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Competitive edge
Killing Them Softly
If public-land gobblers could talk, oh, the stories they'd tell about some of the calling they've heard. And it's not so much that the calling is of poor quality, but it's often way too frequent and way too loud.
Stay away from areas that are heavily hunted due to easy access. It's likely any birds in the area have been pressured since before opening day. Attention to detail--readiness, self-discipline and persistence--is crucial to public-land success. The best turkey hunters excel at all three.
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Enough is too much. Any consistently successful turkey hunter will tell you that in most instances, less calling is more attractive than over calling, at least to the birds. Public-land longbeards are no exception. And it's not only the amount of calling that's been done, but more so the myriad hunters parading around doing the calling.
Gobblers don't get call-shy--afraid of hen turkey sounds. If they did, toms would be in short supply because running away from hens doesn't aid procreation. Gobblers do get people-shy, and people, particularly during turkey season, have a tendency to carry turkey calls.
Solution? Cut down on your calling when working people-shy birds. If you've done your homework and put yourself where there are birds without giving yourself away, then subtle clucks, purrs and the occasional short, two-note yelp are often all that's necessary. You're trying to pique that gobbler's interest--make him curious enough to wander close to the out-of-the-ordinary low-key sounds he's hearing.
Volume is self-explanatory. I've been fortunate to spend four to six weeks in the field each of the last ten springs. Throughout that time I've heard but maybe one or two hens each year that would call in a way I'd define as aggressive; non-stop cutting and yelping delivered at very high volume.
Ninety-five-plus percent of the time hens call softly with extremely short yelps mixed with contented clucks and purrs. None of these hens seem to have any trouble attracting boyfriends. On public land, this adherence to low volume is crucial to consistent success.
Never underestimate how well gobblers can hear. If you've positioned yourself correctly, it's practically impossible to make turkey sounds that you can hear, but he can't. An increase in volume doesn't necessarily translate into a corresponding increase in effectiveness. And don't assume that because the woods are quiet, everything's over.
Time Is Up
My friend and gunning companion Phil loves to turkey hunt. However, he abhors the hours spring turkey hunters commonly keep. During the past two seasons he has tagged four beautiful longbeards on public land. Per his turkey hunting routine, Phil arises, does a bit of writing and then heads out around 9 o'clock. By then, he explains, all the traditionalists--the early risers like me--are out of the field, and the birds have returned to their relaxed routine.
It's then that Phil likes to cruise the gravel roads, peering with binoculars into field corners and nooks and crannies for a glimpse of a strutting tom. When he finds one, he'll park, plan an approach and attempt to close to within 150 yards or so. Only then will he sit and call--very softly, and very subtly.
Sometimes, he says, it doesn't work. When it does, those call-weary public-land longbeards will often take their time, seldom if ever gobbling and only occasionally strutting. Getting comfortable, staying motionless, practicing vigilance, and, perhaps most important, having the ability to set a call down and not use it every sixty seconds have put three long-spurred three-year-olds and a hard-charging two-year-old tom in Phil's pocket.
Today's turkey hunters have access to millions of publicly owned acres that thousands of gobblers call home. And with a little patience, precision and persistence, you can bag them consistently. You may not even need to get up early.
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