In need of a few pointers...
05-08-2011, 05:25 PM
#1
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Maine
Posts: 12,689
In need of a few pointers...
Hi all I am wondering what has happened to the turkeys up here.. The first couple of days they were great to call. They would gobble back and I would have a few show themselves. Then all of a sudden they just stopped gobbling back for a few days because of rain and wind. Yesterday one did gobble back at me but just went farther and father away. I know where I went yesterday has not been hunted as of yet because the road has been gated. There was a lot of turkey tracks on the dirt road as I walked it for 2 and a half hours one way. I even walked beside a black bear. That one had me nervous as it was only about 15 feet away when I saw it. I hollered at it so it would see me and then it run off.
I am just wondering what went wrong with the turkeys that they have pretty well clammed up and in the case of yesterday just went father away. What can be done to help get them to come to my calling or even my decoys. Also any ideas on how to hunt them when they are in the woods? Any help would be very usefull.
I am just wondering what went wrong with the turkeys that they have pretty well clammed up and in the case of yesterday just went father away. What can be done to help get them to come to my calling or even my decoys. Also any ideas on how to hunt them when they are in the woods? Any help would be very usefull.
05-08-2011, 05:33 PM
#2
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 7,445
Phil
I suspect the phase you are witnessing is the Toms once on the ground are in strut the whole time following hens. When this happens it gets tough and later day hunts seem to do better.
I sit areas for long waits where I see a few hens consistently along with alot os sign, scat tracks, dust bowls, etc. That has helped my success but it can get boring.
Also if you ever get a hen to talk back at you - concentrate on her as most times if she comes so will any Tom following her!
Another thnig that comes to mind is watch the weather. Temperature drops of even a degree or 2 will help shut them up. However I do seem to do better on cloudy days with a slight temp increase from the day bef
JW
I suspect the phase you are witnessing is the Toms once on the ground are in strut the whole time following hens. When this happens it gets tough and later day hunts seem to do better.
I sit areas for long waits where I see a few hens consistently along with alot os sign, scat tracks, dust bowls, etc. That has helped my success but it can get boring.
Also if you ever get a hen to talk back at you - concentrate on her as most times if she comes so will any Tom following her!
Another thnig that comes to mind is watch the weather. Temperature drops of even a degree or 2 will help shut them up. However I do seem to do better on cloudy days with a slight temp increase from the day bef
JW
Last edited by JW; 05-08-2011 at 05:36 PM.
05-08-2011, 05:49 PM
#5
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Maine
Posts: 12,689
Your prolly right JW as I did see signs of a strutting tom. There were wing tracks in the soft sand in places where he had been strutting. I will be giving them a try early in the morning as our hunting ends at noon each day. They will be opening the gate all up tomorrow morning to allow traffic in there. Also the whole area where I had walked had turkey tracks going up and down the road. I will try and locate which direction they are going in and try to set up up above them. Thanks for the help.
I am calling it a night so I can get on the road in the morning. I will check this before I head out. Again thanks for the help..
I am calling it a night so I can get on the road in the morning. I will check this before I head out. Again thanks for the help..
Last edited by Phil from Maine; 05-08-2011 at 05:54 PM.
05-08-2011, 05:53 PM
#6
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Maine
Posts: 12,689
Thanks for the helpfull ideas! Our season had just opened up last Monday and some ares haven't had any presure as of yet. Also there is not all that many in this area turkey hunting. The idea of turkey hunting here is realatifly new to most of us.
