Surrounded by hens!!!

[krazykarl_13]

Just wondering what you experienced guys do when you have two hens around. I found myself in almost a triangle with two other hens and two gobblers in the middle. I tried aggressive calling since the hens were yelping and cutting aggressively. I was hunting hilly hardwoods near a field.

 

[Jcalder]

I had 6 or 7 hens go by at 20 yards. I let them walk lol. Haven't heard a gobble all evening

 

[Setterman]

Do not move, blink, or for Pete's sake call when they're close. Many hens are very old and have been exposed to hunters far longer than their suitors. They will pick you off in a millisecond

I just let them pass or if they're hanging around focus on the gobblers. Don't look at the hens, they seem to understand when they're being watched.

 

[Southern Sportsman]

If there are live hens on either side of a gobbler, i'll give it my best shot (maybe calling, maybe not) but in the back of my mind I'm thinking about where I'll head once he goes quiet and leaves. When your beat your beat.

 

[Big Gun]

Do not move, blink, or for Pete's sake call when they're close. Many hens are very old and have been exposed to hunters far longer than their suitors. They will pick you off in a millisecond

I just let them pass or if they're hanging around focus on the gobblers. Don't look at the hens, they seem to understand when they're being watched.

Yeah, what he said. I swear hens see you blink and then they spook and take every other bird with them.

 

[muddyboots]

Im the opposite. If hens are close to me and gobblers are still aways off i will slowly move and make them leave. Believe it or not this worked for me several times.

 

[Setterman]

Im the opposite. If hens are close to me and gobblers are still aways off i will slowly move and make them leave. Believe it or not this worked for me several times.

Boy that's ballsy, I guess it depends how close they are, and how close he is. I've certainly eased them on if he's hanging back and out of sight with them being passed me, where they likely won't head back towards him.

You can cover their putts with some excited clucks or yelps, but it could go south quickly as well.

It seems most times I've tried this it turns into pandemonium with hens flying cackling and blowing the whole operation up.

 

[muddyboots]

Im the opposite. If hens are close to me and gobblers are still aways off i will slowly move and make them leave. Believe it or not this worked for me several times.

Boy that's ballsy, I guess it depends how close they are, and how close he is. I've certainly eased them on if he's hanging back and out of sight with them being passed me, where they likely won't head back towards him.

You can cover their putts with some excited clucks or yelps, but it could go south quickly as well.

It seems most times I've tried this it turns into pandemonium with hens flying cackling and blowing the whole operation up.

Yes i wont do it if i think the gobblers are close but if they are 100 yards or so i go for it. I have found if i barely move the mostly just leave walking fast.

 

[muddyboots]

I guess i am opposite than most turkey hunters. I am extremely aggressive. It works alot more than being passive for me.

 

[krazykarl_13]

Thanks for the info guys!!! These were on different ridges and the gobblers sounded like they were in the bottom where they met. The hens sounded hit and we were all trying for the same pair of gobblers it seemed like. The real hen that was closest seemed to win today. I should have a good time next week. Saw 5 struttlers in the middle of the field and heard two others that morning. Lightning made me leave early though.

 

[Setterman]

Im the opposite. If hens are close to me and gobblers are still aways off i will slowly move and make them leave. Believe it or not this worked for me several times.

Boy that's ballsy, I guess it depends how close they are, and how close he is. I've certainly eased them on if he's hanging back and out of sight with them being passed me, where they likely won't head back towards him.

You can cover their putts with some excited clucks or yelps, but it could go south quickly as well.

It seems most times I've tried this it turns into pandemonium with hens flying cackling and blowing the whole operation up.

Good stuff and I agree, it's risky but taking risks can certainly pay off
Yes i wont do it if i think the gobblers are close but if they are 100 yards or so i go for it. I have found if i barely move the mostly just leave walking fast.