RE: Quiet Tom Strategy Question
Do you have any other scouting finds that would indicate that birds are in your area?
I ask, because even down here in CT there are known pockets of nothing. I also know, from some "reports" I've been getting on activity, that the birds here were quiet for about the last 3 weeks---the peak breeding I imagine, especially with the field displays I've seen the past two mornings. The birds did start gobbling again late last week and into this week. If so, in MA you're probably a week or 2 behind, which would indicate your birds are still breeding, so there will be very little vocalizations. As others have indicated, find the roosts, find the water, find the food, and find the dustbowls.
But be sure you have some actual signs (sightings/feathers/droppings/etc.) in your area, or else you may wind up wasting a large portion of time scouting dead zones. I've found these areas myself, and have always deemed it wiser to "scout" new lands and ask for permission.
To answer your calling question: I've found this all depends on the terrain and the amount of land you have permission to hunt. If you only have a 30 acre lot, then cuttin-n-runnin isn't really all that productive. If you've got a 300-500 acre spread, then by all means get up and move. If its a relatively open farmland, stick to a field edge or move through the hedgerows to different fields.
But early in the season, I personally rely totally on patterns, and knowing where the birds are roosted and in what direction they travel from those roosts. First morning I'll try to call them to me, and after that I play into their hands and work travel routes/food areas/dustbowls.
Good luck.