American Wild Turkey Foundation Stamps and Membership

Calling the Wild Turkey

Using the caller:

Using the call is the easiest part of calling wild turkeys. They really are easy to
use, and with just a little practice you will be ready. The feeding call or sounds
the turkey makes while feeding is the most effective.

Turkeys talk to each other while feeding and they say things like...mmmmmm,
look at these big fat acorns I just found or mmmm put put, are these bugs and
seeds tasty this time of year. Try to make the turkey feeding sound on your
call by dragging the striker or handle slowly across the call. It's the sound of a
contented turkey. You have had lots of practice making these sounds when
you are confronted with a plate of delicious ravioli, venison steak or catfish filet.

Calls:

I like the box call, slate call or aluminum call. All three are good and sometimes
I take all three with me. When it's time to call, sometimes I use more than one
and perhaps this sounds like more than one turkey.

Calling:

In an undisturbed woods without any outside sound noise, I think that turkeys
can hear you from a 1/2 mile away. Setting yourself up in the middle of your
hunting area, perhaps your call can be heard in a 1 mile diameter area. It
seems that feeding turkeys will head your way if they do not see anything that
disturbs them. Be patient, sometimes this takes 5 or 6 hours.

Call as soon as you setup and then only once an hour after. Use your watch
to time this. I tell my hunting buddies that I will call only on a given hour and
that perhaps calls heard at other times are that of an actual turkey. Your call
should be about one a second, put--put--yelp--yelp. Be careful: Calls spaced
2 or 3 in a second is the alarm call and may send your turkey in the opposite
direction.

Blinds:

Use a blind if it is permitted in your area. Check your local game laws.
Turkeys can see movement from a great distance and trying to keep still for
hours to me, is impossible.

Sure, you can watch the chipmunks, squirrels, woodpeckers and deer, but
keep an eye on the distance for when they suddenly appear. When you first
see them, it is perhaps time to break your hour interval calling pattern.

Camo:

Wear your choice for the season and wear a face mask. My favorite one of
these is made from an old pants leg. It is warm and does not blow around in
the wind. The store bought one is light and blows around in the wind causing
an itchy nose and face.

Safety:

Camo is important but wear your blaze orange as prescribed by the hunting
laws in your area. If you are required to tie a blaze orange stripe or patch near
you, make sure that it is secure and does not blow around in the wind.

Practice:

Golfers, musicians, football players, target shooters and the like, spend ample
time at practice. We all hear about the hunter who just walks into the woods
and shoots a turkey but this is inconsistent at best. If you want a turkey every
year, practicing the basics is the way to go.

Preseason scouting:

Look for food like acorns, wild grapes, seeds, grains, and also water,
scratchings and droppings. Ask the farmer, game warden or sporting goods
dealer and maybe they will tell you about a good spot.

GOOD LUCK!