Time to practice calling

[Hotspotter]

Every year I kill the end of my ice-fishing season by thinking too hard about turkeys. Before you know it, i'd rather get up early and look at birds in fields than sit on a lake.

I'm heading out this year during season "A", around 7 weeks from now, so I'm thinking I will break out the calls this coming weekend. Just wondering when you guys lock yourself in the basement/garage, surround yourself with decoys, and play with every one of your calls as if it were christmas morning? I can't be the only one. Is it too early?

Joel

[setterguy]

I actually like being married, so I think I'll just keep practicing the mouth calls in the truck.

[Fall Morning Fanatic]

Setterguy,

I echo your comments exactly, If I breakout with yelp-yelp-yelp-put-put-kee-kee anywhere in Wright county my wife will do a little yelpin of her own if ya know what I mean.

However, since she works in Hennepin co. I've been lettin-um wail this last week.

[Ray Esboldt]

I've been scrathing the slate and dragging on the box for a couple weeks already. I'm about ready to break out the mouth calls. Honestly, I don't think I'm very good with any of them, but that will not stop me from practicing. I'm ready to fast forward to April.

[Captain B.R.K]

I was at Gander the other day and someone had opened a striker/slate package (honestly it wasn't me ). I was strikin' away with some yelps, clucks, purrs, and hen cacklin! I'm sure I made everyone in there wonder ...."what the heck is all that noise"!

The only thing I need to perfect is my mouth calls. I feel pretty confident in my slates and box calls.

This is the year that I get myself a turkey!

[Borch]

Well the good thing is that the real turkeys aren't impressed by championship callers. In fact some of the worst turkey calls I have ever heard came from real live wild turkeys.

Man, some of them just sound terrible!

So there's hope for us all.

[eats]

Hey Joel,

I'm heading to Cabelas tomorrow night to get me some turkey calls. Any suggestions for a first timer?

By the way...who says you can't practice your calls on the ice?

Brandon

[Hotspotter]

Eats:

Get one of everything. You won't need it all at first, but you will need it all later, so might as well take your licks now.

I'd recommend many calls, but IMO, here would be what I'd get in order of priority, that way you don't have to break the bank and get all of them:

1. Slate - stay simple; glass or slate with a wood striker, maybe a carbon or weatherproof striker if you're really into it.

2. 2-3 diaphragm calls - from different manufacturers. Get a single reed, double (or a variation of a double), and a fancy one (multiple reeds, cut). These are tough to start out with, but be patient and master these...you'll use them more than anything else. Caution: These require a large amount of practice. If you practice and still feel un-confident in your calling, you're out $10-15. Don't go out to the bar before opening day....you'll save that and more.

3. Box or push-button style call - more expensive, less versatile, but easy to use. Many people recommend these to starting turkey hunters, I tend not to. If you don't want to practice much, or don't have time, skip 1 & 2 and go to these. These calls have their time and place, and I use them several times a season.

4. Locator - not a necessity, but often very useful when trying to locate, but NOT attract birds. Crow calls are very versatile, especially during the day. Owl hooters and coyote howlers work well just before fly-down. There's all kinds of them, pick one you like and stick with it.

There's many more, but get all 4 of these, and you'll be living turkeys big-time.

Oh, and the ice fishing deal.....would be like walking and chewing gum you know? Also, I love ice-fishing, but would not disgrace turkey hunting by thinking about it on a frozen lake, possibly miles from the nearest roost tree

Joel

[TomBow]

Speakin' of Cabela's, I was there Saturday and the dudes were all cuttin' and yelpin' and the only response I could come up with was "GOBBBLLLLE-OBBBLLLL-OBBBBBBBLLLLLLE" so I KNOW it's time for the calls to "start scretchin'"!

Tip on the mouth calls: PRIMOS puts out a "Hook Series" of calls which has a plate above the reed. This helps put the reed in the right position and with gag-reflex problems that some of us have when trying to use mouth diaphragm calls. These calls are the easiest I've found to get good sounds because the call will "stick" in your mouth better. Give them a try.

Other than that, YUP, Joel's right on the money with the other call suggestions. "A season", you lucky DAWG!!

Best of Luck to all! Knock 'em dead, me brudders!

[Hotspotter]

Nice tip on the "hook" series Tombow. I've never used them, but it sounds similar to HS Strut's version with the plastic "palatte hump" above the call's latex. Couldn't find any of those this year.....and I think Primos makes quite a few quality products for turkey hunting.

Hopefully "A" doesn't bring snow/cold rain.....or an early birth!

Joel

[eats]

Well, I went to cabelas w/a buddy who claims to be a pretty good turkey hunter...we didn't find much in the way of mouth calls. We were looking for the H.S. model Joel mentioned but couldn't find it. Guess I'll look for the "Hook" series. I did pick up a Diamond Cutter(?) that I'll be using to drive everyone off my crappie hole this weekend and a slate, so I guess the ball is officially rolling. Thanks for the tips guys.

Brandon