Owl Calling is a technique used by hunters to attract wild turkeys. It involves making a series of hoots and screeches that mimic the sound of a wild owl.
The sound is meant to draw the attention of the turkeys and get them to come closer to the hunter, allowing for a better shot.
Why Use Owl Calling For Hunting Turkeys?
Owl calling is an effective way to bring turkeys close enough for a successful hunt. Turkeys have excellent hearing, so even if they don’t see the hunter, they may be able to hear the call and come closer to investigate. Additionally, owl calls are often used in conjunction with other hunting techniques such as decoys or blinds. This combination can be very effective in luring turkeys within range of the hunter.
What Is The Best Time To Use Owl Calling?
The best time to use owl calling is during dusk or dawn when there is low light and little noise from other animals. During this time, turkeys are actively searching for food and more likely to respond positively to an owl call. Additionally, during these times visibility is low which gives hunters an advantage in staying hidden from their prey.
What Sounds Should An Owl Caller Make?
The sounds made by an owl caller should mimic those made by wild owls in order to be effective. These calls usually consist of hoots, screeches, and yelps that rise and fall in pitch as they continue on. It can take some practice before being able to make convincing calls but with enough practice anyone can become proficient at it.
How To Make An Owl Call:
To make an owl call it helps if you have some experience with bird calls or have heard actual recordings of owls calling in the wild. The basic technique involves using your tongue and mouth to make different shapes that will produce different sounds when air passes through them.
To start off with you can try making simple hoots that consist of two notes held together before transitioning into more complex calls like yelps or screeches as you become more experienced with using your voice box as an instrument.
Best Practices For Successful Owl Calling:
When you are using owl calls, there are certain best practices that you should follow in order to make the most of your efforts. First and foremost, you want to make sure that you are using the right type of call for the species of turkey that you are trying to attract.
Different species of turkey may respond better to different types of calls, so it is important to do your research ahead of time and choose the call that will be most effective for the particular species.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that your calling is realistic and convincing. You want to make sure that you sound like a real owl rather than an inexperienced hunter trying their best at calling.
Tips For Making More Realistic Owl Calls:
If you want to make sure that your owl calls sound more realistic, there are certain tips and techniques that can help you achieve this goal. One tip is to practice before heading out into the field.
Practice makes perfect, so if you take time before your hunt to practice making realistic calls, then when it comes time for the real thing, your calling will sound more authentic.
Additionally, learning from experienced hunters can be beneficial as they have likely developed techniques over time which can help take your calls up a notch in terms of realism and effectiveness.
How To Respond To A Turkey’s Response To Owl Calls:
When a turkey responds positively to an owl call it is important for hunters not only know how respond but also when and what type of response will be most effective in bringing them closer for a successful hunt.
Essentially, when responding with an owl call it should be done in slow bursts rather than one long continuous call as this will sound more natural like an actual owl would sound if it were responding back.
Additionally, if there are multiple turkeys responding at once then it may be beneficial not respond at all until one or two turkeys break off from the group and start coming closer towards you as this will give them less competition from other birds who may receive attention from another owl caller nearby who has responded back as well.
Setting Up For A Successful Hunt:
In order for any hunt involving an owl caller be successful, setting up correctly beforehand is essential in increasing chances of success on the hunt itself. Once you have chosen what type of call will work best based on the species of turkey being hunted and have practiced making more realistic sounds then setting up correctly involves things such as knowing what direction turkeys typically come from in response to calling.
Such as downwind or down slope , choosing high points with good visibility where possible , ensuring enough cover and concealment while still being able position yourself with good viewing capabilities , positioning decoys either close or far away depending on hunting style ,and setting up blinds.
Which allow enough space without them being too obvious . All these factors play into how successful any type of hunting expedition involving owls calling can be .
Owl calling is a great way to attract turkeys and increase your chances of success on a hunt. By following best practices such as selecting the right type of call for the species being hunted, making more realistic sounding calls, and setting up correctly beforehand, any hunter can take advantage of this technique to bring in turkeys.
FAQ & Answers:
What Kind Of Call Should I Use?
The type of call used depends on what species of turkey is being hunted; different species may respond better or worse than others depending on which type of call is used so research ahead before selecting one .
How Should I Respond Back?
When responding back with an owl call through mimicking its hoot ,it should ideally be done in short bursts rather than one long continuous sound which would not sound natural .
Conclusion
Using an owl call for turkey hunting can be a great way to locate and attract wild turkeys. When used correctly, it can be a successful tool for finding and bagging your prey.
The loud, distinctive hooting sound of the owl call is a great way to draw in curious gobblers from long distances. It is important to practice making the call with caution, only using it during legal hunting hours and when it is allowed in your area.
Additionally, it is important to select the right type of owl call and use the correct techniques while calling. When mastered, using an owl call can enhance your turkey hunting experience and increase your chances of success.