Turkey calls???

[fly]

I just found out that my brothers and I just got drawn for the spring turkey hunt. This will be my first year and was wondering which turkey call is the best out there??? I don't know alot but would like your suggestions. Thanks.

[Ice_Hole]

First of all, congrats on getting drawn.

Not trying to be sarcastic (ok, maybe a little), but the best call to use is the one they are interested in that day.     It really does depend a lot on area, season and how much they have been hunted.

I am partial to the mouth calls, but have a box and slate that I also use.  The problem with a mouth call is that it does take some practicing to get it to sound right.  I would start with a simple double reed that doesn't have any cuts or flaps on it.  I found that to be the easiest to learn.  I didn't really find brand to matter too much.

My clucks and yelps are ok, but I still have trouble making a good light purr with my mouth calls.  So I use my slate to do that.  Again I don't really get caught up on brand, but my slate is a Primos Ol' Glory and has worked well for me.  It did take a little practice, but was pretty easy to learn. 

My box call is a Lohman.  I picked it up on clearance several years ago.  Nothing fancy.  I just keep it sanded and chalked and it sounds good enough.

My father in-law uses a push button one-handed call.  It does a fair job of clucks, yelps and purrs and seems to be easy to use.  Not sure what kind that one is.

I'm no expert.  I have only killed 1 tom 2 years ago  and shot a jake with my bow last year (he got away, but thats another story), but I think that a lot of people "over" call.  Just my opinion, but I will let the experts weigh in.

I will say that my single best investment was my blind.  I hunted 4 years unsuccessfully.  I bought a Double Bull 360 Matrix and killed a tom the first morning.

[walleyechasers3]

Great advice Ice_Hole. I would get a slate and a box call to start with. Purchase some instructional tapes on calling. I use alot of mouth calls, but also use slate and sometimes a box call.

Purchase some mouth calls and practice. Mouth calls are the way to go if you get it down. Plus less movement with the mouth calls.

I have long gave up turkey hunting here in IA. To easy, we have so many birds at the farm that is wasn't exciting anymore. Took longer to drive the 10 miles to the farm than it took to get a tom. Helps that when the DNR started the repopulation of turkeys in our area, the folks let them turn 100 birds lose on our timber. That has been over 25 years ago.

If you have any questions, just post up and someone will be able to help you out