Spring Gobbler Hunting
by: Admin
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Word Count: 1210
Spring turkey hunting is for the male
or "gobbler" turkey only, and the challenge is in luring a turkey
into range by imitating the sounds of a hen ready to mate. Like so many
species, turkeys mate in early spring so their young can thrive on the explosion
of insects and seeds that occurs as the weather warms.
Wild Turkey Hen
The
hen's overall look is for camouflage and protection from predators. She is
smaller and more drab than the colorful gobbler, so she can sit on her nest and
be well camouflaged. Likewise, her head and neck have more feathers to add to
her camouflaged appearance.
Wild Turkey
Gobbler
The
gobbler is most easily recognized by the long beard growing from his chest, and
the pronounced spurs, sometimes as long as two inches, found on the back of his
legs. A gobbler is larger, darker, shinier and more colorful than a hen,
especially on his head, which can alternately appear red, white and blue. He
often "puffs up" and struts during spring to attract hens for
breeding.
The next step is to know your turkey calls
YELP…
yelp is used as a locator call so all the birds in a flock can regroup.
It is a very effective way to entice a gobbler to respond during the spring
matting season.
CUTTING… This is the
most aggressive sound a hen makes when she is ready for matting; it drives a
tom crazy.
TREECALL… As the turkey awakes
at daybreak this low call is the first sound they make. It allows other turkeys
to know just where they roosted.
CLUCK…The cluck is a
where are you type of call. When a Tom clucks he is awaiting a cluck in
response.
CACKLE…This sound is
made when the turkey flies down from the roost. Also when every they go over an
obstacle or stretch there wings.
GOBBLE…The most
wonderful sound that a turkey hunter can hear in the woods. The Tom will gobble
at almost anything in the woods that startles him. The Tom gobbles to announce
to the hen that he is in the area and awaits her.
THE OWL…This call can
be a great call to locate Toms in the roost, use it right before sunup.
Scout your best locations on foot. Check for
signs of scratching where birds have been feeding. Droppings and feathers can
also provide you with information about turkeys in the area. Gobbler droppings
tend to be “J” shaped, while hen droppings have a corkscrew appearance . Check
along creek banks and around mud holes for tracks. In the evenings listen for
birds flying up to roost. If you are able to roost birds, come back the next
morning and listen for gobbling.
Make
as many trips to the area as possible before the season starts. Learn the
terrain features: creeks, logging roads, fences, fields, etc. This will help
later when you are moving during an actual hunt.
Because
wild turkeys have such good eyes, camouflage is
a must to avoid being seen. This normally includes camo
, hat, facemask and gloves. Don’t forget to wear dark colored socks so
that they don’t show when you sit down. Many turkey hunters also wear a camo
vest with plenty of pockets to carry calls, shells and maybe a snack. These
vests often have a drop-down padded seat to add a little comfort while you’re
working a bird.
Once
you locate a gobbler, the next step is to move in close and call him into gun
range. Your goal is to slip as close as possible without spooking him. Then you
“set up” and attempt to call him close enough for a shot.
Remember:
when approaching a turkey, if he spots you, he’s gone! Be careful not to be
seen. Terrain and cover normally dictate how close you can get before setting
up. Veteran hunters rarely approach inside 100 yards. They may set up as far away
as 300 yards if the ground is flat and there is little cover to conceal their
movements.
Use
the terrain to your advantage as you approach a gobbler. Stay behind hills,
thickets or other features that will screen your movements. Walk as quietly as
possible in the leaves, and don’t break any sticks.
When
setting up, pick a area that offers the gobbler an easy route to your location.
There should be no creeks, gullies, fences, thick undergrowth or other barriers
between you and the bird. Also choose a spot that is on the same contour or
slightly above the turkey’s location. Don’t try to call a gobbler down a steep
slope. Pick an area that provides you with a good view of your surroundings.
Sit
against a tree, stump or other object that is wider than your back and taller
than your head. It will hide your outline and protect your back from a hunter
who might move in behind you. Face the turkey’s direction with your left
shoulder (for right-handed shooters), this provides you with a greater mobility
of your gun when aiming. Above all, keep your movement to a minimum as you
call. If the gobbler is working toward you, then goes silent, don’t move.
Sometimes gobblers will sneak in quietly.
If
you set up and a gobbler answers your call but won’t come, you’re going to have
to change your game plan. You may need to circle around and call from another
location. You might change to another call. If you’ve worked him a long time
and he’s still hung up, you might leave the gobbler and come back in a couple
of hours and try again. Many hunts require several moves and/or strategy
changes.
Once
you get a bird working to you, get your gun up on your knee pointed in his
general direction with the stock against your shoulder. When a gobbler finally
walks within range (inside 40 yards), wait until he steps behind a tree or
other obstacle to move your gun. When he reappears, aim carefully at his
head/neck junction, and then squeeze the trigger. When a gobbler struts, the
neck (spinal column) is compressed and the head is often partially hidden by
feathers, making for an even smaller target. If the gobbler is strutting, wait
until he extends his neck to shoot. A clean, one-shot kill should be the goal
of every hunter.
About the Author
Joe Hodgdon
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