a lot of people will give you a lot of theories on this. It happens to everyone...cant get a gobbler to cross a mud puddle...or a fence. I sure as hell know that if i were him...and there were 7 hens...im THERE! Well i think it comes downt to individual gobblers and if they know the birds. If the gobbler is desperate...yeah ive seen them cross. I have seen them fly across RIVERS. But in your case...i would guess that that bird knew the hens would come to him. Boy...doesnt that piss you off though???? and of course....it was the biggest gobbler youve seen...it always is that way lol. murpheys law or something like that, isnt it? better luck next time. (maybe build a bridge )