Turkeys not moving when called

[Beretta92FS]

Anyone else having problems getting the turkeys to move in when called this year? I've been out a few times, calling and calling, and sometimes they gobble back, but no chance in hell they are willing to move! Don't think I've ever seen anything like it. Maybe I've lost my calling skills over the winter, or maybe it's the wet and somewhat lousy weather? Anyone else have this issue so far this year?

 

[whacko]

Anyone else having problems getting the turkeys to move in when called this year? I've been out a few times, calling and calling, and sometimes they gobble back, but no chance in hell they are willing to move! Don't think I've ever seen anything like it. Maybe I've lost my calling skills over the winter, or maybe it's the wet and somewhat lousy weather? Anyone else have this issue so far this year?

Are you using decoys too?

 

[Beretta92FS]

Are you using decoys too?

Yes. Decoys, ground blind, mouth calls, the whole thing.

 

[whacko]

Yes. Decoys, ground blind, mouth calls, the whole thing.

That's a tough one then. I have had days in the past when the flocks wont budge. I don't know the answer to that one other than maybe pack up and sneak through the wood line to a spot that's closer and try to get the decoys out without being seen? Turkey hunting is a bitch sometimes.

 

[HorizontalHunter]

Anyone else having problems getting the turkeys to move in when called this year? I've been out a few times, calling and calling, and sometimes they gobble back, but no chance in hell they are willing to move! Don't think I've ever seen anything like it. Maybe I've lost my calling skills over the winter, or maybe it's the wet and somewhat lousy weather? Anyone else have this issue so far this year?

The way it normally works in nature is that the hens go to the Tom. We are trying to get them to come to the hen.

Changing calls sometimes helps. Sometimes they like a different sound.

If I was solo I would face in the opposite direction and slowly drop the amplitude of the call. If you are hunting with someone have them call and move back.

The key is to move. If the Tom thinks the hen is still stationary and responding he thinks that she is interested and he will keep gobbling.

You can also cut your calling way back or stop calling and they may come in to see where she went.

You can also try to move to the left or right. Sometimes that will break them loose.

A gobble will make them think that they have competition but in this state I won’t do that.

Toms will also come in without gobbling so just because you don’t hear him he may be coming in anyway so stay put for 15-20 minutes after your last call. Later in the season they will do this more often.

Bob

 

[northny]

Sometimes a gobbler is with hens and will not leave them. Nature of the beast. Happens more often then not. If I have room to move, I will move and try to find another gobbler. If I can't move I will try to wait him out. Often hens sneak off mid morning and gobbler alone again and will come

Sometimes a physical barrier - stream fence drainage ditch ridge will make a gobbler hold up.

If I can't move and gobbler won't come in I will do one of two things. First I will just keep working him. Quite often another gobbler is listening and sneaks in quietly to steal off the hen. If you have the first gobbler working and responding your calling is working.

Second approach is last ditch approach when I have to leave and can't continue the stalemate. As soon as gobbler starts up I yelp loud and often right on top of his gobble. Three or four real loud and quick. I insult him I think. Usually I get immediate double or triple gobble. I go quiet. If it works next gobble will be in your lap.

I just got back from NY hunt. Cold and wet. Turkeys did not really seem into it, saw a number of unescorted hens. Opinion was weather was holding things back. Last day was sunny and warmer and I called a nice one in. He was a couple of hundred yards away for over an hour but when he decided to leave that field for mine he came at a steady walk.

 

[DitchDigger]

Thought you were referring to today’s Snowflakes !!!!

 

[Beretta92FS]

Am I the world's worst turkey hunter or what? Was out again this morning for the final (for me) hunt for this season. As I walk in to set up around 4am, I scare up a stinking black bear!! Thankfully it took off without issues. Never seen anything like it.

Later, after having sitting for about an hour after sunrise, I hear something approaching from behind. I think "I'm in trouble now, the bear is back!". But thankfully no, it was two deer coming in, they probably had a good laugh of me and wanted to check out what sounded more like a lovesick ostrich than a turkey.

Oh well turkeys, you got the better of me this time. But I'll be back next year!

 

[kevin9]

Anyone else having problems getting the turkeys to move in when called this year? I've been out a few times, calling and calling, and sometimes they gobble back, but no chance in hell they are willing to move! Don't think I've ever seen anything like it. Maybe I've lost my calling skills over the winter, or maybe it's the wet and somewhat lousy weather? Anyone else have this issue so far this year?

Maybe you're hunting in the wrong places, ‘Extremely Scary’: Jamaica Plain Residents Fearful Of Aggressive Turkeys, or using the wrong decoys:

“The one incident I had was with my mailman. I heard a lot of commotion. I looked outside and they had him cornered across the street,

 

[robjax]

maybe you are seeing another hunter's decoys and he is seeing yours and the two of you are just calling back and forth to each other...lmao....

 

[MisterHappy]

My dog is just like a turkey. He won't come when called, either.

 

[Beretta92FS]

I swear some turkeys can both read signs and tell time.

Always going about their business safely behind "POSTED" signs, but after 12pm when legal hunting is over, they are out in every field.

 

[HorizontalHunter]

I swear some turkeys can both read signs and tell time.

Always going about their business safely behind "POSTED" signs, but after 12pm when legal hunting is over, they are out in every field.

Your just hunting the wrong places. In today’s world we need to expand our thinking and be more inclusive if we want to be successful.

Bob

 

[bfm]

I've been out a few times, calling and calling

New phone, who dis?