The Best Turkey Mouth Calls for Beginners
A turkey mouth call is basically a plastic megaphone that amplifies the sound of your voice so that wild turkeys can hear you from far away. If you want to hunt wild turkey, this is the tool that will get them to come within shotgun range. A turkey mouth call is also a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you’re trying to bag dinner or just have fun calling to the wild. After researching 25 different turkey mouth calls and testing 17, we’ve determined these are the best for beginners.
# | Name | Preview | Rating | Action |
1 | Primos Hunting Hook Hunter Series 2 Ghost Cut Turkey Call | 9.6 | ||
2 | Primos The Lucy Hen House Series Turkey Mouth Call | 9.3 | ||
3 | Primos Hunting Hook Hunter Sharp Spike Cut Turkey Call | 8.7 | ||
4 | Primos Hook Hunter Curved Hooks with Crew Cut Turkey Mouth Call | 8.5 | ||
5 | Primos Hunting Hook Hunter Long Hook Upper Cut Turkey Mouth Call | 8.4 |
How We Tested
For this guide, we tested the mouth calls in the same way: We placed each call in the same position, with the reed set at the same angle, and tried to blow each call at the same volume and pace. All of the mouth calls in this guide are simple to use. We found that as long as you can make a simple “tweet-tweet-tweet” call, you can master any of these.
After mastering the basics, we moved on to a few more advanced techniques that can be applied to almost any mouth call.
We also tried to learn the common tricks and cheats used by turkeys and other gobblers.
All of these mouth calls are designed to let you mimic the sounds turkeys make naturally. In order to do this well, you need to understand how turkeys create those sounds.
We tested the mouth calls with both warm and cold temperatures, as well as wet and dry conditions, so we could see how they fared in all conditions.
Primos Hunting Hook Hunter Series 2 Ghost Cut Turkey Call
What Makes It a Smart Investment
The Primos Hook Hunter Series Turkey Call is one of the most-affordable mouth calls on the market, and it could be your best bet if you’re just getting started in turkey hunting.
It has two latex reeds with a “Ghost” cut (an extra-thin, extra-wide reed that’s easier to blow), and it’s designed by a team of hunters with over 100 years of turkey-hunting experience. The reeds are cut with precision, and the call comes with extra replacement reeds.
Primos The Lucy Hen House Series Turkey Mouth Call
What Makes It a Smart Investment
We’ve found the Lucy turkey call to be one of the best options for beginners due to its simple design and ability to produce a variety of sounds.
It has three reed “bat cut” reeds that allow you to create a wide range of yelps, cutting, and purring sounds. With the Lucy, you can get everything from the loud, rowdy sounds that really reach out to a longbeard to the soft, sweet purrs that bring ’em in close.
With a simple twist of the wrist, you can go from a rowdy, aggressive yelp, to a soft, tree yelp all with decent volume. We’ve found the Lucy to be one of the most durable, and it has a flexible plastic frame that fits comfortably in the mouth and allows you to experiment with different mouth shapes to create different sounds.
Primos Hunting Hook Hunter Sharp Spike Cut Turkey Call
What Makes It a Smart Investment
The Primos Hook Hunter is a solid choice for novice hunters and experienced hunters alike. It has been tested in the most extreme conditions and environments and uses only top-quality materials and craftsmanship.
But it’s specifically designed to be user-friendly, whether you are a professional, recreational user, or even a casual hunter.
It has two late-season reeds with the “spike cut” design, and it is built by a team of hunters with over 100 years of turkey hunting experience.
It comes with premium reeds with precision hand-made cuts.
Primos Hook Hunter Curved Hooks with Crew Cut Turkey Mouth Call
What Makes It a Smart Investment
In our tests, the Primos Hook Hunter outperformed the other mouth calls we tried, thanks in part to its soft polymer construction, which makes the call more durable than its competitors.
It offers a unique curved hook that sounds particularly realistic, as well as a crew cut design that makes it easy to control. The Hook Hunter produces incredibly realistic mouth calls and unique pitches, and it comes with two latex reeds so you’ll be able to create high and low tones that should drive toms crazy.
Primos Hunting Hook Hunter Long Hook Upper Cut Turkey Mouth Call
What Makes It a Smart Investment
The Primos Hook Hunter Long is our favorite mouth call because it produces raspy yelps and cutts with a minimum of effort.
It has premium-quality reeds and precision hand-cut reeds, and it’s designed by a company that’s been making mouth calls for 100 years.
Its real and unique pitches—including raspy yelps and cutts—are what help our testers bring in the most turkeys.
It’s also the most reliable mouth call we tested, so you can comfortably use it for hours of calling without worrying about it drying out.
If you’re looking for a mouth call that is easy to use, produces high-quality sounds, and is affordable, the Primos Hook Hunter Long is the one for you.
Still Confused? No Worries! Go Through These to Decide Better
We focused on single-reed calls because they’re a simple beginner instrument. When we tested them, we looked for the following features:
Volume
A good beginner call should be loud enough so that you can hear it over the ambient forest noise and your own noisy breathing. We preferred calls with fine, clear tones that project well.
Straw Included
It’s easier to get started playing with a call that has a straw—and most beginners don’t have one on hand. The straw should be long enough to stay in the call when you play but easy to pull out when you want to take a drink.
Durable Materials
Call materials are important because you’ll be dropping them in mud, leaving them outside in all kinds of weather, and maybe even accidentally chewing on them (a common mistake among novice players). The best beginner calls are made from plastics that are resistant to cracking and breaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What features should I look for when selecting a turkey mouth call for beginners?
When selecting a turkey mouth call for beginners, look for calls that have an easy-to-use design, are made of flexible material, and have a single reed. Also look for calls that have adjustable volume and realistic turkey sounds. Additionally, it is important to select a call that is comfortable to hold in the mouth and easy to blow.
How difficult is it to learn to use a turkey mouth call?
Learning to use a turkey mouth call can be difficult, but with practice and patience it is possible. It takes time to learn the techniques and to master the right movements and sounds to make the call. Additionally, having good hearing and an understanding of turkey vocalizations can help.
Are there any safety considerations when using a turkey mouth call?
Yes, when using a turkey mouth call, it is important to be aware of your surroundings to ensure that you do not startle any wildlife. Additionally, it is also important to ensure that you are not disturbing any other hunters in the area.
How do I know if I am using the correct technique when using a turkey mouth call?
To make sure you are using the correct technique with a turkey mouth call, practice regularly and listen to recordings of experienced turkey callers. It is also helpful to watch videos of experienced callers to observe the proper technique. Additionally, you can seek guidance from experienced turkey hunters in your area.
Are there any tips or tricks that can help me become better at using a turkey mouth call?
Yes, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you become better at using a turkey mouth call.
1. Start with basic calls and practice them until you sound natural and can make the calls sound realistic.
2. Work on mastering the individual sounds of a turkey call. Each sound has a specific shape and sound.
3. Experiment with different calls and sounds to find out what works best for you.
4. Practice in different locations and environments to get used to the different sounds of the outdoors.
5. Listen to recordings of turkey calls to get an idea of how a real turkey call should sound.
6. Experiment with different types of mouth calls and find the one that fits you the best.
7. Spend time in the field observing turkeys and their behavior to get an idea of how to best use a turkey call.
8. Always keep a turkey call handy so you can practice and hone your skills when you have the opportunity.