HOW TO CALL TURKEYS LIKE A CHAMPION WITH CHRIS PARRISH

The Exception to the Rule

EDITOR'S NOTE: Chris Parrish of Centralia, Missouri, a wild turkey hunter for 24 years and the winner of five Grand National Turkey Calling Championships, two Mid-American Turkey Calling Championships, the U.S. Open and numerous regional and state titles, won the 2002 Mossy Oak/World Turkey Calling Championship.

Primarily use soft yelps, and don't give anymore calling than necessary to bring a bird to you. But if the turkey answers your call and seems like he wants you to call to him, then call more, louder and excitedly. Often when you call to 2-year-old gobblers, you can coax those turkeys right into the gun barrel by firing back to them with a call every time they gobble.

Remember when you turkey hunt that each gobbler has an individual personality and mood. On any given day none of the rules apply. The calling tactics that should work, won't work and the calling tactics that usually don't work will work like a charm.

Always deal with any gobbler as an individual. Try to match his mood, his age and what he wants to do that day with the calls you try and give him.