Turkey call, easiest to learn
 

I'm wanting to get back into Turkey hunting, and thought giving calls a try again. Reed calls are most likely out, as I just can't get them to go in my mouth. Spent a good amount of time trying to learn this method, as I'm a bow hunter & it seemed the best way for that sort of set up. But, it ain't happening!

Kinda leaning towards the box call, but not sure. Any insight would be great...

You cant go wrong with a good slate call. The diaphram would be better for bow hunting, but the slate can produce almost every call needed to bring him in for a shot. Box call's good but I think you will have bettter results with the stale. JMI

i hate mouth calls,
makes me gag every time,
i know the benefits of them, hands free, last minute clucks and such,
but i soley use slate,
if its an issue of fit, try trimming the mouth call,
if its a matter of gag reflex, no amount of trimming will solve that,
i would go with slate,

The older i get the more they make me gag, I have to take it out from time to time. But i rely on my mouth call religiously.

A Box call or a Pot or Slate call are the easiest to master in the shortest amount of time if you practice.

Go to the Turkey Tip subforum above. Lots of good reading on How too's there

JW

I don't gag, I just can't make any good sounds out of my mouth calls.

if your not gagging,
i would keep practicing,
figure out what your doing wrong,
it is a little tricky to figure out, but once you get the right technique,
should be worth it,
maybe look up some how to's on you tube,
could be size/placement, or could be breathing, getting that exhale right

I wasn't able to learn to use a diaphragm for a long time. Couple years ago, I left a few in my truck and would play with them everyday when I was on my way to work. One day, something just clicked and now I can use them. I actually prefer them, primarily used box calls before, but they still make me gag after a while.

I don't gag, I just can't make any good sounds out of my mouth calls.

It ain't clicked for me yet!

Just as others have said, the slate friction call is a pretty easy call to learn on. You can learn a few basic calls in relatively short amount of time. Don't give up on the diaphragm call. In my opinion, a slate or ceramic surface pot call is more forgiving for the beginner compared to a glass or crystal surface. Have fun.

Your post stuck in my craw all day long, so I finally picked up my 2 calls this evening. My daugher laughed at me as I was drooling & all I did was change the shape of my tongue & presto, I got a turkey sound.

Brilliant, I actually got both to work for the first time. Been dialing in a basic sound for a hour or so now. I'm finding that setting it back farther in my mouth helps. Funny, I've drooled for ever with this this in my mouth, got tapes I've studied, youtube tutorials I've studied and tried, just about everything & finally gave up after a couple years it seems.

Well, I'm going to give it some work & see if it does the job. To be safe, I'm ordering a slate call too. I'll learn that & have a couple of options come spring turkey season.

Thanks guys...Kevin

Congratulations. It's hard to explain how to use a diaphragm -- just got to get the feel for it.

Congrats to you. Sorry to your family. Just kidding. I know when I first tried to learn the mouth call I just about drove my wife crazy. Now I only practice at work or in the car. Keep at it.

The slate (or pot) call as the easiest to learn to use well enough to kill turkeys. Mastering one takes practice.

There's a bunch of different surfaces out there. A good one to begin with is real slate or one of the ceramic-type surfaces (like K & H's "sla-tek" for example). Another surface that's good is crystal. The Drurys have a "power crystal" that works very very well.

Don't worry about calls made from exotic hardwoods and surfaces. They're just as likely to not work as work, it changes from one day to the next in the turkey woods. Many turkeys are and will be killed with off the shelf calls.

And, one final piece of advice. When you find one that works well for you, buy 2-3 for reserve. Call companies have an annoying habit of discontinuing calls and releasing "new & improved" versions that aren't alwyas improved.

By far the easiest call to master is the push button call. I also agree the slate is easy to master as well. I use my slate and mouth calls. Once you get the hang of your mouth call its the best for hands free calling. If you can use a blind when bowhunting. you will be able to move more without getting busted. As for box calls, Im terrible at using them.

Easiest;

push button
box
slate
mouth

All good; if you know how & when to use one !

I'm good with calls, but I'm really so bad with hunting.

I am new as well, and think I will go with a box call. How does it work as far as needing your hands? You can only call when they are far off, and then you put the call down and raise the gun when they come in close?