There are many factors in picking the right turkey call for a beginner. While there is no perfect equation for picking the right one, the brand, style, tone, rasp, movement, and ease of use of your first turkey call matters. Turkey season in the Southeast is almost as popular as whitetail hunting, so if you frequent the hunting fields for turkeys, you know that one of the most important things in a hunter’s arsenal is having the best turkey call for the right situation.
The market is flooded with different types of turkey calls, superior and inferior brands, prices, and functions. Novice turkey hunters should learn what works best for them and what doesn’t. Here are a few important tips to keep in mind if you are looking for the best turkey call for beginners near Mississippi or Alabama.
Ease of Use
One of the most important aspects of acquiring the best turkey call for your type of hunting is finding one that is easy to learn to use. Some calls, like the diaphragm calls, take lots of practice and are not ideal for beginners; however, when used correctly, a diaphragm call will have a more diverse range of calls.
There are quite a few different types of turkey calls including:
- Long Box Call
- Slate Call
- Diaphragm Call
- Push-Button Call
To determine which one is best, try a few different ones to find the one that fits your specific needs and abilities. Make sure that ease of use doesn’t mean sacrificing quality of sound. Turkeys that live in different areas react differently to higher or lower sounds, so depending on your hunting region, this could also be a factor in choosing your preferred call.
Sound
The pitch of a turkey call can be different among the same style and brand. Each call is unique, so a beginner should find a call that covers the widest range of calls and pitches available. Eventually, most turkey hunters rely on several calls, but before you buy multiple products, try to find one that covers many calls first. Over time, you can build up your arsenal.
An important part of a turkey call is how realistic it sounds; most seasoned turkey hunters will say that learning to make your calls realistic is the key to success. Raspiness refers to the vibration you can hear in the lower tones of the call and is necessary for calling in turkeys. Listen to how the turkeys sound when you are hunting, and practice on your call by mixing in yelps or cutting with a yelp then gobble. It will be worth the effort!
Other important aspects of sound include:
- Learning how to control the loudness
- Having a call that reaches far out from where you are hunting
- Adjusting the sound as soon as turkeys move closer in
Movement
Different turkey calls require different movements and techniques. A long box call is great for beginners because it requires a bit of movement and is easier to master than others. As you may know, turkeys have great eyesight which makes calls that require movement harder to pull off as they approach. The long box requires movement from your hands to make any sound at all, so it’s best when used from a distance – unless you can hide your movements.
Another thing to consider when researching turkey calls that require hand movement is that you will eventually have to switch to the gun. While a novice hunter might not think it to be very difficult, a seasoned hunter will tell you that turkeys are actually fast and very easily startled. Once they sense danger, they are gone. Turkeys move through brush by putting their heads down and running underneath the thick branches, which means they are out of sight and the chance is over.
5 Best Turkey Calls for Beginners
1. Primos Wet Box Friction
Primos is one of the most trusted brands in the field. This particular call makes sounds by opening and closing the top. The wood rubs against each other to create the sounds of turkeys. The reason it is called a wet box is because it can be used wet or dry, making this particular call water-proof which can be very important in some situations.
Box calls are some of the easiest to use. It requires no chalk; scuff up the mating surfaces with a Brillo pad, and you will be calling them to you in no time. This call is great for chirps, clucks, purrs, and gobbles. The only downside is that once the finish wears off, you’ll need to repurchase it.
2. Hook’s Harrison Hoot’n Stick Owl Call
Owl calls can be a versatile way to make a turkey shock gobble. This call combines everything you want in a locator call. It’s durable, easy to use, and produces super realistic owl sounds. This call is hand-made and personally tuned by James Harrison; it contains a full range of barred owl vocabulary. The only catch is that Hook only makes 50 of these per year.
3. Primos The Gobbler Shaker Call
The price of the Primos Gobbler Shaker Call is very pleasing for the quality. This call is designed for locating and challenging gobblers. It’s easy-to-use, made with high quality lasting polymer rubber, and will withstand all weather situations. Use either one-handed for jake gobbling, or two-handed operations for adult gobbling. It also comes with a patented silencer cap for those unwanted sounds that might scare your next kill. Hunters as young as 6 years old can use this shaker and call them in! They’re great for novice or experienced hunters; the only downside is that use requires substantial movement, so this call is not as effective in close-range situations.
4. H.S. Strut Push Button Yelper Call
The H.S. Strut Push Button Yelper Call is a great push-button box call for close range purrs and clucks, and the natural walnut keeps the tones as organic as possible. This call is designed for beginners as well as seasoned experts. It only takes one hand to operate which can be the difference between bagging a turkey and going home empty. While a little more expensive than the Primos Gobbler Shaker, the price is affordable. The only downside is that it isn’t waterproof.
5. Hook’s Custom Calls: The Assassin Box
You can use the Hook’s Assassin in almost any situation, from toned-down tree yelps to loud, pleading yelps, or midday cut-and-run sessions. The best thing about the Assassin Box is that it requires minimal practice, and the wood on the lid has the right amount of weight to clearly yelp when you drag it across the frame. It’s easy-to-use for beginners and has a broad range of volume. The only downside is that it’s a one sided call and some may prefer two-sided boxes.
Best Turkey Calls in 2022 | Big Beard Bounty | Southeast Turkey Hunt | Dothan, AL | Meridian, MS
There’s no magic when it comes to the best turkey calls, and it’s true that practice is the only thing that makes a real difference. While it’s great to have a go-to-call, you will eventually want multiple, proficient ones for a variety of reasons. There may be days when gobblers don’t budge at a raspy hen call but come running to a crisp box yelp, so it’s best to have options. Just get out there, practice with your selection, and don’t get hung up on the rest. To learn more or enter to win, reach out to Big Beard Bounty today.
