How to Clean a Turkey Mouth Call for Optimal Sound

Let’s just say, solely for the sake of conversation, that you’ve given up any and all personal hygiene practices. No reason — we’ll call it a social experiment. No brushing your teeth. No combing your hair. No showers. No deodorant. Nothing.

A week — maybe two — goes by, and you start to notice you’re spending a lot of time alone. Even the cat leaves the room when you walk in. Essentially (and how do I put this nicely?) you’re a mess. Why? It’s due to a total lack of maintenance, and in your case, personal maintenance.

Same with your automobile. Neglect the oil and bad things are going to happen. It’s the same story whether it’s your hot water heater, your checking account or something as simple as your everyday reading glasses. Maintain them, and they’ll function as intended and last a whole lot longer. Neglect them, and they’ll let you down … usually at the worst possible time.

Turkey calls are no different. Sure they’re simple pieces of equipment, but even simple pieces of equipment need periodic maintenance to ensure they perform to their fullest potential. This month, Slayer Calls takes an in-depth look at turkey call maintenance. We’ve already discussed why it should be done — see above! — now it’s on to the how portion of the equation.

Turkey hunting relies heavily on calling in that wary old tom. Nothing is more frustrating than working a bird that hangs up just out of range, only taking a few hesitant steps closer when you call. Often, the difference between sealing the deal and watching his retreating tail feathers is your calling skills. However, even the most seasoned hunters can sound like novice callers if their calls are dirty, wet, or have stuck reeds. Taking proper care of your turkey mouth calls ensures you sound like an expert caller, convincing even call-shy gobblers to commit.

Why Keeping Turkey Mouth Calls Clean Matters

Proper call maintenance makes a huge difference in the tone, realism and ease of calling. Here’s why keeping your calls clean and reeds loose results in better calling

  • Improved sound quality – Just like playing a musical instrument, you need your call in proper working order to hit the right notes. Separated, flexible reeds vibrate freely to produce those sweet hen yelps, clucks, and purrs that get a tom fired up.

  • Realistic sounds – A mouth call with stuck, stiff reeds limits your range of notes and sounds choppy. Keeping reeds conditioned and mobile lets you nail those nuanced inflections for ultra-realistic calling.

  • Easy calling – Saliva naturally collects on the reed surfaces causing them to stick together over time. Loose, clean reeds take less airflow for easy calling without running out of breath.

  • Extended life – Friction from stuck reeds slowly damages the thin latex. Keeping them unstuck reduces wear and tear, giving you more seasons of reliable use from quality calls.

Just a few minutes of proper maintenance makes a remarkable difference in how well your mouth call performs Follow this simple routine and you’ll sound like a calling pro.

How to Clean a Turkey Mouth Call

Cleaning turkey mouth calls is quick and easy. Here are the key steps:

Before the Season

  • Rinse – Run the call under cool water, gently rubbing the reeds between your fingers to remove debris.

  • Disinfect – Soak the call in an antiseptic mouthwash for 30 seconds up to 2 minutes. Swish it around a few times.

  • Rinse again – Thoroughly rinse away mouthwash residue under running water.

  • Air dry – Pat dry with a paper towel and allow to fully air dry before storing.

During the Season

  • Carry properly – Keep calls in a pouch or plastic box when not in use. Avoid keeping one in your mouth for prolonged periods.

  • Freshen often – Every 30 minutes, take a break from calling and let the call air dry. A clip on your vest helps.

  • Loosen reeds – Before calling, work your call to accumulate spit and separate any stuck reeds.

After the Season

  • Clean – Follow the full wash routine above after your last hunt.

  • Separate reeds – Carefully slide a toothpick between each reed pair to keep them from sticking while stored.

  • Store properly – Place in an airtight plastic case or bag and keep in the refrigerator over the offseason. The cool, dark space prevents deterioration.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning a Mouth Call

Follow this simple step-by-step process to keep your turkey calls sounding great:

Supplies Needed

  • Turkey mouth call
  • Toothpick or reed pick
  • Small bowl or cup
  • Antiseptic mouthwash
  • Paper towels

Cleaning Process

  1. Rinse – Hold the call under a stream of cool water, letting the water run over both sides. Gently rub the reed area with your fingers to dislodge debris.

  2. Disinfect – Put a small amount of mouthwash in a bowl or cup. Submerge the call and swish it around for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

  3. Rinse again – Hold call under running water to rinse away all mouthwash.

  4. Dry – Pat dry with a paper towel. Allow to completely air dry.

  5. Separate reeds – Carefully insert a toothpick between each pair of reeds to keep them from sticking.

  6. Store – Place call in an airtight plastic container or bag once fully dry. Keep in the refrigerator.

Caring for Calls In-Season

  • Allow call to dry while clipped to your vest or in a pouch every 30 minutes.

  • Before calling, work the call in your mouth to accumulate spit and loosen reeds.

Staying on top of keeping your turkey mouth calls clean takes just minutes but pays big dividends in superior sound. Follow these call care tips and you’ll have happy toms gobbling at your expert calling in no time!

how to clean a turkey mouth call

Diaphragm turkey call maintenance

There’s really not a whole lot to do with diaphragm (mouth) calls except, that is, for preventative maintenance. That includes keeping them out of the sun and extreme heat — neither of which isn’t at all good for the latex reeds.

After using my diaphragms, I’ll suck the water (i.e., the spit) out from between the reeds (if they’re multi-reed calls) and try to get them as dry as possible. I’ll then put them in a pouch-style holder or, better yet, back into their original hard plastic clamshell case, and store them in the refrigerator until it’s time to head back out.

Some sources say to store your diaphragms in a clean plastic tin containing a thin piece of sponge sprinkled with mouthwash. “Keeps ’em fresh,” they say. Truth is, the alcohol in the mouthwash can degrade the latex and shorten the life of the call itself, despite leaving a cool minty taste in your mouth. Really no decision there.

Turkey Mouth Call Care (4 TIPS to make your calls last!)

FAQ

Can you wash a turkey mouth call?

The water and mouth wash bath is also a good practice with new calls. Regardless of whether it’s a store bought call, or one I make myself from home, I like to wash away the “latex flavor” and anything else that comes from calls and material handled by someone else.

How long do turkey mouth calls last?

Q: How long should a hunter expect a diaphragm call to last? A: Turkey Calls can last up to 2 to 3 years if cared for correctly. The two parts of the call that can fail are the latex and the tape. The latex will wear out over time and the tape can delaminate if not allowed to dry.

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