Turkey Hunting Calling Tips
Turkey Hunting: With turkey season upon us once again I thought it would be refreshing to give a few turkey hunting calling tips. Anytime that you enter the woods it is good to remember that turkey hunting situations are always different. There is never an exact science or perfect way to call a turkey every time you hunt. Being able to adapt and change calling techniques is important. The following is one scenario.
Locator Call: To start with most hunters begin their hunt just before daybreak by using some type of locator’s call. These calls, such as the owl call, are used to get a turkey to gobble while still sitting on the roost. This way the hunter can find the gobbler’s position and move in on him just as the sun rises before the gobbler flies down from the roost. The trick is to use the call just enough to gain an advantage without over saturation so as not to spook the gobbler.
Setup Area: Once you set up in the area where you want to hunt, usually within one hundred fifty yards of a roosted gobbler, then you can continue your turkey calling. There are a wide selection of turkey calls available, find the one’s that you are comfortable with and can use properly. Whether it’s a box call, friction call, mouth call or some other, make sure you practice before hunting.
Begin Calling: I generally start off with soft yelps and clucks. The gobbler will be able to hear you at that distance no matter how soft you call. If interested, he may answer with more gobbles or simply fly down from his roost in your direction. If the gobbler responds but stays in the tree, be patient and try your call again in about ten minutes. Don’t over call, as this may cause a cautious gobbler to become leery resulting in him leaving the area. Listen for the sounds of wings flapping upon fly down.
After Fly Down: When the gobbler does decide to fly down, make a few more soft yelps and clucks. Pause for a few minutes and call again. Usually an interested gobbler will come towards you during this time. Just remember that he may circle around you first before making an appearance. If this happens, remain patient, but make sure you can reposition yourself if he comes in from behind you. Wise gobblers often use this approach. Once you feel he is coming in stop calling.
Gobbler Hang Ups: Sometimes turkeys will come towards you but not come into eye sight. Often they will begin moving in a side to side or back and forth direction. They move left or right for forty or fifty yards then back the opposite direction. Or they may move towards you and then away from you. This is normal turkey behavior. The gobbler is waiting for his hen to approach him. Don’t fall for this, stay put.
If this happens, try increasing the volume and number of yelps and clucks briefly. This may bring him right in on top of you. If the gobbler refuses to respond to this approach, stop calling altogether. Many times this will make the gobbler curious enough to move towards you. Remember that this is a courtship between you and the gobbler. You have to win his trust.
Hopefully with a little luck you will have success. So try these turkey calling tips the next time you go hunting.
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