12 NEBRASKAland • MARCH 2018
Turkey Call Trifecta
By Jarrod Spilger
There are three main types of turkey calls: box, pan, and
diaphragm. Turkey hunters should be proficient with all
three to maximize their chances of success. Let's take a look
at each type.
Boxes are the easiest to master. Simply run the paddle-like
lid across the lip of the box's rectangular sound chamber.
Traditionally, chalk is applied to the lid's underside to create
the friction that produces turkey sounds, although some
newer models use a synthetic, waterproof coating instead.
Typically very loud, boxes are ideal for windy days.
Pans are another friction-type call. They consist of a round
pan, or pot, which houses a slate, glass or aluminum surface,
and a striker made of wood, plastic or carbon. Volume
and tone varies based on surface type, with slate being the
softest. Cup the pan lightly around its rim with your weak-
side thumb and index finger and hold the striker in your
strong-side hand like you would a pencil. Turkey sounds
are made by scratching the striker across the pan's surface.
Small, half circles make yelps, long, straight lines produce
purrs, and short, sharp strokes create clucks. Pans can't be
beat for making realistic purrs.
Diaphragm, or mouth, calls consist of varying layers of
latex "reeds" stretched across a horseshoe-shaped aluminum
frame covered in surgical tape or foam. The more reeds
the more difficult the call is to operate. Turkey sounds are
made by placing the call against the roof of the mouth and
"huffing" air up from the diaphragm to vibrate the latex. The
tongue controls cadence. Volume can be loud, but usually
not as loud as a box. While some people find them difficult
to master, a mouth call's main benefit is its hands-free
operation, making it the go-to call for sealing the deal when
gobblers get close. ■
Learning how to use each of the three main types of turkey calls – box (top), pan (middle) and diaphragm (bottom) – gives hunters
a variety of methods to lure in a turkey.
PHOTO
BY
JARROD
SPILGER
PHOTO
BY
JEFF
KURRUS
