Turkey Calls organized by type

Turkey Hunting: Origins, Industry, Technology, and Sounds

Turkey hunting is a popular outdoor activity that is enjoyed by many hunters in North America. It is an exciting and challenging sport that requires skill, patience, and a deep understanding of turkey behavior. In this article, we will discuss the origins of turkey hunting, the current industry, the technology being used, and the sounds that hunters use as they hunt.

Origins of Turkey Hunting

Turkey hunting has a long and fascinating history that dates back to the earliest days of American settlement. Native Americans were the first to hunt turkeys for both their meat and feathers. They used a variety of methods to catch turkeys, including traps, snares, and decoys. European settlers later adopted these methods and added new techniques to their hunting arsenal.

By the early 1800s, turkey hunting had become a popular sport, with hunters competing to see who could bag the biggest and best turkey. In the mid-1800s, turkey hunting began to decline due to over-hunting and habitat destruction. By the early 1900s, wild turkeys had nearly disappeared from many areas of the United States.

However, through conservation efforts and reintroduction programs, wild turkey populations have rebounded in recent decades. Today, turkey hunting is a thriving industry with millions of hunters taking to the woods each year to bag their own trophy bird.

Current Industry

Turkey hunting is a multi-billion dollar industry that supports countless jobs and businesses. According to the National Wild Turkey Federation, there are over 2.5 million turkey hunters in the United States alone, and they spend an estimated $5.9 billion each year on gear, licenses, and travel expenses.

The turkey hunting industry includes a wide range of products and services, from hunting gear and clothing to guided hunts and hunting lodges. Turkey calls are also an essential part of the industry, with a variety of calls available to mimic the sounds of turkeys and attract them to the hunter's location.

Technology

Advances in technology have revolutionized the way hunters approach turkey hunting. Trail cameras, for example, allow hunters to monitor turkey activity in a specific area and determine the best time to set up for a hunt. GPS tracking devices can also help hunters navigate through the woods and locate turkey roosts.

Another technological innovation that has made a big impact on turkey hunting is the electronic turkey call. These devices use pre-recorded sounds to mimic the calls of wild turkeys, making it easier for hunters to attract them to their location. Some electronic turkey calls can even be controlled remotely, allowing hunters to adjust the volume and pitch of the call to suit the conditions of their hunting spot.

Turkey Calling

Turkey hunting is an activity that requires a hunter to lure the bird towards them using a series of calls that mimic the sounds of a turkey. Each call serves a specific purpose and can be used in different hunting scenarios. Some of the commonly used turkey calls include Kee-kee, Yelp, Cackle, Cutt, Purr, Tom, Whine, Gobble, and Cluck.

The Kee-kee call is used by young turkeys to communicate with their family and is often used by hunters to imitate the sound of a lost turkey. Yelp is a versatile call that can be used for different purposes such as locating turkeys, calling in a gobbler, or communicating with other hunters. Cackle is used to mimic the sound of a flock of turkeys and is an effective way to attract a male turkey. Cutt is a sharp, aggressive call that can be used to provoke a response from a gobbler, while Purr is a soft, calming sound used to reassure turkeys that everything is safe.

Tom call is a deep and resonant call that is used to imitate the sound of a male turkey, while Whine is a high-pitched, pleading call that is often used by female turkeys to beg for food or attention. Gobble is a loud and distinctive call used by male turkeys during the mating season to attract females or challenge other males. Finally, Cluck is a basic turkey sound that can be used to communicate with other turkeys, attract attention, or calm nervous birds.

Each of these calls has its unique purpose and can be used to improve a hunter's chances of success. By understanding the different calls and when to use them, hunters can become more effective in their turkey hunting pursuits.

All the sounds are conveniently organized by call type. Each call type has a description to help better understand it's purpose.

For ease, you can also repeat any given sound so that it continues endlessly until you stop it.