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Let’s delve into the fascinating world of turkey hunting! Whether you are a fan of the traditional box call or the more challenging mouth call, or perhaps you prefer using both, mastering the art of turkey communication is an exciting journey.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll share expert insights into making the right turkey calls that will make your hunting escapades more successful and enjoyable.
Master the Art of Box Calls for Wild Turkey Hunting
Box calls are an excellent starting point for beginners and a trusted tool for experienced hunters. A box call is essentially a rectangular wooden box fitted with a flat, paddle-shaped lid. The lid is manipulated back and forth, scraping across the box’s opening and resonating to mimic turkey-like sounds.
Controlling the rhythm and variations of these calls is achieved by regulating the paddle’s movement. The significant upside of the box call is its user-friendliness compared to mouth calls. However, a minor setback may be the need to use your hands, potentially alerting the keen-eyed turkeys to your movements.
Recommended Box Call: ESH All-Weather Turkey Box Call
Unleash the Power of Mouth Calls for Wild Turkey Hunting
Mouth calls, despite being trickier to master, can offer a hands-free operation and a broader range of turkey sounds. This device resembles a horseshoe, with a reed or latex diaphragm stretched across its middle. Once it’s positioned at the roof of your mouth, your breath and tongue movements can generate a multitude of clucks, gobbles, and cries.
Although mastering mouth calls may initially be challenging, and having an object in your mouth may feel somewhat uncomfortable, the versatility of sounds you can create is incomparable.
Crafting the Perfect Wild Turkey Calls
Remember, turkeys do more than just gobble. They cluck, cry, purr, and produce a myriad of other sounds, each with unique meanings. To master the turkey lingo, there’s no better way than immersing yourself in the woods, observing, and listening to the turkeys.
If that’s not feasible, leaning on the wisdom of a seasoned hunter or studying recorded turkey sounds is also beneficial. You’ll find a fantastic collection of recorded turkey calls at the National Wild Turkey Federation, along with detailed interpretations of each sound.
Combining Calls and Natural Sounds for a Wild Turkey Symphony
Innovative hunters often use a mix of both box and mouth calls to simulate the presence of more birds, luring in the wild turkeys. You can even amplify this effect by brushing a turkey hen wing against a tree or your leg, mimicking her movements and attracting other birds.
Avoiding Detractors: Noise and Reflective Surfaces
While mastering the right calls is critical, it’s equally important to avoid alarming the turkeys. Any inappropriate noise or sunlight reflecting off your gear could send these birds scampering away.
Remember, these birds have highly developed senses, and maintaining their obliviousness to predators requires tact and skill.
Honing Your Turkey Hunting Skills
Successful turkey hunting isn’t just about the right equipment and calls. It involves mastering the delicate art of patient waiting, accurate shooting, and skillful calling. At times, despite your best efforts, the turkeys may remain elusive or crowd together in a way that prevents a clear shot.
But don’t lose heart. As you refine these skills and understand the nuances of turkey behavior, you’ll find your hunting experiences enriched, and you’ll be rewarded with more than just a grand feast or a beautiful trophy.
Your journey through the wild will become a captivating story to tell, a testament to your connection with nature.
