How to keep a cackling hen close??? (long)

Rollo

Rollo

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I just got home yesterday from a work trip and ready to hunt that tom again. I was on my porch yesterday afternoon, showing my family my new aluminum pot call, just some yelping, and a big hen started cackling about 150 yards away. I could see her up on the hill, scratching around in the dirt and flogging her wings. She was putting on quite a show. I'd yelp again and she'd get all wound up. I tried cackling back at her and she kind of quieted down and walked off. I figured I spooked her since we were all watching her from the porch.
So this morning I set up behind my house with my decoys. Some gobbles on the roost in the area. I start yelping about 6:15 and that hen cuts me off cackling again. Maybe she was just flying down but she was quiet annoyed. I kept quiet for a minute then yelped again. Then she was back at it. But she started walking away from me and started yelping. She would cut me off with a yelp or a cut but never tried to approach my decoys. I was hoping to keep her talking to attract a tom to watch a he fight but no luck. I did have some gobblers answer back so I just sat tight. Not a sound after 7:30. Waited an hour or so and no shows.
This hen has been hanging around my place the past week (so I'm told). We usually have some nest on my property so I assume that's what's going on. I really don't want to chase her off. Is that what I'm doing with the call???? Advice please!
 
I don't really have a good answer for you, sorry. Is she cackling or cutting?

All turkeys are crazy and hens are the worst, their entire purpose other than breeding is ruining perfectly good hunts
 
Did any of the gobblers answer her?

If you are sure they answered you, I would go back out in an hour or so, and see if you get a response. If you do, you're in business.
 
I wouldn't worry about it Rollo. If she has a nest there she probably will not leave it just because your calling to her. And yes they cackle and cutt back at us sometimes.
 
I guess it was cutting yesterday. She may have been flying off the roost this morning when I heard her. But she did cut back at me when I called. Couldn't tell who the gobblers answered to. There were several to the north of me, about 1/2 mile or less that sounded young but one the the south of me, about 1/4 mile, sounded like a mature tom. Still, nothing after 7:30.
I just heard her yelping a few minutes ago. It's nice having the windows open this time of year and hearing all the sounds of spring. Especially that one. Maybe I should put the call up and let her do the work. and have patience....

Thanks for the replies
 
Try to mock her. Whatever she does do it back. Same pitch and tone. This sometimes makes them approach and try confront the other bird. This will also help in keeping her around as a live decoy to pull in others. With any luck a long beard. I have done this in the past with aggressive birds and it worked. It has also done exactly what you had happen and they still leave. Either way try to mock her and see what she does.
 
Jason Bagby said:
Try to mock her. Whatever she does do it back. Same pitch and tone. This sometimes makes them approach and try confront the other bird. This will also help in keeping her around as a live decoy to pull in others. With any luck a long beard. I have done this in the past with aggressive birds and it worked. It has also done exactly what you had happen and they still leave. Either way try to mock her and see what she does.
Click to expand...
What he said. Had one raising cane last week and everything she did I mocked. About 10 minutes after she flew down she was in my lap and pissed.
 
Jason Bagby said:
Try to mock her. Whatever she does do it back. Same pitch and tone. This sometimes makes them approach and try confront the other bird. This will also help in keeping her around as a live decoy to pull in others. With any luck a long beard. I have done this in the past with aggressive birds and it worked. It has also done exactly what you had happen and they still leave. Either way try to mock her and see what she does.
Click to expand...
Thanks. That's the info I was after. Wasn't really sure to mock her or be submissive. Just gotta keep practicing my calling...
 

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