Turkeygirl Posted May 15, 2010 Report Share Posted May 15, 2010 I got set up on the gobbler this morning, about same place as yesterday AM, but did not call at all. When one hen flew down, he flew down and was just above me about 40-45 yards, strutting in all his glory. My hen decoy was behind a tree so I don't think he saw it. the other hens flew down and they all congregrated below the ridge on a logging trail. I tried soft yelping, he kepy strutting, finally tried a little more excitement and he stopped strutting, turned and walked away, then came around the ridge to meet his hens below me!!:tt1: Well the hens led him off down that logging road right out into the gravel pit and all I know is those hens took him in a hurry across those two fields into some heavy spruce trees, boarding the field with manure they were feeding in other evening. I made a big circle to see if they came out in that field but no. Dunno where they went, maybe stayed in the spruces, wanted some privacy:tt1: The gobbler did the funniest thing though, when he was strutting on the ridge above me, he stops in one place and acts like he's breeding a hen, yet no hen! Boy, guess he couldn't wait around:1eye: Anyway, hoping he roosts on this ridge again,which 2 nights now in a row, I'd think so. How should I set up? I'm thinking ambush, no calling, either no decoys or put my hen with my jake decoy. Also should I set up more where he flew down on top or go down on the trail the hens took him on to the field and try to intercept them? I swear, I wonder if he's that same gobbler that roosted on the ridge last spring? I thought I'd shot him but maybe not...This guy is acting pretty darn smart, and love sick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted May 15, 2010 Report Share Posted May 15, 2010 40 to 45 yards out and you didnt shoot? id set up closer to where he flew down if you can do it without spooking him. Otherwise get along that logging road and ambush him there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted May 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2010 At 30-35 yards...maybe, my gun does a deady job between those distances, past that and I'm not risking wounding the bird or missing and spooking him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TennesseeTurkey Posted May 15, 2010 Report Share Posted May 15, 2010 Id set up on the trail going to the gravel pit in the most concealed place possible and wait, if that bird is like the one I killed this year he's a creature of habit and will do the same thing every morning... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted May 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 Well tonight heard him gobble...not much...not sure if it was the wind and cool temps that quieted him but he wasn't on the usual ridge...I moved around to get down closer to where I heard him, no gobbling to the owl call...maybe his hens brought him back to the ridge, I dunno. Guess I'll sit on that ridge in the AM and see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 You could try to tick off his hens and have them lead him to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 If you use your jake decoy with a hen you might want to gobble like a jake to tick off the rooster. A not overly aggressive half gobble with one of those shaker calls should do it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pendog Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 i love a little lost hen kee kee sometimes, then some aggressive happy cutting in a high pitch...has worked in the past to bring in the hens, then the big guy has to follow. Today we killed one using a real raspy jake sounding yelp. Each day is different Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pendog Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 i love a little lost hen kee kee sometimes, then some aggressive happy cutting in a high pitch...has worked in the past to bring in the hens, then the big guy has to follow. Today we killed one using a real raspy jake sounding yelp. Each day is different Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan Givan Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 I wouldnt suggest aggresive calling if he has hens with him. I have had good luck calling in gobblers with hens by simply purring and clucking. Setup in the direction you think they naturally want to go and dont make that first yelp. Just purrs and clucks sound like a hen that is feeding and relaxed. The hens that are with the gobbler will probably feed and work there way closer to you with the gobbler in tow. I know its hard to hold back and not yelp and cut but it will turn them away most of the time. A couple hen decoys add a nice touch as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
String Music Posted May 18, 2010 Report Share Posted May 18, 2010 At this point, they have heard it all. Soft calling and scratching in the leaves is you best bet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted May 20, 2010 Report Share Posted May 20, 2010 I wouldnt suggest aggresive calling if he has hens with him. I have had good luck calling in gobblers with hens by simply purring and clucking. Setup in the direction you think they naturally want to go and dont make that first yelp. Just purrs and clucks sound like a hen that is feeding and relaxed. The hens that are with the gobbler will probably feed and work there way closer to you with the gobbler in tow. I know its hard to hold back and not yelp and cut but it will turn them away most of the time. A couple hen decoys add a nice touch as well. This is true hens are a pain when they take a gobbler in the other direction. When you copy the hens they tend to get curious and/or angry to the point they come in at times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.