The gobble of a wild turkey is one of the most iconic and exciting sounds of the spring woods. For turkey hunters, few things quicken the pulse like hearing a tom thunderously announce his presence on a crisp spring morning. This unique vocalization has inspired a passion for turkey hunting across North America. Let’s explore the magic behind the gobble and why it makes the heart race for those who love the challenge of turkey hunting.
What Exactly is a Turkey’s Gobble?
A gobble is a loud, rapid gurgling sound made by male turkeys, also called toms or gobblers. It is one of the main calls used by the male wild turkey, primarily in spring to let hens in the area know that he is around If you’ve never heard a tom turkey gobble before, it really is an incredible experience
The gobble is a deep resonant vocalization that carries well across the landscape. To human ears the gobble sounds almost musical in nature. It has an exotic, guttural quality punctuated by pops and gurgles that give it a primitive, raw appeal.
A typical gobble lasts around 1 second as the tom forcefully expels air, creating a series of pulses and notes. Expert turkey callers strive to mimic the cadence and rhythm of a natural gobble when calling, but nothing fully captures the essence of a real tom sounding off.
Why Toms Gobble in Spring
In spring, when turkeys are mating, the gobble announces that a virile tom is in the area and ready to breed. Unmated male turkeys are eager to attract females to their location so they gobble loudly and frequently before sunrise, attempting to cover as much territory as possible.
The resounding gobble lets hens know precisely where the tom is located. Hens then travel toward the males to check them out and potentially mate. Dominant boss toms gobble aggressively to warn other males away from their breeding grounds. Subordinate satellite toms may sound off from a distance, hoping to attract unpaired hens while steering clear of the dominant male.
During mating season, toms are so eager to gobble that the slightest provocation will set them off. Hunters use calls like owl hoots, crow calls, and clucks to get lovesick toms to reveal their position. The sounds cause the territorial males to instantly gobble back, alerting hunters to exactly where the turkey is located.
The Magic of the Spring Gobble
For hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, the spring gobble is magical because it signals the start of turkey season and the woods coming alive. The first resonant gobbles heard on a March or April morning are like the trumpets announcing the start of the hunt.
Hearing a lovesick tom’s eager response to your calling is electrifying. The hunter’s heart starts racing as the thundering gobble means the chess match is on. Now your woodsmanship, calling skills, and patience will be tested as you try to outwit a wary old tom and entice him into range.
Successfully calling in a fired-up tom after an extended duel of wits is an immense feeling of accomplishment for turkey hunters. The spring woods come alive when a tom gobbles, and for the turkey hunter, there is no sweeter sound.
Regional Differences in Gobbles
While all wild turkey subspecies make the exciting gobble sound, there are some subtle regional differences among the various subspecies:
-
Eastern Wild Turkey: The Eastern subspecies (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) has the most robust, deep and resonant gobble that carries a long distance. Eastern toms are considered the most vocal gobblers.
-
Osceola Wild Turkey: The Florida-specific Osceola turkey (Meleagris gallopavo osceola) has a high-pitched, raspy gobble compared to an Eastern. Their calls don’t travel as far through the dense swamps and flatwoods of Florida.
-
Rio Grande Wild Turkey: The Rio Grande (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) has a deeper, huskier gobble than the other subspecies. It lacks some of the richness heard in an Eastern’s gobble.
-
Merriam’s Wild Turkey: The Merriam’s subspecies (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) of the mountain west has a higher pitched, less robust gobble than Easterns.
So while the basic gobble sound is similar across subspecies, regional differences in habitat and genetics impact the pitch and carrying power. Experienced turkey hunters can recognize the subtle distinctions.
Other Turkey Sounds
While the gobble may be the turkey’s most famous vocalization, wild turkeys have an array of other sounds. Hens use various clucks, purrs, and yelps to communicate with flock members and suitors.
Poults (juvenile turkeys) give distinctive whistles and peeps. Hens have specific calls like assembly yelps and fly down cackles for gathering the flock. And both sexes use alarm putts to signal danger. Understanding this vocabulary is key for hunters.
But despite turkeys’ diverse vocal repertoire, the legendary gobble remains the quintessential turkey talk. The gobbler’s booming voice is a harbinger of spring that rejuvenates turkey hunters’ spirits after the quiet winter months. For those who thrill to the sound of a gobbling tom, there is simply nothing else like it in nature. It’s a sound that stirs the soul!
So next spring, rise before dawn, head to the turkey woods and listen for that heart-quickening sound – the gobble that triggers dreams of a magical hunt culminating in outwitting a lusty old tom. There is simply nothing else like it!
Fly Down or Fly-up Cackle
A cackle usually consists of three to 10 irregularly spaced notes, loud and staccato, increasing in pitch as the call nears its end. The cackle is generally associated with leaving the roost, but can also be heard when a bird is flying up to a roost. A fly-down cackle is good call to tell a gobbler that a hen is on the ground. However, a fly-down cackle often works best if the gobbler is already on the ground before you call. Otherwise, the tom may stay on the roost; waiting for what he thinks is a hen turkey to come to him before he flies down. A fly-up cackle can also be a good tool when trying to locate roosted toms, as it may get a roosted tom to gobble. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The gobble is a loud, rapid gurgling sound made by male turkeys. The gobble is one of the principal vocalizations of the male wild turkey and is used primarily in the spring to let hens know he is in the area. Hunters must be cautious using a gobble, especially on public land where it may attract fellow hunters to your position. It can also be a double-edged sword. A gobble may draw a dominate tom to you looking for a fight or you might drive away less dominant birds who want to avoid a beating. It is often used as a call of last resort. However, it can also be used effectively late in the evening when trying to get a tom to gobble on the roost. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The kee kee is usually a three-note call that lasts about two seconds. A variation of the call, the kee kee run, is merely a kee kee followed by a yelp. The kee kee is the call of lost young turkeys and variations are also made by adult birds. Its often associated with fall hunting and is used to reassemble a scattered flock. It can be used in the spring to make you sound more natural – especially on public land where it may set you apart from all the other hunters using yelps and cutts. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The plain yelp of a hen is a basic turkey sound and is often delivered in a series of single note vocalizations. The plain yelp can have different meanings depending on how the hen uses it, but it is basic turkey communication. It is also commonly used by a hen to communicate with a gobbler during mating season. This is a basic turkey hunting call. If you can yelp, you have a chance of being able to call in a turkey. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Purring is a soft, rolling call turkeys make when content. It is a low vocal communication designed to keep the turkeys in touch and often is made by feeding birds. This is not a loud call, but is good for reassuring turkeys as they get close to your position. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The putt is a single or several sharp notes. The putt is generally associated as an alarm and usually means the bird has seen or heard something and is signaling danger. This can be useful when you have a gobbler in range, but cant get him to raise his head or stop. However, before putting at a gobbler it is best to have your shotgun ready and on target. Once you raise the alarm by putting, you will have little time to shoot and the bird will take off at the slightest movement. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The tree call is a series of soft muffled yelps given by a roosted bird that sometimes picks up in volume as fly down time nears. Maybe accompanied by soft clucking. It is generally acknowledged as a call to communicate with others in a flock. It can be used to let a gobbler on the roost know you are there. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
There are a wide variety of different sounds or vocalizations made by wild turkeys. Listen to them here.
There are many factors that go into successfully hunting wild turkeys, including calling them at the right place at the right time. Knowing the distinctly different sounds wild turkeys make in specific situations will increase you chances for a successful harvest and make you an all-around better wild turkey hunter.
Sounds courtesy of Denny Gulvas of Gulvas Wildlife Adventures.
The adult hen assembly call is a series of loud yelps, usually a little more emphatic and longer than a standard series of yelps. The assembly yelp is used by a hen to assemble her flock or young poults. It is a good call in the fall when trying to call a scattered flock back together. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The cluck consists of one or more short, staccato notes. The plain cluck often includes two or three single note clucks. Its generally used by one bird to get the attention of another and a good call to reassure an approaching gobbler that a hen is waiting for him. This is a great call while trying to encourage gobbler to come into range if he starts to hang up. It can also be used while birds are still on the roost to subtly let a gobbler know you are there. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The cluck and purr is a cluck followed by a rolling, almost staccato call. It is often associated with flock talk or the feeling of contentment. Typically not a loud call, though sometimes it can be amplified, it is good for reassuring turkeys as they get close to your position. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Loud, sharp clucks that are often mixed with yelping. Cutting is a sign that turkeys are excited, not alarmed. Cutting has several uses in hunting. If a gobbler is henned up, and one of the hens is cutting, you can cutt back in an attempt to bring her to you. You will want to mimic her calls, while cutting off her vocalizations and being a bit more excited. The goal with this tactic is to lure a dominate hen to you for a fight, often times bringing the gobbler with her. You can also cutt when you have tried soft calling to a gobbler that is hung up. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Similar sounds and notes as a plain yelp but much more excited, rapid and with more volume. This is not a sign of alarm, but indicates that a turkey is worked up about something. If a gobbler is henned up, you might be able to bring him to you by picking a fight with the dominate hen in the flock. Yelp at her excitedly, cut off her vocalizations with your own calls and you might lure the hen, and the gobbler with her, to you. You can also use an excited yelp when you have tried soft calling to a gobbler that is hung up. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Wild Turkey Gobble – Use This Sound While Hunting
Why do turkeys Gobble to certain sounds?
But have you ever wondered why turkeys gobble to certain sounds? As it turns out, it may relate to the frequency of the sound relative to how turkeys hear. We know that turkeys hear and process sounds differently than we do, and research has shown that the turkey gobble resides in the 700 to 1275hz range on a sonogram.
What does a turkey gobbler sound like?
Listen to more sounds of this species from the ML archive. Male turkeys are called “gobblers” because of their famous call, which is their version of a rooster’s crow. It’s a loud, shrill, descending, throaty jumble of sound that lasts about 1 second. Males often gobble from their treetop roosts, where the sound carries better than on the ground.
What is a turkey gobbling sound effect?
turkey gobbling sounds effect. this would be great a thanksgiving sound effect, and best of all its public domain. The cluck and purr is a single note or notes often associated with flock talk or the feeling of contentment. It is sometimes amplified. It is a cluck followed by a rolling, almost staccato call.
Do turkeys make a gurgling sound?
There is a myth that only male turkeys can make the gobble sound; however, hens can make the loud, rapid gurgling, just as chicken hens can crow. A purr is a low, soft, rolling sound, like a kitten’s purr. A contented kitten will make a soft purring sound. A contented turkey also makes a soft purring sound.