Late season gobblers

ktbearpaws · 02-22-2006, 08:25 AM

What is the best call to use on late season spring gobblers?
Here in WV spring gobbler season comes in so late alot of the time it seams the gobblers are not even interested in breeding anymore.

Arrowmaster · 02-22-2006, 08:46 AM

I would not change up my calling style. I have seen gobblers strutting in late June. So I wouldnt give up on my calling style. Just my thoughts though.

superstrutter · 02-22-2006, 10:07 AM

In some places late season hunting can be great. The hens are pretty much on the nests so the gobblers are lonely. If they haven't been hunted hard you can call them in pretty easily. Of course this is going to work better on private land. I too have seen them strutting late. In La. I have seen them strutting into late May. If they have been hunted hard it will be tough. You may have to do a little stalking and ambushing.

countrymudder · 02-22-2006, 10:43 AM

You dont have to change calls at all. Just like the others said..the hens will be ignoring the toms but the toms still have the urge to breed. It might take a little more effort but you should still be able to get em' to gobble. Toms start gobblin before breeding season starts and they continue to gobble after breeding season ends. Kinda like there is a pre rut, rut peak, and post rut in whitetail hunting. The bucks start making scrapes and rubsduring the pre rutbefore, and chasing does, then, they during rut peak they will really be chasin does, less concentrated on scrapes, except at night time or high noon, and then a post rut, they will continue to make scrapes and make efforts to find a "hot" doe, until it fades off in late december.

Rob/PA Bowyer · 02-22-2006, 10:49 AM

I agree with the above other than perhaps toning down your calling and waiting patiently once you get a response, he could be coming in silent....

And I would suggest locating and hunting strut zones...

maytom · 02-22-2006, 05:11 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Rob/PA Bowyer

I agree with the above other than perhaps toning down your calling and waiting patiently once you get a response, he could be coming in silent....

And I would suggest locating and hunting strut zones...

Ditto!!! I'dbecalling very sparingly and end up waiting 1/2 hr to 45 minutes between calls. The late season can be the best time, no other hunters to wreck your set-up, and some dandy gobblers can be taken at this time. Those suicidal two year olds, should bekilled off by now, andthose hermit gobblers with awesome hooks will now be lookingfor those last hens to breed. Be prepaired to hunt the whole morning.

buckhunter14 · 02-22-2006, 06:54 PM

I say call and call hard. (Any kind) Tom's are looking for a last hen before they are all nested, and he will come running. Works great in my area!

Widow_Maker · 02-22-2006, 07:16 PM

Be careful with setup locations and decoys late in season. Decoys generally don't work well in moderately hunted areas, and be sure you set up in shady spots so your movements can be hidden as much as possible. Pack something to eat and some water. As noted above, late season gobblers can be a treat, but sometimes take a while to finish the game.
WM

ultimag · 02-22-2006, 08:05 PM

I would take note of where you have seen gobblers strutting earlier in the season get to these places before the gobbler shows up set up use soft purrs and clucks every 20 min stay still and be patient

old longbeards · 03-07-2006, 06:15 PM

Yep, i agree with the rest....remember by late season the hens are sitting nests late morning..after fly down figure out what they're saying....so by ten-thirty orlater you can make those calls...but like countrymudder said...sparingly...the tom hears you...knows you there...but isnt gonna let you know he knows...remember, he's probably been shot at before in the earlier part of season or has busted another hunter.