By Ryan Fair

If there’s one thing that makes turkey hunting so addicting, it’s the conversation. Every hunt is different, and every gobbler has his own personality. Some mornings they come running to the first yelp they hear. Other times they make you work for every single response. That’s why having a variety of turkey calls in your vest is so important. Different calls shine in different situations and knowing when to use each one can make all the difference.

Over the years I’ve learned that you don’t need dozens of calls to consistently tag birds. What you need are a few dependable ones that cover every scenario you’re likely to encounter. The lineup from ESH Custom Calls has several excellent options, but there are five calls that I believe belong in every turkey hunter’s vest. With one good mouth call setup, a pot call, a box call, and a couple locator calls, you can handle almost any situation the spring woods throws your way. Below are five calls we trust and when we like to use each one here at Working Class Hunter.

1. ESH Signature Series 3 Pack Mouth Calls

Best for: Versatility and hands-free hunting in close

A good mouth call is still the backbone of my vest, but instead of relying on just one, I like having options. That’s where the ESH Signature Series 3 Pack Mouth Calls really shine. You’re not stuck with a single tone or style, you’ve got multiple cuts and reed configurations that let you match whatever mood the birds are in. Some days gobblers want a raspy, aggressive hen. Other days they’ll only respond to soft, clean yelps. Having three different diaphragms ready to go lets you adjust on the fly without digging around or second guessing yourself.

Like any mouth call, the biggest advantage here is staying hands-free. When a bird is inside that 80-yard bubble, movement will get you busted quicker than bad calling. With a diaphragm, you can stay locked in on your gun and still work a bird with soft clucks, purrs, and subtle yelps. This is what I lean on most when it’s time to finish a hunt. When a gobbler hangs up and needs just a little more convincing, switching between calls in that pack can be the difference between him walking off or stepping into range.

2. ESH Champion’s Choice Pot Call

Best for: Realistic hen talk and mid-morning setups

There’s something about a good pot call that just sounds right in the woods. It’s clean, it’s natural, and it flat-out kills turkeys. The ESH Champion’s Choice Pot Call is one of those calls that can do a little bit of everything and do it well. It’s the call I grab when I want to sound like a content hen just going about her morning. Soft yelps, clucks, and purrs come easy on it, and that realism really matters once birds start getting pressured.

Mid-morning is where this call really earns its keep. The woods quiet down, hens slip off to nest, and lonely gobblers start covering ground. That’s when I like to set up in open timber or along field edges and run a pot call just enough to sound like a hen that’s feeding and moving. It’s not about being loud, it’s about being believable. And that’s exactly what a good pot call like this delivers.

3. ESH All Weather Box Call

Best for: Locating birds and hunting tough conditions

A box call still has a place in every vest I carry, especially when I need volume. The ESH All Weather Box Call is built for those days when conditions are less than ideal. Early mornings and big country are where this call shines. If I’m trying to strike a gobbler that hasn’t said a word yet, I want something that can reach out and touch him. A few sharp yelps on a box call can cover a lot of ground in a hurry.

What I really like about an all-weather design is the reliability. Spring weather isn’t always perfect, and having a call that still runs when things get damp gives you an edge a lot of guys don’t think about. I’ll often use this call to get a bird fired up, then put it down and switch to something softer as he starts working in. It’s a great attention-getter, but like any loud call, knowing when to back off is key.

4. ESH Custom Calls Crow Locator Call

Best for: Covering ground and triggering midday gobbles

Locator calls don’t get talked about enough, but they’re one of the most efficient ways to find birds. The ESH Custom Calls Crow Locator Call is one I keep handy anytime I’m moving and trying to strike a gobbler. Midday, when everything seems dead quiet, is when I use it the most. I’ll ease through likely areas, hit the crow call, and listen. A lot of times that sudden, sharp sound will make a gobbler fire off without him even realizing why.

The best part is it doesn’t educate birds. A crow is a normal sound in the woods, so you can use it as much as you need without making turkeys call-shy. When one answers, the game changes quick. Now it’s about getting set up and switching over to your turkey calls to seal the deal.

5. ESH Custom Calls Barred Owl Locator Call

Best for: Pinpointing roosted birds at daylight

If I had to pick one moment that sets the tone for a turkey hunt, it’s those first few minutes before daylight. That’s where the ESH Custom Calls Barred Owl Locator Call comes into play. Owls are a natural part of the woods waking up, and that makes them perfect for getting a shock gobble from a roosted bird. I’ll get set up in a good listening spot, let things settle, and then hit an owl call.

When a gobbler answers on the limb, you’ve just gained a huge advantage. Now you know exactly where he’s at and can plan your setup before his feet ever hit the ground. It’s a simple tool, but it consistently helps you be in the right place at the right time and that’s half the battle in turkey hunting.

Keeping It Simple and Effective

You don’t need to overcomplicate turkey hunting. With a handful of reliable calls from ESH Custom Calls, you can cover every situation you’re going to run into.

Your locator calls help you find birds.
Your box call helps you reach out and strike one.
Your pot call adds realism once you’re set up.
And your mouth calls finish the job when it matters most.

It’s a system that just works. And when it all comes together, when that gobbler finally commits and comes strutting in, you realize real quick it’s not about how many calls you carry. It’s about knowing exactly when to use the right one.