Welcome to Turkey Hunting

If you’re new to turkey hunting, allow us to extend a warm welcome. There’s truly nothing quite like the thrill of this sport. As a novice, one of the most critical skills to master is calling, and there is one significant mistake that many beginners, including myself, frequently make: calling too much.

Understanding Turkey Communication

A real hen turkey does not engage in constant yelping every thirty seconds. Instead, she calls, waits, and listens. It is important to remember that a gobbler expects the hen to come to him; that’s simply the nature of turkeys. When you find yourself excessively hammering that call every minute, you are not mimicking the natural behavior of a hen. Rather, you might be coming off as a nervous hunter, which can lead to discouraging results.

How Overcalling Affects Gobblers

It is essential to understand why overcalling can deter gobblers from approaching. Turkeys are naturally wary creatures, having survived numerous predators and challenging environmental conditions. When a hen calls persistently without moving closer, it can raise suspicion. In a turkey’s world, it is expected that the hen will come to the gobbler. If she fails to do so and continues calling from the same location, a male turkey might perceive this as a trap. Consequently, instead of approaching, he may hang back, drum out of sight, and retreat. If this happens, you might never catch sight of him.

The Solution is Simple

The remedy for this issue is more straightforward than many beginners realize. Start your calling with a short series of yelps—typically around four to six notes—and then set your call down. Waiting for at least five minutes before calling again is crucial. If a gobbler responds back with a close gobble, resist the urge to call again immediately. He is already aware of your location, so it is vital to allow him time to commit without additional distractions.

Learning to Read Gobbler Behavior

As you gain more experience in the field, you’ll learn to interpret the nuances in gobbler calls. Are they fired up and closing the distance, or are they stalling? Understanding these cues can significantly refine your approach and improve your success rates on the hunt.

The Importance of Quality Calls

Besides the timing of your calls, the quality of the call itself plays a crucial role in turkey hunting. A harsh, tinny sound can alert wary turkeys, especially those that have been subjected to hunting pressure. Opting for a natural-sounding call will minimize suspicion and increase your chances of success, even if your timing is not perfect.

Investing in quality calls, such as those hand-crafted by Native Tongue Game Calls, may provide you with the edge needed to improve your turkey calling strategy.

Shop handmade turkey calls at www.NativeTongueGameCalls.com