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Member No.: 2268
Joined: December 14, 2012
This will be my first year hunting turkey. I have a blind and decoys but need to buy some calls, being a beginner and very little time to practice mouth calls, what would you guys suggest for basic calls for beginners?
Group: Members
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Member No.: 10255
Joined: December 29, 2015
The easiest to get down is a push button call. Box calls are also very useful and are nice and loud. My personal favourite is the slate call as it's versatile and I find to be very realistic. With a slate call extra attention needs to be paid to the condition of the slate and the weather that may affect it(rain, high humidity days, dew, or even snow) I swear by my pot and peg calls with slate being my favourite but always have had a use for my steel, glass and crystal versions of the call. Don't break the bank but buy a couple different calls and see what you like to use and most of all what the turkeys want to hear. You don't need to be a perfect caller, just get the cadences down and with time you'll develop your own sequences and how to adapt your calls to the time of season as well as pressure.
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Member No.: 98
Joined: February 11, 2011
ORH has it right. I have two Primos slate calls which are my go to, out of about 15 I have. Also the box calls are great to reach way out there if softer slate calls don't get a response. Hung up toms can be tempted in with a jake call, but be careful. Would not use one on public land. Have fun and good luck.
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Member No.: 656
Joined: April 23, 2011
Could never use a mouth call gag too much. Got 2 box calls one for dry condition the other for wet. use them for long range use. Closer in use a few pot calls slate strapped to the leg for one hand soft calling to close the deal the others are hand held glass or copper. Have a couple of friction calls however would recommend not buying them really don't use them that often. Only time if I want to simulate a hen fight. ....or you could just invite someone to call for you
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Member No.: 10129
Joined: November 12, 2015
You've asked a great question and one we all struggle with when first starting out chasing gobblers. I think the first thing that struck me about hunting these birds was all the "stuff" you can spend your money on. If you think fishermen suffer from "tackle addiction", get ready for the turkey retail industry! Not only the variety, but the huge range in prices as well. I agree with the box call for your "calling card"; several offer various wood combinations (eg. as a "4 in 1" call) to practise different birds calling. And for your first year, a "push pin" call (various brand names here) for the softer variety of calls; this will reduce movement when calling, which is a deal breaker. The other thing that may help with the budget is to save your receipt. Often your calls/purchases will go on sale later in the season and you can get the sale price matched. Just an opinion here, and surely not a prescription! Good luck on your first season.
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Member No.: 9447
Joined: April 25, 2015
For the most part I think push button calls are junk. 2 box calls and a slate or 2 is a good start and some mouth calls to practice on. It does take some work to get good but when you do they are my go to.
Turkey Calls for Beginners
