How To Use A Mouth Turkey Call Diaphragm

Blowing the Lid Off: Mastering the Mouth Turkey Call Diaphragm

Alright, gather 'round, folks. We're about to dive into the wild world of turkey calling, and more specifically, that little magic trickster tucked away in your mouth - the diaphragm call. Now, I know what you're thinking, "This guy's gonna make me sound like a turkey whisperer in no time, right?" Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves. We'll start with the basics, and before you know it, you'll be yelping like a pro, leaving those gobblers shook.

First Things First: What's a Diaphragm Call?

Imagine you're trying to talk with a mouth full of cotton balls. That's essentially what a diaphragm call is - a flexible, latex reed hidden behind a piece of acrylic or plastic, all tucked neatly into a frame. When you blow into it, the reed vibrates, creating those sweet, sweet turkey sounds. It's like giving your mouth a temporary turkey accent.

Now, you might be wondering, "Why not just use an easy-peasy box call or pot call?" Well, my friend, while those are great for certain situations, the diaphragm call is like your secret weapon. It's versatile, it's quiet, and it's perfect for those up-close encounters where you need to be stealthy. Plus, it's a lot like learning to play a musical instrument - it takes practice, but once you've got it, you've got it for life.

Let's Get Blowing: The Basics of Diaphragm Calling

Finding Your Sweet Spot

First things first, you gotta find that sweet spot in your mouth. It's like Goldilocks trying to find the perfect porridge - not too high, not too low, just right. For most folks, that's about an inch or two above your bottom teeth. Once you've found it, give it a little kiss - I mean, blow into it gently. You should hear a soft, steady tone. That's your starting point.

Now, here's where things get interesting. You can change the pitch and volume of that tone by moving the call around in your mouth, adjusting the pressure, and using different tongue positions. It's like you're conducting a symphony, but instead of a baton, you've got a latex reed, and instead of an orchestra, you've got a field full of turkeys.

Yelping: The Turkey's Love Language

Alright, let's start with the most basic turkey sound - the yelp. It's like the turkey's version of "Hey, how's it going?" You want to start with a soft, steady tone, then gradually increase the volume and pressure to create a series of short, sharp notes. It's like you're saying "Hey, hey, hey!" in turkey talk.

How to use a TURKEY Mouth call - THE BASICS - - YouTube

Here's a little trick - try making a "W" sound with your lips while you're blowing. It'll help you get that sharp, clear yelp. And remember, practice makes perfect. Don't be discouraged if it takes a while to get the hang of it. After all, you didn't learn to talk overnight, did you? (Well, maybe you did, but that's beside the point.)

Clucking and Purring: The Turkey's Version of a Cat Call

Next up, we've got the cluck and the purr. These are like the turkey's version of a cat call - they're used to attract hens and let other toms know they're in the neighborhood. The cluck is a short, sharp note, like a quick "cluck-cluck-cluck." To make it, just give the call a quick, firm blow.

The purr, on the other hand, is a series of soft, rhythmic notes. It's like the turkey's version of a lullaby. To make it, start with a soft, steady tone, then gradually increase the pressure to create a series of short, soft notes. It's like you're saying "Shh, shh, shh, everything's gonna be okay." in turkey talk.

Putting It All Together: The Art of Turkey Conversation

Now that you've got the basics down, it's time to start putting it all together. Remember, turkeys are social creatures - they love a good chat. So, don't be afraid to mix up your calls, change the pitch and volume, and really put on a show. It's like you're telling a story, and the turkeys are hanging on your every yelp.

Diaphragm Turkey Mouth Call Placement at Forrest James blog

Here's a little trick - try using a series of soft yelps to start, then gradually increase the volume and intensity to create a sense of urgency. It's like you're saying "Hey, hey, hey, something's going on over here, you better come check it out!" in turkey talk. Trust me, those gobblers won't be able to resist.

Practice Makes Perfect (Or at Least Pretty Good)

Remember, learning to use a diaphragm call is like learning any new skill - it takes time, practice, and patience. Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate results. Keep at it, and before you know it, you'll be yelping like a pro.

And hey, if all else fails, there's always Plan B - bring a CD player out into the woods and let some professional turkey calls do the talking. But where's the fun in that? Trust me, there's nothing quite like the thrill of calling in a gobbler with your own two lips (and a little help from a latex reed, of course).

So, grab your diaphragm call, get out there, and start yelping. Who knows? You might just become the next turkey whisperer. And if not, at least you'll have a few good laughs (and maybe a few confused turkeys) along the way.