I have always thought the best time to call in a big gobbler was out of his roost but last year I called mine in the afternoon. What has been your experience?
__________________ ...on the water or in the woods...
I'd say my stats are about like Tree Climber's, but I'd reverse 'em. 20% right away in the AM, 75% in midday and 5% later afternoon. I usually hunt later in the season. The toms are usually with hens right away. Later in the day, the hens go off and lay eggs and the toms are looking for a little action.
I would have to say i get 30% right off the roost 65% between 9:00-4.00 and 5% in the evenings i hunt turkeys from the beginning of april to the end of may and with the ever increasing number of turkeys the toms always seem to be henned up any body else seeing this trend?
Where I hunt the gobblers are so henned up that it seems almost impossible to work one off the roost. They respond to my calls but by the time they hit the ground there is half a dozen real hens sitting there waiting for him and off they go. I'm a newbie turkey hunter (3years) and have only taken 2 gobblers (I let jakes walk). One at 12 and one at 1:30 in the afternoon.
I have killed 25 turkeys and only 5 or 6 have been right off the roost. The first 5-7 years that I hunted I would give up after the initial roost action. Now, if they fly down off the roost with hens and gobble off the other way or stop gobbling all together (which is what they usually do) I will wait an hour and slide up near where I last heard them. Usually he will remember me calling early and he will mosy on back and gobble around 9:30-11:30. When this happens,call fast and close the gap if it is more than 125 yds because live hens will be on the move. I f you are the only "hen" available you should smoke him!
Best time for calling in Toms
