Calling tips?

After a few years of applying, I finally drew a spring turkey tag. I ordered up a Covert blind, then made a trip to FF to stock up on some calls, decoys, etc. The box calls & slate have been no problem, but I’m struggling a little with the mouth call. I downloaded a few apps to my phone and have been practicing in the truck. I can cluck pretty well, but my yelps don’t sound quite right…no matter what I try. Do any of you guys have any tips or words (like the “who cooks for you” owl call) that you like to use to get a more realistic sound and rhythm? Any help is appreciated

I’m not sure of any word sequence that will help? My advice is “don’t force it”, you would be surprised how little vibration on your tongue and soft air can make the mouth call very realistic. Also, it may take a few different diaphram calls before you find “The One” that works best for you. I’d you can? Go out and buy a 3 pack of Hunter Specialties for $10-12 and have at it. Good luck.

Ive had better luck w/ Hunter Specialties mouth calls, ones with either 1 or 2 reeds. I don’t like the higher pitched calls. As for trying to get the sound right, try moving your lips as you yelp, and then try it w/o moving your lips. Sometimes i have an “off” day with one or the other so i mix it up. I have noticed that moving your lips w/ each yelp helps control the volume

Do you have a small mouth? They make smaller calls for people with smaller palletes. Try a smaller call it might help you out.

Can you describe what sounds off about it?? Are you missing the clear front note, not getting good raspy end, missing the roll over, have a hissing sound?

CW

First, thanks to everyone for jumping in. I need to admit that I’m a total rookie, having only ever heard a “live” turkey yelp once or twice. So I’m judging my calls based on the recordings I downloaded.
I picked up a 3 pack of of the Quaker Boy foam calls, mostly using the Ol’ Boss Hen (sounds better/more raspy than the others), but I’m have the same trouble with all 3 calls. I’m sure my issues have more to do with my technique rather than the call. Again, being a total rookie, I don’t know exactly how to describe it…other than the calls I’m making sound flat, or monotone.

Cheeeee-uck. The “uck” comes from your jaw dropping….the “Cheee” part comes from pursing the corners of your lips (similar to playing a wind instrument) and pushing air across the call.

Those recordings are actually pretty good comparisons for doing calling against, and much better than what I had when I was getting started. Live hens are the best teachers, so anything you can do to get out in the woods with them is a good thing. The best lessons they’ll teach you however have more to do with cadence, but hearing their tone is also good.

As for calls, it’s tough at first. Every callmakers calls fit a bit differently. Quaker Boy calls fit well for me, though I have friends that can’t play on anything but custom calls. I have other friends that will only use Strut calls. Keep trying new ones within reason, eventually you’ll find the perfect combination.

Good luck!

Joel

Practice is the only way you will ever master what you need to do. Keep practicing and it will come to you…

As for words as someone else stated. Cheeee Uck

Scott Ellis has a new DVD that I think would help out any hunter, not just new ones. He talks about how to do almost every call in the woods. He still has a few up on youtube, but the DVD goes more in depth and explains each part of the call.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkKR3eYnBd4

CW