We've never had a place with turkeys in the past, moved to a new place two years ago and there seems to be a healthy population of them running around. Going out this weekend to do some tractor work and wanted to try my hand at it, but have no clue where to start as far as a call goes, so here's my question: What are y'all's favorite turkey calls and why? And more importantly, what would y'all recommend for a rookie like myself? Some of those slate calls look tough, I'm no rocket scientist.
I've always stuck to duck, dove and deer... But now I want a big fan on my wall!!
Thanks in advance, and good luck to everybody!!

I would recommend a box call. Very easy to use and produce good sounds.

I prefer a diaphragm call cuz it keeps my hands free. And I can cluck an purr a lot better with one.

But I agree with OC1, if you want to get going quickly you can figure out a box call real quick. They sound good and are loud.

Box and slate calls are easy to use and learning time is short for the basic turkey sounds: yelp, cluck, cut and purr. 5 minutes with someone that knows how to run one will have you making turkey noises with them. diaphragm calls take longer to learn but no hands required to call and do sound very realistic when driven right.

From your location, not that far from Cabela's on 35, go by there and someone should be able to show you how to work either the Slate or box calls.

And if it helps, they actually have available free turkey sound apps, to help imitate the sounds

I have so many turkey calls, my wife thinks I have an addiction....she may be right. Hunting for myself, I use a diaphragm call. Calling birds in for other hunters I use a pot call. In fact, in 2hrs and 7 minutes I am leaving to go on my Spring Rio hunt in Sonora!

Start'em with a box and finish with a diaphragm.

Gman

I'm gonna head to Cabelas Friday morning on my way outta town... Looks like I'll be picking up at least a box call! Any certain brands to look for?

Any brand to start off is OK. They also have kits with several calls. I thought they have one in a green package with all three, slate, box and diaphragm. I like o sart them with a box call and knock em dead with a diaphragm. I like to hit them with a "purr purrr CLUCK cluck cluck".

watch some of these. That pur cluck is explained in this video. That is a killer for a hung up bird.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UBwkHwPZaE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLakELVp1lw

This guy s amazing. You don't need all this to kill a turkey. This is just fun to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLakELVp1lw

With the fellas, Box is so simple, even a cave man can use one, round slates are easy as well. One you are flicking the wrist kinda/sorta, the other you are "writing letters". My favorite is the diaphragm as well, just have to trim some of them for personal comfort.

Good luck on your hunt and new addiction.

Woodhaven Real Hen in cherry is a good mass manufactured box call. Be sure to pick up some chalk (make sure it is box call chalk...not driveway or chalkboard chalk) and practice, practice, practice.


Gman

I appreciate it guys!!

The box call or slate are easy. I have not tried a mouth call. Of course the iphone app is pretty easy also.

Get multiple calls because sometimes they will answer one and not the other or sometimes both. I use a slate call first softly then louder then try a diaphragm call. You never know which one they will answer to. The box is easiest followed by the slate then the diaphragm. Find someone to show you the ropes and you will be ready in no time. I like a couple of decoys as well, a strutting jake and hen work great.

When I was a kid I hunted them every spring out between Menard and El Dorado, Texas. We didn't have decoys, just Lynch's box callers. I shot them with a .22 hornet with a fmj round. I would call them and as soon as they would come in my range I would shoot them. With decoys, diaphragm calls ect, things got a whole lot more fun.

I use two hens and a covering jake decoy. They can't stand it!

I agree with the others. Start with a box call. I have several extra if you want to borrow one or try a few different ones.

If you want to venture into mouth calls, this guy is one of the best to learn from........

I agree..Shane is one of the best.