Here is another thing noted this yr.
Shock gobble.
Most of what I witnessed was a Shock gobble when a Tom saw a hen. Not hearing a hen in most cases.
Late season I would see a nice roaming single Tom. He would see my decoy. Instant shock gobble.
Mostly witnessed this with a Jake out too.
Jake's and strutting decoys are a 50/50 gamble.
The Tom either comes busting right in or stays out of range.
I had one Tom stand there and strut for an hr. Never made a peep
I did more hen bantering this year than ever. We ( my partner and I) witnessed far more hen strutting than ever. In fact my partner witnessed a strutting hen gobble
albeit weak
Both of us did get on a few classic bird hunts.
But the majority where not.
I've got a picture with a coyote busting in close on 3 Jake's. They didnt care. They clearly saw the yote.
Safety in numbers I guess.
And in as much as us guys think we rule the roost.
That is incorrect. Females do.