Call Them In.
Since 1972, Knight & Hale has been the name in turkey calling. Founded by two of the most accomplished turkey hunters in the country, the brand has spent more than five decades engineering calls that fool pressured birds and bring the biggest gobblers into range. Every call in the lineup is handmade in the U.S.A. and tested in the field by hunters who know what it takes to close the deal on a wary tom.
Whether you prefer the tactile control of a pot call, the simplicity of a box call, the hands-free advantage of a diaphragm, or the unique range of a tube call, Knight & Hale has the call for your style and skill level. The lineup covers numerous turkey calls and strikers across every category.
Which Type is Right for You?
Turkey hunters argue about call types the same way they argue about choke tubes and camo patterns. The honest answer is that every style has a place in your vest. The question is which one fits your skill level, the hunting situation, and how close the bird already is.
- Pot calls reward practice with the most realistic, nuanced sounds available. The friction between striker and surface produces a tonal range that diaphragms and box calls can’t fully replicate. Crystal (found on the Moonshiner and HD™ Crystal Surface Pot Call) and glass surfaces produce clear, sharp yelps and are less affected by humidity. Slate and ceramic surfaces (the Ol’ Yeller™ SLA-TEK® and HD™ Slate Surface Pot Call) create the raspy, natural tones pressured birds respond to. Pot calls require both hands, so plan your setup accordingly.
- Box calls are the most beginner-friendly option in the lineup and the loudest call you can make when the wind picks up. The Ol’ Yeller™ Box Call and HD™ Long Range Hen Box Call carry well across open fields and ridges where pot calls lose volume.
- Mouth calls (diaphragms) are the choice for hands-free calling when a bird is in close and your hands need to be on the gun or bow. Knight & Hale offers multiple diaphragm options across single cuts, combo cuts, split V profiles, and specialty cuts. The Barber’s Cut and Ghost Cut are good starting points, or grab the Smokeshow 3-Pack to test multiple profiles at once. Diaphragms have a learning curve but pay off in close-range situations where any hand movement can spook a bird.
- Push/pull and tube calls are ideal for hunters who want simplicity without sacrificing authentic sound. The HD™ Cutter Push/Pull Call requires a single finger and is hand-tuned out of the box, making it a great option for beginners or young hunters. The VersaTube™ expands beyond turkeys entirely, producing gobbles, jake sounds, and even goose calls in a single hand-turned Delrin body. Pair either call with a full setup by browsing the complete turkey calls lineup or check out deer calls for your fall season kit.
FAQ
What are turkey calls and why do they work?
Turkey calls are devices that replicate the vocalizations wild turkeys use to communicate: yelps, clucks, purrs, cuts, cackles, and gobbles. When a hunter mimics these sounds accurately, gobblers and hens respond by moving toward what they believe is another turkey. Knight & Hale’s full turkey calls lineup covers every call type, from friction calls and diaphragms to locator calls used to shock a gobbler into revealing his position.
What is the difference between a pot call and a box call?
A pot call (also called a friction call or surface call) uses a striker dragged across a circular surface to produce sound. It offers the most tonal variety and feels closest to the real thing, but requires two hands and some practice to master. A box call uses a wooden paddle sliding across a hollow body to produce yelps, and clucks with far less technique. The Ol’ Yeller™ Box Call is hand-tuned and pre-chalked for immediate use, making it a better starting point for beginners, while premium pot calls like the Moonshiner reward callers who put in the practice time.
What is the SLA-TEK surface and how does it differ from slate or crystal?
SLA-TEK® is a proprietary ceramic striking surface exclusive to Knight & Hale. It produces a wide range of tones, from clear high-pitched yelps to the raspy sounds that bring pressured birds in close, and it holds up well in humid conditions that affect natural slate surfaces. Crystal surfaces, used on the Moonshiner and HD™ Crystal Surface Pot Call, produce sharper, purer tones and are excellent in wet weather. Slate (found on the HD™ Slate Surface Pot Call) is known for warm, natural rasp but requires conditioning to stay dry.
Are Knight & Hale turkey calls good for beginners?
Yes. Several calls in the lineup are specifically designed for beginners. The HD™ Cutter Push/Pull Call requires only one finger and is hand-tuned straight from the box. The Ol’ Yeller™ Box Call arrives pre-chalked and ready to use with a simple paddle stroke. Even the entry-level Slate Hammer Pot Call at $24.99 ships with technique instructions on each product page to help new callers get up to speed fast.
Which turkey call is best for calling birds from a long distance?
Box calls carry the most volume and are the best choice when a bird is at the edge of hearing range. The HD™ Long Range Hen Box Call is purpose-built for this scenario. Locator calls like the Crow Show Turkey Locator Call and Hoot Extender Turkey Locator Call are also effective at long range, used not to call birds in but to shock a gobbler into sounding off and revealing his location on the roost or across a field.
What is a locator call and when should I use it?
A locator call imitates a non-turkey sound, typically a crow or owl, that provokes gobblers to shock gobble and reveal their position without becoming call-shy or associating the sound with danger. Use the Crow Show Turkey Locator Call during mid-morning when birds have left the roost, or the Hoot Extender Turkey Locator Call in the pre-dawn hours to locate birds before fly-down. Once you know where a gobbler is, switch to a turkey call to work him into range.
What is the best mouth call for a hunter new to diaphragms?
Hunters new to diaphragms should start with a single-reed or simple-cut design, which requires less air pressure and is easier to control. The Small Frame No Cut Mouth Call 2-Pack is a good entry point for hunters with smaller mouth profiles. For those ready to step up, the Smokeshow Mouth Call 3-Pack includes three different cuts (Batwing, Barber’s Cut, Ghost Cut) so you can find the profile that fits your mouth and produces the sounds you want most naturally.
Does Knight & Hale offer a warranty on their turkey calls?
Yes. Knight & Hale stands behind the quality of every handmade call in their lineup. For full warranty terms, visit the Warranty Information page on the Knight & Hale website. For specific product questions or to submit a claim, reach out directly through the customer service page.