Mouth Calls

[Gobble Doc]

I have just had some new mouth calls delivered this past week.  I have a long commute so I'm getting in plenty of practice in the truck every morning.

So do most of you guys use the calls just as they are out of the package?  Or, do many of you cut down or modify?  I took the scissors to one of mine and I really like the change. 

[PA BEN]

I try to find one right out of the package. Learn to do cutting calls w/it, drives the Toms nuts, also it will piss off a hen sometimes and bring hen in w/a tom in tow. I always have one in while working a tom, do two different call at the same time, one w/the mouth and a hand call. Work them with the mouth call when you can't move.

[turkeydancer]

I just use them straight out of the package.  Also get a lot of practice driving to and from work, play, etc.

[Butchmeathook]

I've had the same mouth calls since I started hunting with my Dad years ago.  What is the best call to use nowadays?  Thank you!!

[turkeydancer]

Turkeys go thru moods just like us, so it depends on the mood of the turkeys .... somedays they like rock and roll, the next day country and western, the next classical .... just like fishing with various lures, find out what they're biting on and keep feeding it to them. 

I usually start out with soft purrs, clucks, yelps ... you can always get louder with yelps and excited cutting.  Gage their temperature.   I also will soften it up and call less frequently as they are coming in closer ...   add realism by raking leaves with your hand, beating your hat against your leg occasionally, etc.

Jason Phelps makes some great mouth and pot/peg calls if you ever need some new ones.

Bottom line is that the best call is the one that allows you to give a piggy-back ride to a big tom back to your cooler/truck.   

[Butchmeathook]

Thanks T-Dancer!!!!

[Gobble Doc]

I just got my Jason Phelps calls in the mail and they look sweet.  Can't wait to try one out on something other than my family.   

[turkeyfeather]

I trim mine down to fit better. Reminds me I need to get some new ones ordered.

[dmv9]

I just ordered the 6 pack from Phelps as well!

[djnoodle]

I just picked up an HS Strut Double D diaphragm call from Cabelas. Let's just say I need some practice. And maybe I need to trim it down, but I am worried that it would be harder to keep in place if it is smaller.

Honestly, I am so bad at it that if I blew on this thing and a Tom walked out, I would probably choke to death on the call when I went into shock! 

I am however, a natural with the striker call. It must be the easier type to work.

[rittem1]

I just picked up an HS Strut Double D diaphragm call from Cabelas. Let's just say I need some practice. And maybe I need to trim it down, but I am worried that it would be harder to keep in place if it is smaller.

Honestly, I am so bad at it that if I blew on this thing and a Tom walked out, I would probably choke to death on the call when I went into shock! 

I am however, a natural with the striker call. It must be the easier type to work.

DJ, you'll be amazed at how quickly you'll improve with some extra time. I highly rec some youtube vids to help along the way, specifically Scott Ellis. I couldn't make a sound the first day but now I love using it. Hands free is a great bonus, too. Stick with it.

[Gobble Doc]

DJ

Keep practicing a little each day.  You will discover you can make lots of sounds.  Maybe start with yelps first.  I cant wait to try a little more calling diversity this year.

[Deer slayer]

The practicing and learning to make the different sounds will become addicting. I remember sitting there just trying to make a sound. Then after that it was what can I do now. I would say at first just make some sounds and then start working on sounding like a turkey.

[PA BEN]

I just picked up an HS Strut Double D diaphragm call from Cabelas. Let's just say I need some practice. And maybe I need to trim it down, but I am worried that it would be harder to keep in place if it is smaller.

Honestly, I am so bad at it that if I blew on this thing and a Tom walked out, I would probably choke to death on the call when I went into shock! 

I am however, a natural with the striker call. It must be the easier type to work.

They do break in over time w/use. A new one doesn't work as well right out of the package.

[djnoodle]

I am actually starting to get a bit better. Perhaps it is breaking in a bit. And I am also getting used to it. It doesn't feel like I am about to swallow it anymore either. Also, the Scott Ellis YouTube videos are really great help.

I cannot wait until the Cabelas class this coming weekend. I love learning about these calls

[jblackburn]

depends on the tape style, some of the call makers use a really wide tape and I have to cut them down a lot on the sides.  I work with a call company out of Oklahoma and our calls are 1/8 inch narrower than most calls, doesn't sound like much, but I can feel the difference.

[JPhelps]

I can make calls on three different frame sizes (small, medium and Large).  Large seems to be the industry standard for turkey calls but my medium frame fits people better and is becoming a very good seller with good reviews.

I can also tailor the cuts, overhangs and latex selection to make the calls as clean or as raspy as you want.

[djnoodle]

I continue to improve with the mouth call. After Turkeydancer's class, I really improved my calls overall, but my best calls are all coming from my slate call.

As far as the diaphragm call, I am able to cluck and yelp with the diaphragm, but my sounds are a bit too 'loose' or 'uncontrolled'. I cannot and may not ever be able to purr with the diaphragm. I have never been able to roll my Rs.

How can I tighten up my clucks and yelps?

[jblackburn]

I continue to improve with the mouth call. After Turkeydancer's class, I really improved my calls overall, but my best calls are all coming from my slate call.

As far as the diaphragm call, I am able to cluck and yelp with the diaphragm, but my sounds are a bit too 'loose' or 'uncontrolled'. I cannot and may not ever be able to purr with the diaphragm. I have never been able to roll my Rs.

How can I tighten up my clucks and yelps?

Try increasing tongue pressure and using a bit less air. I'm not sure if what I am about to type will make sense, but I'll try.  Instead blowing a short burst of air with your upper chest and mouth, do more of a quick huff from down in your belly.  This will give a more natural sound.  Also, I keep my lips shut and let the air pressure open them for the short cluck sound.

As far as purring, it is tough to get it right and I still don't have it the way I want it and I learned how to use a mouth call in 1998!  A lot has to do with the type of call, too.

This is one of the best videos for purring I have found: Purring on a mouth call

Joe is a call builder and competition caller from California.

[JPhelps]

I continue to improve with the mouth call. After Turkeydancer's class, I really improved my calls overall, but my best calls are all coming from my slate call.

As far as the diaphragm call, I am able to cluck and yelp with the diaphragm, but my sounds are a bit too 'loose' or 'uncontrolled'. I cannot and may not ever be able to purr with the diaphragm. I have never been able to roll my Rs.

How can I tighten up my clucks and yelps?

Tighten up (flex your tongue) a little more, pull in your cheeks and more of a pop or drop off of the diaphragm.

A loose yelp is usally because you are relaxing your tongue and mouth. This also makes the sound chamber (your mouth) larger and sound looser.

[turkeydancer]

Keep in mind that the worst caller I ever heard was a live hen ... it's a given that live hens would never win a calling contest, but amazingly they still get their "man" !

They all have different voices so don't worry to much about that either, but they all have that same turkey rythmn .... make sure you learn and use that same rythmn.

As mentioned you don't have to blow real hard ... just huff some air from your diaphragm.

Practice ... practice ... practice ... confidence in your calling is a key and that comes with practice and finding that the toms will respond to your calling ....  heck, they respond to those lousy live hen calls.

[Gobble Doc]

I really recommend getting the 6 pack of calls from Jason.  This is the first year I've really been giving the mouth calls some serious practice and it has been great being able to try out a variety of different styles.  I have found some much easier to yelp with and others easier to make other calls with.  For instance, the green colored call seems to work well for me to do the higher pitch call with.  Another thing that I like is that I have a Primos CD where they teach you how to make calls.  You can sit and listen to someone else and then try to imitate the call.  Practice makes a big big difference. 

[djnoodle]

Practice ... practice ... practice ... confidence in your calling is a key and that comes with practice and finding that the toms will respond to your calling ....  heck, they respond to those lousy live hen calls.

turkeydsncer, did you get me emails or PM? I am starting to feel like a nuisance. The email that you sent me did not have the attachment on it.

[turkeydancer]

Jeff:

Not a nuisance ... don't know what happened the first time - resent a second time from home after your PM ... sent a third time this morning from work ... we'll keep trying until we get it right ... sort of like turkey hunting .... let me know if you get it or don't.

Al

[djnoodle]

Got it this morning. I guess third time was the ticket. Let's hope that I can bag a bird in less attempts than that. 

[PA BEN]

I just picked up some new Diaphragm calls at Wal-Mart. they are H S Strut Premium Flex 4 Diaphragms, in a 4 pack. They are big and soft, they seal nice to the roof of my mouth.  I've been using mouth calls for 24 years now and these are the easiest mouth calls to use. I've tried them all. I've lost 4 teeth in the top of my mouth and haven't found a call that I can be consistent with. Cutts, putts, purrs, yelps it does them all.       

[BOWHUNTER45]

I am not sure how many of you tried Jason Phelps calls but if you have not you are seriously missing out .... Here is a new call from Phelps but I have to tell you I have a few more that may sound better once I get them broken in ...I think he has one that makes a purr like I never heard ...I will post that one if anyone cares . https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200785064107797&l=4943338790694830730

[PA BEN]

I am not sure how many of you tried Jason Phelps calls but if you have not you are seriously missing out ....

I started using HS mouth calls back in 89 for elk, and turkeys in 91, and have tried a lot of different brands. I've tried the style of those Phelps call, (Not his) some work and some don't. I quite buying them because of my teeth problem, I saw these yesterday and picked them up. They work great right out of the package. Plus I got 4 calls for the price of one of his calls. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

I continue to improve with the mouth call. After Turkeydancer's class, I really improved my calls overall, but my best calls are all coming from my slate call.

As far as the diaphragm call, I am able to cluck and yelp with the diaphragm, but my sounds are a bit too 'loose' or 'uncontrolled'. I cannot and may not ever be able to purr with the diaphragm. I have never been able to roll my Rs.

How can I tighten up my clucks and yelps?

Try increasing tongue pressure and using a bit less air. I'm not sure if what I am about to type will make sense, but I'll try.  Instead blowing a short burst of air with your upper chest and mouth, do more of a quick huff from down in your belly.  This will give a more natural sound.  Also, I keep my lips shut and let the air pressure open them for the short cluck sound.

As far as purring, it is tough to get it right and I still don't have it the way I want it and I learned how to use a mouth call in 1998!  A lot has to do with the type of call, too.

This is one of the best videos for purring I have found: Purring on a mouth call

Joe is a call builder and competition caller from California.

not to stir up things but this guy is not doing the actual calling  watch his lips and notice when he spits out the call the yelps or purrs continue on .. I think he is not that great at lip sinking