I was out this morning and to my surprise actually called a male in. He flew into the field about 25 yards from my decoy which was 25 yards from me. When he landed I wasn't sure what to do so I called. Well he looked right at me. He started to turn away and started chirping and bobbing his head and walked briskly back toward the bush. I might of got a shot off but he was kind of far so I didn't in case he came back. But he didn't lol he stayed in the bush and made some gobbling calls for about ten minutes and than disappeared. So my question is what should I do when I call one in. Is it better to stay quiet and see if he goes for my decoy or try and call him closer? Thanks
Newbie Turkey Question
- Thread starter combatjack
- Start date
They have really good hearing and pin pointed that sound right to you. He may of even seen your "blob" and didn't like the look of it and left. If they start the Putt Putt, doing the head bob he's giving a warning sound and looking trying to figure you out.
If he is less than 100 yards I don't make a sound. I MAY give some quiet purrs or a few cuts just to keep them coming if they are going to hang up out of range. I never call if he is next to my decoys. If he realises the sound is coming from 20 yards behind or beside the decoys, He will keep his distance.
In the turkey world the hens are suppost to go to the toms. Not the other way around like we try and hunt them. It does work, But that is why a lot of toms will Gobble and answer your calls but wont commit to coming in. They gobble to let the hen know where they are and to "come find me"
If he is less than 100 yards I don't make a sound. I MAY give some quiet purrs or a few cuts just to keep them coming if they are going to hang up out of range. I never call if he is next to my decoys. If he realises the sound is coming from 20 yards behind or beside the decoys, He will keep his distance.
In the turkey world the hens are suppost to go to the toms. Not the other way around like we try and hunt them. It does work, But that is why a lot of toms will Gobble and answer your calls but wont commit to coming in. They gobble to let the hen know where they are and to "come find me"
Ok thank you that makes a lot of sense. When I made the call he looked right at me and I knew I made a mistake. He didn't ran away fast but he started bobbing and chirping and trotted right nack to the bush. But I'm happy I got one close so not a bad day. Thanks for the advice!!!
Good advice.
MusicianShooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
+1. And if he's that close, hope your gun is up and safety is off. No movement and no sound is a MUST.
+1, that is why you should have a little jake decoy that you put behind a hen. They will come right at your decoys.
yup, they have the best sight and hearing, any closer then 3-400 yards they can see you no problem. I was in the bush last yr on the ground and through all the trees and camo i barely seen them but could tell they could see me no problem and took off fast. Best bet, make some calls early when they are trying to locate eachother early in the morning, then be quiet, the turkeys will come over knowing where the sound came from if they are interested and thats when you sit still, no sound, no movement till you make the 30-40 yard shot.
it all depends.. you will get to learn the signals and the mood the gobblers are in..
I've found this year, that with all this crappy weather, it's better not to call.. just once so he knows, then stop.. they don't seem to be responding to well in the areas I've hunted..
but last year.. you could all every 60 seconds and they would answer back, and keep coming...
you get to know the signs after a while..
I've found this year, that with all this crappy weather, it's better not to call.. just once so he knows, then stop.. they don't seem to be responding to well in the areas I've hunted..
but last year.. you could all every 60 seconds and they would answer back, and keep coming...
you get to know the signs after a while..
- Location
- Southern Ontario
I believe he was 50 yards from the turkey. 25 yards from the turkey to the decoy then 25 yards from the decoy to combatjack.
Winchester-1897
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Newmarket,Ontario
Yes exactly, a Tom will sometimes want to show his superiority over a Jake and come in like a steam train to kick its butt.
All good suggestions. I find most new turkey hunters call WAY to much. Yes its fun to make him gobble back every time you cluck or yelp but you have to play hard to get.
My two favorite ways to bag one are:
1) Figure out where they are roosting and get in as close as you can in the dark. Sometimes with decoy(s), sometimes without. Call just a little with some soft yelps in the morning to let them know where "the hen" is at. If you're really lucky the tom will fly right in to you - but be ready and don't get caught with your gun across your lap. I've found that if you end up in a "calling contest" with a real hen you will loose every time and she will walk away dragging the toms with her. Especially if she is the old boss hen.
2) After 08:30-09:30 when the toms have already chased around the willing hens they were close to they will be on the prowl looking for more receptive hens. I'll walk the usual places under cover calling with a box call every few hundred yards listening for a gobble. If one responds try and judge how far away and in what direction. If close, get setup right away. If farther, close the distance as quickly as you can and try to get into a pinch point like a fence gate, trail head, etc. Sometimes I'll setup a hen decoy. Call sparingly to entice him in. Use purrs to close the last bit. *** Note we hunt on large parcels of private land and have the places to ourselves. I would be very cautious doing this on crown or shared land as other hunters may be around.
Good luck! Keep trying but they learn fast so don't burn the same place out by hunting it everyday.
My two favorite ways to bag one are:
1) Figure out where they are roosting and get in as close as you can in the dark. Sometimes with decoy(s), sometimes without. Call just a little with some soft yelps in the morning to let them know where "the hen" is at. If you're really lucky the tom will fly right in to you - but be ready and don't get caught with your gun across your lap. I've found that if you end up in a "calling contest" with a real hen you will loose every time and she will walk away dragging the toms with her. Especially if she is the old boss hen.
2) After 08:30-09:30 when the toms have already chased around the willing hens they were close to they will be on the prowl looking for more receptive hens. I'll walk the usual places under cover calling with a box call every few hundred yards listening for a gobble. If one responds try and judge how far away and in what direction. If close, get setup right away. If farther, close the distance as quickly as you can and try to get into a pinch point like a fence gate, trail head, etc. Sometimes I'll setup a hen decoy. Call sparingly to entice him in. Use purrs to close the last bit. *** Note we hunt on large parcels of private land and have the places to ourselves. I would be very cautious doing this on crown or shared land as other hunters may be around.
Good luck! Keep trying but they learn fast so don't burn the same place out by hunting it everyday.
Oh and if you still can't get on to come in, ambushing them on the way to their usual roosting spots in the evening works well too. You don't need to call, you just need to scout so you know where they want to go and then setup along the route. Not as fun as calling one in, but still a very productive method.
