Let Gobblers Walk
Hunting a turkey after fly down can occasionally work smoothly for the hunter. A few yelps and clucks and the old gobbler sounds off. Another sequence of yelps and into the setup the gobbler comes.
Then there are the not so smooth turkey hunting days. For one reason or another the gobbler refuses to come to the hunter. In most cases this is usually a result of a hen that has caught the gobblers attention.
Normally what happens is the hunter will draw the gobblers responses for a few minutes only to realize that the gobbler is no longer coming in or even headed in the opposite direction away from the hunter.
Generally, the hunter will not be able to make the gobbler leave the hen. The gobbler will gobble back at calls from the hunter but no matter how sweet the yelps are, the initial hunt is over.
Although there are several tactics that can be used in this situation, sometimes it is best to just let the gobbler walk away.
Since the gobbler already has responded to calling techniques he is aware of roughly where the hunter was located. This can be used to the hunters advantage.
Many times as the morning progresses, the gobbler will leave the morning hens as they go to their nesting areas. The gobbler will then be looking for another companion.
If the hunter was positioned originally in an area where the gobbler will comfortably travel through, the gobbler will often come back to the area. The gobbler will be in search of the hen sounds that were being made by the hunter earlier in the day.
A hunter that is patient and willing to stay put in the area can have the opportunity for a second chance on the gobbler. Just remember that it may be several hours later before the gobbler returns.
While waiting, call softly every thirty minutes or so and enjoy the scenery. Just stay alert in case the gobbler slips in silently.
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