I'm against using hen calls before season, and I don't do it. I stay strictly to crow, and owl hooters. I'm not against using a jake gobbler call to locate toms. I just don't understand why any one would want to risk educating birds just to get a gobble out of them. If they're not going to gobble to a crow or owl, then chances are they're not going to gobble period. I've also used pelated woodpecker, and hawk calls to get toms to shock gobble. I've had my most gobbling succes with the owl hooter at dusk, and the crow anytime during the day. I'm so picky on this even during the season I most often use my crow call to locate toms while hunting mid morning over walking the woods, and yelping with a box call. I feel so many people are walking around yelp, yelp, yelping so much it hangs the birds up. They aren't dumb, and know somethings not normal. I especially can't stand those road hunters who drive around, stop yelp,yelp,yelp out the vehicle window. Gee now there's a surprise a hen riding around in a vehicle yelping. I prefer to just setup in a spot, and do some light calling. Even if toms aren't gobbling I know they're out there someplace, and I've had a few come in silent. I think turkey hunters get caught up too much with the gobble.