:help:Ok, it is my 2nd year of turkey hunting, and I'm still on a pretty big learning curve. Got out this morning for a couple of hours before work, 2nd day of Maine season. Had a bead on where some birds might be roosted, got confirmation with some gobbles off the roost, put out a quick single hen decoy on the field edge, and settled in to my blind. Wasn't long before three jakes appeared and came in for a look. They came to within 3 yards of the deke, all within range. These birds all gobbled on the way in, while at the deke, and as they moved off.
Yesterday I was out for a few hours and put out three dekes: a full strut and two hens, one feeding and one in breeding position. Had jakes in the area (possibly the same birds), who all wanted to check things out but never came close. I'm thinking the strutter spooked them.
So, my issue is this: if jakes are "gobbling", does this mean they are not afraid of a dominant or larger bird being in the area? The behavior of the jakes yesterday told me they were afraid and being subordinate. Their behavior today, making a racket with all of the gobbling, is telling me they were not afraid of any dominant birds in the area.
Being new to the sport, I had already decided I would take a jake as my first bird if the opportunity presented itself. However, as these birds closed the distance, I had a very loud, thundering gobble behind me and to my right. A very different gobble than these jakes. I figured it had to be a mature bird. In hindsight, however, that gobble did not startle or affect those jakes at all.
My issue/concern is not really about taking a jake; I probably should have taken one and not worried about the gobble behind me. I am more interested in people's thoughts about jake behavior (gobbling) in relation to more dominant birds in the same area.
I'm probably overthinking the whole thing. Either way, I consider today's outing successful in its own right.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated; thanks.
