Been having a brutal time hunting these Whitetail Turkeys in SE Tennessee! It has been a blast all the same.
Saw 5 on Friday, but nary a one made a peep on or off the roost. Today I saw and heard nothing, but deliberately picked spots to cold call based on topos and inferences from turkey behavior on previous days.
I know what works one day might accomplish nothing some other days. But just so I know I'm doing everything right, can you walk me through how you approach a cold call sit, especially after 9:30?
I've tried clucking and maybe 2-3 yelp volleys. I've tried being even more aggressive and cutting as well as yelping. Sometimes I've just clucked sparingly.
So how do you call? How aggressively do you pick a cold call spot? What are you looking for? How long do you go silent, if at all, before packing it up or calling again?
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Try switching up your calls. If they don't respond to a mouth call, go box call, or pot call, etc.
Quote from: paboxcall on April 28, 2020, 06:41:28 PM
Try switching up your calls. If they don't respond to a mouth call, go box call, or pot call, etc.
Do you just keep calling until you get a response or do you just try something else after a 20-minute interval?
I just don't want to spook a silent Tom with overcalling. Sometimes I switch between box and diaphragm. I'm still not good enough with a slate to do much damage.
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I have good luck hunting like your describing. I can and do sit for hours. I'll use clucks,purrs,short series of yelps,long series of yelps,cutts,etc. After I call I quit for 20-30 min. then call some more and wait. I've killed a alot of them this way. I'll run a trumpet and a Pot call or basically 2 calls to sound like a couple of hens etc. If one call doesn't work I'll switch to something else. I'll use gobbler yelps,Jake yelps,Kee kees also if nothing else is working.
One other thing, how close to the edge of a rise/ridge do you set up? Or do you even set up barely over it? I worry the sound of the calls might not be making it to the turkeys, but I also don't want to get busted before I even get started.
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You'd be amazed at how far away a turkey can hear light calling. 1st Tom I ever shot heard me scratching on a pot call as lightly as I could from 150/200yds away. Gobbled a couple times to it and came running in. Before I could do anything he was standing 5yds away. Spotted me a turned to run off. Luckily when pulled up on him I caught him with 1 bb in the side of the noggin.
I prefer to set up so when crests the ridge he is in range. Maybe 25/30yds from the crest. It's fun to watch them come in but easier to get picked off. Plus when they start getting close they expect to see a hen from where the calling is coming from.
If I am cold calling, and in it for the long haul after the morning rush I will tend to call non-aggressively. My logic behind that being that I am trying to catch either a bird that is a subordinate coming in quietly, or hopefully a dominant bird whose hens have left him. I feel like non-aggressive calling gives me the best chance at each. The subordinate bird can come in slowly to a calmer situation without me blowing his lid off with a string of cutts if he slips in at the wrong time, and the dominant bird who might not show up till 10 or noon doesn't have to listen to a hen cutting for 2 hours in the exact same spot.
Granted, that is a conservative turkey hunter's approach.
I guess one thing I'm concerned about is whether the sound of my footfall approaching my setup spot spooks a Tom that would otherwise have been receptive to my calls.
Do I need to stop and wait awhile before I even begin calling, so he forgets the footsteps?
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I am an impatient hunter and I don't do much cold calling, when I do I dress warm.....oh wait that's not what you meant. Seriously, most of what is already said is right. Ideally if I decide to cold call I do wait a while before I call. I think 30-45 minutes is great, but I'm not that patient and usually call after 15. I do keep it soft and and non aggressive most of the time, but before I move I blast a series of cuts and yelps. I set up where I can see as much as possible. That way I am less likely to spook a bird when I move.
I have to have confidence in a spot if I am going to cold call for very long. I want to be on very long ridges that have lots of smaller ridges. I feel all of these areas may be different micro zones for hens and gobblers use the long connecting ridge to check out these micro zones. Much like whitetail bucks checking different bedding areas for does during rut. I don't want to be on a small ridge that may limit of the amount/ease of travel to my calling. I would agree that non-aggressive calling is best. I've had numerous times when I sit in one of these areas and would just "relax" and call every 15min or so that I have gotten a response to where I can maybe get more aggressive or scale back further depending on situation.
I wouldn't worry too much about foot traffic noise unless you sound like a herd of elephants moving through woods. Turkeys make plenty of noise scratching in leaves and walking around.
Quote from: AppalachianHollers on April 29, 2020, 02:20:27 PM
I guess one thing I'm concerned about is whether the sound of my footfall approaching my setup spot spooks a Tom that would otherwise have been receptive to my calls.
Do I need to stop and wait awhile before I even begin calling, so he forgets the footsteps?
Learn to walk slowly and quietly. If the leaves are noisy, make your steps like a turkey.
And if you are set up and calling from a fixed location, periodically calling, good chance a bird will come in quiet on you - no need to gobble since you are broadcasting your location and your intentions to hook up. All you might get is the periscope head checking out your set up.
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 28, 2020, 10:01:37 PM
You'd be amazed at how far away a turkey can hear light calling. 1st Tom I ever shot heard me scratching on a pot call as lightly as I could from 150/200yds away. Gobbled a couple times to it and came running in. Before I could do anything he was standing 5yds away. Spotted me a turned to run off. Luckily when pulled up on him I caught him with 1 bb in the side of the noggin.
I prefer to set up so when crests the ridge he is in range. Maybe 25/30yds from the crest. It's fun to watch them come in but easier to get picked off. Plus when they start getting close they expect to see a hen from where the calling is coming from.
I`m beginning to wonder if it`s possible to make a sound, no matter how soft, that a turkey can`t hear 100 yards away.
Quote from: paboxcall on April 29, 2020, 04:45:06 PM
All you might get is the periscope head checking out your set up.
Does this suggest a need to use a decoy so that he actually comes in?
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Quote from: AppalachianHollers on April 29, 2020, 05:48:17 PM
Quote from: paboxcall on April 29, 2020, 04:45:06 PM
All you might get is the periscope head checking out your set up.
Does this suggest a need to use a decoy so that he actually comes in?
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I stopped using a decoy 20+ years ago, use the terrain to my advantage. Just telling you to always be ready that's all.
Quote from: paboxcall on April 29, 2020, 04:45:06 PM
And if you are set up and calling from a fixed location, periodically calling, good chance a bird will come in quiet on you - no need to gobble since you are broadcasting your location and your intentions to hook up. All you might get is the periscope head checking out your set up.
Yep! I don't get too hung up on hearing gobbling in response to my calls during late morning-afternoon hunting. Most of the birds I bagged (or spooked LOL) in the woods I hunt came in silently. Just gotta keep still and scan for movement....of course, my movement is occasionally what cause the sneaking Tom's to move...out of shooting range LOL.
Be well folks
Quote from: Turkeytider on April 29, 2020, 05:47:14 PM
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 28, 2020, 10:01:37 PM
You'd be amazed at how far away a turkey can hear light calling. 1st Tom I ever shot heard me scratching on a pot call as lightly as I could from 150/200yds away. Gobbled a couple times to it and came running in. Before I could do anything he was standing 5yds away. Spotted me a turned to run off. Luckily when pulled up on him I caught him with 1 bb in the side of the noggin.
I prefer to set up so when crests the ridge he is in range. Maybe 25/30yds from the crest. It's fun to watch them come in but easier to get picked off. Plus when they start getting close they expect to see a hen from where the calling is coming from.
I`m beginning to wonder if it`s possible to make a sound, no matter how soft, that a turkey can`t hear 100 yards away.
Natural sounds don't bother them. Sticks snapping, leaves rustling, and other sounds they hear all the time. It may draw their attention for a while but it won't spook them. I've had plenty of birds gobble at me rustling leaves while walking through the woods.
Unnatural sounds are the ones you don't want to make like clanging your gun on something or maybe pulling up a zipper.
If you setup near a ridge top and the bird is on the other side, you can do yourself a big favor and setup standing up, you'll be able to see him way earlier this way and most likely before he fully tops the ridge to get his pov
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Quote from: Paulmyr on April 29, 2020, 08:55:11 PM
Quote from: Turkeytider on April 29, 2020, 05:47:14 PM
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 28, 2020, 10:01:37 PM
You'd be amazed at how far away a turkey can hear light calling. 1st Tom I ever shot heard me scratching on a pot call as lightly as I could from 150/200yds away. Gobbled a couple times to it and came running in. Before I could do anything he was standing 5yds away. Spotted me a turned to run off. Luckily when pulled up on him I caught him with 1 bb in the side of the noggin.
I prefer to set up so when crests the ridge he is in range. Maybe 25/30yds from the crest. It's fun to watch them come in but easier to get picked off. Plus when they start getting close they expect to see a hen from where the calling is coming from.
I`m beginning to wonder if it`s possible to make a sound, no matter how soft, that a turkey can`t hear 100 yards away.
Natural sounds don't bother them. Sticks snapping, leaves rustling, and other other sounds they hear all the time. It may draw their attention for a while but it won't spook them. I've had plenty of birds gobble at me rustling leaves while walking through the woods.
Unnatural sounds are the ones you don't want to make like clanging your gun on something or maybe pulling up a zipper.
Yeah boy! Those zippers can be heard for hundreds of yards!????
:lol:
Quote from: Turkeytider on April 29, 2020, 09:32:19 PM
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 29, 2020, 08:55:11 PM
Quote from: Turkeytider on April 29, 2020, 05:47:14 PM
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 28, 2020, 10:01:37 PM
You'd be amazed at how far away a turkey can hear light calling. 1st Tom I ever shot heard me scratching on a pot call as lightly as I could from 150/200yds away. Gobbled a couple times to it and came running in. Before I could do anything he was standing 5yds away. Spotted me a turned to run off. Luckily when pulled up on him I caught him with 1 bb in the side of the noggin.
I prefer to set up so when crests the ridge he is in range. Maybe 25/30yds from the crest. It's fun to watch them come in but easier to get picked off. Plus when they start getting close they expect to see a hen from where the calling is coming from.
I`m beginning to wonder if it`s possible to make a sound, no matter how soft, that a turkey can`t hear 100 yards away.
Natural sounds don't bother them. Sticks snapping, leaves rustling, and other other sounds they hear all the time. It may draw their attention for a while but it won't spook them. I've had plenty of birds gobble at me rustling leaves while walking through the woods.
Unnatural sounds are the ones you don't want to make like clanging your gun on something or maybe pulling up a zipper.
Yeah boy! Those zippers can be heard for hundreds of yards!????
It's an example of an unnatural sound and yes if you pull up a zipper I guarantee a turkey can hear from 100 yds. I'll keep easing mine up as quietly as possible. You do what you want.
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 29, 2020, 10:12:22 PM
:lol:Quote from: Turkeytider on April 29, 2020, 09:32:19 PM
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 29, 2020, 08:55:11 PM
Quote from: Turkeytider on April 29, 2020, 05:47:14 PM
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 28, 2020, 10:01:37 PM
You'd be amazed at how far away a turkey can hear light calling. 1st Tom I ever shot heard me scratching on a pot call as lightly as I could from 150/200yds away. Gobbled a couple times to it and came running in. Before I could do anything he was standing 5yds away. Spotted me a turned to run off. Luckily when pulled up on him I caught him with 1 bb in the side of the noggin.
I prefer to set up so when crests the ridge he is in range. Maybe 25/30yds from the crest. It's fun to watch them come in but easier to get picked off. Plus when they start getting close they expect to see a hen from where the calling is coming from.
I`m beginning to wonder if it`s possible to make a sound, no matter how soft, that a turkey can`t hear 100 yards away.
Natural sounds don't bother them. Sticks snapping, leaves rustling, and other other sounds they hear all the time. It may draw their attention for a while but it won't spook them. I've had plenty of birds gobble at me rustling leaves while walking through the woods.
Unnatural sounds are the ones you don't want to make like clanging your gun on something or maybe pulling up a zipper.
Yeah boy! Those zippers can be heard for hundreds of yards!????
It's an example of an unnatural sound and yes if you pull up a zipper I guarantee a turkey can hear from 100 yds. I'll keep easing mine up as quietly as possible. You do what you want.
Sorry, I actually agree! Their hearing is uncanny. I just thought it was a funny example. Sorry if I gave the wrong impression.
Quote from: sasquatch1 on April 29, 2020, 09:25:17 PM
If you setup near a ridge top and the bird is on the other side, you can do yourself a big favor and setup standing up, you'll be able to see him way earlier this way and most likely before he fully tops the ridge to get his pov
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An incredibly exciting way to take a bird. I've taken a few while facing up a steep hill and just stood behind a tree. Keep your gun straight up and drip it to whatever side he shows himself on. Had one 5 yard shot doing this on a bird that ran about a half mile straight at me
Can't be of much help,...I rarely cold call turkeys. My only input here is that, if you are going to cold call, choose your spot carefully. That seems pretty obvious, but I have seen people set-up cold calling in places that there was probably not a turkey in the same county.
Before cold calling, be sure to evaluate your habitat, terrain, and evidence of turkey activity,...and from those, assess where and when you should be cold calling in a location.
Quote from: GobbleNut on April 30, 2020, 09:31:46 AM
Can't be of much help,...I rarely cold call turkeys. My only input here is that, if you are going to cold call, choose your spot carefully. That seems pretty obvious, but I have seen people set-up cold calling in places that there was probably not a turkey in the same county.
Before cold calling, be sure to evaluate your habitat, terrain, and evidence of turkey activity,...and from those, assess where and when you should be cold calling in a location.
I'm basically looking to set up in 2 places:
1) behind the top a ridge with a gentle slope down into nesting cover. I know hens are in the nesting cover—there are tracks (not many, but enough to confirm), and earlier this season my uncle accidentally flushed a hen like a pheasant in that general area. Seems like a good place to cold call about 9:00 or 10:00 in the morning.
2) along a western-facing ridge that has lots of shade in the heat of the day, overlooking a logging road and creek bottom. I was thinking late morning to afternoon here.
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Quote from: GobbleNut on April 30, 2020, 09:31:46 AM
Can't be of much help,...I rarely cold call turkeys. My only input here is that, if you are going to cold call, choose your spot carefully. That seems pretty obvious, but I have seen people set-up cold calling in places that there was probably not a turkey in the same county.
Before cold calling, be sure to evaluate your habitat, terrain, and evidence of turkey activity,...and from those, assess where and when you should be cold calling in a location.
Game cameras can be a big help to you here if you are in a position that it is possible to use them
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 29, 2020, 10:12:22 PM
:lol:Quote from: Turkeytider on April 29, 2020, 09:32:19 PM
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 29, 2020, 08:55:11 PM
Quote from: Turkeytider on April 29, 2020, 05:47:14 PM
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 28, 2020, 10:01:37 PM
You'd be amazed at how far away a turkey can hear light calling. 1st Tom I ever shot heard me scratching on a pot call as lightly as I could from 150/200yds away. Gobbled a couple times to it and came running in. Before I could do anything he was standing 5yds away. Spotted me a turned to run off. Luckily when pulled up on him I caught him with 1 bb in the side of the noggin.
I prefer to set up so when crests the ridge he is in range. Maybe 25/30yds from the crest. It's fun to watch them come in but easier to get picked off. Plus when they start getting close they expect to see a hen from where the calling is coming from.
I`m beginning to wonder if it`s possible to make a sound, no matter how soft, that a turkey can`t hear 100 yards away.
Natural sounds don't bother them. Sticks snapping, leaves rustling, and other other sounds they hear all the time. It may draw their attention for a while but it won't spook them. I've had plenty of birds gobble at me rustling leaves while walking through the woods.
Unnatural sounds are the ones you don't want to make like clanging your gun on something or maybe pulling up a zipper.
Yeah boy! Those zippers can be heard for hundreds of yards!????
It's an example of an unnatural sound and yes if you pull up a zipper I guarantee a turkey can hear from 100 yds. I'll keep easing mine up as quietly as possible. You do what you want.
Np. I wasn't sure. It was the emogee with the sad face and the question marks that threw me off.
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 30, 2020, 08:28:50 PM
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 29, 2020, 10:12:22 PM
:lol:Quote from: Turkeytider on April 29, 2020, 09:32:19 PM
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 29, 2020, 08:55:11 PM
Quote from: Turkeytider on April 29, 2020, 05:47:14 PM
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 28, 2020, 10:01:37 PM
You'd be amazed at how far away a turkey can hear light calling. 1st Tom I ever shot heard me scratching on a pot call as lightly as I could from 150/200yds away. Gobbled a couple times to it and came running in. Before I could do anything he was standing 5yds away. Spotted me a turned to run off. Luckily when pulled up on him I caught him with 1 bb in the side of the noggin.
I prefer to set up so when crests the ridge he is in range. Maybe 25/30yds from the crest. It's fun to watch them come in but easier to get picked off. Plus when they start getting close they expect to see a hen from where the calling is coming from.
I`m beginning to wonder if it`s possible to make a sound, no matter how soft, that a turkey can`t hear 100 yards away.
Natural sounds don't bother them. Sticks snapping, leaves rustling, and other other sounds they hear all the time. It may draw their attention for a while but it won't spook them. I've had plenty of birds gobble at me rustling leaves while walking through the woods.
Unnatural sounds are the ones you don't want to make like clanging your gun on something or maybe pulling up a zipper.
Yeah boy! Those zippers can be heard for hundreds of yards!????
It's an example of an unnatural sound and yes if you pull up a zipper I guarantee a turkey can hear from 100 yds. I'll keep easing mine up as quietly as possible. You do what you want.
Np. I wasn't sure. It was the emogee with the sad face and the question marks that threw me off.
Yeah, I somehow screwed that up. I don`t know how that happened!
Quote from: Paulmyr on April 29, 2020, 10:12:22 PM
Quote from: Turkeytider on April 29, 2020, 09:32:19 PM
Yeah boy! Those zippers can be heard for hundreds of yards!????
It's an example of an unnatural sound and yes if you pull up a zipper I guarantee a turkey can hear from 100 yds. I'll keep easing mine up as quietly as possible. You do what you want.
I just leave mine down at all times... Might even get a shock gobble that way....
To me, cold calling is setting up to hunt and call to unknown birds that you cannot see or hear, but suspect are in the area?
I generally am hunting some steep terrain, with small flats or saddles... I will pick a saddle that has a convergence of two or more draws, and that is easily approachable for a bird. Turkey sign or previous knowledge of birds using this area is welcome.
I try and pick a spot that is going to be comfortable to sit still for a period, and that hides subtle movements (such as the occasional nose-pick).
Once everything is laid out, organized, and I am comfortable, I make a few quiet content clucks and yelps... If no answer, I then walk a small circle while doing some "pleading" yelps and clucks for a minute or so... I then sit down and get comfortable for a bit. So many times, just as I am about to give up the ghost, I hear that gobble.... Translating that gobble into a ride home for the bird is another matter...
Quote from: Marc on May 04, 2020, 02:49:40 AM
Once everything is laid out, organized, and I am comfortable, I make a few quiet content clucks and yelps... If no answer, I then walk a small circle while doing some "pleading" yelps and clucks for a minute or so... I then sit down and get comfortable for a bit. So many times, just as I am about to give up the ghost, I hear that gobble.... Translating that gobble into a ride home for the bird is another matter...
Thanks for the input. What do you mean by "pleading" yelps and clucks?
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Quote from: AppalachianHollers on May 04, 2020, 03:13:46 PM
Quote from: Marc on May 04, 2020, 02:49:40 AM
Once everything is laid out, organized, and I am comfortable, I make a few quiet content clucks and yelps... If no answer, I then walk a small circle while doing some "pleading" yelps and clucks for a minute or so... I then sit down and get comfortable for a bit. So many times, just as I am about to give up the ghost, I hear that gobble.... Translating that gobble into a ride home for the bird is another matter...
Thanks for the input. What do you mean by "pleading" yelps and clucks?
I am probably putting emotion into the birds that is not there...
But I have heard hens yelping and cutting in an "angry" territorial manner... They seem "mad" that another hen has the audacity to enter their territory.
I have heard hens on the roost, and on the ground just letting the toms know they are there...
And I have seen and heard those hens walking through the woods, with a more "pleading sound," or "searching call," looking for a tom... Pleading, or searching calls would both be appropriate....
As an analogy... If we were talking about a gal at a bar, I am looking to emulate the gal that is standing on top of the bar informing the male patrons that there is nothing on under the dress and she is ready to go home with someone NOW....
That makes sense. More of an intangible, impressionistic thing (but very real, but detected by interpretation) and less a technical one. Just making sure there wasn't some extra variation of technical yelp that I hadn't heard of (added to tree yelp, jake yelp, gobbler yelp).
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