Hmmm it is private, but with the largest parcel beeing about 100 acres. Therefore alot of different property owners. As far as pressure, alot of human pressure not alot of hunting pressure.

Compare to a flock of hens that come out of a tree. OMG that sounds needy!

All I have ever seen is running and gunning should be called running & training turkeys.

The best advise I can give is do what the turkeys do. And around here any turkey that makes much noise is soon to be a dead turkey,either by coyote or lead poison. Any gobbler thats been through a season or to will maybe answer once on the ground.I think many under estimate just how keen a turkeys ears really are.

The reason I ask, MN.....

Seems to me a "boss" gobbler isn't real concerned about a really "needy" sounding hen. My guess is he don't have to be......lol.

And....to go along with that......the subordinates don't really wanna get caught with their hands in the cookie jar (so to speak). I try to leave the calling (in theory) as light as possible to let 'em know I'm "in the area"......and let them sort it out amongst themselves who's interested and who isn't.

On private land.....with lightly pressured birds (this is pretty much what I have).......at least in my head this makes sense.

Disclaimer: I am NOT picky about which bird I will take with a bow.

I fully agree, Jim. I often wonder why.......if we've called enough to let them know we're there......we need to do ANY more.

I am an aggressive turkey hunter and it's served me very well for the birds I've hunted however, I'm slowly becoming a more and more passive caller. I'll still be aggressive towards the birds themselves ie pushing the envelope for getting close etc however my calling has been toned well down. The birds I use to hunt are not the same as the birds I hunt now.

In bowhunting them, I certainly want them to know where I am, then they need to come look for me via little or even no calling.

I will however fire it up if that is what's necessary. As Jeff mentioned, each bird is different and at times you can turn a bird on to come in by being aggressive but first you must take his temperature with little to no calling.

Hey, if it works for you, keep on doing it.

What you're explaining is why often times I will have a caller set up behind me.

So Rob.......How do you think we hunt them this year v. last?

More or less "passive"?

MN.....I'm NO expert. I've had VERY limited "success". I'm trying to pickthe vets brains......and see if my philosophy is sound.

How many of you have called in or shoot coyotes while turkey hunting.

I have twice.

Jeff if you are asking, well thats how I do it (with success). If you are telling, well good luck this spring.

Called in a cougar once. [&:]

Shot my bird just as dad's .44 cleared his holster.

Cat took off, but it was a scary walk out of the woods with a bloody bird draped over my shoulder.