I Can't Mouth Call for the Life of Me

[GobbleNut]

"Barking seal" is the best way to describe what I'm achieving at this point.

In my experience, the "barking seal" affect is generally caused by trying to use a call that is constructed with heavier latex materials,...and often times a call that has a cut design that does not "fit" the users experience level and his ability to control air flow with a mouth call. 

Again, in my opinion, beginners and less-experienced mouth call users should stick with calls constructed with thin-reed materials.  One of the surest ways to get discouraged trying to learn to use mouth calls is to start out with a call that is made for more advanced level callers that have mastered the mechanics of air-flow control.

[ncwoodsman]

A year or so ago I reached out to Scott Hook and I'm glad I did. I tried many different mouth calls and just couldn't get the sounds I was looking for. He recommended the Game Changer 2 and the Persuader to start with. I ordered them and also picked up the Executioner. I bet I tried 25 to 30 different mouth calls previously, but when I tried his the turkey sounds I was looking for finally came out.

Learning to use a diaphragm can be difficult. It takes a lot of practice. Please don't give up because I believe everyone can learn to use one, especially if I can. If you have a long commute to work like me, practice on the way to work or on the way home. Certainly helps to keep peace in the house and not drive the wife crazy.

Good luck!

[Dtrkyman]

most calls have an aluminum frame you can bend to make fit your mouth better as well as trimming, just be careful not to bend too much, you will lose tension on the reeds.

[MDSTRUTNRUT]

I've always hated  those guys that can throw in any call and sound like a champion caller, I fall into the SUCK CALLER category.  I like a not too large metal frame  and I trim the tape in the back.  Go slow on the scissors do a little at a time and when you get it to sound right save it for a pattern for next time.   I found a call that fit me PERFECT and it was a local guy but then he quit making them UGH!   Gooserbat for me right now call them or email, I'm sure they deal with it all the time should set you up.   GOODLUCK

[thunderbirder]

You guys are great motivators and have given me some excellent information.
Thank you all VERY much!

[ncturkey]

All the information about call fit and thinner reeds was perfect. I would like to add is once you get that call filling better and more comfortable you need to get a good audio tape or CD on how to call. I learn from a old cassette tape of Wil Primos and BoB Dixon. It really helped me take my calling to the next level. Also the Scott Ellis DVD's are still teaching me more too. There are lots of how call on a mouth call out there. There are many you tube videos too on how to call on a mouth call. Good Luck

[EKyhookr]

Get ahold of hooks which has already been suggested. Next, order mouth call magic vol I&II from Scott Ellis. Can't go wrong. His videos are great. You'll learn a lot.

[husker]

A year or so ago I reached out to Scott Hook and I'm glad I did. I tried many different mouth calls and just couldn't get the sounds I was looking for. He recommended the Game Changer 2 and the Persuader to start with. I ordered them and also picked up the Executioner. I bet I tried 25 to 30 different mouth calls previously, but when I tried his the turkey sounds I was looking for finally came out.

Learning to use a diaphragm can be difficult. It takes a lot of practice. Please don't give up because I believe everyone can learn to use one, especially if I can. If you have a long commute to work like me, practice on the way to work or on the way home. Certainly helps to keep peace in the house and not drive the wife crazy.

Good luck!

Couldn't agree with this more. Scott is great and I've had good success with Hooks calls in general.  Top notch.

[larry9988]

I bought a cheap voice recorder off of ebay and started recording myself using a call. It was hard for me to really know what I sounded like until then. I could also hear my progression in sound quality as it also records the date on the sound file. I have been at it for several months now and things are finally starting to click. It helped me to use a simple twin reed call made of prophylactic. Prophylactic does not stick making call maintenance very easy. Start out with soft calling first. Practice soft yelps and clucks with as little air as possible. After you can get good consistent double note yelps over and over with little thought, then you can start learning to use whichever cut call is best suited for you. The voice recorder has been the best money I have spent so far in my process to learn mouth calls. Scott Ellis DVD's are good and I also really like the Chris Kirby DVD that comes with the two turkey thug mouth calls. You can get the two calls and Kirby DVD for less than $10 shipped on Ebay and its worth the investment. Hope this helps, I am still learning myself.

[vabeardhunter]

Here is a great way learn. The kit includes Hooks calls, and a very good instructional on how to fit a call, what call you made need, and how to use them. Everything in one kit. Good luck and keep at it

http://www.callingallturkeys.com/_p/prd6/1612024285/product/%22mouth-call-mechanics%22-kit

[compton30]

Another thing I read on here that really helped me as someone who really struggled with gagging on the calls was just trying to keep them in your mouth as much as you can. I kept mine in my cheek, between my teeth/lips, anywhere to just get used to something being in my mouth so much. It's not good for keeping the calls in top condition, but it did help me get over the gagging. As previously trimming the calls a 1/16th at a time really helps too. When it fits right it makes you wonder how you ever kept that thing in your mouth before trimming. Determination is also a big key. You will get it.

[GobbleNut]

I wish I could buy pack of mouth calls for every turkey hunter in my state....the very best Turkey conservation tool ever invented.It takes a lot of practice to become proficient and most people don't want to put in the time so there's guys that are really good and the rest sound like a choking buzzard.

  This comment deserves more consideration in this discussion.  I largely agree with it.  Too often it seems, there is this mental attitude of us turkey hunters that learning to use a mouth call is a necessity in becoming a great turkey hunter.  That is probably fostered by the fact that turkey calling contests always feature the guys that can run a mouth call flawlessly.  Everybody thinks they can, and must, achieve that skill level with a mouth call.

The fact is that 99% of us are not capable of that kind of skill with a mouth call.  The fact is, however, that friction calls (boxes, pots) have been perfected in the last couple of decades to a degree that most anybody can pick one up and make great "turkey sounds" with very little practice.

The point of the above commentary is that new hunters should not get fixated on the notion that they need to learn to run a mouth call.  It is absolutely not necessary,...and in many cases, it may be counterproductive to success.  For sure, there will be times when knowing how to make accurate sounds with a mouth call will be an advantage, but don't become obsessed with trying to use one. 

And finally, here is another point:  Sometimes gobblers prefer to come to the sound of a "choking buzzard" more than that of the perfect, sexy-hen sound.  I have seen it happen many, many times.  When hunting, you want to find the sound that the gobbler you are calling to likes, not the sound that YOU think he should like.

[thunderbirder]

I wish I could buy pack of mouth calls for every turkey hunter in my state....the very best Turkey conservation tool ever invented.It takes a lot of practice to become proficient and most people don't want to put in the time so there's guys that are really good and the rest sound like a choking buzzard.

  This comment deserves more consideration in this discussion.  I largely agree with it.  Too often it seems, there is this mental attitude of us turkey hunters that learning to use a mouth call is a necessity in becoming a great turkey hunter.  That is probably fostered by the fact that turkey calling contests always feature the guys that can run a mouth call flawlessly.  Everybody thinks they can, and must, achieve that skill level with a mouth call.

The fact is that 99% of us are not capable of that kind of skill with a mouth call.  The fact is, however, that friction calls (boxes, pots) have been perfected in the last couple of decades to a degree that most anybody can pick one up and make great "turkey sounds" with very little practice.

The point of the above commentary is that new hunters should not get fixated on the notion that they need to learn to run a mouth call.  It is absolutely not necessary,...and in many cases, it may be counterproductive to success.  For sure, there will be times when knowing how to make accurate sounds with a mouth call will be an advantage, but don't become obsessed with trying to use one. 

And finally, here is another point:  Sometimes gobblers prefer to come to the sound of a "choking buzzard" more than that of the perfect, sexy-hen sound.  I have seen it happen many, many times.  When hunting, you want to find the sound that the gobbler you are calling to likes, not the sound that YOU think he should like.

Thank you, makes total sense. I will focus on the calls I'm good with and hope to get my hands on some of the mouth calls suggested here. I have the Woodhaven Real Hen box call and the Halloran Crystal Mistress (thanks to this forum), and I really feel like I'm getting the right sounds with them, but like you said, you've got to take the turkeys' temperature and see how they sound in the woods and what they respond to. Thats some really good advice, I appreciate it.

[jim570]

I have a narrow pallet, also.  Called Scott Hooks last year and talked to him.  He sent me some calls that greatly improved my calling.