Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: mathew92 on April 06, 2021, 09:01:07 AM

Title: Diaphragm calls
Post by: mathew92 on April 06, 2021, 09:01:07 AM: Good Morning Everyone,

Asking for a friend.. how the heck do you use diaphragm calls.
Any advice on techniques would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mathew.
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: KFhunter on April 06, 2021, 09:07:13 AM: It's a journey, at least for me it was (and still is)

Couldn't tell you how many I've tried, trimmed and tossed.

Everyone's mouth is different, I landed on Phelps as "the one" that fit, and I could make decent calls with.

I have a very high/narrow roof of my mouth. Others have flat/wide
I have a big tongue, others have small

Point is don't buy 'one call' and struggle with a call that doesn't fit right.

I've even tried youth calls.

Once you find a properly fitting call that doesn't blowby air bad, then you can move forward on technique

I think 90% of calling issues are ill fitted calls
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: mathew92 on April 06, 2021, 10:57:41 AM: I bought the Phelps 6 pack to test out a couple of different styles and just cannot get them to make a peep.
I'll keep trying different ones until I find one that works.
Thank you for the advice KFhunter.
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: Sakko300wsm on April 06, 2021, 11:12:52 AM: watch a dvd - it will be helpful. They take a while to get figured out, but once you do they are quite easy
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: ghosthunter on April 06, 2021, 12:22:11 PM: When I started with mouth call, the vibration tickled my tongue. But I just messed around with it and figured out I was pressing it too hard. Watch some you tube videos by primos with a call in your month.
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: Platensek-po on April 06, 2021, 12:40:50 PM: YouTube is a great resource for this. Lots of videos and practice practice practice
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: Stein on April 06, 2021, 02:48:57 PM: Yep, just practice. Watch different people on YouTube, some will make sense and others won't.

I started with an elk reed and when I picked up a turkey reed a couple years later it was pretty easy to get to the point where I could do the basics.

I would also pick up different reeds, they are shaped different and some will work better than others.
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: brokentrail on April 06, 2021, 04:38:15 PM: This may be helpful to watch
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on April 06, 2021, 05:22:22 PM: My Dad sounds like a duck choking on cola when he tries to use a mouth call. Watch some vids and keep at it but remember diaphragm calls are the one call not everyone will be able to use. I can't even fit a regular diaphragm call in my tiny mouth and have to buy small frame calls.
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: dilleytech on April 07, 2021, 06:24:45 AM: Best I can explain. You seal off the edge of the diaphragm with your tongue by curling it slightly and it must be sealed across the top in the roof of your mouth. Then you blow air across the bottom of the reed.. it’s pretty hard to explain. Look up some videos. Once you can make a sound. It’s a LOT of practice mixed with being in the woods around the real noise makers to perfect anything.
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: gee_unit360 on April 07, 2021, 07:08:18 AM: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VITaRJNVuyQ

This video really helped me
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: mathew92 on April 07, 2021, 08:43:41 AM: Thank you everyone for the advice! I'll be spending the next week prepping for the 15th.
If you hear strange yelps coming from the woods near Kettle Falls, it will probably be me.
Good luck this year!

Mathew.
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: KFhunter on April 07, 2021, 08:46:32 AM: Quote from: mathew92 on April 07, 2021, 08:43:41 AM
Thank you everyone for the advice! I'll be spending the next week prepping for the 15th.
If you hear strange yelps coming from the woods near Kettle Falls, it will probably be me.
Good luck this year!

Mathew.
Turkeys seem to be splitting off in groups, strutting Toms are everywhere!

No hunting last spring means a boon this spring.

If you're striking out, reach out for help.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: hughjorgan on April 07, 2021, 08:48:51 AM: Put the call in the roof of your mouth, arc your tongue up so it is pressing into the reed(depending on the amount of pressure you give it will change the tone) and press your tip of your tongue into your bottom teeth then blow air out of the diaphragm.
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: salish on April 07, 2021, 09:45:47 AM: For me, the thing with these calls is that they make me want to GAG when I have them in my mouth. I suffer from acid reflux so I'm wondering if that's a cause, but I can't keep one in my mouth for more than a couple of minutes because I start gagging. I've tried different types and sizes. I see the value of a mouth call so I may give them a try someday.
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: dilleytech on April 07, 2021, 10:08:37 AM: Quote from: salish on April 07, 2021, 09:45:47 AM
For me, the thing with these calls is that they make me want to GAG when I have them in my mouth. I suffer from acid reflux so I'm wondering if that's a cause, but I can't keep one in my mouth for more than a couple of minutes because I start gagging. I've tried different types and sizes. I see the value of a mouth call so I may give them a try someday.

Your likely putting it to far back in your mouth. I would gag also as a kid before I learned how to use them properly. It should almost be touching your front teeth. Some one once recommended making a hole and tying a string to the reed to pull it out if you gag.
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: Limhangerslayer on April 07, 2021, 11:35:13 AM: If you’re struggling that bad I wouldn’t try them in the woods. Stick to a box or pot call. You don’t have to use a diaphragm call to get them close. Use your body to hide your calling when they get close. When they give you a chance lift your gun and shoot. It’s 50/50 on whether I call a bird in with a diaphragm or friction call.
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: salish on April 09, 2021, 10:34:31 AM: Quote from: dilleytech on April 07, 2021, 10:08:37 AM
Quote from: salish on April 07, 2021, 09:45:47 AM
For me, the thing with these calls is that they make me want to GAG when I have them in my mouth. I suffer from acid reflux so I'm wondering if that's a cause, but I can't keep one in my mouth for more than a couple of minutes because I start gagging. I've tried different types and sizes. I see the value of a mouth call so I may give them a try someday.

Your likely putting it to far back in your mouth. I would gag also as a kid before I learned how to use them properly. It should almost be touching your front teeth. Some one once recommended making a hole and tying a string to the reed to pull it out if you gag.

Based on this I may give it a try again. Thanks.
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: salish on April 09, 2021, 10:35:39 AM: Quote from: Limhangerslayer on April 07, 2021, 11:35:13 AM
If you’re struggling that bad I wouldn’t try them in the woods. Stick to a box or pot call. You don’t have to use a diaphragm call to get them close. Use your body to hide your calling when they get close. When they give you a chance lift your gun and shoot. It’s 50/50 on whether I call a bird in with a diaphragm or friction call.

Yeah, the box calls and pots have worked for me, but I wouldn't mind being able to use a diaphragm call. Thanks.
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: CedarPants on April 12, 2021, 02:15:10 PM: I'd echo what a couple others have said - don't be afraid to try a few different options until you find the one that suits you best. I've had $20 dollar calls that sound like a dying penguin when trying to use them, and $4 dollar calls that will have turkeys running over you when you use them. All about finding the ones that feel and sound the best for you personally.

Good luck on the hunt!
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: Pathfinder101 on April 12, 2021, 02:30:04 PM: I use the Primos Elk diaphram (the blue one) for everything (elk and turkeys). I can't get a "turkey" call to sound right, but I've been using those Primos calls for so long elk calling, I can make it sound like a turkey.
Title: Re: Diaphragm calls
Post by: GWP on April 12, 2021, 04:36:51 PM: I bought all the different calls, and has been stated, try them until you find one that works. I want to be able to use the call ‘cold’ and trust it the first time I use it when the action starts. I settled on a ‘discount table’ box call and gave all the rest away.