Diaphram Calls.....Before the Hunt

I have heard countless hunters explain the reasoning for not being able to use a diaphram call. I have heard everything from the calls choke them to the calls sound like a dying chicken. We're going to lay some of those hindrances to rest once and for all so that you can learn to be effective with a mouth call.

First, straight out of the gate, the call has to fit your mouth. There are different calls for different pallet shapes, however, most all of them can be bent to fit the roof of your mouth. Also, the key to making a call fit your mouth is to cut the tape so that it doesn't choke you when you seat it in your pallet. A common mistake is to cut the tape too short causing the call to be pushed around and come unseated. The diaphram needs to be as long as your reflex will tolerate.

After you have customized your mouth call to fit your mouth, you will then need to concentrate on the sound that is coming from the call. This is the part that you will have to get the hang of yourself. There are several different methods for achieving the right sound out of a diaphram.

The main problem that turkey hunters have is using a diaphram with the reeds stuck together. This alone will cause any call to have a high pitch sound and eliminate the ability to rip off sharp clucks and cuts. This also has a big part in the "squeaky" sound that comes out of a diaphram. The bottom picture shows you what a used diaphram will look like after being in your vest for a while. The top picture shows what the reeds are supposed to look like. They should be a latex white color.

To achieve this is simple. Let your diaphrams soak for about 30 minutes prior to the hunt to loosen the reeds up. When you put the calls back in their case, leave the water dripping from the call. Avoid stretching the reeds to loosen them up, especially if its warm and they have been stored in a vest that is hidden behind the seat of your vehicle. With just a small amount of preparation, you will get the intended sound from the call. The rest is up to you.