I don't understand Turkeys

[Reemus Buckshot]

I just started turkey hunting this year and I have been hunting with a buddy who is a pretty experienced turkey hunter. All three mornings we have hunted we have gobblers in almost every direction starting around 6:15. I mean the woods get loud. We made a few soft calls back to them, but it just seemed like every time the gobbled after that, they were a little further away. We have had several hens come in really close and have gotten them to call to us frequently, but it just seems that these gobblers won't come in. After 7am, all goes quiet. No gobbles or clucks or yelps anywhere. It is strange. I don't understand what turkey's do throughout the day.

The gobbles we have heard have been right off the property of about 250-300 yards away into some super thick swamp I am afraid I would get turned around in...any advice on how to get these birds to come in??? Call earlier, call more often ...what?

 

[baller_9]

They are walking away and going silent because their hens are taking them. Its tough when they are hened up but try and get close to a roosted bird and killing him before his hens get to him. Also, if he has hens with him and there is a dominate hen in the flock that is being vocal, try and mimic every word she makes. Many times this will make her angry and she will come investigate with the gobbler following closely behind. Don't be afraid to get aggressive.

 

[REN]

i know EXACTLY what you are going through reemus...having the same morning hunts in my areas. At the moment i am concentrated most of my hunts in the 10-3pm time frame and it has payed off to this point...killed all 3 so far in that time frame.

 

[hunterchub]

He is standing right in front of you. You just dont see him. a suggestion would be to come back at midday. Maybe they will be done with there girly friends and come play with you. I have shot many hot birds at the 11 am hour.

 

[Harvester]

He is standing right in front of you. You just dont see him. a suggestion would be to come back at midday. Maybe they will be done with there girly friends and come play with you. I have shot many hot birds at the 11 am hour.

ditto

 

[tickweed]

To really take turkeys on a regular basis, learn what turkeys do. This includes learing all the phases they go thru this time of year. They are just doing what turkeys do. I started hunting them in the mid seventys, and remember those days just like you are talking about. Stay after them. Hunting them is the best way to learn. Good luck!