Tiffany Haney
Learning how to call turkeys is an art that takes time and experience to master. There are several types of turkey calls, including box calls, pot/slate calls, friction calls, mouth calls, and tube calls. The most important turkey vocalizations to learn are the hen yelp, cluck, cutt, and gobble. A hen yelp is a series of soft to moderate notes used to communicate with toms during the spring and to locate each other. The cluck is a short single note used between yelps, while the cutt is a sharp, short, aggressive note usually emitted in a fast-paced series. The gobble is the staple vocalization for male turkeys, used to attract hens, intimidate other toms, and locate each other. Learning to recognize these sounds and understand their meanings is crucial for effective turkey calling. With practice, hunters can use these calls to lure turkeys closer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of turkey calls | Box calls, pot/slate calls, friction calls, mouth calls, tube calls, wing bone calls, diaphragm calls, scratch box calls, multi-piece box calls, mouth diaphragm calls |
| Locator calls | Used to simulate loud noises or animal sounds that gobblers will respond to, such as owls or crows |
| Vocalization calls | Cluck, yelp, purr, gobble, cutt, kee kee |
| Cluck | Short single note used between yelps |
| Yelp | Series of single-note vocalizations, usually soft to moderate notes |
| Purr | Soft, rolling call indicating contentment |
| Gobble | Vocalization of male turkeys, but hens can also make it |
| Cutt | Similar to yelp but more excited, rapid, and loud |
| Kee Kee | Call of lost young turkeys, variations also made by adult birds |
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What You'll Learn
Learn the different turkey vocalisations: gobble, yelp, cluck, cutt and purr
Calling turkeys involves mimicking their various vocalisations to lure them into range. Here's a guide to the different sounds turkeys make:
Gobble
The gobble is a loud, rapid gurgling sound made by male turkeys. It is one of the principal vocalisations of male wild turkeys and is used primarily in the spring to let hens know he is in the area. At the break of dawn, male turkeys may "shock" gobble in response to hearing owls, crows or woodpeckers, which indicates they are within calling distance.
Yelp
Both hens and gobblers yelp, but a gobbler's yelp is deeper, coarser and slower-paced. Yelping is a basic form of turkey communication, often delivered in a series of single-note vocalisations. Yelping is commonly used by a hen to communicate with a gobbler during mating season. Yelping can also indicate that a turkey is worked up about something.
Cluck
A cluck is a short, one-note call often used by turkeys to get the attention of or locate another turkey. It is often associated with flock talk or used to locate another turkey. Clucking is also combined with purring by feeding turkeys.
Cutt
Cutting is a series of fast, loud, erratic single notes. It is a modified cluck and a distinct abrupt call with a somewhat questioning nature. It can be heard at a great distance and is often used by a single turkey looking for companionship. Cutting is also used in hunting to lure a dominant hen by mimicking her calls and attempting to pick a fight with her, which may also bring a gobbler with her.
Purr
Purring is a soft, rolling call turkeys make when they are content. It is a low vocal communication designed to keep turkeys in touch. It is not a loud call but is good for reassuring turkeys as they get close to your position. Purring can also be used as a signal of mild alarm, and turkeys will purr aggressively when agitated or fighting for dominance.
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How to make a yelp, cluck, cutt and purr with a pan call
Calling turkeys with a pan call involves imitating the vocalisations of female turkeys (hens) to attract male turkeys (gobblers). Here are some tips on how to make yelp, cluck, cutt, and purr sounds with a pan call:
Yelp
The plain yelp of a hen is a basic turkey sound, often used to communicate with other hens or attract gobblers during mating season. It is typically delivered in a series of single-note vocalisations, with two notes—a slower first note and a quick, sharp final note. To create an effective yelp with a pan call, start by saying "yelp" into the call. If that doesn't work, try moving your jaw as you yelp and dampening the front of the reed with your tongue. Vary the volume and aggressiveness of your yelps, starting quieter and then gradually increasing in volume and intensity throughout the day. Imitate the vocalisations of hens, and they may respond by coming closer, with gobblers following.
Cluck
Clucks are often associated with flock talk or the feeling of contentment. Turkeys usually cluck first and then purr with a rolling note. To create a clucking sound with a pan call, place the call in your mouth and breathe from your chest or diaphragm. Say the word "puck" while sending a quick burst of air into the reed, then quickly close your lips to stop the sound. For softer clucks, use a mouth call with a thin reed. Remember, there's no need to cluck aggressively; excited turkeys tend to make louder noises.
Cutt
A cutt is a loud and sharp cluck, indicating that a turkey is worked up or excited, not alarmed. Hens often cutt with one to three notes at a time, displaying their dominance. To create a cutt sound, use a thicker reed, which requires more air to produce a louder volume. If you hear a hen cutting, try to lure her by cutting back and sounding even more excited, potentially bringing a gobbler with her.
Purr
Turkeys purr when they are content, such as when they are feeding or wandering with the flock. Purring is a soft, rolling call that reassures birds of each other's presence. It is not typically a loud call but can be amplified to coax birds closer. To purr with a pan call, flutter your tongue as you blow air into the reed. If this doesn't work, try rolling your "r's" while blowing air into the reed.
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How to locate turkeys with a pan call
To locate turkeys with a pan call, you must first understand the different sounds turkeys make and what these vocalizations mean. You can then use a pan call to mimic these sounds and attract turkeys. Here are some of the most important turkey vocalizations to know and how to use them to locate turkeys:
Gobble
The gobble is the staple vocalization of male turkeys, although hens can also make this sound (rarely). Toms gobble to attract hens, intimidate other toms, locate each other, and for various other reasons. At the break of dawn, male turkeys may "shock" gobble in response to hearing owls, crows, or woodpeckers, indicating they are within calling distance. Hunters can imitate these bird sounds to prompt a gobble and locate turkeys.
Yelp
The plain yelp is the basic vocalization of female turkeys, used to communicate with toms during the spring and to locate each other. Yelping can effectively attract gobblers, as they tend to follow dominant hens. Hunters can imitate hen yelps to lure them closer.
Cluck
A cluck is a short single note, often used between yelps by turkeys in close proximity. It is a soft social vocalization common when hens alternate between feeding and staying in contact with approaching birds. Clucking can be used as an initial call to locate turkeys without scaring them off.
Purr
Purring is a soft, rolling call turkeys make when content, often heard by feeding birds. It is a low vocalization used to keep turkeys in touch. Purring is good for reassuring turkeys as they get closer to your position.
Cutt
The cutt is a modified cluck, a sharp, short, aggressive note usually emitted in a fast-paced series of three, four, or more notes. Cutting is a sign of excitement, not alarm. It is often used by a single turkey looking for companionship. Hunters can use cutting to indicate to a henned-up gobbler that a dominant hen is nearby and lure him in.
When using a pan call to locate turkeys, it is important to start with quieter calls and gradually increase the volume. This way, you won't scare off any nearby turkeys. Be patient and wait at least 5 to 10 minutes before responding to a gobbler's call, and don't call too often—less is more.
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How to attract turkeys with a pan call
Attracting turkeys with a pan call requires you to mimic the sounds turkeys make. Here are some tips on how to do it:
First, you need to understand what sounds turkeys make and what these sounds mean. For example, a hen's yelp is a staple vocalization used to communicate with toms during mating season. Toms gobble to attract hens, to intimidate other toms, and to locate each other. Turkeys also cluck, cutt, and purr.
Once you know the different vocalizations, you can start practising imitating them with your pan call. You can try to produce the hen yelp, cluck, and cutt, as these are some of the most important turkey vocalizations to replicate. You can also try to replicate the gobble of a wild tom, but this is less common for hens.
When you're in the field, start by using short locator calls to simulate loud noises or other animals that gobblers will respond to, such as owls or crows. These calls can be used throughout the day but are especially effective in the early morning and late evening.
After locating some turkeys, it's time to use your vocalization calls. Start quietly and gradually increase the volume. A soft "cluck", "yelp", or "purr" are good initial calls to use as they are common social vocalizations. If you hear a gobbler respond, be patient as they may take some time to approach. Wait at least 5 to 10 minutes before responding, and keep trying for at least an hour before giving up.
If you hear hens, try to mimic their vocalizations. For example, if a hen does a soft 4-note yelp, you should do the same, and if she gets loud, you can get louder too. By imitating the hen's calls, you may be able to lure her and any nearby gobblers closer to you.
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How to imitate an owl, crow or woodpecker with a pan call
To call turkeys, you can use a pan call to imitate the sounds made by other birds, such as owls, crows, or woodpeckers. Here's how to do it:
Imitating an Owl with a Pan Call
Barred owls have a distinctive hooting call of 8-9 notes, which can be easily imitated with a pan call. To reproduce this call, use a series of 8-9 hoots, similar to the phrase, "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?". This call is often used by barred owls to communicate with other owls in the woods.
Imitating a Crow with a Pan Call
American crow vocalizations are relatively easy to produce. To imitate a crow with your pan call, practice making a "caw" sound with varying inflections and tones. Crows use different numbers of caws to convey different meanings. For example, one caw can mean "Where are you?", while two caws can mean "There's something interesting over here". When using a pan call to imitate a crow, try to vary the number of caws and the tone of your cawing to convey different messages.
Imitating a Woodpecker with a Pan Call
Woodpeckers are known for their distinctive drumming or rapping sounds, created by pecking on resonant objects like hollow trees or utility poles. While you can't peck with a pan call, you can imitate the vocalizations of woodpeckers, which include a variety of notes and cadences. The Northern Flicker, for instance, is known for its laugh-like "ha-ha-ha-ha" call, as well as its "kreee" and "kwirr" calls. Practice making these sounds with your pan call, varying the tempo, length, tone, and rhythm to mimic the diversity of woodpecker calls.
Remember, when using a pan call to imitate these birds, it's important to practice and fine-tune your technique. With time and dedication, you'll be able to master the art of imitating owls, crows, and woodpeckers with your pan call, improving your turkey calling skills.
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Frequently asked questions
The four most important turkey vocalizations to know are the hen yelp, cluck, cutt, and gobble. The yelp is the foundation of turkey calling and is used by hens to communicate with toms during mating season. The cluck is a short single note used between yelps. The cutt is a sharp, short, aggressive note, usually emitted in a fast-paced series of three, four, or more notes. The gobble is the staple vocalization for male turkeys, used to attract hens, intimidate other toms, and locate each other.
Other common turkey vocalizations include the kee kee, purr, and cackle. The kee kee is the call of lost young turkeys, while purring is a soft, rolling call that turkeys make when content. A cackle is a loud, staccato call with irregularly spaced notes that increase in pitch, associated with leaving or flying up to a roost.
Start with short locator calls to simulate loud noises or animal sounds that gobblers will respond to, such as owls or crows. Once you've found turkeys in your range, use soft vocalization calls like clucks, yelps, or purrs to avoid scaring them off. If you hear a gobbler respond, be patient as they may take some time to approach. Start quietly and gradually increase the volume and aggression of your calls as the day goes on.
Calling turkeys is most effective in the early morning and late evening. At dawn, male turkeys may "shock" gobble in response to hearing owls, crows, or woodpeckers, indicating they are within calling distance. You can also try imitating these sounds to elicit a gobble.
There are several types of turkey calls available, including box calls, pot/slate calls, friction calls, mouth calls, and tube calls. Wing bone calls were traditionally used by Native Americans and are made by cupping one hand around the thick end and producing a "mock kiss" by sucking air in abruptly with the thinner end in your mouth.
