Timing is important in many of our activities, such as playing baseball and investing in the stock market. The better you can anticipate the pulse, peak or sweet spot the better you’ll do. This holds true in turkey hunting, possibly more so than when hunting other game. As they say, “timing is everything,” whether you’re hunting or not—from figuring out when the gobblers will respond best to your tactics to deciding when to call. ”.
Just as the fall hunting season catches whitetails during the rut, spring is breeding season for turkeys. While turkeys begin their mating rituals and propagation process when the photoperiod increases, whitetails rut when there is less daylight. Depending on where in the United States you plan to hunt, there are better times of the season. Knowing when the different stages of reproduction will happen can help you choose which season to apply for, when to take a hunting vacation, or what tactics to use during your allocated hunting time.
Gobblers may vocalize early during the spring, especially during warming trends. However, just because toms are gobbling doesnt mean breeding has begun. They may gobble at times all year long. Generally speaking, strutting toms and an increase in flock vocalizations are better indicators of when breeding has begun than sporadic gobbling.
Calling turkeys is an art form, and like any art, it takes practice, patience, and a deep understanding of your subject. In the world of turkey hunting, mastering the language of the wild turkey is essential for success. This guide will delve into the intricacies of turkey calls, providing you with the knowledge and insights you need to effectively communicate with these magnificent birds.
Understanding Turkey Vocalizations:
Turkeys have a diverse repertoire of vocalizations, each with its own distinct meaning and purpose. From the soft, reassuring purr to the aggressive gobble, understanding these sounds is the foundation for effective turkey calling Here’s a breakdown of some key turkey calls:
- Yelp: The most common turkey sound, yelps are used by both sexes to communicate their location and maintain contact with the flock. A series of yelps can signal “I’m here, where are you?”.
- Cackle: This rapid series of cuts is associated with sudden movement, such as birds flying up or down from the roost. It can also be used to imitate the sound of wings flapping.
- Lost Yelp: A series of increasingly urgent yelps used by both sexes when attempting to regroup after being scattered.
- Assembly Yelp: A long series of yelps used to regather the flock, especially during the late spring, summer, and fall seasons.
- Kee-Kee: The high-pitched whistling notes of young turkeys, primarily used during the fall to regroup after being scattered.
- Purr: A soft, trilling sound that conveys contentment and is made by all turkeys year-round.
- Cluck: A subtle, single or double note used to communicate “come here” or convey location.
When to Make the First Call:
The timing of your first call is crucial for success Calling too early can spook the birds, while calling too late can miss your opportunity. Here are some guidelines to consider:
- Silent Birds on the Roost: If the woods are quiet and daylight is approaching, resist the urge to call. Instead, listen closely for the birds to fly down before making a move.
- Fired-Up Gobblers: When multiple gobblers are actively gobbling, silence and a soft response are often the best approach. After they fly down, try to entice the hens with soft purrs and leaf raking.
- Calling Every 15 Minutes: A good rule of thumb is to call every 15 minutes or so, starting quietly and gradually increasing the volume and aggression as the day progresses.
- Mimicking Hens: If you hear a hen, try to mimic her exact vocalizations. This will increase your chances of attracting her and any accompanying gobblers.
Additional Tips for Effective Turkey Calling:
- Practice Makes Perfect: The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you’ll become with turkey calling.
- Use the Right Calls: Choose the appropriate call for the situation, considering the time of day, the behavior of the birds, and your hunting strategy.
- Be Patient: Turkeys can be unpredictable, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t get a response immediately. Stay patient and keep trying.
- Use Quality Calls: Invest in high-quality turkey calls that produce realistic sounds.
- Experiment: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different calls and techniques. You may discover new strategies that work for you.
- Learn from the Masters: Watch videos and listen to recordings of experienced turkey callers to learn their techniques and insights.
- Respect the Birds: Always hunt ethically and responsibly.
Calling turkeys is an exciting and rewarding aspect of turkey hunting. By understanding turkey vocalizations, timing your calls wisely, and following these tips, you’ll increase your chances of successfully communicating with these fascinating birds and bagging your next gobbler Remember, practice, patience, and a deep understanding of turkey behavior are the keys to mastering the art of turkey calling
Going Against Mother Nature
As most of you know, toms gobble to tell hens where to find them. By calling to them and expecting them to come to us, we’re kind of going against Mother Nature. They also add the alluring visual component of strutting for the ladies, so it deviates slightly from how people typically behave.
During mating, sperm are stored in the hen’s oviduct; fertilized eggs can be laid as soon as four weeks later. Usually, one mating is sufficient to fertilize a whole clutch, but hens can reproduce repeatedly.
When spring arrives, hens start to lay eggs. A hen will lay an egg nearly every day until eight or sixteen eggs are in her nest. Normally, you’ll find an average of about a dozen and you’ll see smaller clutches from younger hens. Hens nest on the ground, so thick cover is a must. To ensure that the hatched poults have a variety of insects, plants, and seeds to eat, nests are usually placed near food and water sources. The hens will begin to sit on the eggs once they are all laid, and the incubation process will take 25 to 30 days.
From my experience, it’s easiest to call in a tom when the real hens aren’t cooperating very well. This means that later in the season, when the hens are sitting on their eggs, or before breeding really gets going heavy, will be your best chance.
Pressure can also come into play. It might be easier to call one in early in the season when other hunters who might not be very skilled haven’t yet called in on toms. I’ve heard people say that gobblers get “call shy. ” I don’t believe turkeys get call shy, I believe they become “stupid hunter shy. “No matter when in the season, turkeys make noise when they want to get together with other turkeys. ” .
In some states, turkeys might not start nesting until the last few days of the season. The best time to hunt, or rather, one of the easiest times to identify a gobbler, is during the hens’ nesting season. In certain states, however, the birds start to nest before the hunting season even opens. As this time of year will probably come later than others, the only problem is that it’s possible that ten other prickly people will have agitated the birds before you do. Therefore, just because they should answer the call doesn’t mean they will, and the ease of attracting a bird to your setup may also be significantly impacted by pressure.
How Often to Call to Turkeys
FAQ
What time should you start calling for turkeys?
How far will turkeys come to a call?
What time are turkeys most active?
Should you call to a turkey on the roost?
What are the different types of turkey calls?
In this video series, Seth (Bully) McCullough – owner of Bully’s Game Calls – shows you how to use the three main types of turkey calls. Mouth calls, box calls and glass calls. Bully also showcases his own In this video series, Seth (Bully) McCullough – owner of Bully’s Game Calls – shows you how to use the three main types of turkey calls.
What does “talk turkey” mean?
Today, the term “talk turkey” means to get down to business and speak directly. In the context of modern turkey hunting, to “talk turkey” means communicating directly with wild turkeys as if you’re a turkey. The message being conveyed with each turkey sound and when to use it is as important as mastering the call itself.
How do you tell if a Turkey is coming to you?
“When I turkey hunt, I cluck three times and then throw my turkey call away,” one old timer told me. “I’m convinced that the reason more hunters don’t take more turkeys is that they call too much. If you hear a turkey gobble, cluck three times. He will gobble back. That old tom will know your position. Sooner or later he’ll come to you.