Primos Mouth Calls
As a general rule, the cheapest calls are mouth calls, which are placed inside and against the roof of the mouth. However, they’re also the most difficult to master. Some – present company included – never get to a proficient level of use to realistically bring the turkeys running. For those starting out and determined to use these, trimmable calls like the Mossy Oak Mouth Yelper are a great beginning option because users can fit the call to their mouth. Different numbers and styles of reeds allow for different tones, levels of raspiness, and types of turkey sounds.
Prices on Primos mouth calls start at only $7.99. Whether you’re learning mouth calls for the first time or are an experienced caller, taking advantage of this offseason time to buy and practice will be priceless when the early spring seasons roll around and you have the hands-free edge over competing hunters.
The Revival Box Call
Wooden box calls for turkey hunting are a staple in every hunter’s arsenal and mark the starting point for most hunters. They are easy to operate, though even the most proficient veterans are always learning the intricacies of fine box calls. While there are cheaper and more expensive options, Primos The Revival long paddle box covers all the bases.
In addition to being one of the most aesthetically attractive of production box calls, it runs long yelps loud enough to catch the attention of distant gobblers. Yet it can also yelp and purr softly to seal the deal on closing those last few yards into the decoys. From raspy low tones to sharp highs, even a lightly practiced caller can master the longbeard language. It’s the priciest on our list at over $80, but also one of the best looking with richness of sound to boot.
Primos Drag Strip
Slate turkey calls are near the top of the list when it comes to the most common, easy-to-carry, and straightforward options in terms of use. The Primos Drag Strip takes the old-school round slate call and turns it into a modern design. The Drag Strip is built from Pennsylvania slate and select hardwood with a longer, narrower calling surface.
It is curved to naturally fit the hand, and there are built-in sound ports for smooth and more voluminous turkey noises. It ships with a one-piece laminated striker. The Drag Strip is ready to run right out of the package. Not only does Primos offer a lifetime service guarantee on their calls, but the packaging of the Drag Strip offers in-depth how-to advice and tips for hunters to create lifelike purrs, yelps, clucks, and cutts, each of which requires a slightly different striker-to-surface technique.
Primos Rare Breed
Round slate calls are the go-to for many turkey hunters. Swapping out the slate for alternate materials, however, offers even experienced gobbler-chasers a different sound type and calling platform. Primos’ Rare Breed does just that. Though Rare Breed is offered in slate as well, we opted for the glass variant. The rounded cup fits comfortably in the hand. In order to get the higher yelps and cuts, it’s necessary to rough up the glass.
While that mars the good looks of the top, it gets the call to sing the song of turkeys. The outer edges offer higher tones than the interior. When the glass is marred, the call is just getting broken in. To that end, the Rare Breed ships with two abrasive pads – one coarse and one fine grit, as well as a one-piece striker. Hunters who do not have a standard slate should start with that, but those looking for a new call and tone will more than appreciate the glass Rare Breed.
