I know a few successful turkey hunters who never use a mouth call. They bring their gobblers in with slate calls and have no problem killing them close. But, all of the truly expert turkey hunters I know use a mouth call, at least on occasion. A mouth call, or diaphragm call, allows you to make turkey sounds hands-free (so you can keep them on your gun), and it also allows you to make a diverse array of turkey noises without fumbling through your vest pockets.
The downside is that learning how to use a turkey mouth call can be pretty challenging. It certainly requires more practice to master compared to other turkey calls. It’s taken me years to become a decent caller with a diaphragm. But along the way, I’ve killed a whole mess of longbeards. Below is a beginner’s guide on how to use a mouth call, along with some tips for effectively hunting with one.
A turkey mouth call, also known as a diaphragm call, is an essential tool for any turkey hunter Mastering the art of using a mouth call takes time and practice, but it allows you to make a variety of realistic turkey sounds to draw in wary gobblers during the spring hunting season
Getting Started with a Mouth Call
Choosing the right call style and size is the first step to success. Most mouth calls consist of a u-shaped plastic frame with latex reeds stretched across. Look for a call with thicker latex reeds, usually .020 gauge or higher, as they produce the best sound. The call frame should fit comfortably in the roof of your mouth without blocking your airway. Cut styles like batwing, split-v and others control the sound by channeling airflow over the reeds. Pick a cut suited for your calling style.
Once you choose a call, place it in your mouth with the reeds facing your lips and the frame edges curled upward. Position it behind your front teeth Press the reeds to the roof of your mouth using your tongue to prevent air leaks The latex needs to vibrate freely to create sound. Now you’re ready to start practicing.
Making Basic Turkey Sounds
The yelp is the most common and important turkey call to master. Say the word “yelp” forcefully to vibrate the reeds. Control pitch and tone by directing airflow with your tongue and controlling air pressure with your diaphragm. Yelp in short 1-3 note bursts, varying rhythm to sound like a real hen turkey.
Add excitement with the cutting call by sharply increasing air pressure while saying “cut.” Cuts are great for locating and exciting gobblers. Make contented purrs and clucks by rolling your tongue while blowing air over the reeds. Vary the speed for realism. Perfect these essential calls by listening to videos of real hen turkeys and replicating their vocalizations.
Advanced Turkey Calling Techniques
Once you nail the basics, further develop your calling abilities with these tips:
-
Vary volume – Use loud, excited calls to locate birds at a distance Soft, subtle calls draw in wary gobblers up close. Match volume to the turkey’s response.
-
Change cadence – Alter call frequency, length and pace. Hens don’t call predictably. Stick to 1-2 note calls between periods of silence to sound natural.
-
Add emotion – Make urgent kee-kee calls, aggressive cutts, and change pitch to reflect a turkey’s mood. This realism helps pull in pressured birds.
-
Use terrain – Understand how gobblers use terrain and call accordingly. Call aggressively from hidden spots and softer when you may be visible.
-
When to call – Avoid overcalling. Let gobblers commit before calling again. Silence often works better than calling on pressured birds.
-
Try different calls – Alternate between mouth, box and slate calls for variety. Each has advantages in certain scenarios.
Proper Care of Mouth Calls
With proper care, a quality mouth call should last an entire turkey season or longer. Follow these tips to maintain your calls:
-
Dry calls thoroughly after use to prevent sticking and warping. Store in a sealed container.
-
Warm calls in your mouth or pocket before use in cold weather. Latex reeds stiffen when cold.
-
Control dust and lint buildup by washing with non-oil soap and water. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
-
Replace reeds at first sign of wear, dry rot or loss of sound quality. Most frames accept replacement reeds.
-
Avoid touching the reed surfaces. Finger oils degrade latex over time. Handle calls by the frame.
Be Patient and Practice
Mastering mouth call techniques requires regular practice sessions. Don’t get frustrated. The more time you spend honing your skills, the better you’ll sound in the turkey woods when it really counts. Vary the sounds you make, try different call placements and focus on reproducing those hen turkey vocals accurately. Watch online video tutorials for tips. With ample practice, you’ll gain the confidence and abilities to bring in more gobblers with a mouth call this season.
Find the Right Tutorial Video
There are a ton of turkey calling videos on Youtube. And while internet videos are a great start for learning how to call, not all of these videos are created equally. In my opinion, the single best video explaining how a mouth call works and how to start using one is produced by Shane Simpson from Calling All Turkeys. Simpson is a champion competition caller, a call maker, and an extremely good turkey hunter. I know Simpson, I’ve hunted with him, and I can attest that he’s the real deal. Start your mouth calling lesson by watching the video below.
Find the Right Call for You
There are two main considerations when considering how to choose the right mouth call: the size of the call and the style of cut.
Some diaphragm calls are a little larger with a wider tape area—the wider flexible material around the frame. If you’ve got a small mouth these won’t fit you well and will feel uncomfortable. You can trim the tape to size with scissors, but it’s better to just find a call that fits you out of the box. Experiment with a few different call sizes until you find one that fits well in the roof of your mouth (more on this below). Some callers like to slightly bend the frame of their call for a better fit.
When you blow air through the call, your tongue naturally forms a channel of air. This channel can be formed down the middle of your mouth, to the left, or to the right. To effectively use a mouth call, you must figure out which kind of air channel you create and then match it to an appropriate cut style. Experiment with this by starting with an uncut call. Put the call in your mouth and make a hissing sound (somewhere between a snake and a cat) as Simpson suggests in his video. Pay attention to where your air channel is created. That will determine the cut style that you need to start with. You want the air channel to pass over the cut area of the call.
Read Next: The Best Turkey Mouth Calls
How to use a TURKEY Mouth call – THE BASICS –
FAQ
What is the best turkey mouth call for beginners?
How do you get used to a turkey call?
We’re just getting used to having the turkey call in your mouth on the roof of your mouth taking it in and out putting back and practice that see if you have a problem with it, just set it there, talk with it, take it out, put it off to the side of your mouth, take it out, put it back and just get used to it.
Do turkey hunters use a mouth call?
But, all of the truly expert turkey hunters I know use a mouth call, at least on occasion. A mouth call, or diaphragm call, allows you to make turkey sounds hands-free (so you can keep them on your gun), and it also allows you to make a diverse array of turkey noises without fumbling through your vest pockets.
Why do turkeys make mouth calls?
Mouth calls are very simple to store in your pocket or vest. As a result, they are never far away when birds make an unexpected noise. Mouth sounds are perfect for the dense western woodlands where turkey hunters forage because of their natural sound and stealthy appearance.
Should you use a mouth call on a Turkey gun?
A mouth call can sound super-realistic at close range, and it leaves your hands free so you can make those last crucial calls while you’ve got two hands on your turkey gun. Plus, mouth calls are so versatile and handy that if you want to hunt light, you can put three of them in a shirt pocket, grab your gun, and just head out to get your tom.