Ack..I can't tell the difference between a cluck and a put!

[johng]

So, this can spell bad news for me come April 15th obviously... 

I've been watching videos, reading things on the Net and practicing at home and I think I may be tone deaf or something.   

Any tips you guys can impart on how to differentiate a cluck from a put pitch and tone wise?  Or how one would make a cluck vs. a put on a box call?  I tried the mouth call and that isn't going to be an option anytime soon.  I suppose I can try a slate call but haven't bought one yet.

Thanks... I really don't want to scare them away this season...  That's something I learned during my first duck season last year and would rather not repeat it this second turkey season for me.

Cheers,
jg

[Whitenuckles]

 Go to NWTF web site. They have all the audio you need to learn the different calls.

[Ridgeratt]

Just venture forth it's a quick lesson! If they come in your right and if they take off opps!

[bow4elk]

Maybe you need to think about the sound in terms of what they mean?  A cluck is a content social call made by hens.  A putt is an alarm sound made by hens and is usually made in an excited series, with the head held high.  They make this sound when they are confused, alarmed, or not sure about something that is too close for comfort.  So the agitated cadence and volume is (to human ears) likely the only real differentiator.  A calm, clucking hen is much different than an excited loudly putting hen.  You'd have to try to putt in a way that is alarming, so go easy and you should be fine. 

[Tom Tamer]

 

Also there's a distinct cadence to an alarm putt where clucks will be in a more random and sporadic nature.


as in putt...putt...putt...etc. Where clucking although not as loud it will be...cluck...cluck,cluck..cluck........cluck.
If that makes any sense?

[BPturkeys]

I must assume you have never been turkey hunting before, at least not a hunt where you encountered birds. It won't take but about one time of hearing a putt and experience that old "damn, I been had" feeling to know what a putt sounds like. Tom Tamer is on the right track in that it is more than just a sound, it is also a cadence or rhythm that is different than a cluck. The good news is that you really have to work at it to make a good true putt, where a nice little cluck is pretty easy. Just go easy on your call and it will come out as a cluck. Actually, just go easy on all your calls, save maybe a cutt, and you'll do a lot better. Good luck...and one more thing...stop moving around when he's coming in!

[turkeydancer]

I like to think of the cluck sounding like as little drop of water gentlely falling into a rain barrell.  Very, very soft ... he can still hear that at about 1/4 mile away and have your location pegged to within a few feet.  Very soft with the cluck.  As mentioned, the putt is more of a sharp excited cluck.   Good luck ...

[Turkeyman]

I like to think of the cluck sounding like as little drop of water gently falling into a rain barrell.  Very, very soft ...

You will no the difference after a couple years of hunting. Listen to the hens when they are feeding very soft cluck.......cluck..cluck.
When you see there heads held high and running the other way PUTT..PUTT..PUTT

Gobblers and Jake's will cluck also i have Had them coming in clucking looking for me. The cluck is a here i am where are you show your self call or a feeding call.

Good luck

[bow4elk]

...and if you mix in soft purrs to you clucking (feeding sounds), you'll be very safe.  purr...cluck, cluck....purr, purr....cluck, etc.  Mix in some scratching to further add to the realism of a feeding hen or hens.

[Bofire]

 :)put put put ptu ptu head up, look out!!!!!! quick higher pitched sometimes.
cluckkkk....  purrr..... cluck,,, lay an egg baby, slow, sexy Mae west!!LOL
cllllluluuuukkkkk oohhh yeahhh babe!! good food here hhhhhhmmm. contented.
hellooooo
\Carl

[johng]

Dudes!  Those are all awesome tips... COPY and PASTE into my Turkey,txt file it goes!!

Thanks a lot and I hope everyone gets a Tom.   

- John the rookie.

[Phantom Gobbler]

Don't forget to cluck and purr first and ask questions later!   

[Bob33]

[PA BEN]

Clucks are a good excitement call. Mix with yelps and cutts. If your going the cluck always mix w/other calls so the bird won't think it's a putt. It's a good call to piss off a boss hen, she might come to your call w/a tom in tow.

[yelp]

Cluck and Purr Hen