Soft tree yelp -  This is an early morning sound.  It is softer than the normal yelp.  Hens will typically make this sound either before or shortly after flying down from the roost when they are "just waking up."

Fly-down cackle - A long series of clucks that begin slow, pick up speed, and then gradually wind down to a halt.  This sound is made as the hen is flying down from the roost.  This is a sound of excitement from the hen.

Yelp - The yelp is the most basic of sounds that hens will make.  It is the sound hens make to let the toms know where they are located.  It sounds a lot like the soft tree yelp but is slightly louder and sharper.  Any turkey hunter that knows this basic calling technique can hunt turkeys.  Most beginners begin with the basic yelp.

Cluck - A series of sharp, short notes in four or five increments that hens will make often when feeding.  It is a contentment sound.

Put - A sharp, short, single note similar to the cluck but a "put" is an alarm call.  It means the hen has seen something it doesn't like and is sounding off the alarm.  Do not make a "put" when turkey hunting.  It is important to know the difference between a "put" and a "cluck."  A put is typically a single note whereas a cluck is usually in a series of notes.

 

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Cut (Cutting) - A series of sharp, short notes hens will make when it is excited.  It's a hen's way of saying "Hey, I'm over here.  Where are you?"

Some hunters like to utilize this call in a technique known as "cut-and-run" or as a daytime locator call.  Sounds like cut-cut....cut-cut-cut...cut...cut....cut.

Purr - A slightly longer sound much like the purring of a cat.  Another sound of contentment.  Some hunters like to add on a cluck at the end of their purr for added contentment.

Gobble -  This is the sound that gobblers like to make when either shocked into making it or to let a hen know he's on his way.  Sounds like the word "gobble" said three times very fast.  It often follows after being shocked into gobbling by an owl, crow, coyote, woodpecker, or peacock locator call.  This is the turkey hunters favorite spring time sound.  It is strongly advised that this sound not be mimicked because other hunters might think you are the turkey they are hunting.  It poses a serious safety risk especially on public hunting lands.