I hate that sound

[wisconsinteacher]

Last night I saw a tom heading into a wood lot and knew what his plan was.  It was to go up the biggest hill in the county to sleep for the night.  I put the 3/4 mile hike/sprint on him and got almost to the top before sitting down.  I clucked 3 times and did the softest yelp I could on my slate.  Put the call down, put the gun on my knee only to hear, "Putt!"  I look off my left shoulder and see a head duck behind a stump.  I never saw the big red head again, only the 5 or 6 putts as he walked away!!!  I could have cried right then and there.  I tried to circle the hill and call him back but it did not happen.  Well maybe he will come back tonight.  I hate the silent birds that peak over the hill to look for you.

[DirtNap647]

ya worst sound in the woods

[R AJ]

Most of those are the ones with the longer beards and spurs. Plus that wasn't their first encounter with a hunter possibly. The other week I had heard nothing and after yelping and a few clucks I had two within 25 yards of me without saying a word. One magic hand move by me and PUTT-they were gone.
This is like spy vs. spy vs. spy for me and although frustrated and feeling silly- stupid many times I can't wait to try again. It's turkey hunting and I love it.

[howl]

Many times those old birds will slip in and "Pirt!" once while looking for the hen. It means "Show yourself woman!" If you hold still they will walk and may be brought back to the gun with a single cluck, which is the hen version of the same call. I have had a couple do that right behind me on a windy day. Awful hard to jump out of your skin with fright and stay still at the same time.

[Skeeterbait]

Sounds like what you heard was indeed a putt since he immediately walked away but a gobbler who comes in silent, particularly in timber will make single loud clucks for the hen to identify her location as howl says.  Best way I can describe the sound in writing is TOCK!................ TOCK!

[wisconsinteacher]

It was kind of a TOCK...........TOCK then he walked away with the PUTT, PUTT.  He was alone and I am hoping will be alone this afternoon when I go after him again. 

[Skeeterbait]

If you can purr on a diaphragm, then do that next time you hear that sound.  If not, soft clucks.  He expects a hen to be there and is demanding an answer from her.  If he don't get it he is going to leave the way he came after a bit.

[surehuntsalot]

over the years,I've had to learn to hunt with my eyes more than my ears,because alot of the older birds will come in silent to check things out,as to where a 2 yr old will most of the time just come on in.