Turkey hunting is as much about skill as it is about getting into the mind of a wild turkey. When it comes to calling in turkeys, many hunters swear by the versatility and effectiveness of turkey mouth calls. Whether you're new to the craft or a seasoned hunter looking to sharpen your game, understanding turkey mouth calls can help you bag that next elusive tom.
What Is a Turkey Mouth Call?
A turkey mouth call, also known as a diaphragm call, is a small device that fits inside your mouth. This tool uses air and tongue pressure to mimic turkey sounds and is made primarily of a horseshoe-shaped frame, stretched latex reeds, and tape. You can create lifelike turkey vocalizations by blowing air across the reeds, from soft clucks to aggressive yelps and cutting. Compact and hands-free, mouth calls give hunters the advantage of being able to call and draw a weapon at the same time—an edge that can turn the odds in your favor when a tom approaches within range.
Types of Turkey Mouth Calls
With dozens of options on the market, it can feel overwhelming to pick your first mouth call. However understanding the differences in reed construction can help narrow down your choice. Here are the most common types:
- Single-Reed Calls: These are perfect for beginners. They require less air pressure and are easier to control, offering clean, simple notes like soft clucks and purrs.
- Double-Reed Calls: For hunters ready to step up, double reeds add more variety to your calls. They require more pressure but produce richer and more realistic turkey sounds.
- Triple-Reed Calls and Stack Reeds: Advanced hunters use these calls for their higher volume and wide range of tones. They are ideal for loud yelps, cutting, and raspy hen calls to lure a long-distance tom.
- Specialty Cuts: The edges of the reeds are often cut into patterns (batwing, ghost cut, combo cut, etc.) that help create distinctive sounds. Each cut offers its own unique tone and performance, so experimenting with different shapes can help you find your preferred style.
Why Choose a Turkey Mouth Call?
Hunters love mouth calls for their versatility and practicality. Here’s why you should consider adding one to your arsenal:
- Hands-Free Operation: Unlike box or slate calls, you can keep your hands on your bow or shotgun while calling. This matters in close-range encounters where every second counts.
- Realistic Sounds: With practice, mouth calls allow you to mimic even the subtlest turkey calls, from kee-kees to excited hen yelps, making them one of the most realistic call options.
- Portability: Mouth calls are small, lightweight, and easy to carry. You can fit several in your pocket without adding extra bulk to your gear.
- Affordability: Most mouth calls are budget-friendly, making them accessible for hunters of all skill levels.
Tips for Beginners
If you’re new to mouth calls, don’t worry! They may take some getting used to, but with practice and patience, you’ll be calling in gobblers like a pro. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Choose the Right Call: Start with a single or double-reed call with a basic cut. These are easier to use and will give you a sense of control as you learn the ropes.
- Practice Basic Sounds First: Focus on mastering basic clucks, yelps, and purrs before trying more complex calls. Many online tutorials and apps can help you learn the right rhythm and tone.
- Fit Matters: The tape on a mouth call can sometimes feel too large or uncomfortable. You can trim it slightly to fit your mouth, but make sure not to cut into the reeds.
- Use a Mirror: Practicing in front of a mirror can help you see the shape of your jaw and mouth movements, which affects how the call sounds.
- Take It Slow: It’s normal to sound more like a kazoo than a turkey when you first start. Keep practicing daily and, over time, you’ll notice your calls becoming more crisp and lifelike.
- Clean Your Calls: After each hunt or practice session, rinse your call with warm water and store it in a ventilated case. This will prevent bacteria buildup and extend the life of your call.
Pro Hunting Tips for Mouth Call Success
Even experienced hunters can benefit from refining their technique. Here are a few advanced tips:
- Soft Talk for Close Toms: Once a turkey responds, tone down your yelps or switch to soft purrs and clucks. Loud calling can spook toms at close range.
- Layer Your Calls: Carry multiple mouth calls with different reeds and cuts so you can adjust your calls to suit the mood of the birds.
- Scout and Adapt: Practice listening to turkey calls while out scouting. Mimic their cadence and tone for realistic calling tailored to your hunting area.
- Double-Calling: Pair a mouth call with a slate or box call to imitate multiple turkeys. This can make a lonely tom feel like he's missing out on a hen party.
Primos Hunting Hook Hunter Turkey Mouth Call (Pack of 2) Realistic Sounding Turkey Call PS1252
- Hook Hunter 2" with Ghost Cut. Uses little air and is great for Kee Kee and Purrs
- Premium Gauge Reeds and precision hand-made cuts
- Custom Designed by Combining over 100 Years of Experience
- Real and Unique pitches that even the wisest ol' tom can't resist
- Hook Hunter SHARP with Spike Cut Most Universal Hook Hunter Call
ESH Turkey Mouth Calls – Single or Multi-Pack (2, 3, or 6-Pack) Diaphragm Turkey Calls for Hunting – Variety of Reed Cuts for Realistic Hen Sounds – Perfect for Beginners and Pros
- Comprehensive 3-Pack Set: Includes True Hype (3 Reed Snub Nose Batwing with Rasp Slits), React (3 Reed Reverse Combo Cut), and Long Spur (3 Reed Inverted Batwing) turkey diaphragm calls. These versatile turkey calls for hunting deliver realistic yelps, kee-kees, clucks, cutts, and purrs for hunters of all skill levels.
- User-Friendly Design: Engineered to produce realistic hen sounds with minimal air pressure, these turkey mouth calls are easy to use. Ideal diaphragm turkey mouth calls for practicing or hunting during spring or fall seasons.
- Expertly Crafted for Success: Designed by the ESH Custom Calls team, these mouth turkey calls mimic authentic turkey sounds. Each turkey call mouth is hand-assembled and tested to ensure high-quality performance in the field.
- Efficient Airflow Design: The 3-reed structure requires less air to produce lifelike turkey calls, such as kee-kees, clucks, and purrs. These beginner turkey mouth calls are perfect for new and seasoned hunters alike.
- Handcrafted in the USA: Made with durable, premium materials, these turkey mouth calls for hunting to deliver consistent results. Designed for turkey hunting enthusiasts who demand the best turkey calls for filling their tags faster.
Woodhaven Calls Custom Calls The Ninja Hammer Mouth Call WH136
- The “Ninja Hammer” by WoodHaven Custom Calls is a 3 reed call (top green over two proph reeds).
- The Ninja Hammer is designed with a brand new cut that offers a very unique turkey sound. This call will produce those raspy yelps of an old hen, as well as, those high-pitched kee kee runs of a lost turkey.
- The Ninja Green latex is very user friendly to blow while still offering lots of backbone in the call. From hard, crisp cutting, yelping, and whistling to those soft clucks, purrs, and whines…the “Ninja Hammer” offers today’s turkey hunter its very own unique sound.
- Features: 3 reeds - 1 green over 2 proph reeds Very unique turkey sound Raspy yelps and high pitched keekees Easy to use Produces hard crisp cutts yelps and whistling. ****ONLY ONE CALL IN PACKAGE****
FOXPRO Crooked Spur Turkey Mouth Call Combo 3 Diaphragm Calls Included
- FOXPRO's Crooked Spur Series mouth calls are Made in the USA and are designed to offer a wide range of tone, pitch, and realism, utilizing a combination of prophylactic and latex materials for superior sound quality.
- The Crooked Spur Combo Pack includes three distinct calls: Black V-Cut, Orange Batwing, and Gray Double, each featuring different reed configurations for versatile sound possibilities.
- Each mouth call is individually stretched and handmade to ensure consistent and high-quality performance, with unique colors for easy selection during use.
- Proper maintenance of diaphragm calls involves rinsing with a mouthwash and water mixture, careful drying, and storage in a cool, dark place to preserve sound quality and longevity.
- Exposure to heat and sunlight can damage the latex in mouth calls, affecting sound quality and lifespan, so it's important to store them properly.
Hunters Specialties Strut Realistic Sounds Premium Flex Four Turkey Diaphragm Mouth Calls Combo, 4 Pack
Hunters Specialties
Strut Realistic Sounds Premium Flex Four Turkey Diaphragm Mouth Calls Combo
- EFFECTIVE MOUTH TURKEY CALL COMBO - The Hunter Specialties Premium Flex 4 Mouth Turkey Call Kit is one of the easiest to blow diaphragms on the market. Each call features either 2 or 3 Ultra-thin reeds
- REALISTIC SOUNDS - This combo provides a wide variety of sounds - Lil' Strut for long-range cutts and calls; Sickle Cutter for loud cutts; Deuce Cutter for a broad raspy range; Smokin' Gun for fall hunting kee-kees, tree yelps, and soft raspy
- CONSTRUCTION - The Hunters Specialties' Premium Flex frame offers more comfortable use and better shape retention than other frame types for perfect calling pitch time after time. Moisture resistant for longer life
- PACK INCLUDES - Combining Strut's proven Li'l Strut, Sickle Cutter, Deuce Cutter, and Smokin' Gun mouth calls, this 4-call set offers great calling versatility to match your hunting situation. It gives hunters the sound they need to take on all gobblers
- TURKEY HUNTER MUST-HAVE - When it's time to head to the turkey woods make sure you have Hunters Specialties mouth call combo in your vest to help you bag your next gobbler; These calls will help make your next trip into the woods a success
Turkey Mouth Call FAQs
Can I call turkeys out of turkey season?
No, it is illegal to call turkeys outside of the designated turkey hunting season. Calling turkeys outside of the season can disrupt their natural behavior and mating patterns, which can have negative effects on the overall turkey population.
Can I use mouth calls if I am a beginner?
Yes, mouth calls can be used by hunters of all skill levels. However, it may take some practice to get comfortable using them and creating realistic turkey sounds. Start with simple calls and gradually work your way up to a turkey's vocabulary.
How do I properly store my mouth calls?
To ensure the longevity of your mouth calls, it's important to store them properly. After each use, rinse them off with clean water and let them air dry before storing them in a cool, dry place. You can also use a plastic case or ziplock bag to keep them protected from moisture and dirt.
Do I need to replace my mouth calls?
Like any hunting gear, mouth calls will eventually wear out with use. It's important to regularly check the condition of your calls and replace them when necessary. Signs that it's time for a replacement include loss of sound quality, tears or holes in the call material, and worn-out reeds.
Are there specific techniques for using mouth calls?
While there are many different techniques for using mouth calls, the most important factor is practice. Experiment with different positions in your mouth for good calling, try soft yelps, and aggressive cutts to sound realistic.
Final Thoughts
Turkey mouth calls are a game-changer in any hunter’s toolkit. While they require a bit of learning, the rewards are worth the effort. From hands-free efficiency to incredibly realistic calls, these small tools can help search for new levels of success in the field. If you’re just starting out, don’t get discouraged. Practice is the key to mastering the skill and outsmarting even the wariest gobblers. With time, patience, and the right tools, you’ll become a master of turkey vocalizations—and the envy of turkeys everywhere. Good luck, and happy hunting! Order today!
