As the weather starts showing some promise of warming up after a long winter, spring turkey hunting is something that is first to come to our minds. Turkey hunting has many challenging aspects like entering your hunting spot undetected, playing the wind, concealing your image with the proper camouflage, and engaging in the proper calling techniques to effectively lure them in to your position. Turkey calling is an essential skill for any hunter looking to lure in a gobbler. Wild turkeys are incredibly wary creatures with keen eyesight and an acute sense of survival, making calling an art that requires patience, practice, and an understanding of different vocalizations. Using the right call at the right time can be the difference between a successful hunt and an empty tag. In this article, we will break down five key turkey calls, explaining what they are, when to use them, and how turkeys may respond.

Yelp

The yelp is the most fundamental turkey call, a series of evenly spaced vocalizations used primarily by hens to communicate with toms or gobblers and other turkeys in the flock. It often sounds like "yawk, yawk, yawk." This call is effective throughout the entire spring and fall hunting seasons and is useful at any time of day, particularly in the morning to locate birds and in the evening to draw in stragglers. The easiest way to produce a yelp is by using a diaphragm call, which allows for a natural sound but requires practice. A slate or pot call with a striker can create smooth, controlled yelps, while a box call is excellent for producing loud, attention-grabbing yelps that carry over long distances. Gobblers will often respond to a yelp with a gobble, allowing hunters to locate them. Hens may also yelp in return, giving clues about flock positioning. A series of excited yelps can make a gobbler think a hen is eager to breed, increasing his likelihood of approaching.

Cluck

A cluck is a short, single or double-note sound turkeys make as a form of reassurance or a way to get attention from other turkeys. It sounds like a sharp "puck" or "put". This call is effective all season but particularly useful during mid-season when turkeys are cautious. It is great for mid-morning and midday setups when gobblers are already on the ground and looking for hens. To produce a cluck, a diaphragm call can create a soft cluck with light pressure, while slate and box calls are excellent tools for natural clucks. A gobbler may cluck in response, indicating he is nearby but wary. If followed with yelps, it can create a convincing illusion of a content hen, however, too many clucks, especially when loud, can spook turkeys, as they sometimes associate rapid clucking with alarm.

Whine

The whine is a subtle, drawn-out vocalization that hens use to communicate with the members of their flock. It’s a soft, almost whimpering sound. This call is primarily used in the spring during breeding season and is most effective in the morning or during lulls when turkeys are being quiet. The best way to produce a whine is by using a diaphragm call with light air pressure. A pot call can also be used by dragging the striker lightly across the surface. A gobbler may approach out of curiosity, especially if the call is used sparingly. Soft whines can calm a flock, making them feel secure and comfortable in an area.

Cut

Cutting is a series of fast, loud clucks strung together, usually by an excited hen. It signals urgency and sometimes even aggression. This call is best used in the spring when hens are actively seeking toms and is most effective in the early mornings when hens are most vocal or midday when trying to spark interest in a silent tom. To produce cutting sounds, diaphragm calls can create realistic cutting sequences with rapid tongue pressure, while box calls are great for aggressive cutting that carries long distances. Gobblers can get fired up and gobble aggressively in response, while nearby hens may also respond. This can either work to a hunter’s advantage by attracting a gobbler or cause him to follow the hens instead.

Purr

A purr is a soft, rolling call that indicates contentment. It's often heard when turkeys are feeding or relaxing. This call works all season but is particularly effective when turkeys are hesitant. It is most useful in mid-morning and afternoon when gobblers are feeding and less vocal. The easiest way to produce a purr is by using a slate or pot call, dragging the striker lightly to create a smooth, rolling sound. Mouth calls can also create soft purrs with controlled airflow. Purring can reassure nervous gobblers, making them more likely to commit to a setup. It creates a natural atmosphere that helps sell a calling sequence and makes the area feel safer for approaching turkeys.

Using these calls together is the key to fooling sharp-witted turkeys. A realistic calling sequence might start with soft yelps and clucks to gauge a gobbler’s interest. If a tom responds enthusiastically, cutting can escalate the excitement. Mixing in purrs and soft clucks can seal the deal, making the gobbler believe a hen is nearby and at ease.

Turkeys are incredibly smart and have an uncanny ability to distinguish between natural and artificial sounds. Mastering these calls requires practice, listening to real turkey sounds, and learning when to call, but more importantly, when to stay silent. By developing realistic sequences and understanding turkey behavior, you’ll drastically improve your chances of success in the field. Whether you’re a seasoned turkey hunter or just getting started, refining your calling skills can elevate your hunting game and provide a thrilling challenge.

This information has been brought to you in thanks from Korth Group Ltd. - Outdoor Education.

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