How bad a call can you get away with?

Depends on the mood the bird is in, in my opinion. Some of the absolute worst calling ive ever heard came from real hens. If a tom isnt in the mood to work, a competition caller wont bring him in. If he is in the mood, you can just about call them in with a kazoo and a whistle.

 

Just make very very few sounds, a little goes a long ways

 

In my opinion, for what it’s worth, you’ll kill more turkeys with woodsmanship than with good calling.

I’m a mediocre caller at best, but I spend a lot time in the areas I hunt and I pay attention to the areas turkeys use in the spring.

Also, if you’re dealing with henned up birds you are fighting a losing battle. Wait until later in the day when hens go to nest. Toms get lonely and are more susceptible to being called in.

 

This ^^^^^^ ..... and like someone else said, live hens sound nothing like competition callers. If you can make a yelp, your calling is ok.

 

I agree, with all the guys, posts above me here, , I wouldnt be afraid to call tho,

 

I’ve heard stories of turkey’s being called in ,by pulling rusty barb wire on a fence post .

 

I was going to say the same thing. Most hunters can out call the real hens, lol.

 

What the heck lol? Does rusty wire on a fence post really make a noise? I know I make a noise when I get caught on a rusty fence. I actually got caught on a tight new waist high barb wire fence this turkey season and took me dang near 10 minutes to unhook my scrotum from the fence without tearing my pants and myself lol.

 

It was a statement ,made in a book by ray eye, using it as an example , if a turkey is hot enough ,all you need is the rhythm.

 

You think highly of yourself, I was going with 2% hahaha.

 

That's pretty neat, thanks for the page and he's right.

 

I respectfully disagree. Competition callers can't out call a real hen, much less most hunters. What most perceive in the calling of a real hen as a mistake, is actually emotion and inflection. Every slip, squeek, whit, or wine from a real hen is communicating something to the other turkeys. You don't have to be a champion caller to kill turkeys, but even if you are , you can't compete with a real hen.

 

Here's a tip for crossing fence .. carry a 3 foot piece of garden hose split down the middle. When you come to fence place it over the wire and cross, fold it put in vest and go. It'll save your camo and your jewels