How to Call Turkeys

By Kate E

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Shaker turkey call
Camouflage outfit

Instructions

Step 1:
Go out at the right time of year. The easiest way to call a turkey is by making the sounds a hen uses to attract mates. However, this only works during mating season. At other times of year, the turkeys are likely to ignore you completely. So plan to hunt in the spring if you want to attract gobblers (male turkeys).
Step 2:
Buy a call. The easiest call to use is a shaker, which mimics a turkey when you shake it up and down in rapid succession. It can make different sounds depending on how much and how fast air passes through it. Make sure it has a silencer so it won't continue to make noise when you're walking around or taking off for the day.
Step 3:
Practice using your call at home so you don't end up looking silly in front of your friends. The mating call sounds like three yelps, getting successively higher in pitch, with two short and lower-pitched tones following it. If you're not sure what this should sound like, visit the National Wild Turkey Federation's website and listen to the example of the "plain yelp" and then the "cluck." If you're really good, you can learn to make the sounds with your mouth.
Step 4:
Be patient. Using a turkey call once won't send a gobbler running straight to you. You'll have to sit still and listen for one to answer you back. Then go out and look for it, moving slowly and carefully as to not scare the gobbler away. If you just sit and make the call over and over, you're more likely to attract other hunters than turkeys.

Tips & Warnings

Wear camouflage clothing when making your turkey calls. Turkeys have eyes, you know.
Wear bright colors, such as orange, over your camouflage when you're moving around in the forest. You want other hunters to be able to see you. Always follow the rules of weapon safety when you go out hunting, and never hunt without a license.

Resources

National Wild Turkey Federation's website

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