How long until he's back???
 

I really screwed up today..... This spot I hunt is a field hidden bcak in the woods.... I have hunted it a couple times this year, got birds to work everytime but havnt connected up there yet. Today I snuck up in the rain to check it, saw a BIG tom out there, snuck up on him, but dumb me rushed my shot.... to make matters worse I shot two more times[&o]DUMB! How long do you think until this turkey will be back to this field/area, if at all. and how long til he feels comfartable and gobbles again. THANKS ALOT!

RE: How long until he's back???
 

He may well come back in a day or two, heck, maybe even tomorrow. However, if you were calling to that bird and then shot at him and missed him, it has been my experience that he may well NEVER go to a hen again. Certainly not this season anyhow. As for gobbling....little if any.

Every bird is different. Yours might not have a care in the world. I have called birds back immediately after shooting one with a fighting purr and taken a second bird as well. Sometimes they care, sometimes they don't.

To use generalizations however instead of exceptions, I would limit my calling henceforth. I'd use a different pitch call, if a different rythm from a different spot. When a gobbler goes againest the norm and comes to a hen instead of vice versa and is rewarded with no hen, or to a greater extent a load of shot flying past his head....he doesn't tend to make the mistake twice.... Good luck.

RE: How long until he's back???
 

Thanks alot...... no i wasnt calling before i shot at him, just saw him, snuck up and shot.

RE: How long until he's back???
 

I myself would give it a couple day rest....then hunt it again. It really helps you weren't calling to him.

RE: How long until he's back???
 

Yeah... I've got some other spots so i am going to wait until Monday to hunt up there again. That will be 4 1/2 days without anyone being up there...... There is also more than that one tom up there. I know of 3 that are there, maybe more. Plus a few hens. Those birds aren't spooked so they should be up there still. Will those other birdshelp him come back and feel comfortable again too?

RE: How long until he's back???
 

Absolutely it does.

For all he knows it was thunder. Ever been walking along in the woods or sitting in a tree stand and had a dove flush and make that noise right by your head? Scared you because you didn't expect it...and you jumped. Same idea...of course the shot whizzing by probably did the trick too.

I wouldn't beat yourself up too bad....everyone misses sooner or later. Just wait til you start getting them in so tight you can't hit them! All three of the birds I have missed in my life have been inside 15 yards....closer is harder!

You'll get him.

RE: How long until he's back???
 

Good advice and a big 10/4 on missing up close. :D

RE: How long until he's back???
 

It all depends on the bird. I missed one this morning and he's still out there now.

RE: How long until he's back???
 

I messed up twice this year. Taught myself a big lesson on waiting until they get in close. Ineed to hold off. As long as they're coming in, let them keep coming! Last Saturday I took a shot and missed, called the landowner tonight and she said there haven't been any turkeys roosting in their usual spot since then. Of course, they do tend to move a bit as the season wears on, but I'm going to check out a different spot in the morning and see if I can locate some birds that I haven't been putting much pressure on.