Did I spook them?

[RiverRoost]

Went and listened this morning right before daylight. Drove my four wheeler down a road to get across some water. Parked and planned on walking to a spot a long way down this road. As I start walking, at about daylight(I was late) I hear a group sound off probably 150 yards in the woods from my wheeler. I was probably about 50 yards from my ride. I slipped next to the nearest tree and stayed there and listened. They gobbled twice on their own and I hooted twice over about 15 minutes and they gobbled back. They quietly hit the ground and then eventually gobbled walking away. Did I spook them, bc I know they heard my 4wheeler pull up and maybe even saw my headlights.?

Also, I slipped in behind them and followed the direction they were heading and gobbling. As I was walking I walked up on them and saw a white head to I quiety his behind a tree. They didn't run off and just walked on about their business. I kept following but a lot farther distance. Left them about 8 o'clock still gobbling every now and then as I knew a good plot not far ahead they probably would end up at.

[The Woodsman]

No, you are good to go.

[Spitten and drummen]

No. Your fine. Just tread lightly in the area. They catch on quick

[BABS9]

I dont think you spooked them.. But they definitely heard or saw your 4wheeler.. I wouldnt be walking around following them wherever to the point where your walking up on them. Your lucky you saw them before they saw you. Dont want to ruin a hunt before it starts.  You know where they are roosting and which why they like to go when they fly down.

[RiverRoost]

Thanks for helping ease my mind. I figured since they kept gobbling they were good but sure is nice to get some reassurance.

[Spitten and drummen]

just remember , turkeys are already paranoid and they probably get spooked 100 times a day. you can bet they knew you was in the area. just stay out of the area as much as possible until you are ready to hunt them.

[Marc]

I do not think anything makes a human presence known more, or frightens wildlife more than a quad...

Great way to get from point A to point B, but especially when turkey hunting, I might put a few extra miles on the boots over the quad if I were actually hunting.... 

I have been watching turkeys, and seen them positively scatter from a quad that was a loooong ways off...  I do think that they recovery from that noise fairly quickly, but I really do not know.

[jim570]

Last October I was riding up an old narrow log road on a quad.  Went right by about 6 turkeys that had just crossed the road.  They weren't 30 yards from me and didn't seem to care at all about me.  It wasn't how I expected them to act.

[Dr Juice]

I doubt you scared them off. However, I discourage from using a turkey call when scouting so that you don't smarten them up for opening day. Good luck 

[Planner]

Firstly, as others have said I don't think you did anything to ruin an upcoming hunt. On the topic of ATV's.... I hunt privately leased property in Texas. It's only lightly hunted since only two of us really turkey hunt. The ranch hand drives his truck around to do what ranch hands do.... I have found when I'm in my truck I can drive up on birds and while they may run into the brush, they don't get too spooked. When I drove around in my Polaris Ranger I never saw a bird from it and my hunts weren't as productive, unless I walked far away from where I parked... Whereas in my truck I could drive into a spot, get out, hit the call and get a response... Take it for what's it worth, but that's my experience.


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[sixbird]

I doubt you scared them off. However, I discourage from using a turkey call when scouting so that you don't smarten them up for opening day. Good luck 

This...Good advice. I know it can be difficult to not call to them but they do seem to figure out that that sound was dangerous if they see you. I know turkeys that have been called in by one cadence or one sound seem to be reluctant to come to it a third time...They'll come twice fairly easily but seems that third time, not so much...Some are reluctant to come to ANY call and will come quietly regardless...Or not come at all...

[RiverRoost]

I doubt you scared them off. However, I discourage from using a turkey call when scouting so that you don't smarten them up for opening day. Good luck 

This...Good advice. I know it can be difficult to not call to them but they do seem to figure out that that sound was dangerous if they see you. I know turkeys that have been called in by one cadence or one sound seem to be reluctant to come to it a third time...They'll come twice fairly easily but seems that third time, not so much...Some are reluctant to come to ANY call and will come quietly regardless...Or not come at all...



I never called to them at all. Im not saying a word to a bird before I can hunt him

[RiverRoost]

I doubt you scared them off. However, I discourage from using a turkey call when scouting so that you don't smarten them up for opening day. Good luck 

This...Good advice. I know it can be difficult to not call to them but they do seem to figure out that that sound was dangerous if they see you. I know turkeys that have been called in by one cadence or one sound seem to be reluctant to come to it a third time...They'll come twice fairly easily but seems that third time, not so much...Some are reluctant to come to ANY call and will come quietly regardless...Or not come at all...



I never called to them at all. Im not saying a word to a bird before I can hunt him