Another tactic after you hear a gobbler gobble once, or spot one, is to call only once. Then grab a seat and drop that call onto the ground or into a turkey vest pocket. The silent treatment on gobblers seems to get the best of them. You simply sound off and go silent after you’ve moved in as close as possible.
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.
Why do turkeys come in silent?
Often, though, turkey hunters can look in a mirror to see why turkeys go silent. Human pressure in heavily hunted areas generally stifles gobbling, and when hunters are successful it can mean the removal of many vocal, willing birds from the flock.
What is the best bait for wild turkeys?
Since wild turkeys are a ground-feeding type, sprinkling cracked corn in an open area of dirt is a sufficient way to attract them. Seeds- Another easily attainable food source, seeds provide even more nutrition for wild turkeys. Mixing seeds and cracked corn makes a great spread out meal.
What month do turkeys start gobbling?
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.
How early should I be in the woods for turkey hunting?
Time of Day: Since Turkeys make their nest in trees and on the ground in wooded areas, one of the best times of day to hunt is first thing in the morning. Get out to your blind early and listen for the yelps, cackles, and gobbles of turkeys as they start in search for breakfast.
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.
Is it better to hunt turkey in the morning or evening?
The fact that birds gobble and their location is known takes some of the guesswork out of it. Again, mornings generally provide faster and hotter action with vocal birds, making it the preferred time to turkey hunt.
Will a missed turkey come back?
If you shoot and miss a turkey, and if that gobbler starts running or flying away, sit still until you know for certain he’s all the way out of sight. Then, sit still for another 30 minutes or an hour to see if that turkey will start gobbling again. The turkey doesn’t know what’s happened when that gun has gone off.
How do you make turkeys gobble?
12 expert tips to trick the smartest gobbler
- Better to be early than late.
- Carry more calls than you need.
- Locator calls don’t have to sound exactly like the natural sound to be effective in getting birds to gobble in the roost.
- Do not blow a coyote howler at roosted birds in the morning when you are close.
Why do turkeys stop gobbling off the roost?
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 can I put out to attract turkeys?
Turkeys love acorns and pecans, as well as dogwoods, huckleberries, blueberries, and other fruits found in the understory. Planting food plots: Follow these tips to establish food plots as a supplement to natural forage. Food plots can also be used to increase turkey sightings and harvest success.
What is wild turkeys favorite food?
Preferred foods of wild turkeys
In the spring, they tend to eat leaves and grasses, and in the fall, they feed more on fruits, berries, seeds and insects. Acorns are a crucial source of nutrients for wild turkeys, especially in the wintertime.
How do you attract turkeys for hunting?
Food plots planted with cool season seed mixtures, or cornfields planted to attract deer during fall and winter are excellent food sources for turkeys. These mixes include some annual clovers, brassicas, oats and wheat.
How often should you call when turkey hunting?
every 15 minutes
Push button call
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.
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.
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.
Should you call to a turkey on the roost?
He’s already let you know where he is so there’s no need to start hammering away. Let nature take it’s course, so don’t go adding in turkey calls that are unnecessary. If you start yelping at him indiscriminately, you might just draw his attention to you and make an undetected approach impossible.
How do you call a shy turkey?
These dominate, call shy gobblers will likely gobble once to twice in the evening and sporadically on roost in the morning. Pinning him to a defined area can dramatically increase your chances. Do not wait for these turkeys to gobble. Use of an owl hoot or coyote howler to generate a shock gobble will help.
What should you not do when turkey hunting?
Ten dumb things you do while turkey hunting follow.
- Stand When You Should Sit. Patience kills turkeys, the old saying goes.
- Sit When You Should Walk.
- Walk When You Should Leave.
- Leave When You Should Stay.
- Call When You Should Shut Up.
- Shut Up When You Should Call.
- Shoot When You Should Wait.
- Wait When the Turkey Is Leaving.
Should you move around when turkey hunting?
The hunter can see what’s in front of him. The gobbler can see everything around him, and that’s the reason you have to keep your movement to a minimum and wear camouflage. The turkey knows that there are thermals and different types of winds in the outdoors.