Editor’s Note: This is the second installment of the online-only series “Getting Real With Your Turkey Calls.”
Regardless of which call you take afield this spring, sound quality is a must. These advanced techniques can help you produce the most realistic sound from your calls.
Box Call
To cutt on a box call, start with the lid open. Then, using only your wrist, produce a short, quick, abrupt, slightly downward stroke. Only make contact with the sounding board in the center of the paddle.
The Quaker Boy Reign box call.
Envision the paddle striking the soundboard and traveling about 1/8 inch. Then return the paddle to the open position, and repeat the motion in hen turkey rhythm.
Mouth Call
Envision your tongue as a valve that regulates air flow with a rapid opening and closing fashion. The key to putting realism in your cutting is the quickness with which you force air across the reeds.
Boss gobblers often are ornery and finicky, sometimes aggressive, but they’re always fun to tangle with and hunt. (Photo: Bill Garland, USFWS)
Many people try to create the sharpness of cutting with their lips. That is a huge misconception. You can create more realistic tone with your tongue alone. Start with your tongue on the call with enough pressure to completely seal off the air.
Next, rapidly drop your tongue off the call with a short burst of air, and then return it to the starting position.
Never let your brain outrun your tongue. Practice rhythm before speed. When you have mastered cutting at a slower pace, begin increasing the pace.
Pot Call
At the call’s sweet spot, place the striker on the calling surface at a slight angle, with the shaft leaning away from you. Apply enough pressure to keep the striker stationary while slowly using your thumb and forefinger to begin a downward motion. The striker will jump, creating the cutting note.
The right amount of pressure is key for the most realistic cutting.
To increase sharpness and volume, apply more pressure, and pull downward with a faster motion.
One critical point: Always move the striker across the conditioning lines created from side-to-side sanding. That lets the striker tip bite the calling surface, lessening the chances of it slipping.
— Scott Ellis is turkey calling champion, Prostaff Manager at WoodHaven Custom Calls, ProStaff at TRUGLO, ProStaff at Thermacell Hunting, National Prostaff at Mossy Oak, Brand Ambassador at Apex Ammunition and owner at Hunt Quest with Scott Ellis.