Help on getting the Turkeys to talk in the morning?

[bassman186]

I'm wondering what are some ways others get the Turkeys to Talk in the mornings while there still roosted in the trees? For example today was the opener of my season, when I walked into the land I hunt to listen for the Birds to start Gobbeling some would but others would not. I had heard that using a Owl or Crow call gets them to talk in the morning is this true? Or what type of call would one do to intice the birds to talk?

Thanks,

~Matt Jung

[picksbigwagon]

My experience has been to do a tree call( soft light yelp calls ) when you hear the first hen hit the ground and tree call. If a tom gobbles back, don't do a thing for at least 10-15 minutes, the gobbler knows where you are. after 1-15 minutes soft call a little more, if they respond from the tree tops, stop calling all together. wait again 10 minutes adn repeat, my experiences doing this have resulted in less than one hour of hunting time over two years, and 2 20 pound plus birds for those two years. the hardest part is sitting still and not doing a thing or making a sound. get your gun ready and try not to jump when that big ol' tom plops down about 80 yards away and starts gobbling, it can get loud when there are more than 1 of them who are ready for a little action

[Hotspotter]

Matt:

Locator calls, especially owl calls in the morning, can get birds to give away their location. But think of it as only that......a means to pinpoint their location, so you can sneak within their comfort zone, make a few well-placed calls, and get ready to switch off the safety.

It is tempting, especially if you roost birds, to want THOSE birds, but plan B, C, or D can be more successful. And often times, those birds that don't gobble on the roost can still be called in, though usually with more subdued techniques like clucking, purring, or leaf-scratching. And a perfect setup is just a setup if you don't have cooperative birds at the moment you're hunting. Better to abandon your well-groomed ground blind for the hot bird 500 yards down the ridgeline.

Those older birds, and jakes are tired of getting beat up, and during certain times will not attract too much attention to themselves. Especially when a fiesty and aggressive 3 year old is shaking the branch with every gobble.

Good luck, be confident, and fill that tag!

Joel

[bassman186]

Joel;

You mentioned techniques like clucking, purring, or leaf-scratching. Is this something I would do while sitting there? Also is the Clucking you mention, Like the putting sound I make to imitate the hen while there still roosting? I had heard that when this noise is made by a bird while there on the ground its considered a warning call to others as in something's not right, is this true?

Thanks for the help

~Matt Jung

[Captain B.R.K]

IF you have pinpointed your gobblers on the roost, wait until they are down on the ground and start doing some light yelps. IF you are getting some response, then definately start doing some clucks, purrs, and whines if the gobbler is fairly close to you. IF he is out a ways- then stick to the yelp and cackles to get that old tom fired up.

What you heard does hold some truth- if you don't do the putt right and irregularly then YES, that could sound as an alarm to the gobblers and they will walk away.

Calling is like music, you need to have some rythm to some of the calling you do. Also DON'T over call to a turkey.

Best thing I could tell you about calling: Its a means to hunt a turkey, but it also useful for that turkey to hunt you! Interesting huh.......good luck!

[Borch]

Quote:

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Joel;

You mentioned techniques like clucking, purring, or leaf-scratching. Is this something I would do while sitting there? Also is the Clucking you mention, Like the putting sound I make to imitate the hen while there still roosting? I had heard that when this noise is made by a bird while there on the ground its considered a warning call to others as in something's not right, is this true?

Thanks for the help

~Matt Jung

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The putt is a louder sharper cluck. To hear some examples of turkey calls you can checkout the nwtf site. They have examples there. Joel gave you some solid advice. I've killed several birds with those subtle aproaches. Also leaf scratching by it self can be a killer technique although I usually pair it with clucks and purrs.

Borch

[Nova]

jnelson is right on the money with the owl hooter. This has worked like a charm for me to locate birds early while still on the roost. At sunrise and beyond I go to the crow call to locate, works excellent in day light hours. I have also heard of using a coyote call to locate, but have never tried it cause I am affraid they would go the other way even if they gobble at it. Get yourself an owl hotter call and good luck.

[run-n-gun]

If you're trying to learn the various sounds of the turkey, I recommend buying a cd. When I was learning, I listened to "Masters of the Sound". It has two tracks of excellent callers teaching some things to you, and then two more tracks of actual sounds recorded in the turkey woods. This worked wonders for me. Good luck!

[ikes71]

The best locater call I have found is a peacock call. I would not have believed it, until I seen it. While hunting in Missouri, our neighbor had a pet peacock who would just set out in the front yard and wail all morning. The turkeys on our place would just go nuts over this thing. I went out and got one of the peacock locater calls, and it works well for me, but it is loud, like the real thing. I have to agree with the earlier post, the best locater is to know where they roost and know where they strut, and be some where in the middle and don't call to much. A lot of times even if he has hens, he will be going to his strutting area, and you can get him in close. Just remember if he has hens with him, call to the hens, try and get them fired up, challenge them, they will bring him in.

[run-n-gun]

I also have a peacock call, but I haven't found it to be as successful. I still have more luck with the owl hooter in the morning, and the crow the rest of the day. I do use the peacock call, but it's more of a backup.

[Big Johnson]

Where I hunt turkeys, 349D, The toms always react most to crows and hoot owls. Seems they respond to every sound from those two birds. I bought a crow call but have never had to use it. Another gobble within earshot seems to always get a response, too.

[kingr]

I live and hunted in Zone 244 and the only all that I could get them to respond to was another gobble call. I think it has somehting to do with the amount of crows and owls in the area...If they gobbled after evey crow or owl made a sound they'd be gobbling all night and day! I've also heard that gobblers will respond to a dog whistle, never tried it though...Just watch out for Fido if you do!!