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 blackberry, 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 believe me. That evening, I showed him my proof, and he smiled.
I see plenty of wildlife 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! 😉
Thank you to Cane Creek for their YouTube video and instruction. I couldn’t have done it without you! Season starts Saturday. Let’s see how I do!
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Mia Anstine is an outdoor writer, licensed outfitter, hunting guide, life coach, keynote speaker, and range safety officer, firearms instructor, and archery instructor. She is the founder of MAC Outdoors and Host of the MAC Outdoors Podcast.
Mia Anstine strives to encourage others to get outside, hunt, fish, shoot, and survive life with others in a positive way.
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Mia Anstine
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Mia,keep up the good work I love this story . I have always hunted and its my pastion . I have always wanted to be a Prostafer ,just dont know how tou go about geting started . I will take any advice you can give me . Back when I was in school my parants ask my brother and I what we wanted to do when we got out of school . and we both answerd and said the same thing ( WE WANTED TO HUNT AND FISH FOR OUR LIVING ) They both said you cant make a living doing that . at this time there was not anyone doing this but Bill Dance and this was before there was cable TV . It would have been hard to do this at that time I know now BUT it may not be to late now . I would aprishiat any advice on how I need to get started .
Hey Mia
Good job, sounds like you don’t give up. The Lost Poult is also great for coyote howling, predator calling, and is great for elk, both bull and cow calls
Thanks
Doug
Cane Creek