What Does a Turkey Say?

Let’s examine 11 of the more common turkey calls and what they mean.

• The sound turkey hunters want to hear in the woods.
• Designed to attract females and repel competing males.

• The least understood turkey call.

Also known as the lonesome hen yelp, even though it is given by both sexes.

• It means “where are you” and can be used any time turkeys are separated.
• Can be made to a gobbler at any time when hunting.

• Given by both sexes in all seasons from the roost.
• This is a reassuring call, meant to communicate with other turkeys roosted nearby.
• Excellent to use with a roosted gobbler at first light, but a gobbler may not answer and instead fall all the way to the source of the call.

• Both sex adults give this call as they attempt to reassemble after being scattered.
• The yelp increases in urgency from note to note, with a perceptible rise in pitch.

• Raspy call poults become familiar with within the first two days after hatching.
• Loud assembly yelping in early season is very good on unseasoned gobblers.

• 10-15 irregularly spaced notes given as turkeys fly down from roost, cross stems or fly over fences.

• A soft sound made by members of the flock as they travel and feed.
• Used to maintain contact with the flock.
• Loud and rapid purrs may signal aggression as turkeys battle for dominance.

• A median pitch call usually given singly or in a short series of two or three.
• Both hens and gobblers use these to signal “come here” to other turkeys.

• Sharp clucks followed by purrs are not as serious of a warning as putts followed by silence.
• Denotes alarm and communicates the message to other turkeys.

• High pitched whistling notes.
• Most commonly used when lost or scattered young turkeys seek to regroup.