Diaphragm calls

[KopperBuck]

This is the first year I've hunted turkeys. Opening weekend went well, actually found some birds that were responsive. But I wasn't the one calling, a buddy of mine was. Since I've been on my own I've picked up a box call, and several diaphragm calls. This is my first time with turkey calls, but I mouth call for coyotes and ducks so I understand no two calls are the same for two people.

I've settled on some of the Hunter Specialities calls, they seem to sound better and are easier for me to use.

My question is on the technique. I know the different sounds the birds are making, it's just recreating anything besides a yelp that gets a little tricky for me. I had some Primos calls as well, and tried following their instructions on the "words" you say to gain the variety. But I for the life of me can't do it. I'm better off just trying to mimic through trial and error.

But I'm having problems getting a good cut or cluck, and a purr.

Any tips out there that have seemed to work for others? Perhaps suggestions on another line or type of reed that may work well. I understand this is a can of worms, but it's kind of like patterning. Just gotta find something that works.

I haven't even picked up a friction call yet...

[yelp]

Its all practice. Many mouth calls are built with different latex, cuts, spacing, frames, etc.  You have to try all kinds.  I have over 35 mouth calls in my vest.  I like the viper or snake tongue cut for purring, the side notch cut is a great cutting call, the double reed and tripple straight reeds are my fav for yelping.  I have some call that are hard to call because of how they are made they need some big lungs.  By far the easiest mouth caller to use is the domed primos mouth calls.  very easy to do soft yelps and purrs.  I also drop my jaw when I yelp which gives you different sound.  Keep at it. 

[turkeyfeather]

Yelp is absolutely correct. I don't have as many as he does, but I do have three or four different brands. I spend alot of time before the season starts practicing and re-learning what sounds I need with what calls.

[BPturkeys]

I seem to scare less birds with a slate. Trouble with a call that scares birds is you hardly ever know you did the deed. And the resevse to that is, when you call one in, was it that call or was he just ready to come to most any halfway decent effort.

[Wacenturion]

As Yelp has already said...practice is the key.  The advantage of a mouth call is lack of movement on your part.  In close quarters, that can make or break you. 

Also, sometimes some unavailable to get locally, easy to get online, diaphram from a Georgia maker as an example, can sound different that everyone else in the woods with you, with their Primos that, Knight and Hale this....you get my drift.  Different can be good. 

Don't be afraid of a friction call...box, slate, whatever.  Again practice makes perfect.  You style of calling can also spell success or failure.  Personally I like the boring soft, every 12-15 minutes,  pretend I'm a hen type calling which can put you to sleep, rather than I'm going to win this calling contest vocalization.....and all levels in between.  I figure the first hour or two is the convincing stage.....like in convincing any turkey within hearing distance I'm the real deal.  After that game on....make take awhile, but it always generally pays off.

Not that I don't use other methods depending on bird and situation.  Turkey hunting is all about situations and learning.  Once you have been there and done that your success rate goes up, as you generally don't repeat the same mistakes.

Good luck..........