Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

Ok guys, I have a problem. I have a real nice gobbler patterned, but he's not playing fair ;). First let me explain the lay of the land. I'm sitting in some small planted pines. In front of me theres a fresh clearcut, only about two acres. The clearcut is basically a big bottom, as in I can see flat ground for about thirty yards, then it drops off into a big bottom, and I can see the other side of the bottom going back up about 100 yards away. This particular bird has done the same thing to me twice in a row. I get there well before light, set up in the planted pines, and sit quietly til I hear him gobble off the roost. I respond with a flydown cackle and a soft yelp. Usually he answers this, and I'll yelp at him again, which also produces a response. Then I shut up for about three or four minutes. He's always roosted across the bottom about 150 yards away, and I can see him come out of the woods at this point and strut down into the bottom. He usually gobbles four or five times as he's coming. Then I'll yelp at him again, and when he gobbles back I'll cut him off with a loud cut, and this really cranks him up. He'll go down into the bottom where I can't see him, but from the sound of his gobbling he's about sixty yards from me. And he hangs up. He just absolutely refuses to move, and stands in that area gobbling his head off. I've tried everything I know, mouth calls, box calls, slate calls, I've even tried dragging him (moving back about a hundred yards and calling to make him think the hen is losing interest. normally gobblers give chase.) Nothing works on this bird. I know the obvious solution is to set up in the bottom where he hangs up, but I can't because that is someone elses land, and I can't get permission to hunt it. What can I do to bring this stubborn bird in? I'd really appreciate your help, because I have only one more week to kill one. Thanks.

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

Hes wanting you to go to him.Call one time and shut up.Hes probably a 3 or 4 year old.

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

Forget calling him in. You have his pattern...set up andambush his wiley butt!! More than one way to skin a turkey!!

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

That's the only good thing about this. He's obviously an older bird that knows his way around the block, and that means two things: he's probably a very large bird, and it will be even more satisfying to kill this wise old tom.

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

well first off, it sounds like youre calling TOO much, second off, try getting in closer on him while hes roosted, make sure its real early, and real quiet though

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

Ya know we just found a pattern and it was the real hens who told us.

We had several hens who yelped 4 times, 2 or 3 second gap yelped 4 times and then a 2 or 4 second gap yelped four more.

So after hearing these hens do that and it was 5 seperate hens - we did just that.

Only yelped 4 times - with a slinet gap - 3 times - No more - no less.

The outcome was a 23 lb bird.

JW

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

I think I would call to him one time with a soft purr and then shut up! Turkey Hunting!! GOTTA LOVE IT!! Good Luck!!!

Hatchet Jack

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

I'm just as new at this game as you can get but do y'all think a decoy would work or is this old bird to smart to fall for that. I love this place, I learn something new everytime I log on;).


God bless,

Ray

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

Yep, you are calling too much and he knows it, problem is, now he has YOU patterned...After a bird answers, put your calls up and be quiet, the guys on TV have it made, they are selling calls and decoys and frankly, I think they are doing a dis-service to most hunters because it just doesn't usually happen that easily...If you still hunt him in the morning, move from where you have been calling and use a different call and different cadence...

Also, try hunting him during the middle of the day, once he answers, be quiet...Last year I called in a bird at 1:00pm, I called once,he answered and I killed him an hour and a half later...He gobbled 3 times during that time, all I did was rake some leaves with my hand...

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

Yep, you are calling too much and he knows it, problem is, now he has YOU patterned...After a bird answers, put your calls up and be quiet are you saying call just once and don't call again at all? I know the importance of not over-calling, but if I just call once won't the gobbler lose interest and wander awayafter he hears no response to his gobbling?

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

When you start giving him a loud cut and he gets really fired up I would shut up for at least 15 minutes. Hes on your tail and when you shut up for a bit he might get a little to curious and come in close enough for a shot. Also I know you cant set up in the bottom but ive also found it hard to call a seasoned older bird up hill. Especially if you are calling to much. He cant see whats up there and hes smart enough to not go up there and find out.

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

Yep, after you call to him and he answers, he has heard you, many guys continue to call faster and louder and it's just not natural...Sure, some birds will come in with that kind of calling, but animals have their own personalities, just like people...I never could stand to be around a loud, nagging woman, sounds like he can't either, sometimes less is better...

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

SG3,

Listen to these folks, shut up(when working a bird), what have you got to lose. Go to the second page of the turkey forum and read the info under, Need Help.

By the way, I'm also from GA.

dog1

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

thanks guys i'll try calling less and see what happens. couldn't go chase him this morning we had a real bad lightning storm at daylight and i didn't want to be out there holding up a shotgun like a lightning rod ;)but i will be out there after him again tomorrow morning

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

Also,use a different call everytime you set up on the same bird.They will remember the sound of a call.That one call and shut up trick has killed a ton of birds.He will come in sometimes silent looking for you.

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

I'd try finding another gobbler;)

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

Here is some of my thoughts. My First thought would be if you can see him he can see where the Hen should be. Next would be, you say, it sounds like he is 60 Yards? Are you set up on the fence line? If not can you move up a Few Yards? also he might have Strutting area their he likes. Or it could be so thick he don't want to go into it.

Next would be that Turkeys Cannot and Do not think like humans.

If he did he would be thinking that hen is calling to much, has been their for several days. I am geting out of here, I just rememebered it Turkey Season and I am not safe. Sex is not worth losing my life over. Oh yeah, if I wait just a few days its all over.
Or maybe He thinks like this. That hen sounds Good. Oh no I see a Hunter I bet he ran my woman off, maybe she will be back?

Sorry but we give them to much. However, they have GREAT Instinks, Eye site...that I don't know how anyone can measure it. Hearing the Same! And you have heard people say if they could Smell we would never kill one. No True. we would hunt them against the Wind, with a 22-250 form a distance;)

All this Lip from a guy who didn't get a bird this season! Think about what I have said and if its not true forget it!

TF

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

If you are on private ground cut at him then gobble at him - should bring him in if he is the boss

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

I concur. I would try that if you havent already. Also scratch around in the leaves when he cant see you doing it. Should add a little realism.

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

also check if theres thick brush, especially thngs like falled trees and limbs, out in front of you. same with fence rows, and creeks

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

I'm gonna agree with alot of other people on here and that is yelp a few times, and then shut up. Especially if he answers you. I have killed many birds by just calling conservatively and sparingly. Many more than when getting aggressive and making them gobble alot. As hunters we love to hear the bird gobble but if he's not gobbling it doesn't mean he is not coming. The opposite can be true. I would say most of the birds I hunt that I get fired up to the point that they gobble at everycall I make dont come in. Alot of the birds I kill I will call sparingly and they will gobble for a while. When they get quiet alot of times it means they are getting close, sometime not but I think you will be alot more successful if you tone down the calling.

RE: Why Can't I Kill This Bird?!?!
 

I agree call soft and only enough to let him known where you are. He is thinking you are en excited hen and will come to him.

I would only cluck...no yelps..