Most versatile type of turkey call?

[TheSennett]

I'm trying to figure out what is the most versatile turkey call.  I want to pare down the amount of crap that I bring out in the field with me.  I'd rather have one call that I know how to use extremely well instead of 4 different calls that I'm just OK with using.  And, the small/easier to carry and less likely to break the better.

So, what are your thoughts on the most versatile type of call?  I know that there isn't one magic call that does everything.  And I know that certain types of calls are "better" than others for certain sounds.  But, if you could only have one call, what would it be?  By one call, I mean just one call for everything --- spring, fall, morning, night, rain, snow, etc. 

Also, are there certain sounds that cannot be made on certain calls? I tried finding a comparison list online, but came up empty-handed.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[CedarPants]

If it had to be just 1 call for any/all weather conditions and time of year - I'd go with a good diaphragm call that you are well versed in turkey talk with.  Easy to take care of in any weather and you don't have to make any noticeable movements to use it.

[Cab]

1 call I would with a slate. I've had mouth calls fall apart on me if I use them a bunch in a season. Slate calls is my preferred and a friend of mine keeps a hot hands warmer on him and if the slate get wet he uses the hot hand to dry the slate off. that's my 

[kevinlisa06]

Carry just 1 call umm yeah I can’t do that. Each bird likes a different tone and cadence. Just like each gun shoots differently. Hell I carry 2 different Box calls and about 6 different Pot calls plus a Wing Bone yelper.
I guess if I had to pick one call it would have to be my Pecker Wrecker crystal pot call.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[slavenoid]

If your choosing only one go with the diaphram. It takes practice to master it. I do all of my practicing while driving which you can't do with other calls.

[Dan-o]

I always carry a box call (or two) and at least one slate with a few sticks.

I like being able to sound like different birds.......  and those stupid birds make me too nervous to seal the deal with  a diaphram.

[northwesthunter84]

There is no one call that works all the time. Like others have said each bird has a different personality. I usually have a couple diaphragms, 2 pots (I upgraded this year) with several different strikers, and at least 2 box calls with different wood make up. Each call has adv/disadv. Best bet is to find calls you can run and feel confident with, practice with them and use them.

[Russ McDonald]

I would use a diaphragm call.  The thing is I usually carry at least 3 different diaphram calls.  All different cuts and sounds.  There really isn't one call that does all the sounds.  In my vest I carry 3 slates a crystal, slate and glass with 5 different strikers. 2 box calls and 6 diaphram calls.  I use diaphram exclusively though but will break out the others if I have some stubborn birds.  Like it is already stated a diaphram call takes not movement so when you have a bird in close you can give him a putt or cluck without moving anything and movement is you biggest killer out there turkey hunting.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[tlbradford]

I paired down my vest a few years ago as well.  I ended up keeping a crystal pot call with a carbon, and two different wood strikers.  A wingbone.  3 Diaphragm calls.  An old wing for fly down and scratching.  I love box calls but hate the size and movement associated with them. 

[kevinlisa06]

Oh I forgot a Gobble shaker and 6 different strikers. Plus a decoy I never use. Had to trade the 12ga in for the 20ga to cut down on weight 😂😂


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MtnMuley]

Most of the times these days, I only pack a diaphram. Become proficient with one and you can imitate nearly every sound a turkey can make.

[Sneaky]

https://www.johnsinclaircustomcalls.com/


I own 13 of these in different wood and surface combos and would take any to the field without hesitation. The moisture issue can be defeated with an all weather striker.

[ian_padron]

For solo hunting, a diaphragm because you don't have to move to use it.

Hunting with a buddy, a good box call because it is more versatile.

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

[Cab]

Any preferred diaphragms? I see that as a very popular answer and I have had bad luck with them. Either they fall apart on me in my mouth or they couldn't bend to fit my mouth so they end up sounding terrible.

[Russ McDonald]

I like zink mouth calls.  Also you can trim the tape to fit your mouth better.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[Cab]

I like zink mouth calls.  Also you can trim the tape to fit your mouth better.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

ok I see what I was doing wrong, I was getting the budget friendly ones and should bump up to a nicer call. Thanks for the brand tip 

[ian_padron]

I've had great luck with Phelps turkey calls.

I like zink mouth calls.  Also you can trim the tape to fit your mouth better.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

ok I see what I was doing wrong, I was getting the budget friendly ones and should bump up to a nicer call. Thanks for the brand tip 

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

[Russ McDonald]

I've had great luck with Phelps turkey calls.

I like zink mouth calls.  Also you can trim the tape to fit your mouth better.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

ok I see what I was doing wrong, I was getting the budget friendly ones and should bump up to a nicer call. Thanks for the brand tip 

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

I have to try one of Jason's calls.   Going to Nashville in a couple weeks for the NWTF national convention.  Might find some the to.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[Big game archer]

I've had quite a few calls over the last ten years, some expensive, some cheap. My go to call is my primos alumislate (very cheap call)... I can't tell you how many times I have ran through a few different calls, only to switch to my alumislate and get immediate gobbles. Overall, slate calls are my favorite.. but once the birds start closing distance, mouth calls are nice to cut down movement and close the deal. Like others have said, one call can't do it all, it's nice to have options in the field with you.

[northwesthunter84]

@Cab,  I really like Phelps, but his calls fit my pallet without needing modification.  Called in multiple birds with his diaphrams. As far as previous ones I have used, Primos and HS but that was chasing Easterns in Illinois.  Test a few and find a couple you can run well.  Then pick up a few of those models.  I have done this with both turkey and elk reeds.

[MtnMuley]

I've had quite a few calls over the last ten years, some expensive, some cheap. My go to call is my primos alumislate (very cheap call)... I can't tell you how many times I have ran through a few different calls, only to switch to my alumislate and get immediate gobbles. Overall, slate calls are my favorite.. but once the birds start closing distance, mouth calls are nice to cut down movement and close the deal. Like others have said, one call can't do it all, it's nice to have options in the field with you.

I've got a dozen pot calls, and the Alumislate is my favorite as well.

[kevinlisa06]

I have heard nothing but good about Phelps mouth calls and have a few friends that use them. Been waiting to see if he’s going to build Pot calls again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DOUBLELUNG]

If your choosing only one go with the diaphram. It takes practice to master it. I do all of my practicing while driving which you can't do with other calls.

This.

[Cab]

Just talking turkey calls is getting me all fired up for turkey hunting, I gotta dust off my stuff and get practicing! Think I'll trying the Phelps call this year since I've never tried it.

[Cab]

Whats everyone favorite locator call? I like to use crow but I notice that actual real life ravens really fire up toms, to bad no one makes a raven call.

[kevinlisa06]

Hey Cab
I really like my Faulks Crow call normally works great. Pilleated Woodpecker works good as well. The Coyote howlers work good in fact we were hunting one year out of Chewelah and had an ol Gobbler start going horse one morning when the Yotes fires off. He must havegobbled for 15 minutes straight.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sneaky]

Whats everyone favorite locator call? I like to use crow but I notice that actual real life ravens really fire up toms, to bad no one makes a raven call.

Ive had way better luck with using a loud hen yelp vs. other animal calls. The key word is LOUD and has to sound real.

Here are a few sound files that are good examples of locator call sequences (its not me playing in the video) The dude's whole youtube channel is full of them:

[bearpaw]

When nothing else works because the birds have been hunted so hard, one of those air blast horns will get a bird to give up a gobble.