Understanding the Turkey Gobble: What It Sounds Like and When Turkeys Gobble

The gobble is one of the most iconic and exciting sounds of the spring turkey woods. This unique vocalization is made exclusively by male turkeys, known as toms or gobblers. Learning what a turkey gobble sounds like and why turkeys gobble can help hunters locate and call in more birds.

What Does a Turkey Gobble Sound Like?

A turkey’s gobble is a rapid gurgling sound that lasts about 2-3 seconds on average. Gobbles have a pulsing, trilling quality as the tom forces air through his voice box and inflates the fleshy tissue around his neck

The gobble is louder and more guttural than the high-pitched yelps and clucks female turkeys make Gobbles can carry over a mile in ideal conditions. The volume and pitch of gobbles varies between individual birds based on factors like age and dominance

An experienced tom may have a deeper, raspier gobble versus a young jake’s higher-pitched gobbling. Hearing a tom gobble in the spring woods is a thrilling moment for any turkey hunter.

When Do Turkeys Gobble?

Wild turkeys gobble most actively in spring during breeding season. Here are the key times you’re likely to hear gobbling

Early Morning: The peak gobbling time is within the first couple hours after flydown from the roost, generally between 5-8 AM.

Late Morning: Gobbling activity slows but doesn’t fully stop through late morning as toms look for hens.

Early Evening: Toms may gobble again in late afternoon and early evening as they return to the roost site.

Midday: Midday gobbles are less common but can occur if a tom is still seeking hens.

Anytime a Hen is Nearby: Toms gobble when they hear or see a hen at any time of day.

When Provoked: Aggressive gobbles may be triggered by confronting a rival tom or hearing hunter calls.

So the key periods to listen for gobbles are early morning, late afternoon, and whenever you use calls that may provoke a tom to respond.

Why Do Turkey’s Gobble?

Wild turkeys gobble for several reasons:

• Attracting Hens: The main reason toms gobble in spring is to announce their presence to hens and lure them in for mating.

• Marking Territory: Gobbles also warn rival males away from a tom’s breeding grounds.

• Responding to Hen Sounds: Hearing yelps and other hen calls triggers excited gobbles.

• Responding to Rivals: Aggressive gobbles target trespassing males.

• Shock Gobbling: Unexpected noises like owl hoots, crow calls, and hunter calls can trigger reflexive shock gobbles.

So gobbling helps toms attract mates, defend territory, and communicate with other turkeys in the area. Hunters can use this instinctive gobbling behavior to their advantage.

Using Turkey Gobbles When Hunting

Here are some tips for using gobbling behavior to your benefit while turkey hunting:

• Locate roosted toms in the morning by owl hooting or crow calling to trigger shock gobbles.

• Try to call very early before flydown while toms are still fired up about gobbling.

• Mimic a hen yelp after a tom gobbles to simulate a receptive mate and keep him interested.

• Use aggressive gobble calls sparingly to avoid attracting competing toms.

• Focus on areas where you’ve heard gobbles in the past at prime times.

• Be patient if a tom gobbles but won’t come into range. He may be waiting for hens to join him first.

• Recognize that gobbling peaks early in the season and declines as breeding wraps up.

Taking advantage of gobbling patterns while applying smart calling tactics will help bring more vocal toms within range of your setup.

What Makes Turkey’s Gobble

Wild turkeys have specialized physical adaptations that allow them to gobble loudly:

• Syrinx – This vocal organ located where the trachea splits produces the gobble sound.

• Snood – The fleshy appendage on a tom’s forehead engorges with blood when gobbling to amplify sound.

• Breast Caruncle – The naked pink skin dangling from a tom’s chest also engorges to boost gobbles.

• Beard – While not directly involved in gobbling, the beard is a sign of a mature gobbler.

These physical features help create the unique gobble that plays a vital role in turkey breeding biology and hunting.

Regional Differences in Gobbles

While all wild turkeys gobble, there are some subtle differences between the subspecies:

• Easterns – Easterns are known for frequent, loud gobbles that carry a long distance.

• Rios – Rios gobble less often but aggressively with a raspy, drawn-out sound.

• Merriams – Merriams produce higher-pitched gobbling that’s not quite as loud as Easterns.

• Osceolas – Osceola gobbles have a deep timbre similar to Rios.

• Gould’s – Gould’s are not widespread in the US but produce gobbling similar to Rios.

So while the basic gobble sound remains the same, regional turkey subspecies add their own flair.

Other Turkey Sounds Compared to Gobbles

While the gobble is unique to male turkeys, hens also make an array of sounds:

• Clucks – Short, loud notes hens use to regroup or show contentment.

• Yelps – High-pitched whining sound used by hens to gather poults or attract mates.

• Purrs – Soft, rolling call hens make when feeding or feeling content.

• Cackles – Loud, staccato cackling made when flying up or down from the roost.

Learning these different hen vocalizations can help hunters mimic turkeys accurately and provoke gobbles.

The turkey gobble is one of the most exciting sounds of spring for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Recognizing when turkeys are most likely to gobble, why they vocalize, and how to respond can help lead to more filled turkey tags each season.

Pay close attention to the unique gobbling patterns in your hunting area. Then apply smart setup and calling tactics using your knowledge of turkey biology and communication. With persistence through early mornings and late evenings, you’ll eventually be rewarded with a thundering gobble signaling a tom is near.