One of the questions I get all the time is how to produce that clear front end of a wild turkey yelp. That clean note before it rolls into a rasp is something every caller wants, but a lot of folks struggle with it at first. So I wanted to break down exactly how I do it.
Start With a Call That Fits You
For me, the call matters. I need something with a cut on the left side, like the G Baby 3 Reed Mouth Call or a batwing style call, such as the Blue Double Batwing 3-Reed. That design lines up with where my air naturally travels and lets me get that clarity at the front of the yelp.
Everybody is different, though. Your air channel may hit a little right or a little left, but once you find a call that matches your air, the rest becomes a lot easier. If you are still figuring out what style fits you best, take a look at our full line of handmade diaphragm turkey calls.
The Secret Is Air Control, Not Blowing
When I run a yelp, I am not blowing hard. I am not forcing air. The yelp comes from little controlled bursts coming straight from the diaphragm. Think of it like panting, just more controlled.
Each burst of air is one note of the yelp. When you line those notes up in the right rhythm, you get the cadence of a real hen. First work on producing a single clean note. Then add the roll over into rasp. Both come from the diaphragm, not from pushing air out of your cheeks or moving your jaw.
If you want more step-by-step help with air control, be sure to read our guide on how to cluck and purr on a turkey mouth call.
Do Not Move Your Jaw to Make the Yelp
A lot of people think the jaw is what creates the break. That is not the case. When I call, it may look like my jaw is moving, but if you watch my teeth, they never really close. The action is actually in the lips and face muscles.
The yelp starts with your mouth open. As you close your lips, the sound rolls over and breaks into rasp. Try it slow until you feel it. Open to start the yelp, then close to finish it. That motion creates the break and gives the yelp that natural hen sound.
Everyone Has a Different Sound
The more you practice, the more you will find your own little niche. Your voice will not match mine, and it should not. Every turkey sounds different, and every caller does too.
Some people call more out of the side of their mouth. Some close their lips a little tighter or looser. None of that is wrong. It is all about finding what gives you the clean front end and smooth break that sounds real in the woods. If you want to experiment with different cuts, a great place to start is the Turkey Hunters 3 Pack, which gives you a V-cut, combo cut, and batwing in one bundle.
Practice Under Pressure
Right now is the perfect time to practice. I remember when my yelp started changing, and I got on a turkey during the season. My heart was racing, and all of a sudden I had trouble forming the yelp the way I did at home. Pressure changes everything.
The more you practice, the better that muscle memory becomes. When your heart is thumping and you are leaned up against a tree with a gobbler coming, you want that yelp to be automatic.
Keep Working At It
Do not get discouraged. These fine details take time. Get a call that fits your air. Learn to control the diaphragm instead of blowing. And practice that open to closed movement with the lips to get the roll over.
Keep after it and you will see improvement every week. I hope this helps you tighten up that front end and get your yelp sounding like a real hen.
If you are ready to dial it in even more, check out our full lineup of turkey calls, and for more calling fundamentals, read more mouth call tips on the Houndstooth blog.