In theory, it’s simple. Some sounds attract animals because they promise something they instinctively crave—food, sex, safety, or a stake in territory. Hunters have long learned to harness this primal communication, using game calls to bridge the gap between species and lure their quarry into range.

But in practice, understanding and mastering game calls is an art as much as a science. Let’s explore how and why animals respond to certain sounds, and how hunters can use this knowledge to their advantage.

How Calling Works

Food: The Sound of Easy Prey

Few things stir a predator like the distress call of potential prey. In predator hunting, “food” calls are indispensable. A coyote hearing the high-pitched squeal of a wounded rabbit will often come in on a string, driven by the hope of an effortless meal. Bobcats respond similarly, especially during cold seasons when energy conservation becomes a survival imperative.

Electronic calls that mimic distressed rodents, birds, or even fawns are standard tools in predator setups. But the key isn’t just the sound—it’s when and how you use it. For example, using fawn distress calls may attract not only the predators, but the does of the relevant antelope or deer species.

Sex: Nature’s Loudest Motivator

How do animals find mates in the vast wilderness? Many species use vocalizations to advertise their readiness to breed. These calls can be surprisingly loud and dramatic—think of the elk’s bugle echoing through a mountain valley or a tom turkey’s thunderous gobble rolling across a spring morning.

For hunters, these vocalizations serve as both an invitation and a beacon. Cow elk calls and estrus bleats can pull in lovesick bulls, while turkey yelps and purrs can draw in dominant gobblers spoiling for a chance to breed. Knowing when to play the flirt and when to challenge a rival is a crucial part of mastering big game calls.

Safety: The Sound (or Silence) of Danger

In the wild, silence can be deafening. When songbirds stop chirping or squirrels go quiet, it often means a predator is nearby. Prey animals are finely attuned to these changes, and hunters can exploit this behavior in subtle ways.

In some situations, making “comfort” noises—such as soft feeding grunts or clucks—can reassure skittish game. Whitetail deer, for instance, often relax when they hear the gentle sounds of another deer feeding. At other times, mimicking alarm calls can freeze an animal in place, buying a crucial few seconds for a shot.

Territory: No Trespassing

For territorial animals, certain sounds signal one thing: “This is my turf.” And that’s enough to provoke a response. Whether it’s a dominant elk bull bugling a challenge or a tom turkey gobbling to assert dominance, these sounds can lead to aggressive confrontations.

Hunters often exploit this behavior by mimicking rival males. Bugling during the rut can bring in dominant elk looking to defend their harem. The real trick here is imitating not just any bull or stag, but get the perceived stress just right. Your calling should sound mature enough to suggest the dominant bull that the young challenger has picked a few cows worth fighting over. But at the same time the imaginary challenger should sound weak and insecure enough, to promise an easy victory.

Roundabout Communication: Using the Whole Soundscape

Game calling doesn’t always have to be direct. Sometimes, the best way to get a response is by mimicking another species altogether. Turkey hunters, for example, frequently use owl hoots or crow calls at first light to trigger shock gobbles from toms. These loud, unexpected noises elicit involuntary responses and help hunters pinpoint birds without giving away their own position.

And the sounds you make don’t have to come from the animals’ vocal cords. Rattling antlers during the whitetail rut draws bucks – the sound of two rivals clashing makes them curious if there’s a fight to join, or simply to see who’s trespassing on their turf. So do the moose – and if there’s no rival in sight, the bulls often release their anger on innocent bushes and small trees. Which is why moose guides usually carry a couple of pieces of moose antler, to clash against each other or to thrash a bush with one, making the sound picture of a rival’s presence convincingly complete.

Mixed Signals: When Calls Mean More Than One Thing

Animals rarely react to sounds for just one reason. More often than not, several motivations are at play. Waterfowl hunting is a perfect example. When a flock of ducks hears others quacking and splashing down in a marsh, it triggers multiple instincts: safety in numbers, the availability of food, and potential mates. The right calling sequence can pull migrating flocks out of the sky and into your decoys.

In harem-holding species like elk or wild turkey, male vocalizations often carry layered meanings. A bull elk’s bugle is part territorial challenge, part mating display. It says: “These cows are mine, and I’ll fight to keep them.” A rival hearing this has to decide whether to challenge or retreat—a dynamic that skilled hunters can manipulate with well-timed calls.

Sometimes animal responses to calls can seem downright bizarre. African professional hunters (PHs) have discovered that male duikers — normally shy, secretive antelope — can be drawn out by mimicking the distress calls of baby duikers. Which turns out to be an effective method of duiker hunting, but beware: if leopards are around, it may lead to encounters of an undesirable kind.

Most Common Types of Game Calls 

Deer Calls

Grunt Calls: Mimic the low, guttural sounds of bucks. Useful during the rut to attract dominant males.

Bleat Calls: Imitate the sounds of does and fawns. Effective in drawing in both bucks and does.

Rattling Antlers: Simulate the sound of two bucks fighting, which can lure in curious or competitive males.

Turkey Calls

Box Calls: Produce a wide range of turkey sounds and are user-friendly for beginners.

Slate (Pot) Calls: Use a striker on a slate surface to create realistic turkey vocalizations.

Diaphragm (Mouth) Calls: Placed inside the mouth, allowing hands-free operation. They require practice but offer versatility.

Owl Hoot Calls: Imitate the hoots of an owl to help identify the location of a turkey flock.

Duck Calls

Single Reed Calls: Offer a wide range of sounds but require more control.

Double Reed Calls: Easier for beginners, producing a raspy tone that closely mimics ducks.

Materials like wood and acrylic affect the sound’s tone and volume. Wood produces softer tones, while acrylic offers louder, sharper sounds.

Predator Calls

Distress Calls: Imitate the sounds of injured prey, attracting predators like coyotes and foxes.

Howler Calls: Replicate the howls of predators to establish territory or challenge others. 

Electronic calls are also available, offering a variety of sounds and ease of use.

Tips for Using Game Calls

Calling is a mixture of advertising and playing a musical instrument. The first thing you should make sure of is that the sounds you make are reasonably realistic and convincing. You don’t have a chance to impress a bull elk if you sound like a tortured house cat, even if all the other elements are right. Practice using your calls at home before heading into the field; there are enough YouTube videos that will help you understand what you should do – more or less. 

Once you’ve gotten your technique down, you may move to the advertising part. And as any ad expert will tell you, the best advertising starts with the consumer. What does the animal want, and why should it come to your sound? Study the behaviour of whatever species you plan to hunt, and the answers to what sounds to make, where, and when will come naturally.

Overcalling, like too aggressive advertising, may scare the prospect off. Use calls sparingly and pay attention to responses. And don’t forget that calling seldom comes alone. You normally use it in combination with other hunting techniques – hunting from a blind or a tree stand, using decoys and protective scents. Get those elements right before you start making sounds. 

Should I Get A Game Call? 

That depends. Is a call a must or a nice-to-have for the hunt you’re planning? Turkey hunting in spring, and waterfowl hunting over decoys are unthinkable without calling. On the other hand, many whitetail hunters get their deer without any calling. If your hunt is of the first kind, by all means get a call. Otherwise you might want to get the first experiences without, and get a call or two only after you’re definite you need them. 

If you own a relevant call already, be sure to bring it alone for the hunt. Whether you use it, is another question. Calling that is not convincing enough, or comes at the wrong time, may easily ruin your hunt. When in doubt, stay silent. 

Be especially careful when you’re hunting in a company. You’re free to ruin your own hunts all you want, but you owe it to your partners not to mess up with theirs. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, leave the call alone unless specifically invited to join in the calling. 

And if you’re hunting with a guide, the rule of thumb is to let the guide do the calling, and you focus on your weapon and react to whatever shows up. Unless you’re a pro, but in that case you don’t need those tips anyway. 

Book Yourself a Hunt 

All kinds of hunting are easiest to learn with a mentor, and calling more so than most. But in the modern fragmented society finding a competent mentor can be hard. In this case, booking a guided hunt is perhaps the best introduction to any kind of outdoor pursuits. BookYourHunt.com, the No 1 international marketing for hunting trips, brings you the best, carefully vetted offers from all over the world, with Best Price Guarantee. Book your adventure and turbocharge your skills by learning from pros! 

Next in ‘Hunting 101’

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