How do you make him gobble 5 minutes early?
I owl with my voice. I don't usually do it but when they are not gobbling well I have been known to rip off a sequence. I get about the same percentage response as my buddies with owl calls. The only locator I carry is an old wooden PS Olt crow call.
With my owl, goose/sandhill, peacock or crow... sometimes and some mornings and what they are liking that day.
I sure can MK M GOBL
Owl hoot or coyote howl. Sometimes the first crow of the morning. You said before sunrise. Many times they start gobbling at first light 30 - 40 minutes before sunrise. In some areas they may gobble well before that others later.
Quote from: drenalinld on January 27, 2016, 08:53:49 AM
Owl hoot or coyote howl. Sometimes the first crow of the morning. You said before sunrise. Many times they start gobbling at first light 30 - 40 minutes before sunrise. In some areas they may gobble well before that others later.
X2
Yes I Can
However, if I know gobblers are in the area I much prefer to let them gobble on their own or in response to a real animal.
I tend to let them start on their own. I usually am pretty close to them and fine tune my setup from there. Around here the birds will roost in the same general area but I usually can't peg them to an exact tree so I plan on being flexible in the morning.
Quote from: Flounder on January 26, 2016, 10:28:40 PM
How do you make him gobble 5 minutes early?
I don't even try. I'm in it for the long haul. 5-10 minutes ain't going to make a difference to me at all. I learned a long time ago he's going to be easier to kill on his terms than mine.
^^ Agree 100% ^^
I usually wait them out. On the occasions when I attempt to elicit an early gobble I will use a two-note owl, one time or I will crow after I have heard the first live crow. I don't do a lot of locating in heavily hunted areas as I find it counterproductive.
I think I'm going to make some paths now, in an effort to move around these thickest between field's. Just a few yards on either side can make a difference where he flys down.
Also this farm is loaded with coyotes and if you don't killem quick..Hunts over.
But it is fun shootin them "dirty dogs" after an hour.
Thanks a lot.
Quote from: guesswho on January 27, 2016, 02:34:02 PM
Quote from: Flounder on January 26, 2016, 10:28:40 PM
How do you make him gobble 5 minutes early?
I don't even try. I'm in it for the long haul. 5-10 minutes ain't going to make a difference to me at all. I learned a long time ago he's going to be easier to kill on his terms than mine.
yep.
I try if they won't set my clock back 5 Min. and try again. But really easterns are funny can usually get one going early but never seen the need unless I suspect I'm far away and have to book it to close distance. Rios and Mrriams will gobble real early pitch black dark
Thanks a lot.Been hunting these things for 20 years and never had the opportunity or resources to find other opinions,until I found you guys..and had the nerve to ask.
I'll now go after him on his terms, but their will be two of us!
Gobblers have an uncanny ability to synchronize with each other and decide if and when they'll gobble on the roost. One morning the valley is booming...the next? Nothing! don't tell me they ALL "henned up" at the same time! LOL
That said, I agree with the others - preferable for them to go on their own. Some will gobble when you can still see stars. If I want or feel the need to attempt to elicit a gobble, I'll go standard barred owl. Usually reserve that for my "decision" properties - the ones where you need to decide which way to commit to walking - north, south, etc. I might try the owl hoot then, and commit to the "hot hand".
Quote from: guesswho on January 27, 2016, 02:34:02 PM
Quote from: Flounder on January 26, 2016, 10:28:40 PM
How do you make him gobble 5 minutes early?
I don't even try. I'm in it for the long haul. 5-10 minutes ain't going to make a difference to me at all. I learned a long time ago he's going to be easier to kill on his terms than mine.
^^^This
Roost em the night before n you don't need em to gobble so you know they're there
Quote from: guesswho on January 27, 2016, 02:34:02 PM
Quote from: Flounder on January 26, 2016, 10:28:40 PM
How do you make him gobble 5 minutes early?
I don't even try. I'm in it for the long haul. 5-10 minutes ain't going to make a difference to me at all. I learned a long time ago he's going to be easier to kill on his terms than mine.
:agreed:
If I'm unable to roost a gobbler the evening before in Merriams country, I will head out a good hour before daylight coyote howling from good listening points. Doesn't always work, but it's happened enough that I'm not afraid to try it.
I've seen Rios that would gobble all night long.
Yes, indeed, you can make them gobble before sunrise. I have yet to hunt anywhere that I could not.
I would tend to agree but do you think owling in early low light conditions hurts at all? I've wondered at times when I've owled if I shut them up more sometimes. They gobble when they want but are susceptible early in the season in my opinion. :gobble:
Cause and effect. If they become conditioned to disturbance following their gobbling at owls, they will cease gobbling at owls. You will quit talking to Mary Lou after Billy Bob has whipped your butt a time or two for doing so.
I hunt national forest land here in Ga. If a bird gobbles in the early season you will have several people hone in on him. So I wait them out early season but later on in the season I will try to get one to gobble.
I'm better at making them stop gobbling than I am making them gobble.
Yes, and I can make them gobble in the dark, even on clear creek wma. Sometimes there is a truck parked where you've scouted and you need to move on, I have made them gobble back in the dark.(secret) :boon:
Crazy morning or fairly quiet morning, I do what many above have already stated. I let them start on their own and usually don't call until they are down
... UNLESS I am in a woodlot where I hear no nearby gobbling at all. Strategy then is to let that tree hugger know there is another hen nearby, when it is time for his mid-morning walk about.
Quote from: guesswho on January 27, 2016, 02:34:02 PM
Quote from: Flounder on January 26, 2016, 10:28:40 PM
How do you make him gobble 5 minutes early?
I don't even try. I'm in it for the long haul. 5-10 minutes ain't going to make a difference to me at all. I learned a long time ago he's going to be easier to kill on his terms than mine.
The less noises I have to make the better I feel that I won't get made.
I keep my mouth shut and let him do all the talking the less he knows the better
Owl hoot is the way to go! :gobble:
Quote from: Flounder on January 26, 2016, 10:28:40 PM
How do you make him gobble 5 minutes early?
Not trying to be rude, but if you have to ask this question a few months before the season the answer is don't try it all. Locator calls work both ways IMO you know where he is and he knows where you are. Watch the NWTF owl calling contests. Unless you sound like that, let him do his thing on his own.
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Quote from: turkeyfoot on January 28, 2016, 10:35:17 AM
I try if they won't set my clock back 5 Min. and try again. But really easterns are funny can usually get one going early but never seen the need unless I suspect I'm far away and have to book it to close distance. Rios and Mrriams will gobble real early pitch black dark
I've had Rios gobbling at 10:00 pm and 4:00 am, they'll gobble when/where ever they feel like it
Had Rios gobble at us setting a blind up that went "pop" 4:00am in the mountains
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There are always two trains of thought on locator call use in these discussions. Some of us say we use them and think others should know how to. And some of us say we never use them and don't believe they are of any real use,...and even suggest they can be detrimental in turkey hunting.
Both trains of thought are correct,...depending on where you are hunting. There are places where using locators to find birds is absolutely essential if you expect to have a reasonable chance of finding and killing a gobbler. There are also places where they are of very little value and are not at all necessary.
If you are hunting unfamiliar territory, especially areas of any size, I will state without any hesitation that you should know the basics of locator call use. You may not need to use them in a given situation, but rest assured, there are times and places where they can be the difference between you killing a gobbler,...or not.
Quote from: Happy on January 27, 2016, 01:01:26 PM
I tend to let them start on their own. I usually am pretty close to them and fine tune my setup from there. Around here the birds will roost in the same general area but I usually can't peg them to an exact tree so I plan on being flexible in the morning.
Exactly what I do. :icon_thumright:
I've had success with them, I use a Harrison hooter and crow call. One bird last year gobbled every time I hit the crow call for over hour while I was getting re-positioned. I stress less about using them when hunting huge tracts of public ground.
This farm is holding some nice birds and it would give me a little advantage in getting setup.
The other 10 or so I can roost and setup and don't have to worry bout coyote moving in quick.Just needed some ideas how you would try to do this if needed.
Thanks a lot.
Quote from: Killerstump on February 24, 2016, 02:07:27 PM
I have a Harrison hoot stick but I've never had a bird gobble to it
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Killerstump, I used my natural voice with great success until I had my stroke in 2012 and lost the ability to owl. I was forced to get an owl caller and I chose the Harrison. I am quite happy with it with the exception of having to carry something else with me and having to dig it out of my pocket. I don't know how experienced you are at owling, so I will risk thinking not too experienced. Forgive me, if otherwise.
Unless the turkeys in the areas you hunt have been owled to death, they will respond to a well-delivered owl. You really only need two calls, the traditional "who cooks for you all" and the two note "oooooh-ahh". I prefer the two note as a distant gobbler may gobble in the middle of the longer eight note sequence and you could miss it.
Go to You Tube and listen to Harrison and some of the other expert owlers. Many are very good. Ignore the fancy stuff and concentrate on the two calls I mentioned. Hand placement is very important. You want to choke the call down and just open your hand a little bit when more volume is desired. You need to practice so that when you use the caller, you can do so with little thought. Don't overdo it when hunting as you only need to know two things, where you are and where he is. Once he gobbles, put the caller away and gain position to call the gobbler.
I hunted an area once where there was a hunter across the river each of the four mornings that I hunted the area who I named "Ole Four Hoot". He never raised a gobble with his owling. It was a pretty steep decline into the river bottom and on the last morning I decided that I was not going to make the effort if "Ole Four Hoot" was down there. He was, so I decided to give him a thrill by gobbling at his owl. When I did, a nice gobbler answered my gobble somewhat to the east on my side of the river so I went to him. He never gobbled on his own, nor did he respect my calling. He did, however answer a real owl once. The object of this discourse is to learn to owl realistically and don't overdo it.
Quote from: silvestris on February 27, 2016, 07:26:13 PM
Quote from: Killerstump on February 24, 2016, 02:07:27 PM
I have a Harrison hoot stick but I've never had a bird gobble to it
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Killerstump, I used my natural voice with great success until I had my stroke in 2012 and lost the ability to owl. I was forced to get an owl caller and I chose the Harrison. I am quite happy with it with the exception of having to carry something else with me and having to dig it out of my pocket. I don't know how experienced you are at owling, so I will risk thinking not too experienced. Forgive me, if otherwise.
Unless the turkeys in the areas you hunt have been owled to death, they will respond to a well-delivered owl. You really only need two calls, the traditional "who cooks for you all" and the two note "oooooh-ahh". I prefer the two note as a distant gobbler may gobble in the middle of the longer eight note sequence and you could miss it.
Go to You Tube and listen to Harrison and some of the other expert owlers. Many are very good. Ignore the fancy stuff and concentrate on the two calls I mentioned. Hand placement is very important. You want to choke the call down and just open your hand a little bit when more volume is desired. You need to practice so that when you use the caller, you can do so with little thought. Don't overdo it when hunting as you only need to know two things, where you are and where he is. Once he gobbles, put the caller away and gain position to call the gobbler.
I hunted an area once where there was a hunter across the river each of the four mornings that I hunted the area who I named "Ole Four Hoot". He never raised a gobble with his owling. It was a pretty steep decline into the river bottom and on the last morning I decided that I was not going to make the effort if "Ole Four Hoot" was down there. He was, so I decided to give him a thrill by gobbling at his owl. When I did, a nice gobbler answered my gobble somewhat to the east on my side of the river so I went to him. He never gobbled on his own, nor did he respect my calling. He did, however answer a real owl once. The object of this discourse is to learn to owl realistically and don't overdo it.
That right there is some of the best advice I've read on a forum about locating a turkey. Well done.
Quote from: Killerstump on February 27, 2016, 07:28:58 PM
Unless the turkeys in the areas you hunt have been owled to death, they will respond to a well-delivered owl. You really only need two calls, the traditional "who cooks for you all" and the two note "oooooh-ahh". I prefer the two note as a distant gobbler may gobble in the middle of the longer eight note sequence and you could miss it.
I hunt an area with plenty of owls, and there is plenty of owl commotion in the morning... I rarely hear a bird sound off to an actual owl...
Also have lots of crows in the area, and I cannot recall every hearing a tom sound off to real crow calls...
There are also Canada geese in the area... Now, the birds light up to them... Interestingly, the geese will land in the foothills and graze on grass in some of the same preferred areas as the turkeys. If the honkers are there, the turkeys will go nowhere near them (as those geese are really aggressive). So I hesitate to use a goose call as a locator, but will do so, if I know I am not going to set up from where I use the goose call. (Also I am probably more proficient on a goose call than a turkey call).
I have had much better luck getting a bird to respond to an owl call when owls are not so common or vocal... I think the turkeys get used to sounds that are extremely prevelant (or that would be my guess).
Quote from: mlisandro on February 24, 2016, 12:49:25 PM
Owl hoot is the way to go! :gobble:
Ya! Using your own voice, seems to work alot better than with calls friends will use. Just watch out for the owls!
Perhaps there are places where the realism of the locator call is important, but from my experience, loudness and abruptness of the sound is the key factor in whether a gobbler responds to the noise it hears, or not.
Gobblers are "wired" to gobble in the springtime to gobble at other gobblers. That is why, if you watch a group of gobblers together, they will often appear to be gobbling simultaneously when, in fact, one gobbles first and the other come back and gobble immediately afterward, so close in fact that it almost seems like some supernatural occurrence inspired all of them to gobble at once. The use of locator calls is, in essence, just a tactic to take advantage of that gobbling instinct.
Others here have mentioned tactics such as honking the car horn, or banging on the side of the door, etc. I know a guy who used a CO2-operated blow horn in the spring. The point being that gobblers are responding, not to any sort of "realism" in the sound, but to the abruptness and loudness of the sound itself which causes them to, often times, involuntarily gobble.
Bottom line for me is: all other conditions being equal, give me the guy who has the loudest, most abrupt sounding call of whatever type you like over the guy who is realistic, but not loud enough, for getting gobblers to respond,...in any location you choose.
When you get one to gobble you think he remembers what made him gobble? Oh, that was a truck horn or he says to himself, not going to fly down over there that was a coyote howling, heck he might even think that some kind of "Red Headed Swamp Monster"http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/Smileys/classic/character0029.gif is blowing a Harrisons Hooten Stick and he sounds like a "Sick Calf in a Hail Storm".