turkey calling

I'm a beginning turkey hunter and I just bought a Beginner's double (one that goes in your mouth) turkey call and the thing is giving me fits. Does anyone have any tips on how to use it. The box says to make a 'chee-Uck' sound but that isn't working for me. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

If you are having problems with the gag reflex you can do the following. Trim the edges of the call until they are comfortable. Also before trying to call just hold it in your mouth to help get used to the feeling and reduce the gag reflex. As far as the sound is concerned 'chee-Uck' is about right but i would go easy on the 'ee' part. I do more of a 'chuck' to produce the hen yelp. Also give the call time to become moist after putting it in your mouth and be sure the layers of latex are not stuck together. I usually wet it in my mouth and if necessary blow a short blast in between the layers of latex to separate them (toothpicks also work) before doing any serious calling.

Put the call in your car. Get a tape with turkey calls on it. The first day just put the call in the side of your mouth to and from work listening to the tape. Get used to it just being in your mouth when you breath and drive, and to what your are really supposed to sound like.

The next day start up the tape and move the call into position for awhile, and then back to the side of your mouth. Use only your tongue. When you are in the woods thats the way you'll work it. Try to 'kuck' a few times here and there. Main thing is get used to it.

After a couple days it will seem more natural, then really give her hell! Don't be afraid to make noise. That's the biggest mistake beginners make. Not the noise, but the effort. It's easier to be noisy and to gradually calm down, the to try and start quiet. You need a good force of air through and it's best to learn to force the air through to get some calls. Try to go 'kuck' forcefully. Then 'kuck, kuck, kuck'. Or give a 'kelp, kelp, kelp'.

After you get these down start with timing. Each kuck or kelp should be spaced evenly. This helps you get a little more coordinated. Then you can go get some double, triple, cuttin' or split-v reeds and work on 'kee, kee, kee', or 'kuck, kuck, ku-ku-ku-kuck, kuck, kuck' and really start cutting! Takes time, so drive slow to work and spend time on it!

Good luck, Ed Kautz