Using Calls to Attract Turkeys: Best Practices

Why Calling Works for Turkey Hunting

Turkeys communicate constantly—gobbling, yelping, clucking, purring, cutting, and more. When you call, you’re replicating natural hen behavior that gobblers respond to instinctively. Effective calling helps you:

• Locate distant toms at dawn or mid-morning

• Trigger gobblers to move toward your setup

• Create realistic encounters in pressured areas

• Pull satellite birds away from large groups

• Keep hung-up toms interested long enough to commit

Mastering the basics of turkey communication goes a long way toward filling tags each season.

The Main Types of Turkey Calls

1. Box Calls

Great for beginners and experts alike.

• Loud, raspy, ideal for long-distance locating

• Easy to run in windy conditions

• Perfect for striking gobblers late morning

Use slow, rhythmic yelps early; increase tempo to sound more excited when a tom responds.

2. Slate (Pot) Calls

One of the most versatile call types.

• Excellent for soft tree yelps, purrs, and clucks

• Great mid-range calling tool

• Can produce realistic hen tones with the right striker

Slate shines when birds are close or pressured.

3. Mouth (Diaphragm) Calls

The most realistic—and hardest to master.

• Hands-free calling for when a tom is close

• Perfect for subtle finishing sounds

• Great for combining excited yelps with contented clucks

Practice year-round to develop control and prevent gag reflex issues.

4. Locator Calls

Not hen calls—but essential for triggering gobbles.

• Owl calls (early morning)

• Crow calls (midday)

• Coyote howlers (anytime birds are quiet)

Locator calls help you pinpoint gobblers without giving away your setup.

Best Practices for Using Turkey Calls

1. Start Soft, Then Build

Turkeys often call quietly before sunrise. Use soft tree yelps, contented purrs, and gentle clucks at first light. If a gobbler responds aggressively, increase volume and excitement to match his energy.

2. Match the Bird’s Mood

• Hot gobbler: Use excited yelps and cuts to pull him in fast.

• Wary or pressured gobbler: Switch to soft clucks, purrs, and scratching leaves.

• Hung-up tom: Shift angles, reduce volume, or go silent—letting his curiosity take over.

3. Use Cutting to Trigger Responses

Aggressive cutting often fires up quiet toms. Mix fast, sharp notes with yelps to sound like an eager hen.

4. Stay Realistic with Cadence

Turkeys aren’t metronomes. Vary your rhythm, tone, and volume so your calling sounds like a real bird, not a rehearsed pattern.

5. Scratch in the Leaves

When turkeys are close, soft leaf scratching mimics natural feeding and adds realism to your setup.

6. Go Silent When Needed

Sometimes silence is the best call. A gobbler who knows roughly where “the hen” is will often break and come looking when you stop calling.

7. Don’t Overcall

Too many yelps can make a tom suspicious. Keep sequences short and purposeful.

Working Gobblers Effectively

When a Gobbler Responds

• Mirror his excitement

• Call just enough to keep him interested

• Avoid calling at the exact moment he gobbles

• Prepare for long pauses—toms often go quiet when approaching

When a Gobbler Hangs Up

Try one of these tactics:

• Move subtly to change the angle of sound

• Reduce your calling volume

• Throw soft purrs and clucks

• Switch to a different call to sound like a new hen

Often, changing call tone or position convinces a tom to close the final distance.

Advanced Turkey Calling Techniques

Combining Calls

Using a box or pot call to locate, then transitioning to a mouth call for the final approach, often seals the deal.

Replicating Hen Groups

Mixing different call types and tones makes it sound like multiple hens—a powerful tactic during peak breeding.

Directional Calling

Turn your head or call away from the bird to make it seem like the hen is walking.

Calling With a Partner

One hunter calls behind the shooter to pull the tom past their position for a cleaner shot.

Common Calling Mistakes to Avoid

• Calling too loud or too often

• Using locator calls when birds are already close

• Staying in one calling cadence

• Continuing to call after a tom commits

• Neglecting natural sounds like scratching or soft tree calls

Awareness and restraint often lead to more success than aggressive calling.

Essential Gear for Turkey Calling Success

• Box, slate, and mouth calls

• Multiple strikers for sound variety

• Locator call

• Chalk or conditioning kit for box/pot calls

• Face mask and gloves for concealment

• Quality decoys if hunting in open terrain

Having several call styles lets you adapt to pressure, weather, and terrain.

Planning Your Next Turkey Hunt Through Find A Hunt

Whether you're chasing Easterns in hardwood ridges, Merriam’s in open pines, Osceolas in Florida swamps, or Rio Grandes on prairie ranches, calling is at the heart of turkey hunting. If you’re ready to book a guided trip or compare turkey outfitters, check out opportunities on Find A Hunt—your trusted marketplace for planning and booking hunts nationwide.

Turkey Calling FAQs

How often should I call?
Short, realistic sequences every few minutes work best. Overcalling can push gobblers away.

Which call is best for beginners?
A box call is easiest to master and very effective at both short and long range.

Do I need a mouth call?
Not required, but it’s incredibly effective for close-range finishing.

When should I use locator calls?
Use them at dawn, midday, or anytime toms go silent to pinpoint roost or travel locations.

Can calling scare turkeys?
Yes—unnatural cadence, excessive volume, or repeated sequences can make birds wary.

If you’re ready to turn these calling tactics into a successful hunt, explore vetted turkey outfitters and DIY opportunities at Find A Hunt and start planning your next spring or fall adventure.