Yamaha Outdoors Tip of the Week: Late-season Spring Gobbler Tactics

Yep, spring turkey season is done in some parts of the country. In places like New England and even Nebraska, it runs until the end of May. Maine even ends at noon on June first. But maybe you’ve hit a wall. You sell those calls...

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Waterfowl Scouting: Being Where the Birds Want to Be

We all know that to be successful waterfowlers, we need to be where the birds want to be. Good advice but sometimes easier said than done. It’s Not Easy! Scouting locations early in the season and before is not only a smart move, but also...

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Laying Out the Layout Blind

Back when I first started field hunting for geese and ducks, we didn’t have layout blinds. It’s not that they weren’t available, we just couldn’t afford them. A pit blind was out of the question too, as where I lived, they were illegal. So we camo’d up the best we could...

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Whisper Sweet Nothings to a Call-shy Gobbler

This year we are having a late spring, which means that warm weather at the tail end of turkey season will offer hunters the best chance to bag a gobbler. Unfortunately, as the season develops, hunters need to take into consideration that most private and...

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Better Breath and Better Turkey Calling

In my turkey hunting vest I carry seven mouth calls, each with a different purpose. Call number 1 is a bit raspy and  number 2 even more so, sounding like a hen with a sore throat. Call  number 3 is my “good morning, sweetheart” call,...

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Better Breath and Better Turkey Calling

In my turkey hunting vest I carry seven mouth calls, each with a different purpose. Call number 1 is a bit raspy and  number 2 even more so, sounding like a hen with a sore throat. Call  number 3 is my “good morning, sweetheart” call, used for early morning tree yelps, soft clucks and purrs. Number 4 is for high volume calling on windy days. Call number 5 is for cutting and cackling, and call number 6 is my desperation diaphragm, used when nothing else in my vest will work (and honestly, it’s never worked). Mouth call number 7 is my favorite and my go-to diaphragm, used about 95 percent of the time.

I’m the first to admit that I’ll never be a calling champion, but I’m good enough to hold my own in the woods and I can fool the wariest toms when they get hot enough. In the end, that’s all that matters. Recently, I noticed that all of my calls sounded alike, and I couldn’t perform a solid key key run on any of my seven diaphragms. I’m not sure if mouth calls have expiration dates, but I started to question if this was the year I’d have to break down and buy a new set. Now, I’ve been known to alter an aging product or piece of equipment until it becomes unrecognizable–and after that finding a new use for it in an effort to save money. So, sensing that my calls were reaching their demise, I tried different techniques to prolong their life spans. Unfortunately none led to success.

After hearing my complaints a fellow turkey hunter and friend, Rick Taylor from Mossy Oak Properties, advised me to soak a cosmetic sponge in Listerine mouthwash and place it in a Sucrets Sore Throat Lozenge metal box. He told me by storing the calls on top of the cosmetic sponge during the season, my problem would be solved.

I attempted Rick’s method and am pleased to state that the Listerine has loosened the reeds and brought my calls back to life. First, I cut two round latex-free cosmetic sponges with scissors to fill the metal case for a larger Listerine-soaked surface. I’m not sure if other types of sponges work but beware that cotton pads will leave fuzzy lint on your calls. The storage box can be made of any type of hard plastic or metal. While I do not advocate the use of smokeless tobacco, I can attest that dip and snuff cans work, as does an empty Altoids tin. The key, however, is the Listerine and you may need to add more if the sponge dries out. And as an added bonus, each time you stick that diaphragm in your mouth, you’ll be fighting plaque and gingivitis.

Ok, I can’t guarantee fewer cavities and a clean bill of health from the dentist, but your buddy won’t be cringing from your coffee breath next time you are whispering orders as that boss gobbler is closing in.

Each of my calls sounds fantastic and can once again hit the high notes as if they were brand new. I’m sure there are mouth calls that are beyond salvageable, and some may need to be thrown away for health reasons (the black mold growing on it does not give it character), but this tip worked for all seven of mine.

Read and join the discussion on Better Breath and Better Turkey Calling at OutdoorHub.com.

Getting the Most from Your Walk in the Woods

Taking a walk is good medicine for anyone. Walking can help manage weight, improve mood, ease depression, boost the immune system, maintain mental efficiency, strengthen your heart, lungs, and muscles, lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and prevent osteoporosis. Walking anyplace is good for you,...

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Fixing the Unfixable: When Good Hunts Go Bad

You’ve done just about everything you can do. You scouted the fields and learned where the birds are and want to be. You set up well before sunrise and have your dekes nailed as far as positioning. You’re in your blind and totally concealed. You...

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Will Primos’ Secrets for Successful Turkey Hunting

Author’s note: Will Primos of Jackson, Mississippi, the founder of Primos Hunting, is a Mossy Oak Pro. I’ve never called to a turkey that wouldn’t come in within gun range. When I’m doing a turkey hunting seminar, this statement always is when the crowd breaks...

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Yamaha Outdoors Tip of the Week: Using Four-Wheelers This Spring

This spring turkey season is about two-thirds over: done or nearly done down south, but just starting up north; especially in the northeast where it just opened. We’ve got some good weeks of hunting to go. Three ways to enjoy your Yamaha ATV or Side...

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