Imagine you go on a hunt and cannot find any game. Disheartening! That is why learning some effective calling techniques will be useful and can sometimes even mean the difference between going home empty-handed or with some game.
In this comprehensive guide, we will take an in-depth look into how to call like a pro, with a focus on three specific animals: turkeys, coyotes, and mallard ducks.
Understanding Turkey Vocalizations
Birds have many sounds, each with their own purpose. As a hunter, you should know these sounds so you can either identify or hunt turkeys more effectively.
Let us examine a few:
Cluck
The cluck is a sharp sound turkeys use to stay in touch. Hunters can use the cluck to keep turkeys interested. This can help in a successful hunt.
Purr
The purr is a soft sound turkeys make when they’re happy or socializing. Hunters can use the purr to make turkeys feel safe and come closer.
Gobble
The gobble is a loud call only males make. It shows they’re availability and mostly is used to attract hens. Hunters can use the gobble to bring in other turkeys, either out of curiosity or to challenge them.
Kee-kee run
The kee-kee run is a high-pitched whistle young turkeys make when they’re lost. Hunters can use this call to show they care and bring in turkeys of all ages.
Choosing the Most Effective calling technique
There are many types of ways you can call a turkey. Depending on your hunting style, you can use any of the calls to attract turkey.
Let us look at the different types, and then you get to choose what works best for you depending on your style and hunting conditions:
Box Calls
Box calls are easy to use and great for making realistic turkey sounds. They have a chamber and a stick, or paddle. Rubbing them together makes the sounds turkeys make. Even beginners can learn to use them quickly.
Pot Calls
Pot Calls are mostly used by hunters because of their range of sounds. They have a circular pot with a striking surface. When the striker is hit on the pot, hunters can make different turkey sounds.
This type of call also allows hunters to control the sounds well, attracting turkeys.
Diaphragm Calls
Diaphragm Calls are hands-free and versatile but to use them, you will need practice. They usually have a frame with a latex reed in the mouth.
Blowing air across the reed makes different turkey sounds. Diaphragm calls are very useful because they let hunters call without losing their shooting position. But, they take skill to use well.
Push-Pull Calls
Push-Pull Calls are very simple. They usually come with a box and a spring and a peg. Moving the peg makes different turkey sounds.
This kind of call is great for beginner hunters or those who want a reliable call.
Locator Calls
Locator Calls help find turkeys by mimicking sounds like a crow or coyote. They don’t sound like turkeys, so they won’t scare them away.
Using them right can help hunters locate turkeys from afar. The best time for using these calls are early in the morning or late afternoon.
Turkey Calls Summary: Effective Calling Techniques
When learning turkey calls, you should start with the basics like clucks. Later, you can move to more complex calls. To really replicate these sounds, you should listen to real turkeys or recordings to learn their sounds.
When implementing these calls, you should take not of how loud you call. Ensure that your calls are moderate such that they attract turkeys far way without scaring those close by.
Also learn to adjust your calls based on how the turkey reacts to increase your chances of success.
In summary:
- Develop a strong foundation in turkey vocalizations by mastering easy calls such as clucks before moving to more advanced calls.
- Observe and learn from real turkeys or recordings to gain a deeper understanding of their calls.
- Adjust your calling volume to attract distant turkeys without distracting nearby ones.
- Time your calls carefully to engage a turkey’s curiosity without scaring it away.
- Adapt your calling strategy based on the turkey’s response to increase your chances of success.
Mastering Effective Calling Techniques For Coyote
Previously hunters used rodent and rabbit calls to hunt coyotes. However, they are are getting smarter and harder to hunt with just rodent or rabbit calls.
Now, hunters need to use different Coyote Vocalizations to catch them. This includes non-aggressive male howls and female yodels or pup sounds.
Using Coyote Vocalizations
Coyotes make over two dozen sounds to talk to each other. Interesting right?! Usually from January to March, these sounds work better than calls for prey.
In some instances, a special Coyote Call Sequence may be appropriate. It starts with electronic male howls, then a female yodel, a calm howl, a distress call, and finally, sounds of pup distress and death.
This mix makes coyotes curious and think there are more of them. Handmade coyote equipment have big benefits over store-bought ones because they are made just for you and will sound better and coyotes won’t recognize them.
Effective Calling Techniques for Mallard Ducks
Mallard ducks are a top choice for Waterfowl Hunting. If you are looking to hunt these birds, learning their calling techniques is a good way to go.
Mallards use different calls for various situations, like decrescendo calls for females, chuckles for feeding and flying together, and common quacks for other needs.
Mallard Call Vocalizations
Using the right calls is important because when you use them right, you can help attract these birds.
Calls like quacks, feeding calls, comeback calls, and hail calls can be used to get better results.
To get the most out of your waterfowl hunting expedition, you need to have the right hunting gear and really master these duck calling techniques.
Effective calling techniques for ducks is about precise mouth movements and controlled air. To get better, you should learn to mimic mallards’ sounds, including the basic quack and chuckle sequence and practice often.
Now let’s take examine the differences between some two duck calls.
Effective Calling Techniques: Single Vs Double Reed Call
First, you should know that the type of duck call you pick depends on the situation and the sound you want.
Single-reed calls on the other hand are versatile, letting you make many mallard sounds, from basic quacks to complex ones.
Double-reed calls are also easier for beginners, needing less air pressure and making a raspier sound.
Next, let us examine some advanced duck call strategies.
Advanced Duck Call Strategies
Before you get to this stage of mastering advanced duck call strategies, you should understand that duck hunting goes beyond just basic calling.
One tactic you can learn is mimicking a “lonesome hen” to attract other ducks looking for a mate or a group. This works best during breeding season when ducks answer calls from a lone female.
Another trick is using “hail” or “highball” calls to get ducks’ attention from above or far away.
When you become an expert in Duck Calling Techniques, you will learn how to mix different duck sounds. Mixing these calls will make it sound like a lively flock, which will catch ducks’ attention and bring them closer.
But to get there, you need to keep working on your skills and adjust to changing hunting conditions. This will improve your Duck Hunting Strategies and Waterfowl Hunting Tactics a lot.
Go Ahead And Learn!
A serious hunter knows that to attract the game you want, you need to put in some extra effort. This includes learning some of these calls.
Mastering calling takes time and effort but these skills can determine if your hunt turns into a success or a miss.
All the best on your journey to learning the wild’s secrets and becoming a true calling expert.
