Can you tell if its a tom or a jake by the sound of the gobble so you know whats coming at you before you see it?

yes for the most part, sometimes a jake will sound really close. but for the most part a jake sounds more like a gargle not real plain, is about the best i can explain. once you hear it it will stick with you.

The gobbles on a jake are not as strong sounding a gobbler theyre more like really short but they want to copy the gobbler alot because they're starting to get their hormones goinmt themselves.

...I guess im the different one,for me there was no way to tell,unless maybe a real young jake
but ive not found a way to tell yet...

I'm with totoe, I've seen Jakes That could gobble as good as Adult Gobblers. So you can never be quite sure untill you get a look at them.

I cannot tell the difference either.I just assume it is a longbeard until they show themselves.