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TURKEY TALK:
Calls,
Calling & Vocabulary |
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A
technique that is implemented in turkey hunting is Calling.
A lot of turkey hunters utilize turkey calls while on the
lookout or hunting. To the hunter, turkey Calling is an essential
skill.
There
are many types of turkey calls and numerous manufactured calling
devices available. Some that are used by the turkey
hunter are, Diaphragm Caller, Snuff Box Call, Box Caller, Striker Box,
Cedar Box with Striker, Push Button
Call,, Wing Bone Caller, Friction Callers, Crow Call, Noble Whistle,
Owl Hooter, and Tube Caller. I recommend
that the beginner hunter ask experienced turkey hunter's their opinions
on calls. You might end up using
several calls to achieve hunting success. For the bow hunter,
a Diaphragm Type call is probably the best bet,
because you hold it in the roof of your mouth, keeping your hands free
to operate your bow. The end result for using
calls is a matter of personal preference.
The
hunter must develop an understanding of which call is appropriate for
certain situations or circumstances. Also, it
is necessary for the hunter to learn how to distinguish the subtle
variances in the rhythm, pitch and volume of a
turkey's call. This method of turkey vocabulary comprehension
development can be as important as the type of call. |
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TURKEY VOCABULARY:
Audio
Examples |
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The
Tree Call
The
tree call is a series of soft muffled yelps vocalized by a turkey while
stirring on limbs each morning and before flying down from its tree
roost. Sometimes the volume increases when nearing as fly down time.
This call may also be accompanied by soft clucking. A call typically
referred to as a way the turkeys communicate with each other within
their flock. Listen |
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Cluck
Both
the Gobbler and the Hen cluck consists of uttering one-syllable or
more, soft short, staccato notes. There are various reasons why turkeys
cluck. Hens have a contented cluck while feeding on insects. There is
also an excited cluck a hen makes when a tom gobbles. Be careful not to
confuse a cluck with a putt. To distinguish the difference between the
two, listen to the pitch of the call. If the call has a flatter sound
and is not so high pitched, then the call is a cluck. If the call is
sharp and high pitched, then it is a putt. A plain cluck, often
includes two or three single note clucks. Clucks are typically used to
get the attention of other turkeys. The cluck is a reassuring call for
a gobbler approaching a hen. Listen |
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Putt
The
putt is a single-note alarm call that is given when a turkey is upset
or frightened. The putt can be several notes sharp or in a rapid
manner. The sound is similar to two slabs of wood being slapped
together. Turkeys will putt at anything they believe to be a possible
source of harm or danger and will either fly or run away. Listen |
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Cutting
Lonely,
lost or excited hens use a series of fast, loud, irregular single-note
clucks when is search of other turkeys. This call is referred
to
as cutting. The cutt is a distinct call in series that lasts anywhere
from 5 to 15 seconds. The cutt call can be heard at far distances. Listen
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Plain
Hen Yelp
The
yelp is a basic turkey sound. They yelp rhythmically in a series of 4
to 10 single notes. Yelps can also be in short or long sequences and
can have various meanings depending on how the hen uses it. Yelps can
mean the hen is contented, or an excited yelp can be a call to a
gobbler to mate. Two-note yelps “kee-awk, kee-awk" range from raspy
to
high-pitched. A gobbler's yelp is more deep throated and slower in
rhythm than yelps of the hen. Listen |
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Adult
Hen Assembly Call
The
adult hen assembly or lost call is a series of loud yearning yelps.
This yelp is used by the dominant hen to call her flock, and causes the
young gobblers to return. Listen |
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Kee Kee
The
kee kee is a soft, three-note lost call or whistle of young turkeys
used to locate their mothers or the rest of the flock in autumn and
winter. It is not unusual for some young turkeys to kee-kee during
spring as well. Also, the young turkeys kee-kee while milling around
the flock. A variation is the kee-kee run which combines a kee-kee with
a yelp. Listen |
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Fly Down Cackle
The
cackle is a 10 to 20 irregular note sequence made up of yelps and
clucks that can be heard when a hen is flying up to or down from a
roost in trees, and also while flying across waters, or off a ridge.
When the turkey hits the ground, the cackle is followed by basic
clucks. Listen |
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Purr
Hens
and gobblers vocalize a soft, fluttering rolling call while feeding.
Turkeys also purr when they are close together, relaxed and is a signal
of contentment. Listen |
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Gobbling
The
Tom gobbles and is used primarily in the spring to let hens know he is
in the area and to attract them. Gobbling is a mating call. Gobbling is
also used by Toms to demonstrate their dominance over subdominant male
turkeys. Gobbles last one or two seconds and are typically loud and
aggressive. Sometimes in autumn, they gobble to keep up with the
location of one another. Listen |