Rate Your Calling Ability

[bbcoach]

I don't want this to be a Bashing or Ridicule topic but a topic we can listen and hopeful learn from.  Just give us an honest assessment and why? 
 

[backwater]

I would not call myself a great caller but I know when to call and  when to shut up. In my opinion, experience is everything .

[mountainhunter1]

For many, it probably depends on what call is being used. On a diaphragm, a person may be really good. But on a pot call or a box, they may just be average. Maybe they struggle to play a Trumpet at all. Most tend to favor certain calls for various reasons and few are experts with every type call. That said, calling ability itself may be the strongest trait for some hunters, while it may two-three spots down on the list of strengths for another. 

But backwater is right and maybe what you are looking for in this thread. I think beyond how awesome a caller you are is not the top issue as maybe the issue of when you combine your calling ability (great or average) with your woodsmanship and with patience and also knowing when to and when not to call is more the key as whether you are a great caller or not.

I will add this to what Backwater said, I think the volume and also the cadence may be of far more importance than how good a caller someone is just based on the quality of the sounds they produce. The soft stuff is just more natural and cadence I think is more important at 100-300 yards than whether or not you are a world class caller. In the wind, and with terrain, that cadence is what he is hearing at distance in my estimation. Learned early on, some of the worst calling I have ever heard was real hens. But their cadence is never off.   

[bbcoach]

I feel I'm an above average caller.  The biggest reason is Confidence.  I spend many hours listening to Live birds and practicing.  I get Honest feedback from my wife, fellow hunters and most importantly turkeys.  I've been fortunate enough to hunt all 4 species of birds and have been pretty successful in my 15 years.  Confidence, practice and observing birds when I call has helped.  Don't take anything I'm saying the wrong way and think I'm bragging because, I'm not, and I get humbled by these animals just like anyone else.  When I make a mistake, and I make plenty, I evaluate what happened and do my best to learn from each miscue.  When I make a mistake, I get to go hunt again tomorrow.  If the turkey makes a mistake and thinks I am the Real Deal, he may pay Dearly.  Remember, this is a discussion and learning forum.  Be honest with your answers and NO BASHING GENTLEMEN!         

[Dtrkyman]

Beginning of season, trash, middle of season ok, end of season decent.

I still call in birds regularly but don't practice much prior to season.

Not the best strategy but I can hit the pot call solid right out the gate!

As much as I prefer a mouth call I hate having it in my mouth more and more!


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[ScottTaulbee]

I've been told by others that I'm an above average caller. I can call very well on a mouth call, I can call better than most on a trumpet. But with a pot or box, I can learn a lot. I'm average at best. 98% of my calling is with a mouth call or suction type caller. I very rarely use a box or pot other than messing around the house because I have the most confidence in a trumpet or mouth call. Like BB, I think confidence kills more than anything. When I hear a turkey gobble, there isn't a doubt in my mind and I instantly switch to, I can call him in and kill him with a trumpet or mouth call. And most of the time it works. I can say that I win more than one beats me and I feel the confidence in my calls and my ability play in to that. I don't use decoys and I hunt public so I rely 100% on calling and experience knowing how turkeys will "think" and approach the calls.

I will add that I run a mouth call or trumpet and listen to hen recordings every day of the year for at least 10 to 20 minutes.

Be no means am I bragging, but on opening day of youth season I called in 8 hens and a Jake with a trumpet, on the second day, that morning, I called in 5 gobblers with the trumpet, in the afternoon I heard one gobble and called it in for my daughter with a mouth call. Opening day of regular season they were across the river, no luck. The second day I hunted I heard one gobble once and called him and killed him with the trumpet. The next morning I hunted I heard one gobble and called him and his buddy up with a trumpet/ pushpin combo. That filled my tags, the next morning i hunted I took a new hunter out and heard one gobble and called him up to 60 yards with a trumpet but due to a time crunch due to having class we had to leave before allowing him to work the last few yards. All public land birds except youth season and that was on a hunt club. Those are some of the reasons I have so much confidence in trumpets and mouth calls.


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[Greg Massey]

For myself, I'm always looking to make improvements with my calling ability. I feel I have the confidence to call gobblers and be successful in doing so. I agree cadence, tones, sounds and feeling all play a part. I always want to be the best I can in using my variety of calls. I enjoy using and practicing with my calls year round. My biggest reward is calling one to the gun barrel and hopefully I won't miss ... LOL..

Just be as efficient as you can with your calling is what I tell others.

Regardless of the calls and regardless how good you are sometimes you will get very frustrated and leave the turkey woods defeated. BUT tomorrow is another day to play the game..

Great post my friend ...

[GregGwaltney]

I think I am probably in the top 25% group with most calls, probably best and with a pot, diaphragm, and trumpet. Understanding how to call to a turkey is the important part.

[Yoder409]

If I were to rate my own calling in the woods against every other guy I've ever heard in the woods, I'd say I'm well above the 90th percentile.

That being said..... I'd NEVER even come close to making it on stage.  In a pone conversation with MVC, he had me call for him (diaphragm call).  He said I am what they call a "mouth caller" as opposed to the style of calling the stage guys do from the belly/diaphragm.  He said, "You'll probably kill the crap outta turkeys in the woods.  But you'd never call on stage".  I said that he was right and that was fine with me.   

[Happy]

On turkeys, it's pretty darned good. That's all I care about. I grew up with turkeys and had wild turkeys as pets 30some years ago. Been using a diaphragm call for about as long.

[bbcoach]

That being said..... I'd NEVER even come close to making it on stage.  In a pone conversation with MVC, he had me call for him (diaphragm call).  He said I am what they call a "mouth caller" as opposed to the style of calling the stage guys do from the belly/diaphragm.  He said, "You'll probably kill the crap outta turkeys in the woods.  But you'd never call on stage".  I said that he was right and that was fine with me.   
[/quote]
100% in agreement with this Statement. LIKE, LIKE, LIKE!!!!

[Lcmacd 58]

My calling abilities...above average with a mouth call being best
Contest calling ... I'm not even close...but several turkeys have been dupped. Although this year the turkeys don't like me very well.

[kytrkyhntr]

I stink at callin but my neighbors have a good flock and I can't read that well


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[Wigsplitter]

Pro tip... one way to humble yourself or get some confidence if you need some- record yourself on your phone and then play it back and listen. You might be surprised either way!!

[10th Legionaire]

I struggle with a diaphragm call and only use it when I can see a bird.

Pot calls or boxes I'm good enough to get them close enough to use the mouth call.

But I think I could be better if I put more effort in to practicing.