turkeys not coming in

[pbrown5205]

once again I agree with Hopper... when the birds dont want to come right off the roost, take a nap, go get breakfast or something. Hit them again late morning, mid day or afternoon. Its always been my experience that if I can make a bird gobble at least twice mid day...he's mine. The hens have left him, he's lovesick and lonesome. Most of my real big birds Ive taken this way due to the fact the dominant bird usually has the most hens and is tough to work off the roost. Never give up, Sam got his bird with me at 3PM...I told him where they would be and they closed distance fast.

[Grasshopper]

Most of my real big birds Ive taken this way due to the fact the dominant bird usually has the most hens and is tough to work off the roost. Never give up, Sam got his bird with me at 3PM...I told him where they would be and they closed distance fast.

Amen, P

Late in the day, and later in the season, is when almost all my really big birds have come to the call. I think those mature birds just sit on the limb and brag about themselves until all the girls run to him.

But after he hasn't had any lovin' for awhile, his ego starts to deflate. He wanders around, cursing the world...until he hears that sweet little yelp!

Seriously, I feel that when breeding is at its peak, these big dominant birds are almost invisible! They gobble a little on the limb, fly down to (or with) a hen, and don't say a word for hours, even a couple of days when its really bad.

Amazing the difference in his vocal abilities once all the ladies start playin' house! We've killed a couple absolute whoppers that came from hundreds of yards on the run...Figured they were two year olds the way they were working, and they turn out to be the bull of the woods!

In MN we not only have zones, but 5-day hunt periods, which spreads out pressure and hunter effort. There are odd farms/areas that get hunted hard, but for the most part, I don't think pressure is that big a factor (at least in my area). Most of the time when hunters have difficulty, its because of the phase of breeding. If your hunt period falls at the wrong time that year, it can make for a tough row to hoe! All I know is to keep at it and work areas you know have good birds in them. You never know when that tom is gonna break free!

[Farmer]

kill them birds.

[pbrown5205]

kill them birds.

Gladly...just point me to them

[PRO STAFFER]

isn't turkey hunting fun? :d

as one of my southern buds once said; "i killed my first gobbler out of respect for the bird and the grand traditions and history of the sport. I killed the rest of them because they deserved it."

just a couple thoughts, which are my opinion only...i never claim to know anything about why turkeys do what they do.

* sometimes gobblers hang up when they see a decoy because they want it to come to them. Its like a mexican standoff. If i can set up without using a decoy (like in the woods) i keep it in my vest. I'd rather have the gobbler come hunting me.

* when they shut up after gobbling on the roost they are either a) coming in silent, or b) with hens. Usually its b.

* pop-up blinds in fields work great! Especially if you know the spot in the field where the turkeys already want to be. But then you're back to decoys (unless you don't call and just ambush them). So i like to use a jake sitting on top of a hen (the breeding position). I almost never use a lone hen standing with her head up like most dekes are made. A turkey that stands still with its head up is an alert turkey, and that makes gobblers nervous. Stake some dekes with their heads down, like they're feeding. Or put a strutter decoy out there.

* anyone who has turkey hunted much has had the same experiences as you! They are maddening birds!

Good luck! I hope you kill one

word!!!

[Southern Sam]

Our last 2 weeks of the season ended up bein our best 2 weeks!! I was able to call birds right off the roost and into my lap on a few occasions. Kinda backwards from what it usually is but it worked out!!

[pbrown5205]

they were losing hens to the nest

[Drenalin13]

today me and pro went out on some primo land.. had 2 toms come roaring donw the ridge we had a couple hens around us came 50 yards into the field and gobbled we thought we were going to get into them reall good ...NO they turned and headed back to the big group so i did some yelps and one of em' turned around but his buddy drug him away this has happened a lot lately

[grizzlywg28]

you jusy have to be patient with turkeys try callin just every 15 mins and sit in your spot for as long as you can. i sit in a blind all day never leave and i usually get an oppertunity at a bird at least once if not more times a day