For hard-hunted gobblers, tube calls have another advantage: They are not nearly as popular among hunters as many other types of calls, so birds will not have heard them as much. These calls have a distinctive sound that is often unique to a hard-worked gobbler. I've used it on many occasions to take a bird that was call-shy.

The tube, however, does require movement on your part. It requires the use of a hand to hold it to your mouth. Hidden under your facemask, it's still great for finishing a gobbler if you're the caller and a buddy is the gunner. Otherwise, you'll need to set up where you will have some cover to make the slight movement of releasing the call and putting the gun into shooting position when the gobbler gets within range. (This will apply to most calls.) But on many occasions, I've been able to put the call down as the gobbler approaches but is still out of sight, and he will come on in without having to use the mouth diaphragm I've placed in my mouth.

The same is true of the wingbone style of calls. It's perhaps used even less than the tube and makes a totally distinctive sound as well. This call will require more practice for most hunters to master, especially the more subtle sounds. But if you go to the effort, you will have a call at your disposal that few other hunters are likely to employ.

Air-operated calls have the advantage of a wide range of calling volumes and pitch and are often the best choice in adverse weather, particularly rain. There are few downsides to air calls, although for some hunters they are more difficult to learn than other types of calls. If you want to be an outstanding turkey caller, practice until you get it right.

FRICTION CALLS -- POTS AND STRIKER PEGS
As noted above, there are many, many types of materials used in the sounding boards of these types of calls. Some are made to be waterproof and when used with a ceramic or metal striker or peg, the call can be effective even in wet weather.

I feel these calls excel in two primary areas.

First, they seem to be the easiest to learn in terms of making realistic sounds that will call a turkey to you. They are a great call to learn first. With a short lesson from a hunter and an hour of practice, you could call a turkey on your own.

Second, in the hands of a skilled hunter, these calls can play some of the sweetest and most realistic music we have at our disposal. From beginner to maestro, these calls will perform at the highest level.

There are so many varieties, so I will not attempt to cover them all here, but I suggest you try as many as possible and see which ones you prefer. I have settled on two distinctive types for my personal use, although I could make a good argument for any of the other types.

I use an aluminum call for long-range, high-pitch calling when prospecting for a gobbler. I also have a high-quality slate call for the moderate and close-in calling. Let me clarify, however, that in many cases I've struck a gobbler at the far end of my hearing range with a aluminum call and hickory striker and called that bird in to the gun with the same call, finishing with soft clucks and purrs. But having the second type of pot and striker call gives me more options, which is the real key. It can be the difference between a gobbler hung up just out of shooting range and a gobbler hanging off your shoulder.