Diaphram Calls

[Cabin Fever]

If you use diaphram calls, do you buy a new one every year? I don't know why, but I do. The reeds on the old calls stick together, but come apart with some warm water and a toothpick.The old ones would probably be fine, but I just buy a new one, as part of the season prep, I guess.

[nyslowhand]

Yes & No!

As gross as it may sound I have favorites that I always seem to fall back on during the season.

When you've trimmed, bent and fitted one that ends up sounding pretty good- it's a keeper!

Kinda like that old favorite hat, coat, slippers, dog.... just feels right when you're there!

I usually rinse mine in mouthwash a couple of times during the season and definately before putting them away.

Over the years I've purchased many, most are all hype and crappy sounds.

Have 4-5 I carry, but only a couple I always seem to use year after year.

Like any other hunting tool, you're always searching for the ultimate "sure bet"!

[stubbz]

ive bought a few last fall, gonna try to use um this spring but im still trying to figure out how to use them and get the sounds i want, not having much luck really. any tips?

[Lawdwaz]

I just reach into the old vest and see what pops out. Dried out and crusty is generally what shows up.

A friend gave me some good calls a few years ago and they are still sounding good. For 25 year plus I only used a Quaker Boy Old Boss Hen but recently have just made do with a mixed bag off stuff, sticky or not!

[TurkeyHuntPA_NY]

I def have my top 3. I have a total of 9 mouth calls and 3 of them are my got to that I can fool any bird, but sometimes thats not what they want to hear, so I will switch to the ones that sound crappy to me, but maybe loved by the birds. I use the same calls year after year, BUT I always have a back up of my favorite top 3 cuz you never know when u might lose one or blow a reed out.

[nyslowhand]

ive bought a few last fall, gonna try to use um this spring but im still trying to figure out how to use them and get the sounds i want, not having much luck really. any tips?

Diaphram calls are "one size fits all" and may not fit the contours of your mouth.

Gently and a little at a time; trim the overall size/shape & bend it until it fits the roof of your mouth.

Best may to know what sounds to make is listen to live (wild) turkeys, but a CD/DVD about calling them is more convenient.

Then - practice, practice, practice......

You won't have to win a calling contest to be able to fool a tom, (generally....).

[stubbz]

thanks, ive used enough box calls and watched enough hunting shows and even some of the competitions to know what sounds i need i just havent been able to get um yet. when i first got um i was actually biting the outsides with my teeth and that was the only way i could make a fairly decent sound but i know im not doing it right. gonna have to trim mine down and just start practicing like crazy for the next couple of weeks. i plan to bow hunt for them so having a box call in my hand is not gonna be an easy feet so hopefully i can get them working for me a bit better. gonna have to pickup a gobbler call tho to go with my tom decoy also

[Sogaard]

I bought new ones this year because last years calls were looking a bit nasty, even though I stored them in the fridge. Someone (I forget who should get the credit) posted recently that they store their calls in a small jar filled with mouthwash from season to season and they last years. I'm definitely going to try that this year.

[bigpaul]

I'm lucky! I have a friend that makes his own so I get new every year.

[Lawdwaz]

thanks, ive used enough box calls and watched enough hunting shows and even some of the competitions to know what sounds i need i just havent been able to get um yet. when i first got um i was actually biting the outsides with my teeth and that was the only way i could make a fairly decent sound but i know im not doing it right. gonna have to trim mine down and just start practicing like crazy for the next couple of weeks. i plan to bow hunt for them so having a box call in my hand is not gonna be an easy feet so hopefully i can get them working for me a bit better. gonna have to pickup a gobbler call tho to go with my tom decoy also

Your going to use a Tom decoy and a gobbler call? I'd rethink that plan.

[nyslowhand]

i plan to bow hunt for them so having a box call in my hand is not gonna be an easy feet so hopefully i can get them working for me a bit better. gonna have to pickup a gobbler call tho to go with my tom decoy also

Try holding your box call with the handle pointing away from you & shake it.

Semi-decent gobble can be produced.

That is with the box I have; long, slender with a rubber band near the handle.

[stubbz]

Try holding your box call with the handle pointing away from you & shake it.

Semi-decent gobble can be produced.

That is with the box I have; long, slender with a rubber band near the handle.

ill have to try that i keep a rubberband around the end of mine already also.

[stubbz]

Your going to use a Tom decoy and a gobbler call? I'd rethink that plan.

why do you say that, the dominent toms will come in to challenge an unfamiliar tom trying to breed his hens? i have multiple decoys ill be using but a gobbler call isn't a bad thing to have along with the rest of my calls. obviously only for specific ocassions or instances not neccesarily for when i have the decoys out.

[Sogaard]

I think he's more afraid that another hunter will hear your gobble, see your decoy and shoot at it. A valid issue if you are hunt state land.

[stubbz]

oh no worries there ill be on private property anywhere that i hunt. ive never hunted pubplic land but wouldnt mind trying some sometime

[Fantail]

I generaly toss used mouth calls after the season is over.