For turkey hunters looking to bag more birds each season, electronic turkey calls offer tantalizing potential. Also known as e-calls, these devices mimic turkey sounds to lure in wary gobblers But are these high-tech calls legal for hunting wild turkeys? The answer depends on your state
What Are Electronic Turkey Calls?
Before examining the legality of e-calls, let’s first understand what they are. Electronic turkey calls use digital audio technology to reproduce the various sounds male and female turkeys make.
E-calls typically contain pre-recorded turkey calls, though some allow hunters to upload their own custom recordings Using speakers and amplifiers, electronic calls broadcast these sounds to mimic flock talk, clucks, purrs, yelps, and gobbles
Advanced e-calls allow hunters to modify volume, tempo, pitch, and sequence of the calls. This customization aims to sound more realistic to wild turkeys. E-calls come in handheld, backpack-sized, and even remote controlled versions.
Benefits of Electronic Turkey Calls
When used legally, electronic turkey calls offer some advantages over traditional mouth, slate, and box calls:
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Consistency – E-calls broadcast consistent sounds every time. Novice hunters can struggle to use handheld calls properly.
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Volume – With high-powered amps, e-calls can project sounds much louder and farther than manual calls.
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Realism – Many e-calls have high-quality turkey recordings that sound authentic to birds.
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Hands-free – Some e-calls feature remotes or motion-activation, allowing for hands-free operation.
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Less movement – E-calls limit hunter movement compared to manually operating a call.
However, e-calls also have disadvantages like lack of ability to improvise calls, reliance on batteries, and increased weight. Overall, they provide another option in the turkey hunter’s tool kit.
The Legality of Electronic Turkey Calls Varies by State
So can you use an electronic turkey call legally? Unfortunately, there is no uniform answer across the U.S. Regulations vary widely between states. Here are some general guidelines:
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Legal in Most States – Approximately 40 states permit e-call use for turkey hunting. This includes popular turkey destinations like Texas, Florida and Kentucky.
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Banned in Some States – At least 10 states prohibit the use of electronic calls for turkey hunting. These include New York, Vermont, Massachusetts and Mississippi.
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Restricted in Some States – A few states like Missouri, Kansas and Wyoming allow e-calls but with certain restrictions. This can include banning amplified calls, limiting use to private land, or prohibiting use until later in the season.
No matter your state, consult your local hunting regulations before using an electronic call on public or private land. Pay close attention to any special rules like times of year they may be prohibited even if otherwise legal.
Why Some States Ban Electronic Turkey Calls
Given the potential benefits, why do some states restrict or ban e-calls for turkey hunting? Reasons include:
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Perceived Unfair Advantage – Some view e-calls as giving hunters an unfair edge over turkeys. The calls may draw in turkeys easier than manual calls.
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Interference with Other Hunters – Loud, far-reaching e-calls could potentially disrupt other hunters’ attempts to call in birds.
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Overharvest Concerns – A very effective e-call could contribute to overharvest and interfere with conservation efforts.
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Tradition – Some states aim to maintain turkey hunting in its traditional form, without advanced technology like e-calls.
Tips for Using Electronic Turkey Calls Legally
If electronic turkey calls are legal in your state, here are some tips for using them effectively and legally:
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Scout your hunting area thoroughly and identify turkey hot spots.
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Use an e-call that allows easy volume adjustment and sound mixing.
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Mimic the cadence and frequency of natural turkey sounds. Avoid excessive calling.
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Try to use a mouth or slate call in tandem with the e-call.
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Consider a model with a removable speaker you can place away from your setup.
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Make sure batteries are fully charged before your hunt. Bring spares.
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Use a directional speaker to prevent sounds broadcasting over wide areas.
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Follow any state regulations limiting when during the day e-calls may be used.
Electronic Calls Can Be Useful Tools When Legal
While banned in several states, electronic turkey calls offer advantages over manual calling when legal. E-calls expand the options available to turkey hunters. But be sure to research your state’s specific regulations before incorporating e-calls into your spring turkey hunting. With responsible use, e-calls can help lure weary gobblers within range.
Lawful Means and Methods
It is legal to:
- hunt animals and non-migratory game birds from a motor vehicle, powerboat, sailboat, or from any other floating device within the boundaries of private property or upon private water.
- use calling devices (including manual and mouth-operated), recordings, and electrically amplified calls to hunt game animals and game birds. Electronic calls may not be used to hunt migratory game birds.
- use decoys to hunt game animals and game birds. No person may use live decoys when hunting migratory game birds.
- bait for game animals, nongame animals, and upland game birds, except for wild turkey in the East Zone and migratory game birds. (Baiting is unlawful on most public property. Please check specific regulations for that public property.)
- trap nongame/exotic animals (such as feral hogs, rabbits, etc.) on private property.
- use dogs to aid in the hunting of any game bird.
Game animals and non-migratory game birds may be hunted with any legal firearm, except:
- Rimfire Ammunition (of any caliber) may not be used to hunt white-tailed deer, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, or pronghorn.
- Fully Automatic Firearms
- Shotguns are the only legal firearm that may be used during East Zone spring season for wild turkey.
- Magazine Capacity (number of shells/cartridges allowed): there are no restrictions on the number of shells or cartridges a legal firearm may hold when hunting game animals or game birds (except migratory game birds, see Legal Shotgun).
- Muzzleloaders: muzzleloader deer seasons are restricted to muzzleloading firearms only: any firearm designed such that a bullet/projectile, and powder can be loaded only through the muzzle (as opposed to breech-loading firearms). A cap and ball firearm in which the powder and ball are loaded into a cylinder is not a muzzleloader.
- Suppressors (aka “silencers”): may be used to take any wildlife resource; however, all federal, state and local laws continue to apply.