RE: Got a few questions from a 14 year old Newbie...
At htis point you need patience - If the Jakes come in let them go....the Tom may not be far behind......and use both decoys as long as they are hens and space them about 15 yds in front of you and at least 5 -10 yards apart. Nervous turkey group together remember that!
Now as far as the shot - it meant nothing - if the Tom was not there you did not spook him. The Tom I shot in TN this yr had two hens to which THEY CAME BACK AND STOOD AROUND FOR BETTER THAN 15 MINUTES.
I hunted the same exact area the very next day and could have shot 2 Jakes!
The noise means nothing - hearing noise and then seeing unwanted MOVEMENT does!
There is going to be a point in time soon for you tha he will gobble hsi fool head off as hens won't be coming to him. Even in the morning if he answers your calls and goes silent - you be silent. Silence at this stage means he is with hens but he knows where you are (that other hen - you!) Then if after an hour or maybe two you hear a gobble - answer him -
Oh and I do call sporadicly every 15-30 minutes and then just sit there enjoying the day......again as I started - If you can sit long hours motionless and be PATIENT - you will be a better turkey hunter....
JW