what does this mean?

beholt · 03-24-2007, 01:14 PM

Kind of new to turkey hunting and was wondering if ya'll could give me some insight on this mornings scouting trip.
I was out in the woods this morning here in northeast arkansas doing some scouting. I was there before dawn and just as it got light enough to see much I heard a hen yelping. I dropped down and sat still, watching and listening. As luck would have it I had unknowinglywalked my way into the middle of several turkeys roosting. As it became more light several more hens were tree yelping all around me. I could see them in the trees. With my binocs I could see that none of them had beards. They talked to each other from about 6:45 to 7:15 and then flew down. I counted six of them and they were all hens. No gobbling heard from anywere all morning. What does this mean? Do you think there just aren't any gobblers in the area? Or does that mean that they just aren't gobbling yet this spring or this particular morning? Do gobbers usually roost with the hens? Anyway, it was an awesome morning and I was glad I was there. Even though I didn't hear any gobbling, do ya'll think it would be a good place to hunt?

ultimag · 03-24-2007, 02:16 PM

You can bet where there are hens ,and the breeding season wears on gobblers are sure to follow.

Arrowmaster · 03-24-2007, 02:21 PM

I would sure keep an eye on that spot. Id be looking for me a set up and come opening day, Id probably set right there. If the hens are there the gobblers will be also. Its not uncommon not to hear gobbling. Tomorrow they could be ripping up the woods with gobbles...

bloodcrick · 03-24-2007, 05:38 PM

Very true, as arrow said tommorow is another day, and they may be going mad. I wish i knew what it is about some days that they are stone cold silent.

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Arrowmaster

I would sure keep an eye on that spot. Id be looking for me a set up and come opening day, Id probably set right there. If the hens are there the gobblers will be also. Its not uncommon not to hear gobbling. Tomorrow they could be ripping up the woods with gobbles...

turk2di · 03-25-2007, 06:47 AM

During the mating season, where's there's does, there's bucks! Same with turkeys. Hang with the hens & u will see!

SJAdventures · 03-25-2007, 05:24 PM

What they all said. Where's there smokes there's fire. Gobblers don't always roost with the hens and actualy many times don't roost with the hens. I would guess you just hit a quiet morning or they're just not sounding off yet good in that woods.

game4lunch · 03-25-2007, 06:31 PM

My best guess would be that gobblers are often times the quietest in early morning because this is when they are actually breeding with hens. No need to verbalize. They would likely start up again around 9:am or so. And be more "active" mid-morning.

RIStrutStopper · 03-26-2007, 04:18 AM

My quickest hunt ever is when I had a tom roosted in one place and knew the hens were roosted in another. I slipped between them, put out my decoys and 20 minutes later was walking back to the truck, gobbler in tow. I heard and saw hens fly down to my right, had Mr. Longbeard strut in all the way from my left and make a b-line to pick a fight with my jake decoy. Lights out! If you could get between a tom and those hens, it just might be a pretty quick hunt for you too!