I feel like a lot og guys are having these problems. I feel my mouth calling is not too bad but Im fairly new to this so who knows haha. All I know is I had a good conversation with a hen pre-season, she came running at me trying to find me and we chatted back and forth for half an hour. Since then it seems they are very wary of my calling
Turkey Troubles
- Thread starter Shmeegs28
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bowhuntmontana
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Scouting and hunting the same places multiple times helps a lot. I've hunted turkeys in Montana, Idaho, and Utah, and in each place, the turkeys seemed to follow a bit of a pattern, sort of making a big loop throughout the day, and by evening, ending up somewhere close to where they started from the roost in the morning. There is some variance depending on which roost site they choose and other disruptions, but I've observed definite patterns. I mark places I see turkeys, especially strutting in the spring. I typically plan to be in one of those places well before daylight, especially if I have some roost intel from the night before. I'll adjust depending on what I hear and see as it gets light. If they haven't showed up where I initially set up within 45 mins to an hour after light, I am going to them. This might have a lot to do with the terrain I hunt, which is more canyons and draws, but I've just had a lot more success killing turkeys by being highly mobile than by sitting and calling for long periods of time.
Mudranger1
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So in other words just like life there are different ways to solve same problems 
I have no problem and have used @bowhuntmontana philosophy. It works no matter what time of day. For instance I have one spot that borders private. 99% of the time birds are going to private fields first. And slowly thru out the morning will often filter thru a specific corner after say 8 ish. I was just using your calling as what I would do if that was how I felt like hunting. It's all in how YOU want to hunt. Patience kills a lot more often then tv stars coming rolling in 
I have no problem and have used @bowhuntmontana philosophy. It works no matter what time of day. For instance I have one spot that borders private. 99% of the time birds are going to private fields first. And slowly thru out the morning will often filter thru a specific corner after say 8 ish. I was just using your calling as what I would do if that was how I felt like hunting. It's all in how YOU want to hunt. Patience kills a lot more often then tv stars coming rolling in Gothca, I hunt in similar areas out here in Colorado. When you move how are you choosing when and where youre going? Do you just listen for gobbles and try to predict where they are going to move to?
I have been trying to pattern birds like that but it seems like they are just constantly roaming out here. It seems like they dont have much of a "daily routine", they kind of move all day while feeding and roost where they end up that nightSo in other words just like life there are different ways to solve same problems
Hahaha, I would love to have that issue right now!
longtail55
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I will add from my experience it seems April can be tough to call at birds also and maybe that has to do with them being flocked up yet from there wintering habits and not quite ready to breed. I have had better luck after the calendar flips to May. Esp the first week or so. In my mind I relate it to the rut with deer. In May I believe they spread-out way more and the hens go nest by themselves so I'm assuming the Tom's are fired up to breed and are willing to risk things more because there hens leave them more often.
First thing is toss the dolls. Results will vary from positive to negative, but you will not recognize the when of which, making the learning curve more confusing and steeper.
Yelping just means here I am. Yelping while moving toward the gobbler says here I am and I'm coming to you. If hen has a gobbler, she's not gonna like some skank following him around saying here I am here I am. She'll pull him away.
You don't go straight at a turkey because sometimes they come straight at you while you're going to them. If you know what direction they're going, use to terrain to circle ahead. Do something a hen would be doing to get the gobbler to veer over for a look. If the turkey can see your position without coming close enough for a shot, then it won't come over close enough for a shot. Turkeys are very good at triangulating your position by sound. If it hears you call twice, it pretty much knows exactly where you are.
Are you sure you actually sound like a turkey? Lots of people I hear don't actually sound like turkeys. Get Dr. Lovett Williams' recordings. Match them with your call. Then you know you at least sound like a turkey.
Yelping just means here I am. Yelping while moving toward the gobbler says here I am and I'm coming to you. If hen has a gobbler, she's not gonna like some skank following him around saying here I am here I am. She'll pull him away.
You don't go straight at a turkey because sometimes they come straight at you while you're going to them. If you know what direction they're going, use to terrain to circle ahead. Do something a hen would be doing to get the gobbler to veer over for a look. If the turkey can see your position without coming close enough for a shot, then it won't come over close enough for a shot. Turkeys are very good at triangulating your position by sound. If it hears you call twice, it pretty much knows exactly where you are.
Are you sure you actually sound like a turkey? Lots of people I hear don't actually sound like turkeys. Get Dr. Lovett Williams' recordings. Match them with your call. Then you know you at least sound like a turkey.
brushcreek
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this is a cardinal sin in the south
reallyoldman
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I am much better with a cedar box call than slate or mouth call. Quaker Boy makes good box calls.
I tried to get around a couple of them as you said but I just never seemed to be in the right position and as you mentioned a lead hen could have pulled them away. I can definitely use work on my calling but I have had some good "conversations" with a couple of hens this year so I must sound semi decent haha! Thanks for the tips
It's literally illegal some places.
Its illegal to call in turkey in some states?
sclancy27
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My take:
Early season birds are usually with hens from the roost. I personally think calling can push the hen away, which also does a good job of pushing the gobbler with her. I've had luck early season setting up in a known corridor with a terrain advantage to make the gobbler deviate a slight distance to check you out.
Early season birds are usually with hens from the roost. I personally think calling can push the hen away, which also does a good job of pushing the gobbler with her. I've had luck early season setting up in a known corridor with a terrain advantage to make the gobbler deviate a slight distance to check you out.
I was talking to an older fella about turkey hunting the other day .perty much the same question you asked. He asked if I used a mouth Reed or a box call . I told him a mouth Reed. I'm new to turkey hunting. He said that's your problem.told me to learn to use a box call and just when you think they are gone and not coming in wait another 15 min no calling. Like I said I'm new to turkey hunting .
Thank goodness I’ll never live in the south
Mudranger1
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I don't know about a law but it's pretty smart move to not be calling pre season IMO of course
The best call is the one that sounds like a hen the gobbler knows. That will more often be achieved with a mouth call IF you're good at it. Look up Scott Ellis on YouTube if you want to see what can be done with a mouth call.
