Why Gobblers hang up just out of range
Apr 14, 2010 16:37:10 GMT -5
Post by ozark on Apr 14, 2010 16:37:10 GMT -5
Many times hunters can get a gobbler to come in to about a 100 yards only to have them stop and strut and gobble without coming on it. We say that they hang up out there. For what it is worth here is my take on that and a solution that often works.
It is nature for the hens to go to the gobblers for mating. I have seen them go in a trot to a gobbler strutting and sounding off. His job is to make his location known by both sound and visibility. He often struts in a open area where hens can see him and answers to any yelps from hens to further announce his location and willingness to mate.
He willingly comes in to a position that he knows they can hear him and come. I have imitated a gobbler and have had hens separate from a flock and come to me.
Solution: Nothing is ever certain but I have had some luck using a bunch of different calls attempting to sound like a flock. A gobbler will come to a flock much more readily than to a single. I have several box calls plus some slate calls to create a variety of sounds. Yelps, cackles, clucks and the feeding chatter along with maybe a Jake type attempt to gobble. I have had them leave their hang up area and come walking on in to see what is cooking.
Sometimes imitating a hen will send a gobbler the opposite direction that you want and expect. He is usually telling the hen to get a rush on if she is interested. If she doesn't follow he will usually circle around and come back.Patience is required.
Early morning is the prime breeding period of the day but during that time the hens are rushing to the toms and he has his hands full. No need to come to your calls. Later in the day the hens slip off to their nests and the gobblers stops talking and starts walking. Although mostly silent, they will come to what sounds like a flock. Many times in the afternoon I have seen a couple or more toms walking behind a flock fluffing out but silent.
It is ambush time when this happens. For survival turkey depends on noise and their super vision. They are rather dumb is some areas but taking toms during mating season we must understand that his job is to communicate his availability and location. The flock may have a dozen or more hens but the ones ready for breeding will leave the flock and go to the toms. Their nature and actions depends much on the number of hens in the area and the number of toms. If there is a lot of competition the toms may come running hoping to beat other toms to the action. When there are many hens and few males the males can be very independent.
It is nature for the hens to go to the gobblers for mating. I have seen them go in a trot to a gobbler strutting and sounding off. His job is to make his location known by both sound and visibility. He often struts in a open area where hens can see him and answers to any yelps from hens to further announce his location and willingness to mate.
He willingly comes in to a position that he knows they can hear him and come. I have imitated a gobbler and have had hens separate from a flock and come to me.
Solution: Nothing is ever certain but I have had some luck using a bunch of different calls attempting to sound like a flock. A gobbler will come to a flock much more readily than to a single. I have several box calls plus some slate calls to create a variety of sounds. Yelps, cackles, clucks and the feeding chatter along with maybe a Jake type attempt to gobble. I have had them leave their hang up area and come walking on in to see what is cooking.
Sometimes imitating a hen will send a gobbler the opposite direction that you want and expect. He is usually telling the hen to get a rush on if she is interested. If she doesn't follow he will usually circle around and come back.Patience is required.
Early morning is the prime breeding period of the day but during that time the hens are rushing to the toms and he has his hands full. No need to come to your calls. Later in the day the hens slip off to their nests and the gobblers stops talking and starts walking. Although mostly silent, they will come to what sounds like a flock. Many times in the afternoon I have seen a couple or more toms walking behind a flock fluffing out but silent.
It is ambush time when this happens. For survival turkey depends on noise and their super vision. They are rather dumb is some areas but taking toms during mating season we must understand that his job is to communicate his availability and location. The flock may have a dozen or more hens but the ones ready for breeding will leave the flock and go to the toms. Their nature and actions depends much on the number of hens in the area and the number of toms. If there is a lot of competition the toms may come running hoping to beat other toms to the action. When there are many hens and few males the males can be very independent.
