Frustrating

[ilhnter]

This is my first year really turkey hunting and it has become very frustrating. I tried to do my homework over the winter and learn as much as i could about spring turkey hunting, but it seems like the turkeys have done everthing the opposite of what i've read. I read that turkeys gobble more on clear, calm, sunny, high pressure days. Every clear, sunny day i have hunted i've heard very little gobbling what so ever. Now on the cloudy days it seems like they gobble thier heads off. I also read that the birds fly uphill or onto even ground when leaving the roost. I've seen some of the birds leave the roost and they have all flown down hill. It also seems like when they leave the roost they stop gobbling for the day. I have heard and gotten very few to gobble after they have left the roost.

I'm not complaining because it is called hunting for a reason. I enjoy being out in the spring and hearing and seeing birds, but just hard to get them figured out and when you think you do they do something different. We have had birds roosted on our 80 acre property everyday i've hunted which as been around 12 days. We have had as many as 6 gobbling on the roost on the property and as few as 1, but there has been at least one gobble from the roost on the property everyday. Its fun and worth it just to listen to that. Still plan to hunt 3 -4 more days so maybe one of those will be my lucky day to take my first bird.

[KSHoytHunter]

Frustrating

Turkey hunting is the most frustrating kind of hunting for me. They never do what they're supposed to or what we think they'll do! That's part of what makes turkey hunting, turkey hunting. That feeling you have right now, probably will never go away. I've hunted them for several years and each year they frustrate me.

[loner]

lots of gobbling can mean there are hens roosting with tom stirring him up in early season and can also mean he is looking for them to come to him.old toms might gobble a time or two on roost then stop when with the hens.i have heard one or two gobble 100 times in hour one day and not gobble again for 2-3 days.welcome to turkey hunting.nothing better.

[pointing_dogs_rule]

Turkeys will fly any direction in which it is safe. No matter up or downhill. Now, flying up into a roost is very different. They often get above an area and fly to a roost which makes it easier.

good luck to all

the dog

[Ethan Givan]

Turkey hunting is challenging, and it takes a lot of patience. Don't give up, every time you go out you will learn more and more. Once you get that first bird, the rest start coming a little easier. If birds are shutting up once they fly down, then they most likely have hens with them. Try to figure out where the birds are going after flying down, and set up there. Another way to deal with henned up gobblers is to hunt late morning (9-12) when the hens begin leaving to go lay. Gobblers that had hens when they flew down can become lonely, and very vocal later in the morning.

[hoosierhunter]

Frustrating

Don't worry it took me 6 years to kill my first bird!

[Ravin R10 man]

It can be very frustrating..I started in the hill country west of Black River Falls Wi.

I knew nothing about it, but had a freind that taught me some about calling..he had a cabin we stayed at and also access to a dairy farmers land. Killed my first Tom there, as well as three others.

Ashley also got to kill her first bird there, and almost called in two Toms by herself, but they crossed behind the blind at 10 feet.

Did some "run & gun" and that worked well.

Now we have birds at home, so I hunt here only, run & gun, used decoys and called them in, or just wait at their strut zone to show up...one thing you will find..Turkey hunting is HIGHLY addicting:)

Edited May 6, 2013 by Mathews XT Man

[Strut10]

"Frustration" is pretty much the name of the game for spring turkey hunters whether you are in your first year or your 35th year. My turkey season motto is this:

"Turkeys are ignorant".

That being said......... they aren't very bright either. But they are HIGHLY controlled by their habits and inner nature. The VERY BEST strategy for killing gobblers consistently is to be patient and persistent. A turkey that absolutely WOULD NOT work every day for a week might come running to the call like a dummy the next time you try him.

Stick with it. Try to learn something about his habits and inner nature each time you fail to kill him and it won't be long before you're his worst nightmare.

[VermontHunter]

"Frustration" is pretty much the name of the game for spring turkey hunters whether you are in your first year or your 35th year. My turkey season motto is this:

"Turkeys are ignorant".

That being said......... they aren't very bright either. But they are HIGHLY controlled by their habits and inner nature. The VERY BEST strategy for killing gobblers consistently is to be patient and persistent. A turkey that absolutely WOULD NOT work every day for a week might come running to the call like a dummy the next time you try him.

Stick with it. Try to learn something about his habits and inner nature each time you fail to kill him and it won't be long before you're his worst nightmare.

Absolutey GREAT advice ....

Every bird is ddifferent ,, but the same .. now there's frustrating ...

Keep at it, I did. and it will pay off in the end. Enjoy what the good Lord has put in front of you to admire, being in the woods and nature is a true blessing so relax and enjoy it.

Good Luck ..

[OKstate]

I've typically had the best luck at mid afternoon where I hunt. I have used that strategy for the past few years and had good action each year, this year my nephew and I took two nice longbeards at the same time. The only exception is the birds follow the same pattern each year and I usually go out the evening before to see if they are in the same strut zones before I plan my hunt. Good luck!!