Some Gobblers Don't Gobble?

[nybuckstalker]

Some turkeys just don’t gobble! I have seen several related topics in several different posts concerning “How to get turkeys to gobble?” I don’t know about you boys but I am not gobble hunting with an audio recorder, I am gobbler hunting with a weapon. I can’t tell you how many times I have called in Toms without ever hearing a peep. Last year’s opening day fell on deaf ears for me. It was a clear, quiet morning where you could hear a turkey a mile away. I didn’t panic because I was accustomed to tight lipped Toms. I set up in a known turkey hangout, put out some decoys and called periodically. It wasn’t until 9:45 that a pair of Jakes literally came running in, flew over fifty wards of open swamp and landed 60yds away. I put on a quick show for my dad to get them to gobble at least once and they did, but only once. Then they were dead (He only had one day to hunt in the State). Point is, Loud Mouth Birds have Short Lived Lives.

I actually take comfort knowing most inexperienced hunters will hang it up by 7 when they can’t get a “Shock Gobble” or have a quiet morning. That’s when I walk in and have a seat. This is the best time of year to be sitting under a tree in the woods. Take some snack food, a bottle of water and be patient. Also, keep your head on swivel; birds are learning to investigate before making their presence known. Anybody else have a quiet Tom story?

[bowhntrtom]

I used to be one of those who left my seat early if I didnt hear any thing. Until I got up one day after about an hour of calling with no response just to spook off two birds that were walking up a hill just off to my right. They never made a sound and I had no idea they were there. I sure heard them leave though. I will never do that agian. Have patients and confidence in your spot and your calling.

[lojanman88]

that really does help alot. now things are starting to make a lot more sense to me, being a somewhat new turkey hunter

[busco]

havent seen any beards but been seeing a lot more hens roaming and moving.... sucks im gonna be out of town for opening weekend..

[brettgerhart]

Last year was my first year hunting. I was taught to go to the place where the turkey's shock gobbled. I have learned more about turkey hunting in the past week than in the past year! Thanks to those who are willing to answer my questions. My passion for hunting is so great that if I will learn so easily and quickly!! I have not had a quiet tom story but I will be sitting in the woods till noon Friday and Saturday!!

[Hardcorehunter]

I have done the same thing. Call, call ,call, and hear nothing. Then when I get up to move there's a long beard sixty yards away and then "see ya". I have chased a jake for an hour and a half. I would call he would answer as he walked away. I would get up and close the gap and call. He would gobble but move in the other direction. This happened six times or so and then he stopped responding for a half hour. Then when i set my decoys up in a field and start talking on my cell phone figuring he was long gone. 30 minutes later he comes running at the decoys and I put a shot in him. Patience is very tough for me, if I feel like I have been waiting to long I want to move closer which has lost me more birds than anything.

[bucksathome]

I know what you mean about the silent ones. Yesterday had a jake and 3 hens sneak in to the decoys, silent as ever . Afew years ago i had a nice long beard sneak in after 45 minutes of calling, he never made a sound . Be patient.