The turkey call, the heart of the hunt
Call hunting the Wild turkey relies almost entirely on your ability to imitate a hen. In spring the male (tom) actively seeks to mate: a good call makes him gobble back, then strut closer.
Types of calls
- Box call : easy to handle, perfect for beginners, produces clear clucks and yelps.
- Slate/pot call : very versatile, lets you vary the tone.
- Mouth diaphragm : hands-free, essential at the moment of the shot but takes practice.
Key vocalizations
- Yelp : the hen's basic call, a series of soft notes.
- Cluck : a short reassuring note.
- Cackle : excitement, great at first light.
- Purr : a calming sound to seal the approach.
Tips for Quebec
- Turkey season runs in spring (late April to late May depending on the zone); check MFFP dates and zones.
- Locate a roosted tom at dawn, then call sparingly.
- Don't call too loud or too often: a wary tom shuts down fast.
- Pair the call with a hen decoy to lock the male's attention.
- Stay perfectly still: turkeys have exceptional eyesight.
A well-mastered call is the difference between a silent tom and one strutting in at 20 metres.