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Can someone tell me the difference between a contact cluck and a putt?

I've never heard the term "contact cluck" before, but I assume it refers to the general tendency of gobblers to give out a single cluck when they are close and looking for the source of turkey calling they are hearing (i.e...a calling hunter).  I think some folks sometimes refer to it as a "bubble" cluck, as well.  I have always called it a "where-are-you cluck". 

Honestly, to the human ear (mine, at least), I have never been able to distinguish between that cluck, whatever you want to call it, and the first stages of putting.  The way I personally tell the difference is in how the turkey that is making the sound is acting and what sounds or actions that single cluck is accompanied by, or followed by. 

A cluck of that type is typically not followed by distinct signs of alarm. A gobbler may hang around looking for the calling source for a bit sort of in a curious manner.  However, that cluck can soon turn into more pronounced clucking sounds (putting) and is usually accompanied with a demeanor by the gobbler of "Okay, lady, you better show yourself pretty durn quickly here or I am gettin' the heck out of Dodge".

One thing I have found over time is that if those clucks become more pronounced and there starts to be a series of them, you best be ready to shoot at the first opportunity...that is, if he gives you one.   ;D :D

Check out the NWTF sound files at this link - there is one for cluck and another for putt

https://www.nwtf.org/content-hub/the-sounds-of-the-wild-turkey

Here's a quick story to demonstrate the subtle differences that can exist between turkeys clucking and putting...

Years ago, I had purchased a camcorder and was anxious to try it out videoing some gobblers prior to the start of our spring season.  One morning, I located multiple gobblers on the roost before daylight, snuck in and set up next to a small meadow right below the roost tree.  At daylight, I made a few calls (sidenote here: I have long since realized that doing this to preseason gobblers is not a good idea).

Judging from the amount of gobbling going on, it was apparent there were a bunch of gobblers in this group, and soon they flew down and quickly made their way down into the meadow roughly thirty to forty yards away and starting strutting and gobbling in earnest, looking for the hen they had heard.  There were seventeen gobblers in the group and, as it turned out, they stuck around seemingly forever, interacting with each other as I merrily kept the camera a-rollin'.

They communicated in a variety of ways, both verbally and physically, including doing a LOT of clucking, purring, gobbling, and various other noises.  They were all at ease with the world and showed absolutely no signs of concern other than amongst themselves and the usual dominance displays that go on between turkeys.  Some were strutting and some were feeding and there was a lot of "clucking" going on...and for quite a while.

Here's the kicker (and the point):  All of a sudden, one of the gobblers made what sounded to me like the same kind of clucking they had been doing...other than being ever-so-slightly more emphatic.  Immediately, every single gobbler came to full attention, looking around for any sign of danger.  They stood there looking around for a second or two, and then just as quickly went right back feeding and strutting. (Of course, the gobbler that had made the offending cluck looked around like..."What's the matter with you guys...What did I do?)

That one, regular-old-cluck-sounding note from the one gobbler was just enough to set them off. The bottom line is that it appears to me that sometimes even the turkeys don't know the difference between a cluck and a putt...    ;D

There is not much difference between most clucks and most putts.  It is the situation that usually makes the difference.

Quote from: GobbleNut on December 18, 2023, 09:56:39 AM
Here's a quick story to demonstrate the subtle differences that can exist between turkeys clucking and putting...

Years ago, I had purchased a camcorder and was anxious to try it out videoing some gobblers prior to the start of our spring season.  One morning, I located multiple gobblers on the roost before daylight, snuck in and set up next to a small meadow right below the roost tree.  At daylight, I made a few calls (sidenote here: I have long since realized that doing this to preseason gobblers is not a good idea).

Judging from the amount of gobbling going on, it was apparent there were a bunch of gobblers in this group, and soon they flew down and quickly made their way down into the meadow roughly thirty to forty yards away and starting strutting and gobbling in earnest, looking for the hen they had heard.  There were seventeen gobblers in the group and, as it turned out, they stuck around seemingly forever, interacting with each other as I merrily kept the camera a-rollin'.

They communicated in a variety of ways, both verbally and physically, including doing a LOT of clucking, purring, gobbling, and various other noises.  They were all at ease with the world and showed absolutely no signs of concern other than amongst themselves and the usual dominance displays that go on between turkeys.  Some were strutting and some were feeding and there was a lot of "clucking" going on...and for quite a while.

Here's the kicker (and the point):  All of a sudden, one of the gobblers made what sounded to me like the same kind of clucking they had been doing...other than being ever-so-slightly more emphatic.  Immediately, every single gobbler came to full attention, looking around for any sign of danger.  They stood there looking around for a second or two, and then just as quickly went right back feeding and strutting. (Of course, the gobbler that had made the offending cluck looked around like..."What's the matter with you guys...What did I do?)

That one, regular-old-cluck-sounding note from the one gobbler was just enough to set them off. The bottom line is that it appears to me that sometimes even the turkeys don't know the difference between a cluck and a putt...    ;D

It  might also be the case that volume is a risk indicator. The sightly out of normal cluck you heard might have meant hey pay attention I seen something. A cluck or 3 with more harshness might have had them heading for the hills.

Quote from: Paulmyr on December 19, 2023, 02:20:00 AM

Quote from: GobbleNut on December 18, 2023, 09:56:39 AM
Here's a quick story to demonstrate the subtle differences that can exist between turkeys clucking and putting...

Years ago, I had purchased a camcorder and was anxious to try it out videoing some gobblers prior to the start of our spring season.  One morning, I located multiple gobblers on the roost before daylight, snuck in and set up next to a small meadow right below the roost tree.  At daylight, I made a few calls (sidenote here: I have long since realized that doing this to preseason gobblers is not a good idea).

Judging from the amount of gobbling going on, it was apparent there were a bunch of gobblers in this group, and soon they flew down and quickly made their way down into the meadow roughly thirty to forty yards away and starting strutting and gobbling in earnest, looking for the hen they had heard.  There were seventeen gobblers in the group and, as it turned out, they stuck around seemingly forever, interacting with each other as I merrily kept the camera a-rollin'.

They communicated in a variety of ways, both verbally and physically, including doing a LOT of clucking, purring, gobbling, and various other noises.  They were all at ease with the world and showed absolutely no signs of concern other than amongst themselves and the usual dominance displays that go on between turkeys.  Some were strutting and some were feeding and there was a lot of "clucking" going on...and for quite a while.

Here's the kicker (and the point):  All of a sudden, one of the gobblers made what sounded to me like the same kind of clucking they had been doing...other than being ever-so-slightly more emphatic.  Immediately, every single gobbler came to full attention, looking around for any sign of danger.  They stood there looking around for a second or two, and then just as quickly went right back feeding and strutting. (Of course, the gobbler that had made the offending cluck looked around like..."What's the matter with you guys...What did I do?)

That one, regular-old-cluck-sounding note from the one gobbler was just enough to set them off. The bottom line is that it appears to me that sometimes even the turkeys don't know the difference between a cluck and a putt...    ;D

It  might also be the case that volume is a risk indicator. The sightly out of normal cluck you heard might have meant hey pay attention I seen something. A cluck or 3 with more harshness might have had them heading for the hills.

What ever it was in the instance I related, there was such a subtle difference in the "cluckish" sound that set them all off that I concluded that perhaps I should be very careful about using the cluck in future calling.  Anymore, the only time I use a single cluck (or even a series of clucks without other turkey vocabulary included) is in response to those "contact", "bubble" or "where are you" clucks that a gobbler almost always elicits when gets close and is looking for the source of the calling he has heard. 

Now, I am sure there are others that will swear by using clucking as their calling weapon of choice.  For me personally, I will almost always throw in some subtle yelping just to be sure.  It may not be the wise choice in some situations, but it makes me feel better about the possibility of them interpretting my clucking as something to skedaddle over.   ;D

Years ago I had somewhat the same experience as Gobblenut. In the fall I was observing a flock of several hens, several jennies and several jakes. There was all kinds of turkey talk going on. Anyhow, this one particular jake had a "putt like" cluck because you could hear the bit of stress in it. When he would cluck several heads would snap to and look his way.

I was taught to turkey hunt by a Clucker. He'd always use a series of 3 soft clucks and very rarely yelped.
It worked and I've had some success with it myself, but lately my subtle calling has been yelping more. Very softly.
One of the hardest things you will do is try to make just one yelp and shut up.
I'll do single yelps, or a single cluck followed by a yelp. It's been deadly on quiet birds and henned up birds. Hens almost can't help but come looking.

Killed a big bird last year by just using the cluck & purr. Only use the cluck and purrs for last 10-15 years and usually get my birds every year. There is an a learning curve I believe of how to use it and once you hit on it will become as natural as putting one foot in front of the other. The bird I killed last year was like 150 yards across a mowed pasture....hanging out with hens all morning. They finally left him around 11:00 and he became interested in the hen he had been hearing. As he went under a fence and started my way I would give him a soft cluck followed by purr ever few minutes....he marched right to me with that stretched neck looking for that sweet hen. Weighed over 21 lbs....both spurs over 1 1/2" dragging a rope. TSS hand loads 20 gauge. Takes lot of patience to hunt like I do but if done right you do not wear out you hunting spots like you would with yelps.....they pick up on all that loud calling.....constant moving around day after day. Ask yourself this....how much yelping do you hear from hens every hunt? Most times very little I believe. I can tell you a hunter yelping verses a real hen in most cases....those ole birds can too.

Quote from: Uncle Tom on January 01, 2024, 09:14:00 AM
Killed a big bird last year by just using the cluck & purr. Only use the cluck and purrs for last 10-15 years and usually get my birds every year. There is an a learning curve I believe of how to use it and once you hit on it will become as natural as putting one foot in front of the other. The bird I killed last year was like 150 yards across a mowed pasture....hanging out with hens all morning. They finally left him around 11:00 and he became interested in the hen he had been hearing. As he went under a fence and started my way I would give him a soft cluck followed by purr ever few minutes....he marched right to me with that stretched neck looking for that sweet hen. Weighed over 21 lbs....both spurs over 1 1/2" dragging a rope. TSS hand loads 20 gauge. Takes lot of patience to hunt like I do but if done right you do not wear out you hunting spots like you would with yelps.....they pick up on all that loud calling.....constant moving around day after day. Ask yourself this....how much yelping do you hear from hens every hunt? Most times very little I believe. I can tell you a hunter yelping verses a real hen in most cases....those ole birds can too.

Lot of truth in that

Got my Gobber last season using sparingly clucks and throw in some purrs very little yelping just clucking and he came a searching.

There appear to be many variations and nuances to the turkey vocabulary...and I suspect that the sounds we turkey hunters make and how the turkeys interpret them are not always in sync.  This discussion about clucks, putts, clucks and purrs in their various forms is a fine example of it.

Up front, I will admit that I am not a turkey (although to some of my acquaintances, the description apparently is fitting in some regards), but I have concluded from experience that there are certain things that turkeys say that, although sounding similar, have entirely different meanings to the turkeys themselves.  Running down the list of definitions we humans have arbitrarily assigned to the various sounds that generally fall under the category of that singular note we call "the cluck", we further refine that sound to suit our vernacular as turkey hunters.

We have clucks in general, contact clucks, bubble clucks, contented/feeding/spacing clucks, and those clucks that, when alarm sets in, gravitate into the various levels of putting.  Then we throw in clucks and purrs ranging from, again, those intimate flock reassurance sounds, all the way up to the fighting purrs with their associated aggravated putting thrown in. 

I would bet any of us that have hunted turkeys for very long, have called in gobblers using an assortment of those sounds...and very likely all of them.  I would also bet every one of us has used one or more of those sounds thinking we were calling turkeys to us when, in fact, they were interpreting those sounds in an entirely different (and negative) way than we thought they would. 

When all is said and done, each of us makes the sounds we think will call the gobbler we are having a conversation with...and hope like heck we are saying the right thing...at the right time...and from the right place...    :D ;D

When you get the attention of a gobbler using the cluck/purr, and can actually see him whether near or far, at that very moment, you will know if you are in his wheel house or not. Can tell by his reaction to your call. Now if you not speaking his language so to speak, game over before it even has begun. That is where the learning curve comes in....many hunts and seasons go by and mistakes made before you can "feel" it. Can't even begin to explain it, but with enough seat time you will get it if you stick with it. The ole turkey hunter Tom Kelly said you can't bring back that call once you have sent....how true that is. 

Quote from: Uncle Tom on January 05, 2024, 05:14:10 PM
When you get the attention of a gobbler using the cluck/purr, and can actually see him whether near or far, at that very moment, you will know if you are in his wheel house or not. Can tell by his reaction to your call. Now if you not speaking his language so to speak, game over before it even has begun. That is where the learning curve comes in....many hunts and seasons go by and mistakes made before you can "feel" it. Can't even begin to explain it, but with enough seat time you will get it if you stick with it. The ole turkey hunter Tom Kelly said you can't bring back that call once you have sent....how true that is.

This pretty much says it all .... you'll know when you know

Quote from: Number17 on December 30, 2023, 09:40:04 AM
I was taught to turkey hunt by a Clucker. He'd always use a series of 3 soft clucks and very rarely yelped.
It worked and I've had some success with it myself, but lately my subtle calling has been yelping more. Very softly.
One of the hardest things you will do is try to make just one yelp and shut up.
I'll do single yelps, or a single cluck followed by a yelp. It's been deadly on quiet birds and henned up birds. Hens almost can't help but come looking.

This is some solid advice, especially on gobblers that have heard it all

All this discussion about turkey language is exactly why I like fall hunting. The day I started fall hunting my knowledge of turkey vernacular began an exponential swing upward. I have sat and listened to more turkey talk in one fall then 10 spring seasons. That cluck Gobblenut brought up is many times the only response you get from a fall gobbler. If you get it you'll probably see him, but more hunters miss it then hear it. I often make it before I do any other call and listen promptly at the end of it, so as not to miss it. In the spring I think it is less significant, but still effective. I'd use it after an aggressive series of gobbler yelps. In my opinion there are many forms of the cluck. They vary in sharpness and speed. I don't believe hens use it for location or attraction as much as gobblers. If a hen is clucking alone she's pissed or spooked. I prefer the soft sexy talk first and the trashy I'll hump anybody that's horny version of spring calling second. As comfort I will throw in soft whining/purring as sweet bedroom talk. I can't recall using the gobbler cluck much at all in the spring woods. If I do it's associated with gobbler yelps or even a gobble. Late spring when gobblers are reassembling in bachelor groups this is a good strategy. Now if you have gobbler decoys out I imagine this cluck would be effective. I wish I could define the differences, but I can't think how to describe the variations of the cluck I feel are being made by turkeys. The one Gobblenut posted about to me is shorter and softer and simple "guy talk" among gobblers. Like, "hey what's happening dude". 

My advice would be quit worrying about the difference between a cluck and a putt. You become the turkey when you're calling. You are talking to other turkeys and communicating with them. Are you trying to alarm them or just saying here I am....where are you? Your calling will reflect what you're thinking. It's really as simple as that.

Quote from: EZ on January 17, 2024, 04:57:26 PM
My advice would be quit worrying about the difference between a cluck and a putt. You become the turkey when you're calling. You are talking to other turkeys and communicating with them. Are you trying to alarm them or just saying here I am....where are you? Your calling will reflect what you're thinking. It's really as simple as that.

Good advice


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote from: EZ on January 17, 2024, 04:57:26 PM
My advice would be quit worrying about the difference between a cluck and a putt. You become the turkey when you're calling. You are talking to other turkeys and communicating with them. Are you trying to alarm them or just saying here I am....where are you? Your calling will reflect what you're thinking. It's really as simple as that.

EZ you mentioned something very similar to that on the podcast tonight. About how when you had met up with a very accomplished caller and asked him how he did it. You said his reply was similar to what you wrote above and when you took his advice it helped your calling a great deal.

I tend to agree as well. My calling is much better when a sassy hen comes in giving me the business cutting, yelping and doing all kinds of vocal acrobatics. It's much easier to copy her calling during the interaction because I'm reacting. If I'm sitting and cold calling trying to accomplish something similar without the hen to mimick my calling isn't nearly as good. I'm not able to readily access all the sounds like I can when I'm reacting to a hen or even interacting with a gobbler for that matter. Calling too them or even with them and not at them.

Quote from: EZ on January 17, 2024, 04:57:26 PM
My advice would be quit worrying about the difference between a cluck and a putt. You become the turkey when you're calling. You are talking to other turkeys and communicating with them. Are you trying to alarm them or just saying here I am....where are you? Your calling will reflect what you're thinking. It's really as simple as that.

I agree with this comment, but I think the point of the thread is learning the language better. If I'm going to Italy I want to learn enough Italian to communicate and just like in America certain things are said certain ways. we can all pick out foreigners in a second, I don't want to call with a foreigner accent. What you in essence are saying, talk the local slang. You got to know it before you can talk it. As example, the wrong inflection on the cluck/putt is the difference between, "come in and sit down" and "Run like hell"

Quote from: eggshell on January 18, 2024, 07:30:52 AM

Quote from: EZ on January 17, 2024, 04:57:26 PM
My advice would be quit worrying about the difference between a cluck and a putt. You become the turkey when you're calling. You are talking to other turkeys and communicating with them. Are you trying to alarm them or just saying here I am....where are you? Your calling will reflect what you're thinking. It's really as simple as that.

I agree with this comment, but I think the point of the thread is learning the language better. If I'm going to Italy I want to learn enough Italian to communicate and just like in America certain things are said certain ways. we can all pick out foreigners in a second, I don't want to call with a foreigner accent. What you in essence are saying, talk the local slang. You got to know it before you can talk it. As example, the wrong inflection on the cluck/putt is the difference between, "come in and sit down" and "Run like hell"

I agree.....good points. The best way to learn all that is from the birds themselves (how we all learned it before the internet), but with the internet and videos, the learning curve is much quicker.

Beside, my point was more to assure the OP that his chance of making an alarm putt as opposed to a questioning cluck is almost certainly not going to happen. I've never done it in 45 years of hunting. I do remember the old timers, at least the ones that would tell you anything about hunting turkeys, laying great emphasis on being sure NOT to make the alarm putt. The also said to NOT make more than three yelps every 15 minutes or you'd run every turkey out of the area. Not sure if they just didn't know any better or they were trying to keep me from killing turkeys, lol, but it didn't work.

Quote from: eggshell on January 18, 2024, 07:30:52 AM

Quote from: EZ on January 17, 2024, 04:57:26 PM
My advice would be quit worrying about the difference between a cluck and a putt. You become the turkey when you're calling. You are talking to other turkeys and communicating with them. Are you trying to alarm them or just saying here I am....where are you? Your calling will reflect what you're thinking. It's really as simple as that.

I agree with this comment, but I think the point of the thread is learning the language better. If I'm going to Italy I want to learn enough Italian to communicate and just like in America certain things are said certain ways. we can all pick out foreigners in a second, I don't want to call with a foreigner accent. What you in essence are saying, talk the local slang. You got to know it before you can talk it. As example, the wrong inflection on the cluck/putt is the difference between, "come in and sit down" and "Run like hell"

Totally agree (and perfect analogy).   :D
For me personally, I never know for sure (even after decades of doing this) whether my accent when clucking is going to be the proper one for the particular gobbler I am trying to converse with.  I may be talking to an Italian gobbler when, in fact, the gobbler in question is actually from France.   ;D  That is the primary reason I tend to add some other subtle calling when trying to seduce a gobbler.

On the other hand, I also agree that unless a guy is trying to intentionally "putt", or is otherwise in a situation where the gobbler might interpret those single (or combined) clucks as putts, MOST of the time there is no reason to worry about it.  It is those times when a gobbler MIGHT interpret my clucks as putts that make me think,..."Hmmm, maybe I should add a soft yelp or purr in with this cluck I am about to whisper to him".   ;D :D

Now if someone could post a video of how to make the cute sexy flirting Swedish blonde version of a hen turkey call. I want to learn that one. I bet it's more than a soft cluck....

Quote from: eggshell on January 18, 2024, 06:20:52 PM
Now if someone could post a video of how to make the cute sexy flirting Swedish blonde version of a hen turkey call. I want to learn that one. I bet it's more than a soft cluck....

I'll get right on that for yah! ;)

Simply put the putt is faster, more alarmed sounding and repetitive. Believe me,
I know the sound well :TooFunny:

Quote from: Paulmyr on January 18, 2024, 06:27:16 PM

Quote from: eggshell on January 18, 2024, 06:20:52 PM
Now if someone could post a video of how to make the cute sexy flirting Swedish blonde version of a hen turkey call. I want to learn that one. I bet it's more than a soft cluck....

I'll get right on that for yah! ;)

I'm taking that secret to my grave, lol!!!

Quote from: EZ on January 18, 2024, 07:40:03 PM

Quote from: Paulmyr on January 18, 2024, 06:27:16 PM

Quote from: eggshell on January 18, 2024, 06:20:52 PM
Now if someone could post a video of how to make the cute sexy flirting Swedish blonde version of a hen turkey call. I want to learn that one. I bet it's more than a soft cluck....

I'll get right on that for yah! ;)

I'm taking that secret to my grave, lol!!!

Anybody seen my bikini around here?!!!!

Please no!

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I've noticed the "bubble" cluck to be more of a searching sound, as that "hollow" cluck seems to indicate trouble.

Quote from: EZ on January 17, 2024, 04:57:26 PM
My advice would be quit worrying about the difference between a cluck and a putt. You become the turkey when you're calling. You are talking to other turkeys and communicating with them. Are you trying to alarm them or just saying here I am....where are you? Your calling will reflect what you're thinking. It's really as simple as that.

It really IS that simple.

You REALLY gotta screw up to cross the line between a cluck and an alarm putt.  BIG difference in inflection.  And the alarm putt has a repetition....... a cadence.

The longer I hunt them, the more I incorporate single clucks into my arsenal.   What was "cuttin & runnin" 20 or 30 or 40 years ago has become "cluckin & moseyin" these days.    And even Spanish-speaking gobblers........ ellos entienden.   :icon_thumright:

There's one contact cluck I use a lot at close range. Here's the scenario: Big gobbler strutting at 25 yards, I make any noise I feel like and call it a cluck, as I cluck safety goes off, gobbler raises head, boom contact made, dead gobbler flopping on ground.

Quote from: eggshell on January 23, 2024, 07:20:54 AM
There's one contact cluck I use a lot at close range. Here's the scenario: Big gobbler strutting at 25 yards, I make any noise I feel like and call it a cluck, as I cluck safety goes off, gobbler raises head, boom contact made, dead gobbler flopping on ground.
+ 1 ...... CONTACT CLUCK

Here ya go.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI2az-03sKc&t=152s
This video is from Kenny Morgan that may answer your questions.  The Contact cluck / ID cluck starts at 2:08 of the video.  IMO a cluck as Mr. Morgan shows is a muffled sound used to show contentment and location when turkeys are feeding but I believe a Putt is a loud popping attention getting ALARM that most of us have heard when a single turkey or turkeys emit when they experience danger of some sort.  For me, soft and subtle means contentment, at ease but a loud excited POP means I'm out of here.  My 2 cents. 

That's it. 2:08. Deep South. It's a single cluck. And not a series. To the point above, it doesn't have any panic or exigency to it. That's what I have heard so often.

My experience with a contact cluck usually comes about 5 mins or so after cold calling aggressively. I'll be sitting around thinking about my next move and I'll hear a single cluck emminate from just out if sight. It's pretty audible! It's not what I would call a contented sound nor overly aggresive.

It's happened to me on a number of occasions and I have yet to see the perpetrators. Generally I call back but I'm beginning to rethink this tactic. Although the turkey maybe out of sight for me, I'm guessing he can see my location perfectly. The cluck is for verification of what he's not seeing, when I respond, my guess is I'm exposing myself and the turkey slinks off.

When I try to put clucking into context in terms of alarm or content it usually involves cadence more than anything when an excited call is involved.

When I hear a constant repetitious aggressive clucking with no variation  in cadence or pitch and tone I'm thinking alarm or warning.

If I'm hearing a broken cadence with variations in pitch and tone I'm thinking excited or aggravated,  Like one turkey messing with another or fussing over a snake.

Quote from: Paulmyr on March 04, 2024, 10:29:35 AM
My experience with a contact cluck usually comes about 5 mins or so after cold calling aggressively. I'll be sitting around thinking about my next move and I'll hear a single cluck emminate from just out if sight. It's pretty audible! It's not what I would call a contented sound nor overly aggresive.

It's happened to me on a number of occasions and I have yet to see the perpetrators. Generally I call back but I'm beginning to rethink this tactic.

Yep, that's the frustrated gobbler giving the "where are you" or "show yourself" cluck. Course and quite audible. Best keep quiet and let him make the move....he's usually pretty close.

Quote from: EZ on March 04, 2024, 04:34:51 PM

Quote from: Paulmyr on March 04, 2024, 10:29:35 AM
My experience with a contact cluck usually comes about 5 mins or so after cold calling aggressively. I'll be sitting around thinking about my next move and I'll hear a single cluck emminate from just out if sight. It's pretty audible! It's not what I would call a contented sound nor overly aggresive.

It's happened to me on a number of occasions and I have yet to see the perpetrators. Generally I call back but I'm beginning to rethink this tactic.

Yep, that's the frustrated gobbler giving the "where are you" or "show yourself" cluck. Course and quite audible. Best keep quiet and let him make the move....he's usually pretty close.

I have had this happen a number of times, especially in thicker areas and from gobblers that made no sounds previously......I just sit tight and get ready as they usually are slinking through looking for mama.