Timing is important in so many things we do, from a musical beat to hitting a baseball to timing the stock market. The better you can anticipate the pulse, peak or sweet spot the better you’ll do. This holds true in turkey hunting, possibly more so than when hunting other game. From knowing when the gobblers will respond the best to your tactics, to knowing when to call on a specific hunt, as they say, “timing is everything.”
Just as the fall hunting season catches whitetails during the rut, spring is breeding season for turkeys. While the decreasing amount of daylight induces whitetails to rut, the increasing photoperiod indicates it’s time for turkeys to begin the rituals and process of propagation. Depending on the region of the United States that you plan to hunt, certain parts of the season are better than others. Knowing approximately when the different stages of breeding will happen can help you know which season to apply for, when to take your hunting vacation or which tactics to use for the time you’re given to hunt.
Gobblers may vocalize early during the spring, especially during warming trends. However, just because toms are gobbling doesnt mean breeding has begun. They may gobble at times all year long. We typically will require more evidence than sparse gobbling to guess when breeding has actually begun, like strutting toms and increased vocalizations from the rest of the flock.
Calling is an essential skill for every turkey hunter. Knowing when to make turkey calls can mean the difference between luring in a big tom and spooking the entire flock. As an avid turkey hunter myself, I’ve learned that timing is everything when it comes to turkey calling. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share when you should call, when you shouldn’t, effective calling techniques, common mistakes to avoid, and more turkey calling tips to help fill your tag this season.
Understanding Turkey Vocalizations
Before deciding when to call it’s important to understand what various turkey sounds mean. Here are some of the main vocalizations
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Gobbles Made by both toms and hens, gobbles are used to attract mates, communicate with other turkeys, and express alarm
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Clucks: Short, one-note vocalizations used socially when turkeys are in close proximity.
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Yelps: Multisyllabic calls made by hens looking to gather with other turkeys. The most common turkey call imitated by hunters.
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Purrs: Soft, contented sounds made by relaxed turkeys.
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Cuts: Loud, rapid bursts of notes used to express alarm or aggression.
When you can distinguish turkey talk, you’ll better understand how to mimic their sounds effectively.
When to Call
At Sunrise
One of the best times to call is early in the morning around sunrise or just after fly-down. Toms are fired up and eager to reconnect with hens at daybreak after a night on the roost. Try a few soft tree yelps, clucks, or even owl hoots to locate gobblers and get a response.
After Fly-Down
Let gobblers fly down before calling again. Be patient and give them 15-30 minutes to hit the ground. Hens also need time to reach toms after fly-down. Then you can hit them with some excited cutting, realistic yelps, and clucks.
When Hens Are Absent
If you notice a gobbler has no hens with him, he’ll be extra eager to respond to your calls. Don’t overcall, but set up within 150 yards and give him some enticing yelps and purrs. He’ll likely come running.
During the Peak Breeding Season
The peak breeding time of late March through early May is prime calling time. Gobblers are fired up to find hens, so take advantage of their high interest by calling more aggressively. Just avoid overcalling.
When a Gobbler Gobbles on His Own
If a tom sounds off close by, give him 2-3 realistic yelps in response. If he gobbles again, go silent and wait for him to close the distance before calling again. Let him come to you.
When You Haven’t Heard a Gobbler
In areas that seem devoid of turkeys, try calling sparingly to locate a gobbler. Do a couple of yelps or clucks every 30 minutes and listen closely for a response. If calling gets no response, it’s time to move.
When Not to Call
Avoid calling when:
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A gobbler is silent or distant after responding a few times. He likely won’t come if you keep calling.
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Hens are with a tom. Let them lead and call sparingly to avoid competition.
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Later in the morning after most breeding is over.
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A gobbler is on the way in after fly-down. Stay quiet if he’s committed.
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You’re in an unknown area. Call minimally to avoid educating turkeys.
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Multiple toms are fired up. Aggressive calling risks hens steering them away.
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After roosting turkeys at night. Don’t call to roosted birds and educate them.
Common Turkey Calling Mistakes
As a beginner turkey caller, it’s easy to mess up your calling approach. Here are some common errors:
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Overcalling: Calling too much and too loudly is a classic mistake. Toms will hang up as it sounds unnatural.
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Calling from the Wrong Location: Never call right where you’re set up. Always call at least 100 yards away.
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Using the Wrong Call: Know when to use excited yelps, content clucks, curious purrs, etc. Match the turkey’s behavior.
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Calling at the Wrong Time: As covered earlier, timing is key. Call at peak activity times and when birds are vocalizing.
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Not Calling Enough: If you never call, you’ll never know if turkeys are in the area or bring them in. But take care not to overcall either.
Effective Turkey Calling Tips
Follow these tips to master calling and maximize your odds:
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Familiarize yourself with turkey sounds and what they mean.
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Pick realistic-sounding calls that are easy to use. Friction calls take practice.
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Use proper calling technique to mimic hens convincingly.
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Start calling sequences with soft clucks and purrs. Get louder if needed.
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Call loudly enough to reach distant turkeys, but not excessively loud.
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Stay still and quiet after calling. Give birds time to respond and approach.
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Be patient if a tom gobbles but doesn’t come right away. Stay put.
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Adjust your approach based on weather, time of season, and turkey behavior.
Putting it All Together
As you can see, there is a lot more to turkey calling than randomly making noise. Carefully listen to turkey vocals, master when to call and not call, avoid common mistakes, and employ smart calling strategies. Learn to sound like a real hen. With practice, you’ll be expertly drawing in lovesick gobblers like a seasoned pro.
Going Against Mother Nature
As most of you know, toms gobble to tell hens where to find them. By calling to them and expecting them to come to us, we’re kind of going against Mother Nature. They also add the visual appeal of strutting for the ladies – so it’s kind of backwards to the way humans do it.
When the tom breeds the hen, sperm is stored in the hens oviduct and fertilized eggs may be laid up to four weeks after mating. One mating is typically adequate to fertilize an entire clutch, but hens may be bred over and over again.
Hens begin to lay eggs as spring begins and she will lay an egg nearly every day until her nest contains anywhere from about eight to as many as 16 eggs. Normally, you’ll find an average of about a dozen and you’ll see smaller clutches from younger hens. Hens nest on the ground, so thick cover is a must. You’ll often find nests near food and water sources so hatching poults will have bugs, plants and seeds to eat when hatched. Hens will begin sitting on the eggs after they’re all laid and incubation will take about 25 to 30 days.
From my experience, it’s easiest to call in a tom when the real hens aren’t cooperating very well. So taking in the big picture of the entire season, your best luck should come before breeding actually gets going heavy or later in the season when the hens are sitting on their eggs.
Pressure can also come into play. Early during the season it may be easier to call in a tom, because they haven’t been called to yet by other hunters who might suck at the craft. I’ve heard people say that gobblers get “call shy.” I don’t believe turkeys get call shy, I believe they become “stupid hunter shy.” When turkeys want to get together with other turkeys, they make noise, no matter when it is during the season.
In some states, turkeys might not start nesting until the last few days of the season. In other states the birds are already nesting when season opens, but the best hunting, or should I say one of the easiest times to call a gobbler to you, is when the hens are nesting. The problem is that this time will probably come later in the season, and it’s possible ten other hillbillies may have buggered the birds before your turn. So just because they should come to the call doesn’t mean they will, so pressure may also play a big role in how easy it is to draw a bird into your set-up.
How Often to Call to Turkeys – Turkey Hunting Tips
FAQ
Can you call too much turkey hunting?
How far away can a turkey hear a call?
What time of day are turkeys most active?
What time should I start calling turkeys?
What are the different types of turkey calls?
In this video series, Seth (Bully) McCullough – owner of Bully’s Game Calls – shows you how to use the three main types of turkey calls. Mouth calls, box calls and glass calls. Bully also showcases his own In this video series, Seth (Bully) McCullough – owner of Bully’s Game Calls – shows you how to use the three main types of turkey calls.
What does “talk turkey” mean?
Today, the term “talk turkey” means to get down to business and speak directly. In the context of modern turkey hunting, to “talk turkey” means communicating directly with wild turkeys as if you’re a turkey. The message being conveyed with each turkey sound and when to use it is as important as mastering the call itself.
How do you tell if a Turkey is coming to you?
“When I turkey hunt, I cluck three times and then throw my turkey call away,” one old timer told me. “I’m convinced that the reason more hunters don’t take more turkeys is that they call too much. If you hear a turkey gobble, cluck three times. He will gobble back. That old tom will know your position. Sooner or later he’ll come to you.