I am a pot call guy but am thinking about trying a trumpet. It sounds like it takes a while to become proficient with one. They are also expensive. I'm curious what draws people to use a somewhat difficult and expensive call? Also, how long would you guess that it takes to become decent with one?
Thank You!
Because a tuba is much to big. I am not very good with them, I have called in turkey with them though, I like using calls that are out of the ordinary, it is why I also like tongue calls, tube calls (I am worse with those that with trumpets) scratch boxes and so on. Who wants to constantly do the ordinary? Also because not many people seem to use them they are a different kind of sound in the arsenal to fool the turkey. I still want to get one of those cow horn calls.
I enjoy the fact that it is challenging. I enjoy practicing and recording myself and seeing improvement over time. I also enjoy all the different woods and materials that are used to make trumpets. They are all unique and beautiful imo. Lastly, I think there is some nostalgia associated with suction type turkey calls. If you follow the history of turkey hunting for sport and even before that, you will see suction type calls (wingbones, and then Jordan/Turpin yelpers) used by many of the all time great turkey men.
I would bet if you got your first trumpet now, and practice a bunch, you'll be yelping up gobblers with it by next spring.
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Get one and learn to use it between now and next spring. The 1st time you use it on a bird you will never go back.
The sound travels a long way. I don't know if a trumpet makes a different pitch they like or they have never heard one where I hunt but it has been a game changer.
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It's not been that long ago that they were not that expensive. Something happened in the last few years that has really driven up the prices. They went from lower price than a big name box call and even some pot calls to getting out of control.
I don't care what a person spends his money on, but it sucks that a few years back, you could get a Buice for 200-250 to now, it's closer to 1000 on the secondary market.
The high dollar secondary market has only caused builders to greatly increase their prices, and I can't blame them at all for raising their prices.
I guess I didn't give my opinion on your question. There seems to be something in a good trumpet, I call it the "thumP' that birds seem to respond to, plus I like to just go out at times with a trumpet and a mouth call for simplicity
Because trumpets resonate better than other calls. It's another call you can add to your arsenal / tactic's
Trumpets suck! I would find a nice pot call.
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:TooFunny:
I do not have the expertise of the others, but one quick thing I want to throw in there, do not make the same mistake that I did, I went and bought several trumpets and wingbones and then tried to learn the all at the same time and I believe it hurt me. Buy one QUALITY trumpet and stick with it and master it, they do not all play the same even though they all play the same as far as how you use them and if you are trying to remember how to use several at the same time it is going to be harder to master any of them.
Quote from: Sir-diealot on June 14, 2025, 08:49:24 PMI do not have the expertise of the others, but one quick thing I want to throw in there, do not make the same mistake that I did, I went and bought several trumpets and wingbones and then tried to learn the all at the same time and I believe it hurt me. Buy one QUALITY trumpet and stick with it and master it, they do not all play the same even though they all play the same as far as how you use them and if you are trying to remember how to use several at the same time it is going to be harder to master any of them.
Great advice!
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Quote from: BullTom on June 14, 2025, 09:02:00 PMQuote from: Sir-diealot on June 14, 2025, 08:49:24 PMI do not have the expertise of the others, but one quick thing I want to throw in there, do not make the same mistake that I did, I went and bought several trumpets and wingbones and then tried to learn the all at the same time and I believe it hurt me. Buy one QUALITY trumpet and stick with it and master it, they do not all play the same even though they all play the same as far as how you use them and if you are trying to remember how to use several at the same time it is going to be harder to master any of them.
Great advice!
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Well yes and no, they do all draw air slightly different, even from the top tier call makers. So what draws air best for you might not be best for the next person.
If you already have multiple yelpers or have the itch to start out with more than one, try them all and pick the one that suits your style best. Then put the rest away while your learning.
Quote from: Alabama556 on June 14, 2025, 03:08:04 PMGet one and learn to use it between now and next spring. The 1st time you use it on a bird you will never go back.
The sound travels a long way. I don't know if a trumpet makes a different pitch they like or they have never heard one where I hunt but it has been a game changer.
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That's why!!!
You don't need to be an expert on a trumpet to kill birds with it. If you can learn the yelps and the clucks ( and cadence) it's a good start. The more you use it the easier it gets
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The last five birds I got have been either with my trumpet or wingbone, exclusively. Both very easy to run, both sound distinctly different. I don't consider myself good but apparently, to the birds, passable. One thing I can do with either is call very, very quiet. Even with total foliage end of May birds quite a ways off responded well.
Made a wingbone from a bird I had killed and went to the woods and used nothing but that call and killed a nice mature Tom. Sat there in stunned silence not believing that actually worked as I was anything but good on it at that point. Thought it was a fluke and yet went back on a different day and tree yelped one off the roost and shot him. I suddenly knew I was on to something. That was five to six years ago and I am still trying to perfect my craft with those air drawn tools.
But to respond to the initial post - it is just an awesome instrument that the Native American Indians used many years ago to get food for survival, and I dig that. Even better it is when you make the call with your own hands. If you master a trumpet/wingbone - you can take that call and maybe a scratch box or a purr pot and a diaphragm to the woods and that not only really simplifies things, it cuts an awful lot of weight from the vest/satchel if you are having to do a lot of walking/climbing as some us are having to do.
You can get an air drawn call right now and go kill a bird with it next season - it can be done. However, to be fair to anyone thinking of embarking on this journey, I think you need to think at least 3-5 years to really become proficient on one to the point that you have no hesitation to pull it out in the woods and use it during the heat of battle. The Rev. Farmer said that it took him several decades to master his calling. Mr. Profit said it took him 8-10 years. Regardless, with an air drawn call - think marathon and not a sprint. And soft calling is the secret sauce!