Turkey Calls: Our Top 3 Calls For Beginners

So, that's why we want to give you our expert insights on properly selecting and using turkey calls to your utmost advantage. 

Below, we share some of our best tips for selecting the right turkey call (or calls) and learning to practice and familiarize yourself with your newly purchased turkey calls. Then, we will highlight our top three favorite turkey calls for beginners.

How To Select Your First Turkey Call

When selecting the turkey call you plan to use for a hunt, there are two things you must keep in mind before you make a decision: 

• How easy it is to use
• How comfortable are you carrying it with you 

As a less-experienced turkey hunter, the best thing you can do is help yourself feel comfortable and confident. No one wants to go to the field worried they won't make the right sound or have enough time to make the correct call. 

So, choose a turkey call that helps you feel confident, assured, and ready to harvest. 

What Are the Best Beginner Calls?

Some of the most popular and timeless calls are box, push-and-pull, diaphragm, and crow calls. 

Each call has specific reasons for what makes them the most popular, but ultimately, choose something that makes you feel confident going into your fundamental season. Do your research, check them out in person, and get a feel for a variety before you gear up with your call of choice.

How To Familiarize Yourself With Your New Call

As we mentioned, feeling comfortable and confident using your new turkey call is crucial. 

One of the best things you can do to ensure that you are comfortable is to practice with your call a lot. You know that saying "practice makes perfect?" Well, as cliche as that saying may be, it couldn't be more true. 

Practice in advance before going into the field to bring home a gobbler. Turkeys are easy to fool yet very stubborn at the same time. That's why it's crucial to understand your type of call's specialty and the types of vocalizations it is best known for.

Check out the video below for a quick overview of three types of calls!

4 Common Calls (and Their Specializations)

What is each turkey call known for? These four popular calls work differently from each other and serve different purposes on a hunt. 

1. Box Calls

Box calls are a wonderful beginner call for turkey hunters. They are easy to operate, and their vocals sound very realistic. 

With different grips, you can sound like more than just one turkey. This type of call is considered a "friction call." 

Most box calls are made of wood and make noise when creating friction using the paddle. Box calls are often louder than other turkey calls, making them ideal when the woods are fairly quiet.  

2. Push-and-Pull Calls

Push-and-pull calls, once mastered, are very consistent. These calls are known for their consistent sounds that pressure a bird to respond or react. 

However, these calls are often overlooked by experts – but they can be very useful for beginner hunters. 

Push-and-pull calls can cut into almost any condition with loud, realistic vocals. Most of these calls have a wide assortment of vocalizations they can make, making them an excellent call for beginners.  

3. Diaphragm Calls

This call is often referred to as a mouth call and is one of the most inexpensive yet overused calls in the woods. Although it can be very handy, as it is small and easy to carry around for a long day in the woods, these calls take quite a bit more practice. 

You work a diaphragm call by using your tongue against the rubber at the roof of your mouth. Nevertheless, although you may not be using this call right away, it is not bad to purchase and practice with one daily since they are small and fairly cheap to buy.  

4. Crow Calls

A crow call is ideal when trying to locate a turkey and get a response. This call almost forces a gobbler to answer, helping you easily target his location. 

One of the best times to use this call is when the woods are almost silent, with no activity. At this time, the turkey is most likely irritated from the lack of mating action and will respond. 

Therefore, if your hunting day is going slow for the most part, pull out your crow call and get to locating those birds.

HuntWise Recommendations for the Top 3 Beginner Turkey Calls

Now that you know a bit about some of the most popular turkey calls and how to select them better, here are HuntWise's top three recommended calls for new turkey hunters.

1. Houdini Strut Commander Box Call

We can describe the Houdini Strut Commander Box Call in three simple words: the highest quality. 

This box call is perfect for beginners and experts alike, as they are hand-built and tuned by the pros of the Strut Commander crew. These folks are deeply passionate about turkeys and produce quality calls ideal for beginners to make a variety of sounds.

2. H.S. Strut® Ultimate Starter Pack

The Ultimate Starter Pack from H.S. Strut® is ideal for beginners. Not only do you receive three mouth calls for about $10, but their smaller build makes it very easy for younger or new turkey hunters to get a feel for mouth calls.

3. Quaker Boy Cyclone™ Waterproof Push-Pin Turkey Call

Finally, the Quaker Boy Cyclone Waterproof Box Call is incredibly easy to use. It has adjustable volume, making it very easy for beginners to practice the intensity of their call. 

It also does not require sanding or chalking, making it very easy to use year after year. This call is an excellent option to start with as you learn to hunt turkey.

Call Your Way to Success With the Right Turkey Calls

Although there are hundreds of different shaped, sized, and colored calls – all with different specialties – we feel that the calls we highlighted today will help you feel confident (with a little practice) and help you become a more well-rounded turkey hunter. 

With your turkey call in one hand and your HuntWise maps in the other, you will surely see success. Our property line information is the most up to date you'll find in a hunting app, allowing you to find the best plots of land to set up and call in those gobblers. Then, using the map layers and satellite imagery, you can find turkey habitats on the land you plan to hunt. 

Download and try HuntWise for free! Then, share your success with us by tagging us on Instagram (@huntwiseapp) or posting on your HuntWise app. Good luck, hunters, and shoot straight. 

Content updated March 8, 2024.