanks for the help! I`m trying turkeys for my boys, ages are 12, twins are 10 and the up and coming 5 yr old! If I can call maybe they can get a shot. I will watch this thread for added help. We are right in the middle of turkey heaven here. During deer season we watched one flock (over 200 birds) come in almost every evening in a corn stubble field. Lots of water, feed,big and thinning timber.

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

box call is probably the easiest to make realistic sounding, then a slate
id try both

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

I would try a slate first, as well.Try a couple different strikers until you find one you like.

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

My first call was a box call. If I were you, I would start out with a quaker boy box call, or maybe a primos freak.

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

From my experience knowing the travel patterns and routines of your local turkeys is more important than what call to use. I killed birds before without having to make a single call. But having a push button call handy just in case you need to bring closer would be a definite plus. Also, the suggestion of scratching the leaves is a great tip.

PS Can you believe the Giants just scored!!!

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

Trying not to change the subject here... but I just busted out laughing when the Giants scored. Who would've thought... the Giants just won the Super Bowl 42!

Anyways, I pretty much use my glass for everything. Sometimes when I run and gun I'll bring my Hute Tube and a crow call.

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

I would start with a push-button call, then keep adding different calls as you get more experienced at calling. Pesonally, I carry 10 mouth calls, 2 slates, 3 strikers, a gobble tube, an owl hoot and a coyote howl. I use all different kids of calls throughout the day, depending on how the birds respond.

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

I think most people can become reasonably proficient on a box, push button and slate in fairly short order. Once you have them down I would find a couple different strikers that sound good on the slate, each one with a slightly different sound. Now with a box, push button, and a slate with say 3 strikers, you can in theory sound like 5 different hens. From one day to the next one sound might work better then an other so I like to have a lot of options. I would also get at least one locator call (crow, owl, peacock, etc). Once you have those friction calls down pat I would give mouth calls a try. Some people really take to them and are really good at them. They have a much steeper learning curve and I still kinda stink on them, but if you can learn to just do a simple series of clucks you will be sitting pretty. You can use the friction calls to that tom headed your way, and once he is committed you probably wont have to call much more. If he does hang up, or you need to get him to put his head up you can give him a couple clucks on that mouth call. That way you wont have to move and you can have both hands on your gun or bow.

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

Thanks!!!!!!! Lots of great info. Even a 44 yr old has lots to learn and my boys thank you also! We will keep watching and reading thru the site.

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

I would practice on onecall. A slate call would be my advice.

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

Push Button Call for the begginer is great but the slate tp friction is very easy to learn an will produce most the calls you need to hunt a turkey with

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

what is a locator call and when should you use it?

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

a locator call is a call that is used to get a bird to "shock gobble." Oftentimes it is a loud, non-turkey, call. Some popular ones are owl, crow, peacock, coyote, and hawk. The theory is that a turkey will gobble at a loud, sudden noise (kinda like a dog howling at a fire whistle). Sometimes when those toms are being real quiet and wont answer any of your calls, you can get them to give away their position by using a locator call. I carry a crow call and an owl hooter, but I primarily use the crow call.

RE: What turkey calls are best for a first time hunter?
 

Any call that you spend the time and practice is a good call. Some are easier to use that others, but one never knows which call that boss bird might answer on any given day and it may not be the type of call that has worked best in the past.

Learn to make proper calls with good rythme. You do not have to be perfect or a calling champion to sucessfully call turkeys.

Sometime hunters put to much on the calling. Often a few calls just loud enough for the gobble to hear you will bring him in to range.

Remember when you make that call the bird knowns excally where the call came from....and be aware they often come without gobbling.
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