As a conservation measure the state purposely and prudently sets the start of the season to begin after the peak of gobbling, for the roughly two weeks before most hens start sitting on their nests. Toms naturally taper off in gobbling in this time, after the hide-and-seek of mating game has peaked, Duren said.
What do you do when Tums aren’t gobbling?
If the birds aren’t being vocal, either get moving and mobile or get to a high-percentage strut zone to put the odds in your favor of tagging that tight-lipped gobbler.
Why do turkeys gobble non stop?
If you hear a lot of commotion and turkey gobbling on your property, early spring and mating season is likely beginning to set it. So many male turkeys will start gobbling early in the morning and will carry on for several hours, and it can last quite a few days.
What time of day do turkeys gobble the most?
You can’t expect a turkey to gobble 50 or more times in the afternoon like he might first thing in the morning. Most birds won’t even gobble as much as they might around 9 or 10 a.m. You need to crow call or hen cutt and listen closely for a faint gobble or two.
Can gobbling turkeys be heard a mile away?
(But we don’t want him to gobble too much because that will call other hunters into the area.) Turkey gobbles can be heard for a long way on a still day, up to a mile.
Do turkeys shock gobble all year?
This may surprise a lot of folks who aren’t in the woods or have trail cameras running every day of the year, but male turkeys do strut and gobble year-round.
What month do turkeys start gobbling?
April
The data shows peak gobbling usually falls during the first week of April, but a closer inspection reveals significant geographical variation. For example, gobbling activity rises much earlier in southern Mississippi and crests around March 20.
Does barometric pressure affect turkeys gobbling?
Barometric Pressure: The average barometric pressure also affects gobbling activity. Higher pressure is often associated with higher vocal activity from the birds. According to research, turkeys are most active at 29.9 to 30.2 inches.
How often should you call turkeys?
every 15 minutes
But don’t call too often – less is more. Calling every 15 minutes or so and starting off quieter and then getting more aggressive/louder as the day goes on are good rules of thumb. If you hear a hen, try to mimic her exact vocalizations.
Do turkeys like power lines?
Turkeys favor calmer locations like open hollows, creek bottoms, fields inside big timber and other treeless slots like power lines.
How do you find a gobbler in the morning?
In the mornings, about half hour before shooting light is a perfect time to fire off a locating call. Setting up on a good listening vantage point is the first key. Being able to audibly survey lots of ground from a place where you likely wont spook birds from their roost is where you need to start.
Do turkeys roost in the same tree every night?
Overall, the answer to the big question is that turkeys do not always roost in the same place. Turkeys are much like deer in that they shift to different parts of their home range throughout the year. That said, they do seem to favor certain ones, and spend more time roosting in favored locations than anywhere else.
How far can you hear a turkey gobble in the woods?
As a general rule a gobble made in a tree can be heard twice as far as one made on the ground. That same “twice-as-far” rule applies to all other turkey sounds.
Will a turkey cross a creek?
Myth: Turkeys don’t cross fences or creeks. Fact: Sure, turkeys hang up sometimes when faced with obstructions but others simply fly over fences or creeks.
When should I start calling turkeys in the morning?
They respond to calling any time of day but they come to the calling better in the morning at first light. Another good time is between 9:30-11:30am when the gobbler(s) leave the tended hens and seek out other ones. I have had good luck at this time of day by simply giving an occasional yelp or content purr.
Where do turkeys go on windy days?
Turkeys often move to fields in heavy wind because they can see danger more easily there and escape the noise of clattering branches and swishing bushes. Scout to see where they enter and exit, then set up an ambush just back in the woods at those locations.
Will turkeys shock gobble at night?
My question is about whether they will shock gobble at night, in the pitch dark, like between 9:00 pm and 1:00 am. Just for convenience sake if I cannot get out to roost them at sundown. Yep, they’ll gobble all night.
How many turkey decoys should you use?
You should place a few female turkey decoys around the fighting duo to make it look more realistic. When simulating fighting, you shouldn’t use more than one jake decoy. In nature, more than one jake could take down even the strongest tom.
Is it worth hunting turkeys in the rain?
Precipitation: Why You Should Hunt in the Rain
Turkeys want to take advantage of this easy feeding, and they often let their guard down and are less cautious. The rain also helps to hinder birds’ hearing and visibility, which makes it easier for the hunter to get close.
What time do turkeys fly down off roost?
As stated above, both male and female turkeys will leave the roost sometime between 5:00 to 9:00 a.m. The largest factor that determines the exact time during this window is the weather. If the weather is clear, the birds will leave the roost earlier. The gobbler will usually fly down right around first light.
What makes a turkey gobble?
It is a mating call and attracts the hens. Wild turkeys gobble at loud sounds and when they settle in for the night.