RE: HELP! Toms are making me mad!
Follow the advise given by the responders and also try calling to the hens and just because the longbeards don't talk dosen't mean that they are not there or not not comming, chances are they hear you and are comming in silently. This is happening to me in Va. I have been on birds all opening week. A group of jakes with a young hen came in about ten yards. I had them all fired up and that morning a nice gobbler came in and suprised me and I was not ready for him. I had no idea he was there until he clucked and I let him get past me about ten yards with his back to me and made soft putts to distract him so I could get ready but he was too close and I let him go on his way. I got back on him later that morning but he had hens with that time. Sometimes their just not as vocal on some days than they are on others. Try everythin you can but remember they will pattern you and if you do bump a bird leave it a lone for a day or two then try again. Keep on trying and you will get him eventually. Goodluck