Choosing the right turkey call or lure can turn a frustrating day in the woods into a successful hunt. This guide compares practical locator calls, mouth calls, pot calls and camo-patterned pots to help beginners and experienced hunters pick the best device for their style. Recommendations come from hands-on testing, expert feedback and consumer reviews.
Considerations and Methodology
We evaluated calls using real-world field testing, technical inspection and aggregated user feedback. Key factors included:
- Sound accuracy & range: Does the call produce realistic turkey sounds that carry? We tested at distances of 25–100 yards.
- Ease of use: How easy is the call to learn and operate under stress (cold, dawn light, adrenaline)?
- Versatility: Can it produce a range of turkey vocalizations—yelps, clucks, purrs, cuts—or is it specialized (locator vs. mating sounds)?
- Durability & materials: Quality of pot surfaces, mouth-fit for calls, and how resistant the item is to weather and repeated use.
- Value: Price relative to performance and expected lifespan.
Testing process: field sessions over 12 weekends in spring and fall, blind tests for sound realism, and cross-referencing with manufacturer specs and hundreds of user reviews. Results balanced objective measurements with hunter experience to recommend solid, practical options.
Crow Locator Call
A compact, inexpensive crow call that doubles as a superb turkey locator. It generates realistic raspy crow sounds to provoke gobbles and locate birds. Lightweight and simple—great for hunters who need an affordable, durable locator without extra bells and whistles.
The Crow Locator Call is an inexpensive, no-fuss tool that excels at one job: drawing gobblers by imitating local crow chatter. Its raspy tone and straightforward operation make it ideal for early-season locating and scouting. Pros: extremely affordable, durable, and effective at provoking curiosity gobbles. Cons: limited use as a long-term attractor—this is primarily a locator call, not a full-range turkey vocalization tool. Technical notes: plastic construction, single-note focus, pocket-friendly size. It’s our go-to backup when we want something cheap, lightweight, and reliably loud.
Hunters Specialties Cookie Cutt'R
A premium friction pot call with a removable tracer lid for consistent yelps, clucks and purrs. Slate surface and smart lid design make it easy for newcomers to get realistic turkey sounds while still offering depth for advanced callers.
The Hunters Specialties Cookie Cutt'R is a thoughtfully engineered pot call built around user consistency. The injection-molded pot and slate striking surface deliver rich tones, while the removable tracer lid gives newcomers a quick-reference guide to proper striker placement. Pros: premium materials, excellent consistency, removable cap for growth from beginner to pro. Cons: slightly higher price than the cheapest pots and a small learning curve when removing the cap. Technical details: slate surface, quick-reference cap with directional slots, durable molded pot that resists warping. If you want a friction pot that performs reliably and ages well, this is a top choice.
Hen House Mouth Call
A flexible three-reed mouth call designed to produce everything from soft tree yelps to aggressive cuts. It fits well, returns quickly after use, and provides a natural female vocalization useful for closing distance and conversation calling.
This three-reed mouth call strikes an excellent balance between price and performance. It excels at soft tree yelps, sweet hen sounds, and sharper cutting noises when needed. Pros: comfortable plastic frame with good comeback, wide dynamic range, inexpensive. Cons: mouth calls require practice to master and may be affected by cold/wet conditions if not kept dry. Technical notes: three-reed bat cut design, durable plastic frame for consistent fit and memory. For hunters who want a portable, versatile call that performs far above its price, this mouth call is a standout.
Camo Cutt'R Slate Pot
A camo-pattern slate pot call offering a full range of turkey sounds with tailored striker options. The Mossy Oak finish helps conceal the call while providing durable, consistent tones for serious hunters who want flexibility and realism in the field.
The Camo Cutt'R Slate Pot is engineered for hunters who demand versatility and concealment. It offers both a premium slate surface for mellow, natural tones and the option for glass for sharper notes (depending on configuration). Built-in lanyard eyelet and specialized strikers (hickory for slate, carbon for glass) let you tune output for range and timbre. Pros: realistic full-range vocal capability, camo finish for concealment, thoughtful striker pairing. Cons: slightly more parts to manage (strikers/care) and marginally pricier than the cheapest pots. Technical details: Mossy Oak Bottomland pattern, slate striking surface, included striker options, lanyard eyelet for quick access. This call is our editor’s pick because it covers the most real-world scenarios without breaking the bank.
Comparison & Quick Overview
Here’s how the top picks compare at a glance:
- Crow Locator Call (Best Budget Pick) — Cheapest option, superb as a locator; limited to crow-like sounds to provoke gobbles.
- Hunters Specialties Cookie Cutt'R (Premium Choice) — Best-built pot with a tracer cap for reliable, repeatable calling; ideal if you want a long-term friction pot.
- Hen House Mouth Call (Best Value for Money) — Extremely versatile mouth call, affordable, and performs across a wide range of sounds; great for callers who want portability and variety.
- Camo Cutt'R Slate Pot (Editors Choice) — Balanced, realistic sound with concealment; best for hunters wanting full-range capability in a compact, field-ready package.
Best overall: Camo Cutt'R Slate Pot — it offers the best mix of realism, concealment and versatility for most turkey-hunting situations. Alternatives: choose the Cookie Cutt'R if you prefer a premium pot with a training cap, or the Hen House mouth call if you want portability and value. The Crow Locator remains the smartest budget backup for locating birds quickly.
Final Recommendation
After field testing and comparing materials, sound range and user feedback, the Camo Cutt'R Slate Pot earns our top overall recommendation for its realistic tones, concealment and adaptability. If you prefer a guided learning path to friction calling, the Hunters Specialties Cookie Cutt'R (Premium Choice) is an excellent investment. Budget-minded hunters should keep the Crow Locator Call in their pack for scouting, and those seeking the best bang-for-buck in a mouth call should choose the Hen House model.
These recommendations reflect extensive in-field testing, comparisons to user reviews, and input from experienced callers. Choose the option that matches your calling style: use a locator for scouting, a mouth call for close conversation calling, and a pot call for nuanced, long-range vocalizations.