What is going on????

[saltflat]

Okay I went out this morning early to do some scouting. I got there and heard one distant gobble. I was waiting to hear another one and nothing happens. I didn't hear another one till later when I moved. I was able to get a gobbler to talk back on a ridge top. But after about 9:30 I didn't hear another thing. As I was leaving I stoped to watch 4 toms strutting in a field, obviosly it was private land and I am on public. What it happening they are strutting but not gobbling. Make it hard to find them if they don't tell you where they are. Guys got any ideas. Do you think it is to early, to late. I just don't understand it.

[JW]

Okay -
They gobble from the roost to inform thier hens where they are......then gobble at fly down to assemble their hens....then once gathered they strut for their hens till the hen feels like mating.....they may not gobble again till the hens leave them....they may shock gobble.....that is talk to a crow call, woodpecker call.....or another hen call.....but if you are not hunting - do not use a hen call....

And I don't think it is ever to early to scout......you found 4 - though on private land - find a place around there you can hunt......and you did hear a gobble on a ridge - is that huntable? did you try to check that out by walking the area......remember it is not a good idea to use any turkey calls as you could educate the bird.....don't wanna do that!

JW

[TurkeyStalker]

My guess is that the bird is an old wise bird. They gobble coming off the roost, then shut up. Try shock calling them to see if that will make them gobble.

[saltflat]

Yes the ridge is huntable. I walked up there and it is a good sized winter wheat field. I know there are birds in there. I heard him up there for a goo hour or more. I think he flies down and struts or assemble the hens in this field. He might stay in the timber I just don't know. They timber isn't 130 yards wide. I can see all the way down and to the other side. This bird was by far the most vocal. The Youth season starts next weekend and only lasts 2 days. I think I will try this ridge bird saturday morning and if it don't work out I may try the other bird. This will be my cousins first time out and I really wan't him to get a bird. Also that private land is 44 acres and is for sale and is full of deer and turkeys. I called the guy and asked him what he wanted to lease/purchase the land. He said it was a lease to own and was part of an estate. He said that it is divided into a 34 an 10 acre part. Now remember this is a big corn field, he said the 34 acre part was appraised at 889,000 dollars. I said to myself he was higher than a kite.

[Arrowmaster]

JW hit it right on the button.