I'm a newb at calling or turkey hunting in general. Well the son is flying in from CA to surprise his mother. I've got an invite tue-wed to a property that is loaded with birds. I plan on hunting with him.

So I need a good downloaded app for turkey calls. I'm trying to cut in line I know but want the best chance I can. No way to know if I can hunt with boy again. Life gets complicated when the grow up.

Suggestions? I will pay a fee if needed.

Thank you

It's illegal in most states.

ETA: I just learned it's legal in Texas. That's weird.

Dang that is correct. Decoys, which we have, are legal. I have a box. I'll just go with it.

This seems to saying legal. Clear as mud though

https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/general-regulations/means-and-methods

Slate pot calls are pretty easy. I use a cheap Wallyworld combo pack slate pretty regularly. YouTube is your friend.

Get a Mojo decoy too

One thing they don't share whe you get a new slate is you have to scratch up good and often to make them work

Always assumed electronic calls were illegal in Texas but makes sense that they aren't since they allow you to snipe them with rifles from 200 yards

Most slates, even the Wally World ones, come with course and fine grit sandpaper, plus instructions, on how to properly doctor them prior to striking them up.

OP, if the calls don't work, hunker down at the nearest corn feeder and await the guacalotes to show up at about 10 a.m.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/hme-products-six-shooter-turkey-call?campid=71700000050238199&adgroupid=58700004916746677&device=m&keyword=92700043796690627&Channel=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobCh****mfwpOm6QIVxkXVCh1pbAWIEAQYEyABEgIoffD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Think it may be illegal for Easterns, or it may not. But know it's legal for Rio's. Hate the thought of using an electronic call myself, but can appreciate what you are trying to do. So this would be my suggestion.

pushbutton calls are damn near foolproof.

SanAntoneAg said:

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Most slates, even the Wally World ones, come with course and fine grit sandpaper, plus instructions, on how to properly doctor them prior to striking them up.

OP, if the calls don't work, hunker down at the nearest corn feeder and await the guacalotes to show up at about 10 a.m.

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Killing turkeys under a deer feeder is shooting not hunting

I can't tell you how many hours I spent practicing with turkey calls sounding like a squeaky wheel. But there is very few things in life better than talking with a big tom and convincing him to come to you.

I don't know why anyone would want to deprive themselves of that. Currently going through the same thing with duck calls.

Using electronic calls for turkey in Texas is most certainly legal. The recorded sounds are great for the periodic calling done during a hunt, but nothing beats a manual call when you are engaged with a bird.

AgEng98 said:

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ETA: I just learned it's legal in Texas. That's weird.

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Texas is real big on taking the "hunt" out of "hunting".

Thanks all. Downloaded an app. Going to practice some on my box to see if I can get better

Steve, in case you haven't considered it, might take a small Bluetooth speaker with you also. If you're anywhere near Kerrville let me know, I can loan you some dekes and have a Johnny Stewart caller that I could add some calls to for ya. But it sounds like you're hunting up north

Thanks. I'm 30 minutes west of Goldwaidth. I've got a portable ground blind, decoys, iPhone 10 that is pretty loud and some 4 shot. They boy has been quarantined in CA for over 2 months in an apartment so any outdoor stuff is going to work. Also have buggies, motorbikes, ATM and canoe access.

Plus the surprise moms day visit is perfect. Also have my youngest who graduated yesterday from A&M coming in Sunday.

Bonus the cabin out in nowhere ville has fiber to the house. Can stream anything if it rains.

A slate is way more fun and super easy. Not difficult at all to call in birds with them.

AggieChemist said:

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AgEng98 said:

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ETA: I just learned it's legal in Texas. That's weird.

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Texas is real big on taking the "hunt" out of "hunting".

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Says the guy who uses a bike to get to his hunting and fishing spots.

If you can jerk off you should be able to call a turkey with a slate or box call.

So, if I wanted to become better at calling, would you recommend I just j*ck off more often??? Just curious...

Also should you do both at the same time?

culdeus said:

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If you can jerk off you should be able to call a turkey with a slate or box call.

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I guess we'll have to take your word for it. Given the tiny range of motion required to play a slate call, you may need to invest in some of those male enhancement devices/surgeries.

This thread got weird.

In the end, anyone have any good manual calls they would suggest? This will be my first year turkey hunting and I've never done it before. Any advice/tips would be awesome.

Get a diaghram call and practice.

I prefer a diaphragm call to keep my hands free. I learned by practicing while driving to and from work. It won't take long for it to click. Trim it if it makes you gag when it's in the roof of your mouth. Yes I'm still talking about turkey calls.

AquaCasaAg said:

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I prefer a diaphragm call to keep my hands free. I learned by practicing while driving to and from work. It won't take long for it to click. Trim it if it makes you gag when it's in the roof of your mouth. Yes I'm still talking about turkey calls.

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So you're saying just nip the tip?

Two years ago I was at the ranch house and heard a gobble in the bottom acreage below. I went to you tube and looked for a gobbler gobbling and called it right in.

I started with a combo pack from Walmart. It had a box call and a slate with three types of strikers. Rough up the slate with some coarse sandpaper on an area about the size of a half dollar. Watch YouTube to get the gist of it, and then practice for a couple of weeks - you'll be proficient enough to get a gobblers attention. If you're really hard-core find the Lovett Williams recordings and try to duplicate those. Yelping and clucking are easy - purring took me the most time to get right.