First morning out
 

Well I went on my first ever turkey hunt this morning. As soon as I shut the truck door I heard a gobble. Then there were 6 more by the time I got set up. It sounded like there was 2 or 3 of them. As soon as I got set up inside the timber along a grassy flat I heard a yelp from across the field. So I went back and forth with the hen for 15 minutes and the toms were still gobbling. Then by 6:45 all them shut up. It sounded like one of the toms headed in the direction of the hen but I'm not sure where the others went. I had to leave early for a prior engagement or else I would have stayed along that field in hopes that when the hen went to nest the toms would head out to the field to strut and look for other hens. Can anyone clue me in on what happened? Also, should I head back to the same spot in tomorrow morning?

RE: First morning out
 

No idea what happened...most cases the hens come to the toms. Perhaps the hen flew down into the field, and the toms went to strut. A few of the gobblers may have been jakes, and usually remain silent until directly in front of hen...

Sounds like a good place, but you should probably move your setup so you're in a different part of the field. Between the toms and hens is always a good bet ;) , but you didn't mention where the toms were roosted. If they were on the other side of the hens, in the woods, they may not enter the field until later in the morning.

I'm aggressive, so IMO I would set up much closer if possible. If you want to play it safe, determine where the birds go after flydown, and get in front of them...

RE: First morning out
 

I don't think I was out there early enough today. I'm gonna go a half hour earlier tomorrow. The toms were gobbling from the SE and the hens from the SW. They all sounded like they were within 50-100 yards of the south edge of the field. But there is another timber on that side. I'm gonna try getting in there early and set up closer tomorrow. But I don't know how close I'll be able to get becuase of property lines. So I will be alright to go after the same birds in the morning just from a different location along the field?

RE: First morning out
 

Well in the later seasons the turkeys dont seem to talk as much. I would set up in the same spot if I was you. Give it a try and see if you can call one in. If you cant maybe you can spot where they go and try to get closer.

RE: First morning out
 

I set up about 100 yards from where I was yesterday morning. I got to the timber about a half hour earlier today. Almost the same story as the morning before. I was just inside the timber alongside a grassy field. I heard one gobbler as soon as I got there. He continued to gobble as I got to my spot. As soon as I got there I started with a soft tree yelp. He gobbled back a couple times. Another 10 min. later I do the same thing and he repeats. Then about 5 min. before sun up I let out a few clucks and a purr and I hear nothing but silence. So I continued to cluck and purr every so often and still nothing from him. I can't figure out what their deal is. I never heard him fly down. Could it be that he's staying roosted until really late? I wish I could get closer but he's roosting on someone else's property and I'm trying to lure him across the field. I would think that the field is a good strut zone. It sits back off the road so no one can see it unless you back there. It's surrounded by trees. The weeds and grass are only shin tall in most places.

RE: First morning out
 

Titliest,
I dont think your doing much wrong although I agree with S&R in setting up closer,(to bad you cant).The problem I believe here is he has hens your not seeing/hearing or he has hens roosted close by and pitch's out of the roost to them.If this bird was by himself you would here him hit your calls at least occasionally on the ground.Best bet I believe is wait him out as long as you can legally hunt in the woods.Those hens will eventually leave him possibly later in the day or even a week from now.PERSISTANCE PAYS OFF!!:)

RE: First morning out
 

Its hard to lure a mature Tom across a field. He will most likely use the tree line or go through the woods to get there. But anything is possible I guess, also don't use the same call day after day he'll pick up on that .I try to set up on the same side he's roosted about a hundred yards away I'll will set out two hen decoys down from me about 25 yards out on the field so when he flys down he'll be able to see decoys and if he comes in he'll be watching the decoys and not you. I don't start calling to the song birds start sing, then only some soft yelps to start .When he gobbles I stop for 5 min or so then I Yelp and Cut then just stop for a while. He should have gobbled to that, then my next call I do is a Fly down crackle I use my hat instead of a wing. Most of the time that will get him to fly down. Then I use clucks and purrs on a slate to bring him in ... Hope this Help GOOD LUCK

RE: First morning out
 

How do you make a fly down cackle?

RE: First morning out
 

100% right!! If I have that as an option, unless the tom is hot, I try to relocate to the edge of the woods/field on the same side of the field as the tom.

I've heard it said a tom usually won't fly down until you can see colors.

Maybe you should try to roost a gobbler at night and set up on him before he starts his morning gobbling.