Top New Turkey Calls For 2014

by M.D. Johnson

Remember the Lay’s Potato Chip commercial? During the 30-second spot, the announcer proclaims, “I bet you can’t eat just one.” Well, that’s how it is with turkey calls. Not that I’d be eating them, mind you. But one turkey call would never do for me. They’re small, and as such, they don’t take up much space. They’re relatively inexpensive, and, if taken care of properly, most turkey calls should last well beyond the years of you, the owner.

What’s all this mean? Turkey calls a’plenty is what it means. Shelves and turkey vests, dresser drawers and red-handled plastic totes filled, some to overflowing, with the instruments we turkey hunting fanatics deem necessary to our very existence. Yes, sir… it’s almost an impossibility to have too many turkey calls.

Aiding and abetting this situation are, of course, those companies that manufacture, sell, and promote turkey calls. But it’s not their fault; it’s what they’re supposed to do. And what they’ve collectively done for 2014 is to introduce simply more turkey calls a’plenty; some good, some great, and some—well, let’s just say some are them are rather interesting. Here’s a look at what turkey enthusiasts can expect to spy on the sporting goods store racks come March 1.

 

Cabela’s Second Language Turkey (SLT) Series

When the company in Sidney, Nebraska, set out to build a signature line of turkey calls, their goal was to deliver a series of call that perfectly mimicked true hen turkey vocalizations throughout the entire range of volume and frequency. Cabela’s Second Language Turkey (SLT) line of turkey calls are constructed using the finest materials, craftsmanship, and state-of-the-art machinery to ensure the highest quality standards are met and maintained, thus providing hunters with years of reliable service. All Cabela’s calls are made in the United States.

The SLT Series includes five new diaphragm call configurations in both full and small palate sizes, three new pot-style calls featuring surfaces in slate, glass, and aluminum, and a trio of box calls – the Cut-Down Boat Paddle, One-Sided, and 4-in-1.

 

Flextone Thunder Yelper

The Thunder Yelper’s patent-pending design allows for fantastic mid- to close-range seductive yelps, while its new Hands-Free mouthpiece eliminates unwanted movements during those close encounters. The Thunder Yelper’s innovative “voice box” makes creating mouth-blown yelps easier than ever. Now, hunters who can’t use mouth diaphragm calls very well can easily yelp with the best.

On the diaphragm front, Flextone, in keeping with the current Duck Dynasty (DD) craze sweeping the nation, has introduced their “Si Robertson” line of mouth calls. This includes the new “Si-Cut,” a triple reed call sporting the company’s popular “V-Cut” thin top reed over a pair of even thinner .003-inch latex bands. The Si-Cut is a versatile design, breaking over easily to create sweet-sounding yelps, clucks and purrs, but with plenty of backbone to reach out and touch those long-range gobblers.

 

Zink Calls Wicked Series Pot Calls

Zink Calls, an industry leader in hand-built custom turkey calls, is proud to introduce its newest line of premium friction calls. These custom slate and crystal calls are built using a pan constructed of Brazilian cherry wood, and then they are impregnated with acrylic. Combining this material with the slate and crystal surfaces has created the ultimate weather-beating friction call.

The Wicked Series offers other features only found in Zink brand turkey calls. The no-slip grip ring allows for a positive hold on the side of the pan, even with gloves. The integrated striker conditioner on the bottom of the pan eliminates the need for sandpaper. And perhaps most revolutionary is the additional calling surface built into the bottom of the call, the “Sweet Spot.” This small diameter calling surface makes for perfect tree calls, clucks, purrs or just plain ‘ol subtle turkey talk.

Field Proven Calls ’14 Series

World Goose Calling Champion Field Hudnall may have made his name in the waterfowl arena and on the competition-calling stages, but the young man from Kentucky certainly does know a thing or two about turkey hunting. He also knows plenty about building a great-sounding turkey call.

New for 2014 is Field Proven Calls’ (FPC) series of top-notch diaphragm calls. Each call is hand-stretched, and each is designed to provide the caller with something just a little bit different. Hudnall’s mouth call line includes a 3-reed Split V, 3-reed Crazy Cutter, 2-reed Ghost Cut, 3-reed Batwing that is my personal favorite, and a 3-reed Combo Cut.

This year, Hudnall also introduces a fantastic little pot-style call. The Mini-Tracker sounds as good as she looks, especially when teamed up with FPC’s Purpleheart striker.

 

Hunter’s Specialties Zombie Box Call

I don’t understand the zombie craze any more than I understand the fascination with many of today’s reality-television programming; however, the world will be the world, and, as someone once said, you can’t fight fashion.

So in keeping with the Reign of the Undead, Hunter’s Specialties introduces their new Zombie Box Call. Part of the company’s new Dead Strut Series, the Zombie Box Call produces realistic yelps, cutts, purrs and gobbles that will bring a gobbler in close.

The Zombie Box Call features a high quality one-piece poplar wood body with a perfectly tuned cherry lid. No chalk is needed because the call is waterproof for hunting in any weather conditions, whether wet or dry. The Zombie Box Call comes with an attached elastic silencer strap to keep it quiet while walking through the woods. So bring on the Undead; turkeys, that is.

 

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