Pot calls, often called slate calls, are friction-style calls that are easy to use and produce a range of turkey sounds.
For turkey hunters using a pot call to mimic hen sounds can be extremely effective for attracting lovestruck toms during spring mating season. However the unique mechanics of a pot call take some practice to master. Follow this guide to learn proper turkey pot call techniques and sound like a real hen in no time.
What is a Turkey Pot Call?
A turkey pot call is a circular sounding device used by hunters to imitate the various clucks, purrs and yelps of a female turkey It consists of a shallow circular cup, usually made of aluminum or wood, with the interior surface coated in chalk A striker, typically a rounded hardwood dowel, is rubbed across the chalked surface to create turkey sounds.
Pot calls allow hunters to easily reproduce an extensive vocabulary of turkey vocalizations to draw in gobblers during the breeding season. However, using a pot call properly requires learning specialized techniques to sound authentic.
Get Familiar with Your Call
Before heading out to the field, spend time experimenting with your pot call at home to get a feel for how it sounds. Try rotating your wrist and varying the pressure and speed of the striker to create different tones, pitches and rhythms. Pay attention to how subtle changes make distinct turkey sounds.
As you practice, refer to audio of actual turkey hens to mimic their vocalizations accurately. While each call has its own unique quality, aim for realism over a broad range of elementary, clucks, purrs, cuts and yelps.
Proper Grip and Hand Position
Using proper hand positioning is key to controlling your pot call. Hold the pot call firmly in your non-dominant hand with the open side facing up. Your palm should cover the bottom of the call. Wrap your thumb over the side edge.
Grip the striker lightly between your thumb and index finger of your dominant hand, as if holding a pencil. Allow the striker to rest loosely to prevent tension that can cause unnatural sounds.
Hold the striker at a 45 degree angle just above the chalked surface of the pot call. Keep your elbow tucked close to your body for stability. This grip gives you the range of motion needed to easily vary the angle, pressure and speed of the striker.
Producing Basic Turkey Sounds
With a proper grip, you can create a variety of life-like turkey sounds:
1. Plain Yelp
The most basic call is the plain yelp, which sounds like “kee-kee-kee”. Execute sharp 2-3” strokes across the surface, emphasizing the first note.
2. Clucks
For clucks, use very short 1⁄2” strokes applied with medium speed. Make series of 2-6 clucks in rhythmic patterns.
3. Purrs
Purrs should sound rolled and vibrating. Use light, rapid 1⁄2-1” strokes back and forth in the same spot.
4. Cuts
Cuts are abrupt, loud notes that sound like “putt”. Apply a hard downstroke and lift the striker quickly. Allow the striker to bounce slightly.
5. Cackles
Cackles are fast, staccato and chuckling. Use short, light strokes about 1” long with very brief pauses between.
Sounding Like a Hen
Authentically imitating a hen turkey requires combining different sounds into sensible sequences. Hunters recommend following these strategies:
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Use a lot of clucks and purrs, which hens use commonly.
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Throw in some plain yelps, cuts and cackles periodically.
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Vary pitch from low to high.
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Use realistic timing and pacing between sounds.
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Add urgency or excitement selectively to mimic a lovesick hen.
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Make your calling unpredictable to avoid sounding robotic.
Advanced Techniques
With practice, hunters can pick up advanced pot call techniques to attract toms:
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Volume Changes: Increase or decrease volume to imitate a hen moving closer or farther away.
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Realism: Introduce imperfections like stutters or cracks.
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Mimicking Gobblers: Reproduce clucks, purrs and gobbles of male turkeys.
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Fighting Purrs: Use rapid high-pitched purrs to signal an aggressive hen.
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Feed Call: Make contented clucks and purrs to mimic a hen scratching and feeding.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Having issues with your pot calling? Try these tips to troubleshoot problems:
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Squeaking: Apply more chalk and use lighter pressure.
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Lack of control: Adjust grip or hold striker closer to the end.
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Poor friction: Refresh chalk frequently during use.
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Unnatural sound: Use wrist motion rather than arm to avoid tension.
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Call goes silent: Allow striker to rebound above surface briefly between strokes.
With practice controlling a pot call comes intuition. Strive to sound not like a hunter, but a lovesick hen turkey inviting suiters to come running. Master these techniques and you’ll be on your way to consistently bagging spring gobblers.
To make a cluck
Grab the striker about a half-inch from the bottom and press down firmly while you pull in toward you. The peg should make a quick, sharp jump that creates a one-note sound. To get the cluck tone you want, move the striker around on the slate’s surface to find the sweet-spot.
To make a cutt
Make the same stroke as you would for a cluck, but longer. Quickly follow up with five or six more of the same stroke. Start each pull at the same point and return the striker quickly to the starting point to deliver the cutt calls in a fast sequence.
Turkey Call Basics, Turkey Pot Call Tutorial!
Why does a pot call sound like a Turkey?
The friction that the striker makes against the surface creates noises (that will ideally sound like a turkey). Pot calls are commonly called “slate calls” even if they do not actually utilize slate. The five common surfaces are slate, glass, crystal, ceramic, and aluminum.
How do you make a turkey call?
You can make a variety of turkey calls by varying the stroke pattern. All vocalizations require keeping the peg tip on the surface. To cluck, put the peg’s tip on the striking surface. Angle it slightly inward with pressure and pull it toward you. Cluck softly with less pressure; louder and deeper with more.
What is a turkey call?
Enjoy! For the new turkey caller, and for many veterans, nothing has more turkey in it than a pot style call. Generically known as a friction call, or simply (irregardless of the surface) as a slate, they are very simple to use, simple to control and very basic to understand.
When should you use turkey calls?
Know when to use certain turkey calls, such as mouth calls, box calls, and slate calls. For example, on a windy day, a high pitched, loud box call will be more effective at striking toms. When a gobbler is close, you want to use a soft mouth call (so that you can have your hands on your gun, ready to shoot).