Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

    I can't  use the Horseshoe Mouth Calls myself. I never got over that " Gag Reflex". I tried for 1 year or so. I had to learn how to use my natural voice by forming the words- Yelp + whit- whit in the sound Box of my Neck.
    I don't  think,I  would sound good to most here- but the Gobblers sure like it and they march on in. I stick with 90% of the time- Pot Calls,Yelpers/ homemade Wingbones, + a number of Custom Box Calls . I really like my 1999 Billy Buice Box made of a Magnolia Box + a Locust Lid. It reaches out with a " Rakey/Raspy Tone.
    Now this Thread is not to discredit any Advid users of The Horseshoe Mouth Calls-- just an honest question of what is your " Finisher" if you can't  use the Mouth Calls ?
    Hope Everyone  Has An Awesome Spring Turkey Season. :)

I've never been any good on a mouth call. My clucks inevitably sound like putts, and my yelps sound like a jenny stumbling over her first words. That said I still use them for a couple things, primarily to yelp in order to cut that yelp off with a pot or box and give the illusion of multiple hens. I also occasionally still use the mouth call to close the final gap and in those instances I just purr. That's all I do. A series of purrs, because that's the only consistent and realistic sound I can get out of mouth calls. Here's what I use, though, that I've never heard anyone else use. I started this a couple seasons ago. I use a 2.5" piece of river cane that was intended to be a mouthpiece on a Jordan. It's short enough I can run it under my mask, and I'm able to get very subtle, soft clucks and yelps out of it. I just leave it dangling from my lips like a cigarette. I've been amazed at how well it works.


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 I can not use them at all . I have a severe case of acid reflux . My throat , voice box , stomach and espically my tongue stay irritated all the time . Pretty much maxed on meds for it . some times struggle talking . When that latex vibrates I cant take it on my tongue . I have put push/pull pin on the gun or my lap before . Sometimes I am messing with a slate in tight quarters with a bird , not ideal . Anymore most the time , I bring gun to bear and let it play out , most of time it works , sometimes there is a problem with head down or bird walks off before I get a shot . But it also helps resist over calling , It is more of problem field hunting than in the woods . But for me , less or no calling is better when they are closing  .

I can't. Severe latex allergy. I used to use them. I wasn't always allergic to latex. A call maker made me two that were latex free. They were hard to run. I finally got to the point that I could run one of them fair. I killed 3 or 4 birds with it. Never sounded like a good latex call though. I use pots and box calls for everything now.

I haven't been able to master them. Have tried a few times over the years.

I'll reach to Gooserbat, see what he recommends.

Think I just need to stay at it. Its just to easy for me to pick up a nice box or pot call and use that.

I can use them no problem.   But I still use a KFC plastic bag or any crisp plastic bag as a closer.

Have you guys tried mouth calls without tape?  I was talking with Scott Hooks (Hooks Custom Calls), last year, and he told me he uses his calls without any tape.  Give him a call, I'm sure he can HOOK you up, if you want to give them a try. 

To answer your question, I'm pretty good with a mouth call so I'll usually have one in to finish but most of the time, if they are coming, I shut up and let them find the end of my gun barrel.

I am ok with a mouth call, I always have one in. However, I am a push-pin hunter and always have it on the ground on my side. Gun up on knee, I can purr, cluck with one hand. BUT when I can see him, it becomes hands free, little mouth call purring, and maybe soft cluck. As stated above, if he's coming, he's coming and curiosity with less or no calling usually closes the deal. I do use pot calls, and boxes, but my go to is a push-pin. I know it's hard to believe, but they are deadly......be safe, good luck this spring.

Hey Tom what push pin you use and glad to know i am not the only one that can't play a mouth call.

A pushpin is  pretty good option if the mouth call won't work.  Using one hand to call is easier to keep low key than a box of pot call.  They even have one that mounts on the gun although I don't know how well that brand works.

I have never been very good with a mouth call, a friend said when I first started said I sounded like a grey squirrel. A few years ago I purchased Conquer The Call and it did help but then I quit practicing with the program after the season. Just reloaded the program on the computer and now can start practicing again.

Biggest issue most run into when operating any type of air ran call, suction style or like a mouth call, is using way to much air.  It is about air control and not volume.

Not a fan of mouth calls, i carry couple and use them very little.. i just like my pot calls and boxes the most..

Quote from: Tail Feathers on January 21, 2021, 01:21:35 PM
A pushpin is  pretty good option if the mouth call won't work.  Using one hand to call is easier to keep low key than a box of pot call.  They even have one that mounts on the gun although I don't know how well that brand works.

Amen, they are a great option for the non-mouth call people.....

Quote from: 3bailey3 on January 21, 2021, 12:56:47 PM
Hey Tom what push pin you use and glad to know i am not the only one that can't play a mouth call.

Amen my friend, sent you a pm....be safe....

Quote from: Greg Massey on January 21, 2021, 02:17:19 PM
Not a fan of mouth calls, i carry couple and use them very little.. i just like my pot calls and boxes the most..

Follow this exact procedure

I don't know a single person that has ever stuck a mouth call in their mouths and immediately was able to make "turkey noises", nor do I know anybody that didn't go through the "gag reflex" stage when learning to use one.  The fact is, it takes time, dedication, and persistence to learn to use a mouth call, but I personally believe anybody that makes that effort can do it.  I'm sure there are physical conditions (i.e...latex allergies) that can prevent folks from being able to use mouth calls, but I think most failures are due to frustration more than anything. 

With today's wide spectrum of turkey calling instruments, and the realism that can be achieved, I would never go so far as to state that learning to use a mouth call is essential to success.  I will say, however, there are circumstances and situations in turkey hunting that knowing how to use a mouth call is a very real advantage. ...And sometimes we need every advantage we can get.   :D

Quote from: GobbleNut on January 22, 2021, 12:28:40 PM
I don't know a single person that has ever stuck a mouth call in their mouths and immediately was able to make "turkey noises", nor do I know anybody that didn't go through the "gag reflex" stage when learning to use one.  The fact is, it takes time, dedication, and persistence to learn to use a mouth call, but I personally believe anybody that makes that effort can do it.  I'm sure there are physical conditions (i.e...latex allergies) that can prevent folks from being able to use mouth calls, but I think most failures are due to frustration more than anything. 

With today's wide spectrum of turkey calling instruments, and the realism that can be achieved, I would never go so far as to state that learning to use a mouth call is essential to success.  I will say, however, there are circumstances and situations in turkey hunting that knowing how to use a mouth call is a very real advantage. ...And sometimes we need every advantage we can get.   :D

Well stated......

I like to set up so when the turkey sees me he's in range.  Less hang ups then when they can see you 100yds off. 

Quote from: GobbleNut on January 22, 2021, 12:28:40 PM
I don't know a single person that has ever stuck a mouth call in their mouths and immediately was able to make "turkey noises", nor do I know anybody that didn't go through the "gag reflex" stage when learning to use one.  The fact is, it takes time, dedication, and persistence to learn to use a mouth call, but I personally believe anybody that makes that effort can do it.  I'm sure there are physical conditions (i.e...latex allergies) that can prevent folks from being able to use mouth calls, but I think most failures are due to frustration more than anything. 

With today's wide spectrum of turkey calling instruments, and the realism that can be achieved, I would never go so far as to state that learning to use a mouth call is essential to success.  I will say, however, there are circumstances and situations in turkey hunting that knowing how to use a mouth call is a very real advantage. ...And sometimes we need every advantage we can get.   :D

I'd say 99.9999% of the time you're absolutely right. But as someone who has honestly spent a hundred or more hours trying over years and years and still sounds like crap I think some of us just ain't got it Every time I drive I'm calling on a mouth call. I did today. I think my lips are too big or maybe I got a swole up tongue or something

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I like the mouth call a lot. Still use a pot and wingbone or trumpet to help get the party started from time to time. Finisher is usually an elbow drop from the "top rope" of the nearest deadfall.

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Exploring this subject a bit more...
I recognize that there are those that have legitimate reasons for not being able to master, or even become moderately competent, with the mouth call.  The latex allergy problem (reflexl) and the fat tongue/fat lip syndrome (ChesterCP) being two of the possibilities.  From what I have witnessed, the problem is more often related to 1) the amount of effort put into the endeavor, and 2) not understanding the need to find the right call design to match each individuals calling mechanics.

Almost without exception, the fellows I hunt with use mouth calls as part of their call arsenal.  Their calling mechanics are, by now, pretty well set in stone.  In addition, for the most part, they have called in gobblers using mouth calls at one time or another.  Few of them can make "classic" turkey sounds with those calls,...and quite honestly, they are generally better off sticking with other types of friction calls. 

These guys are all capable of becoming much better on a mouth call.  They have just not taken the two steps listed above.  None of them have put in the effort to practice much, or explore the various call configurations to discover what would work best for them. 

I accept and understand that they just don't care enough about it to really try to improve their mouth call skills,...and that's okay.  The fact is, though, that every one of them could become much better with mouth calls if they would just make the effort.  When all is said and done, I think their attitudes are the norm rather than the exception. 

In the end, turkeys can be killed using a lot of other devices that are much easier to master than mouth calls.   :icon_thumright:

I've tried mouth calls dozens of times in the last 30 or so years. I sound like somebody strangling a turkey. Usually if I can get away with it, my only finisher is one hand behind me scratchin leaves until they get too close, then I go silent. Doesn,t always work, but a lot of times.

The large tape on many of today's mouth calls I do not like and that's why I use Hooks custom calls with the smaller tape. They all come smaller and they're perfect for me. I almost exclusively use mouth calls for turkeys now. Give them a look if you're frustrated or don't like current/past mouth calls you've run.

Quote from: northms on January 27, 2021, 04:08:24 PM
The large tape on many of today's mouth calls I do not like and that's why I use Hooks custom calls with the smaller tape. They all come smaller and they're perfect for me. I almost exclusively use mouth calls for turkeys now. Give them a look if you're frustrated or don't like current/past mouth calls you've run.

I'm a Hooks guy myself because of the small tape but I try and use other Brands as well.  Once you find a tape size that works well for you, trim down the tape to your size and try others.