Learning to Call-By Mia Anstine

April 26, 2010 by Terri Lee Pocernich
Filed under Hunting and Fishing Stories, News

I love so much learning new things when it comes to hunting. This spring, one of our clients suggested that I try a specific mouth reed for turkey calling. He recommended the “Lost Poult” from Cane Creek calls. I got on-line and found the reed. I also viewed a video which they have on their site about how to use it, as well as what it should sound like. I placed my order and awaited the arrival of my new call!

I practiced with my glass call, slate and box call in anticipation of the arrival of “The Reed”.

Finally the day arrived. I received “Lost Poult” in the mail. My husband watched as I held it up with a big smile and popped it in my mouth. He being experienced at calling with a reed, immediately began to laugh. I smiled and tried to blow…. kchhhhhlllllllccccchchhchhhhh. Nothing but static! I sounded like the suction tube at the dentist office. We laughed, and he warned me not to choke on it. I tried to catch my breath from laughing, and nearly did swallow the reed. Hmmm. I tried again. “ssschhhheeek” Oh no! I was definitely going to need practice at this thing! A few more squawks, out of me, and then my husband broke out his reed and showed me how it was done.

Now I had competition. Now I had to figure out that call!

Picture this. I drive an hour to and from work every day. That means I have plenty of spare time on my hands. I try not to text and drive. I try not to take photos while I drive. I also try to stay awake while I drive. I drive and I drive and I drive. I decided this would be the perfect opportunity to practice my “Lost Poult” call! I loaded the YouTube video onto my black berry, and played the “Lost Poult” for inspiration. Then I proceeded to practice.

Well, I must tell you that I also had already been playing around with a reed for a coyote call. I found that one fairly easy to use. It wasn’t so technical to make a sound with the way that the turkey call was. One day while driving, I was admiring the gigantic prairie dogs that were popping up out of the snow. I gazed across the field and spotted a coyote sleeping in the field off to the right. I pulled over and decided to try out my skills. I popped my reed in and yelped a couple of times. The coyote raised its head. I then yelped like a pup, and the coyote got to its feet. It started to come to me. Knowing that my husband would NEVER belive me, I pulled out my trusty camera which I never leave at home. I took photos of it and I yelped and called as the traffic drove by until it finally was scared off by a big semi.

When I arrived at my destination, I called my husband and told him my story of calling in a coyote. I knew it. He didn’t belive me. That evening, I showed him my proof, and he smiled.

I see plenty of wild life on my daily trips to and from work. I see prairie dogs, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, deer, elk, and I also see none other than wild turkeys! Well, now that I had barked at a coyote, I needed to try my “Lost Poult” on a real live turkey.

One sunshiny spring afternoon, I was cruising along, driving and driving and driving. I saw out of the corner of my eye two turkeys. I quickly grabbed my reed, veered, pulled off the road, rolled down the window and grabbed my camera. I clucked at the hens and they ignored me. Hmm. I thought. I better try a shock. I bocked a loud call to them and got their attention. Then I purred. They purred back and headed toward me. Toward the highway with the passing vehicles. Woah. I decided that I was satisfied with that! I turned off my camera and put my reed away. I headed for home with a big grin on my face.

Upon arrival at the house, I pulled out my camera and showed my husband the pics of the hens. He said “no way”. I told him that I now know how to use my call. He asked me to show him. I grabbed my reed, bocked, purred and cackled as he watched with his eyes wide open!

The best way to learn a call…. Many hours of driving! ;-)