Question for those who only use a slate call.

[deerbasshunter3]

For those of you who only use a slate call, or, I guess, even just a box call, for that matter, how do you call to a gobbler when he is close enough to see you using the call (purrs, purr/cluck, etc...)?

The reason that I ask is that I am much better with my slate call than I am with my mouth call (the mouth call is hit and miss these days), so I am thinking of just sticking to the slate and "mastering" that as my go-to call.

[FL-Boss]

I use pot calls only for the same reason, I'm real good with them.  But I do keep a mouth call on the brim of my hat and use it to finish off a bird.. if needed.  But I hunt in some tick stuff, so generally by the time I see him, it's about time to shoot anyway and no more calling is needed.  Things in my part of the world tend to happen pretty fast. Hunts goes from 0 to 100 quickly.

[worth612000]

If he close enough to see you that's a tough one. I would just wait to see if he closes the distance. If you do anything while he's facing you you will be spotted for sure. If he hangs up I still would wait him out. If he turns around to leave you can maybe rake the leaves or do a purr or cluck and hope for the best. There's always another day.

[MK M GOBL]

Depends on how close your talking, if that close I'm already in shooting position but I call for a lot of people and use a slate (Cody World Class Slate) and love the soft calls you get from it, I also use a mouth call in combination with it. So here's the deal when I'm calling, I have a 2'X2' piece of camo material and drape it over my knees down to ankles, makes kind of a "mini" blind and I just run the slate behind it, keeps any movement hidden from the birds eyes even up close.

MK M GOBL

[Tennessee Lead]

I use pot calls almost exclusively
I can use a mouth call but I gag on them so I try and limit using them.
When using a pot call I try and set up to where when I can see him he's in range if possible .
Most times if he's committed I lay it down because I want him looking for me. If I have to make a call I have it in my lap so my legs hide the movement of my arm to the call.


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[West Augusta]

Where I hunt it's thick and hilly. Usually when I can see him,  I can shoot him.

[Dr Juice]

I would still use a mouth call though. You do not have to be proficient as a contest winner but enough to keep the gobbler interested and curious. I recommend to practice your yelping, clucking, and purring with the mouth call. I do well enough killing birds without being a Grand National champ. Good luck.

[wvmntnhick]

I would still use a mouth call though. You do not have to be proficient as a contest winner but enough to keep the gobbler interested and curious. I recommend to practice your yelping, clucking, and purring with the mouth call. I do well enough killing birds without being a Grand National champ. Good luck.

^this. Don't have to be a master. Some hens sound legit and others sound awful. Think the ones that sound rough don't get bred? Just being able to produce some soft clucks would likely be enough. Good luck sir.

[TauntoHawk]

You can make sure you are tucked into cover or natural blinds better than normal, use a small portable blind material, or practice the mouth call a bit more you just need a purr and cluck to finish them

[Double B]

Very carefully.   Off side scratching or a pushpin caller might help.  I like that mini blind tip MK M GOBBL, good stuff.

[1iagobblergetter]

I can use  mouthcalls,but like using pot calls,boxcalls,etc. and hunt alot of fields..I use an H.S.strut 12ft ×27ish in. roll up ground blind. My backs against a tree,Gobbler lounger for chair,and my blind is in a horseshoed shape along the sides and out front of me. I don't do alot of run and gun and this allows me to sit for awhile comfortable and I don't worry about a little movement. I am able to call them inside 20yds consistently.

[Spitten and drummen]

Personally , I pick my set up to be able to kill him as soon as he is in sight. I dont like sitting in a wide open bottom , though it may be pretty , but I seem to get more hung up birds when im set up in a place that looks like a park. Sometimes you have no choice and i will use the mouth call to seal the deal. You dont have to be a competition caller , just effective with soft clucking.

[Browning87]

I am a huge fan of using pot calls but will only use them when comfortable knowing he can't see  me. If I have a bird coming I lay the call down and switch to the mouth call. If you can learn to cluck, purr and soft yelps most of the time that's all you need

[Bowguy]

When he gets behind cover you can keep your hand low n scratch leaves in a turkey sequence. Best to do it when he's not looking at you n as posted earlier set up so they're in range once you see them if you can. Make him come looking for you. If he's alone especially he'll very often come to not much noise. Act disinterested. He'll strut closer if he doesn't see you.
Another method if the 60 yards out thing n no closer is a prob w a particular bird is using 2 hunters n have one back calling  or back away real soft calling

[Arrowhead]

I use a little ground blind.