I am a beginner and killed my first bird last spring. I have a gooserbat slate call and a primos hook up box call. Looking for recommendations on other calls. Also looking for a decent turkey vest.
Welcome friend. On the vest, I would recommend either a Glenda Green satchel or the Grounded Impact vest.
On more box or pot call recommendations, it will depend on your hunting style in a way. I prefer wood furniture on my shotgun and turkey calls, and would recommend a Mike yinling pot call, and the Hustlin' Hen box call from Billy White.
For locators, a Harrison Hootin' stick is pretty hard to beat.
Are you wanting to branch out from friction calls and into mouth calls yet?
As Sanders153 said, it'll depend on your style, and will, most likely, constantly be changing and developing! Im developing in a direction thats more and more minimalist, and find that what i wear now, is built around whats most important to me - water. Ive really liked the RNG200, and RNG300. I have 2 200s, and 1 300. All but one of my 200s is customized (removal of pockets, modifying of pockets, etc). Theyve all been durable, and affordable. I think whats best is to just try stuff and decide what best suits your 'style', and develop/refine in that direction. Sorry i didnt just give you a straight up answer, but the options are just limitless, and whats 'best' is different for everyone.
As for calls, im not a good person to ask, as i only run 1 type of yelper. But theres tons of people on here that know their stuff, and surely lots of people will point you in some good directions.
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Well for starters I appreciate that you are using one of my pots. As far as a vest I like the Cabela's Tactical Tater however I have moved to the chest//bino harness and am using a Glenda Green butt cushion.
Yea use a mouth call on occasion.
I would recommend you invest in learning how to use a diaphragm call. Nothing against friction calls, I use a pot call all the time, but the ability make a wide range of calls without movement makes being fluent with a diaphragm highly advantageous.
I've been using Gooserbat's PLS diaphragm the last few years and really like it. I feel it's an easy call to use.
As for a vest, I like the Badlands Turkey Vest because it sits high and (after modifications) tight to my chest and leans towards a more minimalistic design. For running and gunning, that's what I like.
EDIT - Sorry, I didn't realize that was your previous post. In fact, you do use mouth calls, great.
Lots of good vests out there. Check the classifieds to save some money. For the price, I hear good things about Tidewe brand, tho I haven't seen one. Saw one somewhere recently for $50 or so.
Calls? Well that's wide open. We have a number of good callmakers on this site, check the calls for sale page. Many come with soundfiles so you can hear how they sound.
First off, congratulations on your successful season last year! Some guys hunt with just one call or a couple of mouth calls. They're boring :TooFunny: ...but don't get too carried away buying stuff, that'll come in time. Remember more stuff doesn't equal more success.
But, I personally would add a yelper, probably a wing bone or Jordan. Most guys like them, and it provides another, different, option. I always hunt with at least one box, one slate and one yelper/trumpet on me.
Quote from: Zobo on February 09, 2024, 03:55:33 PM
Some guys hunt with just one call or a couple of mouth calls. They're boring :TooFunny:
Beware the turkey hunter who carries one or two calls. Likely he knows how to use them.
LOL.
True
Quote from: Elidepew05 on February 08, 2024, 11:13:58 PM
I am a beginner and killed my first bird last spring. I have a gooserbat slate call and a primos hook up box call. Looking for recommendations on other calls. Also looking for a decent turkey vest.
Welcome. Don't mess with success. That Gooserbat pot is a proven killer for you..........try on all the different vests, see what works for your hunting style.....good luck!
Congrats on your first bird! If you are like most of us, your addiction has now started!
Don't discount a simple push pin call. They are easy to use and purr and yelp very nicely. You can also use them one handed.
https://www.scheels.com/p/hunters-specialties-yelper-push-button-box-call/02129107056.html?cq_cmp=20944386370&cq_med=pla&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&cq_src=google_ads&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpoCevM6fhAMVOkd_AB1KYgzVEAQYASABEgKir_D_BwE&src=hardlines (https://www.scheels.com/p/hunters-specialties-yelper-push-button-box-call/02129107056.html?cq_cmp=20944386370&cq_med=pla&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&cq_src=google_ads&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpoCevM6fhAMVOkd_AB1KYgzVEAQYASABEgKir_D_BwE&src=hardlines)
Learning to use a diaphragm call definitely is an asset. I use it when I'm sneak hunting so I don't have to hold a call in my hand and make a bunch of extra movements. Also, the last thing every bird I shoot hears is a single putt from my mouth call. It gets them to raise their head and gives me a nice clean shot. You may have to play with different makes and sizes, and/or potentially cut and shape them for them to work for you.
When a bird is getting closer I set down my slate or box call and rely on a push pin with one hand, and then when it's really close just my mouth call. I don't use a blind so the less movement the better!
As far as vests, I've owned a few brands but one has stood out by far. I absolutely love the OLD Cabelas Tactical Tat'r 2. They were made of a heavy duty durable cloth material. The new ones are junk. They are made from a thin and noisy nylon material. You can find the old ones on Ebay. I picked up 3 of them so I should be good until I'm 80 years old or so! Beware they come in different sizes.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/126017094837?hash=item1d573444b5:g:RtQAAOSwE~dktJ4c&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4LOVOgxNrHvM6tsY0uiuTGgx%2FkstN0j2JVxtmZbMgEOnOyTi74n7PZKExgVIrX%2Fq7hk63Ll7uIaKCKohgsUU21MW2kD9ukXvZTDicAoxZKr%2BL6HVd3NqqdCJFJH8jWDyE3bORw4%2F%2FAUwUMdZOsODEV%2FH9hve3x2jtc2ofA0hsB4hGLRUGhB7jdv3TZOvheyB0XgVk8EDGm0cdyrYl6vC82n2Cd4Nl4KFD3h3DAVp98YAuoG4BfI4WbYdLr2%2BggiZKSqdYzmzCmpSVN1G1YDNN4p%2FrKu%2FAF7agCojpkzKwJdB%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-rUsYqyYw (https://www.ebay.com/itm/126017094837?hash=item1d573444b5:g:RtQAAOSwE~dktJ4c&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4LOVOgxNrHvM6tsY0uiuTGgx%2FkstN0j2JVxtmZbMgEOnOyTi74n7PZKExgVIrX%2Fq7hk63Ll7uIaKCKohgsUU21MW2kD9ukXvZTDicAoxZKr%2BL6HVd3NqqdCJFJH8jWDyE3bORw4%2F%2FAUwUMdZOsODEV%2FH9hve3x2jtc2ofA0hsB4hGLRUGhB7jdv3TZOvheyB0XgVk8EDGm0cdyrYl6vC82n2Cd4Nl4KFD3h3DAVp98YAuoG4BfI4WbYdLr2%2BggiZKSqdYzmzCmpSVN1G1YDNN4p%2FrKu%2FAF7agCojpkzKwJdB%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-rUsYqyYw)
I just bought every call I could find for a while. Then I narrowed down to buying just what I liked.
Quote from: Yoder409 on February 09, 2024, 07:09:14 PM
Quote from: Zobo on February 09, 2024, 03:55:33 PM
Some guys hunt with just one call or a couple of mouth calls. They're boring :TooFunny:
Beware the turkey hunter who carries one or two calls. Likely he knows how to use them.
Yes beware, he's probably reaping. Who needs calls when you have an oversized fan in your vest! :TooFunny:
Quote from: Bedge7767 on February 09, 2024, 08:31:44 PM
I just bought every call I could find for a while. Then I narrowed down to buying just what I liked.
What was the calls you ended with?
Just a general comment about this particular topic and discussion...
In today's turkey hunting world, it is a rare call made by a reputable call maker that will not call turkeys when put in the hands of someone who knows how to "manipulate" that call...and knows what a turkey sounds like. I personally believe there is way too much emphasis put on "who makes the best call?" as to the real issue...which is "who knows how to use the call they have in their hand (or mouth)?" (Note: Of course, there are exceptions, but those exceptions are pretty obvious to the person that "knows what a turkey sounds like"). :D :icon_thumright:
Another note: Friction calls are fundamentally much easier to master than mouth-operated calls. If someone is just starting out, begin with a friction call first. If you have the inclination to do so, "graduate" to adding mouth-operated calls as you become proficient in their use. From what I have seen, it is the rare novice turkey hunter that cannot become proficient with a friction call in short order. Conversely, it is also the very rare novice hunter that can make comparable turkey sounds with mouth-operated calls without extensive effort and practice. :icon_thumright:
As for recommendations as to whom to buy calls from, I suggest sticking with the group that participate here on OG and support this site as your first choices. There are a bunch of good ones here! :icon_thumright:
Quote from: GobbleNut on February 10, 2024, 09:28:08 AM
In today's turkey hunting world, it is a rare call made by a reputable call maker that will not call turkeys when put in the hands of someone who knows how to "manipulate" that call...and knows what a turkey sounds like. I personally believe there is way too much emphasis put on "who makes the best call?" as to the real issue...which is "who knows how to use the call they have in their hand (or mouth)?" (Note: Of course, there are exceptions, but those exceptions are pretty obvious to the person that "knows what a turkey sounds like").
This is 10/10 advice. Im thankful for people that have set me on that path, otherwise id still be spending a fortune on calls, trying to sound like a human on a turkey call, rather than trying to sound like the hen herself!
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Quote from: Elidepew05 on February 10, 2024, 01:18:53 AM
Quote from: Bedge7767 on February 09, 2024, 08:31:44 PM
I just bought every call I could find for a while. Then I narrowed down to buying just what I liked.
What was the calls you ended with?
Trumpets mostly but some pots.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Start out with a good custom box call, pot call and push pin ... practice practice practice as you become proficient. look at other style of calls .... Base your calls on early spring weather conditions, some calls play better than others depending on the conditions of humidity, rain / wet and cold weather .... Some calls are more user friendly than others .... Chalk, strikers and combos play a major part in the tone / sounds of a call. What you will like in a call could be entirely different from what someone else likes in tone / sounds ... Raspy - not as raspy - pitch - low- high - Loud calls all this plays a major part in your decisions of call recommendations ... Flat ground fields or hunting in the big hills, hollers or mountains ... Good Luck and do your homework ...
Hey don't let Jim (Bedge) fool you he was one of the strongest collections on here that I have saw.
Quote from: Bedge7767 on February 10, 2024, 12:13:41 PM
Quote from: Elidepew05 on February 10, 2024, 01:18:53 AM
Quote from: Bedge7767 on February 09, 2024, 08:31:44 PM
I just bought every call I could find for a while. Then I narrowed down to buying just what I liked.
What was the calls you ended with?
Trumpets mostly but some pots.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
I ended up with mostly trumpets as well but I also have quite a few fiddle boxes, hen boxes and long boxes.
Quote from: 3bailey3 on February 10, 2024, 04:17:14 PM
Hey don't let Jim (Bedge) fool you he was one of the strongest collections on here that I have saw.
Smoke and mirrors
I have/ had all kinds of calls, and I'm here to tell u most are harvested with the plain old mouth call.
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Determine what the turkey in your head sounds like. Then you just need to play several calls or have call makers play them for you if you're not able to get your hands on them somewhere else. When you find one that sounds like that turkey in your head, get it and play it a couple of times a week at the very least. 10-15 minutes a day is enough. You'll be more confident in the woods with a call that sounds like you think it should.