how to use a turkey mouth call

Mouth calls can produce the sweetest, most realistic turkey sounds of any calling device, but they can also prove difficult to master. Follow this approach to be making turkey sounds on a diaphragm call in a few hours.

Learn the basics

Start with a two-reed call with no cuts in the top reed
Reeds should face forward, toward the front of your mouth
The small bump or tab on one side indicates the bottom side, facing down in your mouth
Moisten the reeds with saliva and make sure they are separated
Place the call in your mouth
Use the center of your tongue to press it against the roof of our mouth
The call's curved back end should fit tightly in the natural curve of your mouth

Learn the technique

Don't "blow," forcefully "huff" air from your lungs through your throat using your diaphragm
Keep constant tongue pressure on the call
Don't puff your cheeks
Use your diaphragm to force a slow steady stream of air across the top of your tongue
Air over the tip of your tongue creates an "s" sound, air over the back creates an "h" sound, try to be somewhere in between
As you huff, the call's reeds will vibrate and produce sound
Try to achieve a clear, high-pitched whistle (don't try to sound like turkey yet
Move your tongue around to find the spot on the call that lets you whistle
Make sure the call is sealed properly against the top of your mouth
Be patient. Practice huffing until producing a whistle is second nature

Learn actual calls

1. Yelp (a two-note call)

Note one is the whistle, to achieve the second note, whistle and slowly drop your jaw and/or tongue pressure, this will produce a lower, sometimes raspier note
At first the call will sound like a "kee" (whistle) "ock" (second note)
Practice breaking the sound into two notes, speed up the process and the yelp will become recognizable

2. Kee-kee run

Whistle training will allow you to produce a series of three or four ascending whistles
Add a yelp or two on the end of the kee-kees and you'll sound like a young turkey

3. Cluck

Use your diaphragm to huff a quick, forceful blast of air across the reeds

4. Cutting (an excited, uneven series of clucks

Cackling is a more rhythmic series of clucks turkeys often utter when flying

5. Purring (the most difficult to master)

Produce a gargling sound in the back of your mouth as you huff air across the call
Let you cheeks puff out when making this call
If you can't gargle, purr by fluttering you tongue or lips

Never get frustrated, mouth calling takes a lot of practice and work. Once you've mastered the two-reed call, progress to other types of diaphragms. Don't forget the basics. Good luck!