Another newby question

[Ladys man]

So I no I have birds I have a decent amount of scratching on top and sides of a ridge and I can hear them roost gobbling but I have yet so get a good enough set to see them fly down or see them anywhere. Once they hit the ground it is dead silent I haven't gotten a response on anything I've mixed up calls and dnt call that much.

1. Do I need to start calling earlier, more aggressive?
2. Since they go quiet and dnt really know which way they go, would it be beat to wait them out and deer hunt the.
3. Do they go quiet because they are pressured public land birds that know not to gooble? They have hens? at any point of the day or will they start firing off later in the day?

 

[megalomaniac]

Sounds like they are henned up.

Try to get to within 125yds on the roost if you aren't in open woods. A few tree yelps right before you expect them to fly down.... then wait.

I bet you even if they don't come right in off the roost, they will fire back up mid morning once their hens break off to lay, thats your real opportunity to actually kill one. So sit tight near the sign, call sparingly, and wait till they fire off.

If it were on private land and a LONG way from the property border, I'd be way more aggressive. I'd get to 75 yards of roost, close enough to actually watch them fly down with the hens, then sneak in on them to about 60 yards. Set up, lightly cluck and purr, and scratch leaves. If you can get that close, they will come to check you out and you'd get a shot. (I would not do this on pressured public land).

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[Boll Weevil]

Mega's right...they prolly still got hens. Try not to get discouraged, stick with them later in the morning, and know you can look forward to henless toms in the coming days/weeks.

 

[JeepKuntry]

I have heard 2 gobbles all season. And they were way off on adjacent private property. Just my opinion, but if you know the general area, try going in at 9-10am and setting up. You might just get the lonely tom who's ready to play the game.

 

[fairchaser]

Sometimes they get as tight lipped as a church secretary and it seems like they go underground. I'll hang with them until mid morning and after that, I give them up. When calling, less is more. Subtlety kills more toms than aggressiveness. But, hang with them as much as you can and enjoy it.

 

[CritterGitter]

I personally wouldn't try to get close enough to physically see them , they will see you first and they will leave your property, worse case scenario. Sounds like you need a 10 oclock hunt when he might be alone and vulnerable.