10 Turkey Calling Tips
Turkey Hunting Tips: There are many situations that can occur while turkey hunting that require the hunter to experiment with different calling tactics. Although there is not an official blueprint on calling turkeys, the hunter can use a variety of turkey calling tips to help bring a gobbler into a set up location.
Ten Turkey Calling Tips:
Tip 1: To start off at the beginning of the day, use soft yelps and clucks to see if nearby gobblers will respond. If they do, continue this style of calling until the gobbler makes his way in. Try three to five soft clucks followed by five to seven soft yelps. Don’t over call as this may send turkeys away.
Tip 2: If the gobbler is coming in to soft yelps and clucks but hangs up, add in a few cutting or cackling calls to the sequence. This will often get the gobbler fired up and excited enough to come the rest of the way in.
Tip 3: When gobblers hang up just outside of range, try using clucks and purrs instead of yelps. This is a sign of contentment and will often bring the gobbler the final way in.
Tip 4: When gobblers refuse to come all the way into a set up location, stop calling for a few minutes. Relocate to the left or right of the gobbler, change calls, and try calling again. Often changing up a little will result in the gobbler having a better response.
Tip 5: When starting a calling sequence, face away from the direction in which the turkeys are anticipated to come from. This gives the impression of being farther away, which will help in disguising the hunters exact location.
Tip 6: Try using two calls at the same time to fire up stubborn gobblers. A box or friction call mixed with a diaphragm call for example, will give the impression of two hens instead of just one.
Tip 7: When hunting close to roosting trees, try to use soft yelps and clucks. Loud or aggressive calling that are close to turkeys often will send them away instead of bringing them in.
Tip 8: When hunting henned up gobblers, try to follow along close to the flock without being detected. Use soft clucks and purrs. This may bring the flock into range. If this fails, try to circle around and get ahead of the turkeys. Then start the clucks and purrs calling again.
Tip 9: If the gobbler is coming to turkey calls, often it is best to stop calling once the gobblers gets within fifty yards or so. However, if the gobbler refuses to come any further, start calling again using soft clucks.
Tip 10: The most important turkey calling tip is to practice and become proficient with turkey calling techniques. Learn to use various types of calls. There are many available such as mouth diaphragm calls, box calls, friction calls, and others. There are many instructional DVDs to help with learning.
So use these turkey hunting tips to become a better turkey hunter and increase the chances for success.
When Turkeys Dont Respond
Turkey Hunting Tips: Most experienced turkey hunters have had the pleasure and excitement of arriving before dawn, setting up in a good location, calling and getting a gobbler to respond. At times like this, the gobbler gets fired up and practically comes running in making for a short but successful hunt. There are however, many more situations, when the turkeys just don’t respond. The following is a few techniques that can be used on tough hunting days.
Technique One: The Challenge
One approach that can be used is to challenge the boss hen. This is assuming of course that the turkeys have been located, but refuse to come to normal calling attempts. The goal is to get the boss hen all fired up, making her want to locate her challenger. This is done by aggressively calling repeatedly to the flock. The idea being that the boss hen will bring the flock with her when she searches for this overly aggressive hen.
Technique Two: Be Patient
Another approach is to locate the flock and softly call to them using only purrs and clucks. The hunter must be patient to convey calmness and contentment. Often this will bring in the hens with gobblers soon to follow. This technique will require the hunter to move along with the flock if the first set up doesn’t work. Try to get close to the flock without being detected.
Technique Three: Leave
Another approach is to leave the area for awhile and come back later in the day. Often, turkeys that don’t respond well first thing in the morning may respond as the day goes on. If the first set up or two fails to gather results, stop calling and move to a different hunting location. The idea is to continue moving until a responsive turkey is found.
Technique Four: Get Ahead
Another approach is to get ahead of the turkeys and wait for them to come in close before calling to them. This will require prior knowledge of the terrain and turkey habits. If the hunter has an idea of where the turkeys go throughout the day, set up in those areas could be effective. For this approach to work, the hunter must have scouted the area and be familiar with movement patterns.
Try some of these turkey hunting tips on days when turkeys don’t respond to normal set up tactics. They may allow for a better chance at success.
Combating Deer Senses
Deer Hunting Tips:
Whitetails use several resources when it comes to survival. They have speed, agility, and the ability to blend into cover. But they mostly use their abilities to see movements, hear and distinguish sounds, and a superior smelling nose to avoid predators. In order to have any chance at success, a hunter needs to take a few steps toward combating deer senses.
Step One: Sight
In order to reduce the chance of being seen, hunters need to limit their movements to slow and methodical. Deer are able to detect movements within a wide range of sight. Even if they are not looking directly at an object. They also are able to notice out of place objects, which is why they often will look up at hunters in a stand. If the hunter remains still, the deer may not become alarmed.
This is also when the use of camouflage comes into play. Proper concealment is a must. The hunter should use a camouflage pattern that matches and blends in with the terrain to be hunted. Other wise, they will stick out and be detected by deer. This is a changing process throughout the hunting season.
Step Two: Sound
Deer are constantly rotating their ears and listening for any sounds that are perceived as danger. Any unusual sound, especially those not normally heard in nature, will cause alarm in deer. This may cause the deer to flee or simply stand motionless until the danger is confirmed.
Hunters should try to avoid any unnecessary sounds. Any metal objects used in the field need to be used quietly to avoid detection. Always check equipment for loose bolts or any squeaky parts. Use caution while walking to avoid loud sounds.
Step Three: Smell
Ultimately the sense of smell will determine what a deer does or does not do. Deer are constantly checking for any scents that are considered a danger. Human odor is at the top of the list. If they smell the hunter, the hunt is over, period.
The hunter must take precautions to avoid being detected. The use of human odor masking scent is a requirement. This starts before entering the woods. Anything to be used in the field needs to be descented.
So use these deer hunting tips for combating deer senses to gain an advantage while hunting. Make the effort and take extra steps to avoid being detected.
Purr and Cluck Turkey Tips
Turkey Hunting Tips: The basic objective in turkey hunting is to be able to bring a gobbler into the hunter’s set up location. This at times can be somewhat difficult. Assuming the hunter has an approximate location of where the gobbler is, he has to be fairly proficient with turkey calls. This does not mean however, that he has to be a world champion turkey caller to be successful. Two basic turkey sounds, the purr and the cluck, can be used just as well as yelps, cutting, and cackling to bring turkeys in.
The purr and cluck sounds made by turkeys express safety, contentment, and calmness. All three are excellent qualities. Other turkeys that here these sounds will be more relaxed and more likely to be drawn in to these sounds. By learning to use them, the hunter can take advantage of times when yelping and cutting are not working.
The slate and striker type is probably one of the best callers that a hunter can use to make the purr and cluck sounds. Pulling the striker across the slate in a slow steady motion creates a natural purring sound. Applying a little pressure to the striker and pulling it across the slate in short half inch strokes can produce the clucking sound.
Many times using the purr and cluck will bring a leery old gobbler in when other calling techniques will not. Sure they may not get all fired up and gobble all the way, but they come in none the less. This of course is the goal of the hunter in the first place.
The hunter that locates a flock of turkeys can often use the purr and cluck to call in the hens and gobblers. The boss hen will at times bring the flock in the direction due to the calming effect. This is because the hen does not feel threatened. Whereas using a yelping call in this situation could be a signal of a challenge to the boss hen. Often if this occurs, the boss hen will simply take the flock, including the gobblers, away from the area.
Try using these turkey hunting tips related to the purr and cluck the next time in the field. They may provide the hunter with an opportunity at success.
How To Call A Turkey
Turkey Hunting Tips:
The wild turkey has many sounds that are used to communicate. They use these sounds for a variety of reasons such as safety, gathering of the flock, mating rituals, and others. The turkey hunter should learn to understand these calls and when to use these calls in the field. Knowing how to call a turkey will greatly increase the hunters chances for success.
Hen yelp: The hen yelp sound is made to indicate to the male gobbler that the hen is ready for breeding. The yelp is used to notify other turkeys of the hens location. The yelp is also used to gather the flock together. Generally the hen making the most yelping sounds is considered the boss hen which is in charge of the turkey flock.
The hunter can use the hen yelp after daybreak and throughout the day. The hen yelp is used to call an interested gobbler into the hunters set up locations. The logic is to excite the gobbler into thinking there is a hen ready for breeding.
Hen cluck: The hen cluck is used on a regular basis while searching for food and while traveling. The cluck can be used to indicate the hens location. The cluck is used often prior to flying down from a roosting position. The cluck can also be used to let gobblers know that the hen is available for mating.
The hunter can use the hen cluck with the hen yelp. This will provide the gobbler with more indication of the hens location.
Hen cutting: The hen cutting sound is made when the hen is excited and preparing to be bred. The cutting sound lets the gobbler know of the hens mating intentions.
The hunter can use the hen cutting call along with yelps to increase the excitement level. This will fire the gobbler up in anticipation of finding a mate.
Hen cackles: The hen cackle is another sound made when the hen excited. The cackle is also made when flying down from a roosting position.
The hunter can use the hen cackle as another excitement style call and a fly down call.
Roosting tree yelp: The hen makes the roosting tree yelp while on a roosting position. This tree yelp is softer and quieter than a normal yelp. This is a wake up type call preparing the flock for fly down and lets the gobbler know of her location.
The hunter can use the roosting tree call first thing in the morning while turkeys are still in the trees. This will let the gobbler know of the hunters location.
Hen putt: The hen putt is a sound made to indicate danger and to alert other turkeys.
The hunter should not use the hen putt as it is an alarm call.
Hen purr: The hen purr is a sound of contentment and indicates that the hen is relaxed.
The hunter can use the hen purr to indicate all is well to the gobbler. This call can be used on very leery gobblers.
Gobble: The gobble sound is made mostly by the male gobbler. The gobble indicates the gobbler’s location and the desire to breed. Gobble sounds can be used by older male turkeys to indicate their dominance.
The hunter will rarely need to use the gobble call. However, occasionally it may be used as a challenge to other gobblers.
The hunter should become familiar with these calls and learn how each of these sounds are made. There are plenty of DVDs that offer helpful information. Using these turkey hunting tips on how to call a turkey will provide the hunter with valuable tools for a successful hunt.
Aggressively or Patiently for Turkeys
Turkey Hunting Tips: In order to be successful at turkey hunting, the hunter will need to make the right decisions. It’s no different from anything else in life. Knowing what to do comes with experience, trial and error, knowledge of turkey habits, and a little luck. There are two basic formats for hunting turkeys. The hunter either hunts aggressively or hunts patiently.
Hunting aggressively simply means covering as much land as possible while actively calling, looking for a hot gobbler that will respond, and going to him. Hunting patiently simply means finding a good set up location, calling softly or non-aggressively, and waiting for a gobbler to find the hunter. Each technique will work well if used in the right situations.
The land to be hunted and the number of turkeys that live on that land play a part in how to hunt it properly. If the land is small with a few amounts of turkeys, hunting patiently may be the best approach. On the other hand, if there is a large tract of land with many turkeys, then hunting aggressively may be best.
Many hunters think that if they are not hearing turkey gobbles, then their chances of being successful are not very good. These hunters generally will use the aggressive style simply because they prefer to move around and call more often. They get a better since of productivity that way. Covering more ground can often provide helpful information on turkey movements.
Hunters that use the patient approach think that as long as they are in a good set up location, that a turkey will eventually come by. This can often be true. Using patience on an old wise gobbler that has heard every call ever made sometimes is the only way to hunt.
One of the best times to use the aggressive style of hunting is when the hunter locates a gobbler that responds to the calling just as aggressively as when the hunter calls to the gobbler.This is matching excitement with excitement and often results in a relatively short and successful hunt.
When gobblers have lock jaw and refuse to respond to any calling, often this is the time to slow things down and hunt more patiently. Find a good location and wait the turkeys out. Many times the gobblers will just show up without ever making a sound.
There are many other situations that may dictate which style of hunting to use. These turkey hunting tips will give the hunter a few ideas on deciding whether to hunt aggressively or patiently.
Turkey Scouting
Turkey Hunting Tips: Turkey scouting is the art of locating areas that turkeys frequent and monitoring those areas for movement. Scouting does not start at the beginning of the hunting season nor does it end once the season starts. Effective scouting techniques require the hunter to pay attention to detailed turkey sign throughout the year, prior to the season, and during the season.
Unless the hunter has a perfect memory, it is suggested that a notebook be kept in order to maintain adequate record details. The use of topographic and aerial maps can also benefit a hunter. They provide an overview of the land to be hunted. There are plenty of websites online to aid in developing these maps. Or if one doesn’t wish to go the high tech route, simply draw the map by hand.
These notebooks should contain all aspects of the property. Fields, water ways, logging and walking trails, isolated patches of timber, under growth areas, heavy timbered areas and so forth. If its on the property, map it out. Pay close attention to obstacles or barriers that may prevent turkeys from crossing.
Assuming the area to be hunted has turkeys, there should be quite a bit of signs from their movements. While scouting, look for the most obvious signs such as turkey tracks, feathers, and droppings. Turkey scratchings should also be easy to locate, these will provide information on food source areas.
Scouting during different times of the day will provide a variety of turkey signs as well as reveal movement, watering, feeding, strutting, dusting, and roosting patterns. All of this information should be written down for future use. Pay attention to trails as to be able to move in and out of these areas undetected during the hunting season.
Many hunters spend most of their time searching for roosting areas. While this is certainly good information to have, other turkey movement details are just as important. If the hunter sets up near a roosting area during the season, but can not get the turkey to come in, the hunter then will have additional information to continue the hunt.
A suggested technique for preseason scouting is to break the day into sections. In the morning at daybreak, try to locate roosting areas by listening for gobbles or other turkey sounds. Also listen for wings flapping as turkeys move around in or fly down from the trees. Move into these areas after the turkeys have left and make notes of the findings. This way when the season starts, there will be a good set up location already mapped out.
During the morning and mid day, look for the direction of travel that the previously roosted turkeys are taking. Finding and monitoring their movements as the day goes by. Pay attention to the terrain and keep track of obstacles for both the turkey and the hunter. Feeding patterns and the other previously mentioned movement patterns should be detailed in writing.
If the hunter was unable to roost the turkeys during the morning. Use the evening hours for locating the roosting locations. Turkeys generally will return to these areas about an hour or so before sunset. If the hunter is able to see turkeys this late in the day, the roosting areas will be close by.
Using these turkey hunting tips for turkey scouting will provide the hunter with additional information for the hunting season. Just remember not to get too close to turkeys as to spook them away from the area.
Late Morning Turkey Hunting
Turkey Hunting Tips: Many hunters looks forward to getting up before the sun rises and setting up at daybreak near a previously located roosting area. However turkey hunting can be just as exciting as the day goes on. Understanding turkey movement will prepare the hunter for late morning hunting.
Preseason scouting will provide the hunter with details as to where turkeys go after the fly down from the roost. Hunters should pay attention to this movement to help in patterning them. Although turkeys don’t always follow exact routes each day, spending time in the field before and during the season will allow for better success.
Turkeys spend much of the day scratching and searching for food. Finding these food source areas is one advantage for late morning hunting. This is not as simple as it sounds. Turkeys eat a wide variety of foods. But locating areas that provide different food sources will give the hunter several chances for success.
There are also areas used by gobblers for strutting during the mating season. These could be anywhere from fields to ridge tops depending on the area to be hunted. Gobblers tend to use these strutting areas on a regular basis.
Gobblers are often seen later in the morning. This is because the hens have broken away for nesting. By using turkey calls the hunter may be able to locate an interested gobbler. Often getting the gobbler to respond may be challenging. However, if one does respond, the chances for success are often greater during the late morning hunts. This is because the hunter is not competing against the boss hen.
Using these turkey hunting tips may give the hunter an edge for hunting during the late morning hours.
Turkey Set Up Locations
To those of you who spend a lot of time in the turkey woods you know that there is rarely a perfect set up. There are just too many variables involved. However, following a few guidelines can help with finding a good set up location.
To start with, you need to be as familiar with the terrain as possible that you plan on hunting. Pay close attention to fence lines, creeks or other water ways, thick wooded areas, and other obstacles as turkeys tend to avoid crossing such areas. If you hunt in mountain or hill ranges, remember turkeys will more often walk up or along a hill rather than down one.
If you locate turkeys in an open terrain area, it is often best to only move within two hundred fifty yards of them as to not be detected. If the terrain provides adequate cover, moving within one hundred yards may be possible. Just remember not to move in too close resulting in spooking the turkey.
Once turkeys have been located and distances have been covered, try to find an area that will allow for a good view point. You need to be able to see as far as possible. Don’t factor in your cover too much. As long as you are properly camouflaged and limit movement you should be okay.
Use areas that provide the turkey with easy access and that turkeys will feel comfortable traveling through. Logging trails, open ridges, or the edges of small fields are good areas start. If you hunt areas that are wide open, use decoys to give the turkey something to see from a distance.
Another factor to consider in turkey set ups is the routines that turkeys follow. Often turkeys will roost in the same areas on a regular basis. They may fly down in the same direction each morning and travel similar directions through out the day. Understanding turkey movements will only increase the chances for success. Spend as much time in the woods as possible to learn these movements.
Once a set up location has been found, try to sit against a tree that is large enough to provide back ground cover. The shady side of a tree will provide more concealment. The use of a blind may also be considered depending on location spot. Regardless, make sure your view is not limited.
These are just a few turkey hunting tips that can be used for a good set up location. Try using some of these techniques to gain a little advantage on that old gobbler. Remember most hunting situations vary so learning as much as you can about the area to be hunted is important for success.
Hunting Silent Turkeys
Most turkey hunters arise at o-dark hundred hours with excitement and dreams of a glorious successful day in the woods. There is anticipation of the thunderous gobbling roar that sends chills down a hunters neck. As the sun rises, all the creatures of nature flourish through out. But what happens when there is no sound from gobblers. The silent turkeys jinx has struck.
There is not a lot of scientific evidence as to why the turkeys become silent. It could be weather conditions or the moon phases, or it could be that the gobbler woke up on the wrong side of the roost. We may never completely understand the reasoning. So what are hunters suppose to do on these unlucky mornings?
Well to start with, we shouldn’t get too discouraged. It has been my experience over the years that one thing is always true, if you leave because you haven’t heard anything then you will be 100% unsuccessful every time. So hunker down and be real hunters. Assuming you have scouted the area properly and know that turkeys are there, even when they are silent, there is still a chance for success.
Sometimes gobblers are quiet first thing in the morning but sound off as the day goes on. Then there are days when they never make a sound all day long. I have hunted silent turkeys more times than I can remember. I have had turkeys walk right into a set up without making any noise on numerous occasions. Of course for this to happen you have to continue calling even if there seems to be no activity in the woods.
The stick and move is one technique suggested for non active gobblers. What this means simply is finding a reasonable location in the woods to start calling, allow time for a gobbler to come in, and move on if no response occurs.
You can start by yelping and clucking rather aggressively on and off for ten to twenty minutes. Use calls with maximum sound carrying ability such as the box call. Wait ten to twenty minutes longer to allow the gobbler to get to you. If no response, move to another location and repeat the process.
Continue this process to cover as much ground as possible. Try changing to different calls through out as sometimes this simple action may result in a gobble or by the gobbler moving in on you. Just remember to stay alert, continue to anticipate the gobbler’s response, and not let your guard down.
Follow these turkey hunting tips and see if they make a difference the next time you run into silent turkeys.
