The Kee Kee run is one of the toughest turkey vocalizations for a lot of folks, and I’m right there with you. Since we’re in October and fall turkey season is rolling in, this is the time of year when I get one question more than anything else:
“What call is best for running a Kee Kee?”
If you search around online, most people will tell you the ghost cut is the go to. And for some callers, that’s true. But for me, the ghost cut is a no-go. My air does not come out through the center of the call. So when I try to run a Kee Kee on a ghost cut, I can push air all day and it still will not give me that clean note.
Here is what actually matters.
Find Your Air Channel
Every caller blows a diaphragm a little differently. Your natural air channel might lean left, right, or sit dead center. That alone can change which cut works for you. If you want to explore different options, check out our full line of diaphragm turkey calls.
Here is how it breaks down:
If your air is left of center
You will have better luck with something like a batwing or a G-Baby. Both have a cut on the left side, which lets that air roll exactly where it needs to be.
On my end, I run a Kee Kee better on a combo style cut on this particular call than anything else. If you want a mix to experiment with, the Turkey Hunters 3 Pack is a good starting point.
If your air is right of center
A call with cuts on the right side will be your friend. A left cut will fight you every step of the way.
If your air is center
You are in great shape. A ghost cut should sing for you and produce a clean Kee Kee note with ease. You can browse all of our cuts in the full turkey call collection.
That said, I have seen folks adjust a call in their mouth and apply tongue pressure in just the right gap to force the air through the sweet spot. It can be done, but it takes practice.
The Big Takeaway
Do not give up on the Kee Kee run. And do not assume one specific cut is the universal answer. Just because someone else can run a Kee Kee on a ghost cut does not mean it will work for you.
Your air placement decides the call. The call does not decide your air.
I’ve never been a great Kee Kee guy myself, but I can do it. And I can do it best on the call that matches where my air naturally travels. If you figure out the same for yourself, your Kee Kee will clean up quick.
Hope this helps you next season. Try a few different cuts, pay attention to where your air hits, and you will get there. For more tips like this, visit the Houndstooth Blog.