some rookie questions about turkeys

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wlf89

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while arrowhead hunting this evening heard a turkey gobbling about 1000yrds off across a creek on a steep hillside. i was there from about 630-730 and he probly gobbled atleast 40 times. is that just a routine before they flew up to roost or what. and also how long before sunrise do they usually start gobbling before flydown. keep in mind this is my first yr hunting turkey and that was about 30 more gobbles than i have ever heard in my whole life time.
 
I'm pretty new at this, but will give a try:
I've noticed them starting to gobble at 0530, 30 minutes before sunrise. (They will shock gobble to the shutting truck door, or another loud bird, etc.)
They will start while in the tree, and this year I have seen them gobble while treed up until 0700. Another member saw them still on roost at 0900.
Yesterday is was constant gobbling among 3 flocks, with two still going at it at 1100.
I should be still in the woods in the afternoon, but am working at home, so don't know what tey are doing except moving to a new hidden location to frustrate me.
 
If he gobbled 40 times on the ground before flying up, then he would be a good one to go after. It's pretty common for them to gobble before flyup, but usually just a time or two.

In the morning, they usually start gobbling when it starts to get light, about the same time the cardinals and other birds get started. Often they will gobble sporadically through the early morning until they gather some hens and then go quiet. If they start gobbling regularly while on the ground, they are probably alone and they are trying to locate a hen. If you know the area he roosted and you have permission, you should be there in the morning.
 
if i go there in the morning what should i do just get set up before light and right when it starts getting light do some soft yelps to get his attention and then shut up or what do yall suggest?
 
If it's greened-up enough where you are, you can probably get within 80-100 yards of him and on the same level or slightly above. It may not take much calling at all, let him gobble on his own to start it off, aim straight, and share the photo with us!

That bird's dead already...he just doesn't know it yet.
 
I bet he was looking for a hen to roost with. If I didn't have such a busy week ahead of me, I'd come out and hunt with you and maybe call one in. Maybe not this weekend but next weekend I could do it.
 
wlf89 said:
if i go there in the morning what should i do just get set up before light and right when it starts getting light do some soft yelps to get his attention and then shut up or what do yall suggest?
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try and set up where u think he roosted but be careful not to bust him of the roost. I'd get in the general area to listen and when he starts gobbling then move closer to within 100 yd or so. See if you can figure out when he flies down and call to him an see if he answers. If he answers on the ground then get your gun ready and wait. I don't usually have luck just after fly down but if he's alone then he should be dead.
 
catman529 said:
I bet he was looking for a hen to roost with. If I didn't have such a busy week ahead of me, I'd come out and hunt with you and maybe call one in. Maybe not this weekend but next weekend I could do it.
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well i killed him but ya we need to meet up and kill a bird.
 


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