From windy days to tight timber, here's what to run and when to run it.
Ask 10 turkey hunters what the best turkey call is, and you’ll get 12 opinions—and probably a few arguments too. Truth is, no one call does it all, but the right call for the right situation? That can turn a quiet morning into a fine gobbler floppin’ at your feet.
So instead of asking “what’s the best call?” the better question is:
“What’s the best call for this situation?”
Here’s a breakdown of what I personally grab depending on weather, terrain, bird pressure, and distance. If you’ve ever been stumped on whether to reach for a box, mouth, or pot—this’ll help you pick the right one every time.
1. Windy Mornings: Box Call is King
Go-To Call: Box Call
When the wind’s blowing and it sounds like a freight train in the pines, a soft yelp ain’t gonna cut it. That’s when I reach for a good, chalked-up box call. It’s loud, raspy, and will cut through the gusts to grab a gobbler’s attention.
Why it works:
- Volume that punches through wind
- Sharp cuts and yelps that carry
- Great for locating distant birds
🎯 Try this: Hit a few aggressive yelps and cuts, then wait. If he answers, switch to a softer call once he’s working in.
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2. Tight Timber or Thick Cover: Pot Calls for Precision
Go-To Call: Friction (Pot) Call
If I’m in hardwood bottoms or dense pine thickets, I want realism and control. A slate or glass pot call lets you talk soft, switch up your tone, and ease a longbeard through tight spots without spooking him.
Why it works:
- Realistic soft yelps, clucks, and purrs
- Easier to finesse pressured birds
- Works great for mid-to-close range
Tip: Use a softer striker (like hickory or carbon) for quiet, smooth tones when he’s close.
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3. Hands-Free Setups: Mouth Call for the Win
Go-To Call: Mouth (Diaphragm) Call
When a bird’s committed and I’ve got the gun shouldered, I ain’t reaching for anything. That’s where the mouth call shines. It’s my go-to when I need to stay totally still and keep the calling going.
Why it works:
- Hands-free operation
- Full range of sounds—tree yelps, cutting, kee-kees
- Great for sealing the deal at close range
Pro Tip: Keep at least 2–3 different cuts in your vest. Some days, they like a batwing. Other days, a ghost cut wins.
4. High-Pressure Gobblers: Change It Up
Go-To Call: Mix It Up
When you’re hunting birds that have heard every hunter in the county, throw them something different. If everyone’s running box and mouth calls, I’ll hit a soft aluminum pot or even run some subtle tube calls.
Why it works:
- Different tones = less suspicion
- Breaking their pattern with a sound they haven’t heard
- Can pull shy birds into range when they’ve clammed up
Bonus: Sometimes, backing off the calling altogether and just scratching in the leaves is the best “call” there is.
5. Locating Birds on Big Tracts: Box or Loud Mouth
Go-To Call: Loud Box or High-Pitched Mouth Call
When I’m covering ground—ridges, pastures, cutovers—I want something that’ll reach out and touch ‘em. A box call with a good carry or a high-pitched mouth call will let you strike a gobble from way off.
Why it works:
- You can hit multiple locations fast
- Fires up a bird that might not respond to soft calls
- Helps locate and pattern gobblers from afar
Pro Tip: After the initial gobble, go quiet or switch to a softer call to avoid overpressuring the bird.
So... What’s the Best Turkey Call?
The one that fits the moment.
- Windy? Grab the box.
- Tight cover? Pot call.
- Close and committed? Mouth call.
- Pressured birds? Mix it up.
- Covering ground? Loud and proud.
A good hunter knows how to run a call. A great one knows when to run the right one.
Browse All Handmade, Custom Turkey Calls at Houndstooth
Let your calls do the talking this season—and make sure they’re saying the right thing.
– Lyle 🦃