newby call help

[riverrat85]

First off glad to be aboard. Been a diehard duck/goose hunter all my life. Working on my 4th turkey season and boy is it addicting. I've been blessed to have some good friends help call in birds now the last few years. I need to learn to do this on my own. Can do just about anything on a duck/goose call but this turkey calling is tough for myself. I can do OK/mostly bad on a diaphragm. I for the life of me cannot make a sound on a slate. Figured push pull calls should be my main calls but cannot get one to sound worth a dam on anything other than purrs and clucks. Never been so frustrated in my life. Anyone have any recommendations on anything. Thanks guys

[palongbeard]

If you want a push pin call that sounds good and is easy to use check out Millcreek Calls from PA.

Shannon Kelley - Old Gobbler - Makes the absolute best push pin call.   It takes some time and practice to get the turkey talk that you want, but man once you get it figured out, look out !   Not to mention they are great looking calls also !

[riverrat85]

Thanks guys. I have learned in my short time less calling is more. I've spent last two years trying to master a diaphragm. I can make some good sounds (when I'm not gagging) or the reed vibrates my tounge. I cannot do it spot on in a hunting situation so I won't even try it. I've yet to shoot a bird over a decoy. Hunting state ground river bottoms, being able to move quickly or cover ground is a must. Mouth calls are what I need to learn but I just cannot. I found a knight n hale witchy woman to be the best push pull I've tried so far. Again thanks for any help u guys may have

[Marc]

As a duck hunter, you already have a good understanding of airflow and pushing air from your diaphragm...  A bit of practice and watching some videos on Youtube, and I bet you will get somewhat proficient on a diaphragm call quickly...

A mouth call is my favorite call, but a box call is a very close second.  You can do almost everything on a box that you can on any other call, and to my ear, a box call produces one of the more realistic sounds, and is probably one of the easiest calls to learn to use.

Lynch Foolproof or Primos Heartbreaker are a couple of good calls, and it would be tough to go wrong with any of the custom calls as far as box calls go...  I just got my first custom call from Paul's calls, and it is all turkey...

[jordanz7935]

 . Yea mouth calls can be tricky to get a hang of. took me 3-4 years to get to use one with confidence. I would reccomend trying a good box call. IMO, one of the most realistic sounding turkey calls and they are fairly easy to get a hang of. I called my first bird in with a box call. now here are some of my "beginner" box call reccomendations.Store bought-Primos Wet Box or Quaker Boy Hurricane Supreme, Ive had success with both.For "custom" id look into Spring Creek Box Calls.Hes a member here by that name i beleive. Really nice looking and sounding boxes at great price. I mean you could go all out and get a real nice box call, many members on here make some of the best custom boxes in the country, but for the $ and for a beginner id reccomend these. Just keep practicing with your mouth call it'll come to ya. Keep practicing on your slate call too though i probably have the most confidence running my pot calls. 

[zelmo1]

  Check out Spring Creek Calls for a box or Mother Lode Calls for a simple glass call. Both will be going in my vest this year. Good luck. Al Baker

[tippatah]

Get a good slate call, rough it up with whatever little thing comes with it. Usually a little Brillo type square. Rough it up the same direction that the call makers name is written on the back. Then use your striker and make small ovals or C's against the grain.

[greentag]

hold your striker straight up on the call,now tilt it forward until it makes sound on the call,keep trying at different angles,how you hold the striker in your hand has a lot to do with it as well,also try several different strikers,youll see some are a lot better than others,keep practicing,then practice some more,when you've got the hang of it,you will have drove everyone in your house batty,good luck.

[Coachwate]

I would take my glass to the school I teach and work it in the parking lot while I am on duty. Struggled hard with it and one of my students, a freshman at that, showed me a few things but the most important was not to choke the striker. I've noticed that the more relaxed I am the better sound I produce. As far as a mouth call I've been struggling a little myself, but now that I figured out the placement in my mouth I'm making some pretty decent sounds. I've only been working with calls for about a year and will be in the woods for the first time on Wednesday. And this is with store bought calls. I'm going to get good sounds from them before dropping more money on custom calls.

[strum]

stick with the mouth calls all you can ..Scott Ellis has some great how to videos on you tube that should help.
if your gaging  you may want to try smaller frames or trim yours some..and if its tickling you tongue then you need to move you tongue forward so as more of the middle of the tongue is on the reed.
I also recommend the box calls. The Lynch foolproof is sweet.
  a good slate that I have used for years is a Ben Lee Super Hen , youll have to go to ebay to find one but if you do you have a winner.

[HFultzjr]

I'm pretty much in the same boat.

Mouth calls.....many years, many types, many sounds. Not many that sounded like a turkey!

Pot calls.....can do ok, but not like some of the guys can "talk". Hands shake too much from nervous disorder.

Box calls....my first and easiest. These are my go to calls.
Try a short box from Spring Creek Turkey Calls on here. Reasonable price and nothing but good reviews.

Scratch Box.......on my list of things to try.