What is he doing right before you shoot.

[joker]

If you're hunting woods without much brush they are going to see you as soon as you see them. Remember you are camouflaged not invisible.

[Uncle Tom]

How about the famous "bubble cluck?"

Bird walking in, makes that searching "Putt" (known infamously on this forum I believe as the "bubble-cluck").

Easy solution if the bird is obscured from view, I answer him...  I do not really think it matters that you answer him with the same "bubble-cluck" and I will often use a contented cluck or yelp to let him know I am there...

The conundrum occurs when that bird is not quite in range, and in plain and open view...  He gives you that searching "Putt," and you have to decide what to do.  Answer him in plain view, and he will likely pinpoint the sound and possibly make you (or at least become very nervous cause there is no hen there).

Don't answer him, and he is wondering what "ate" the hen he is looking for...  And likely book.

Generally (in my experiences), they will make that "putting" sound several times looking for the hen (which can develop into the "alarm-putt") and I try and wait for the bird to walk behind some obscuration before answering...  The more nervous the bird, the more relaxed and contented I try and sound...  Admittedly, I have lost my share of birds in this situation due to answering too late or too soon, or for reasons that likely nobody would or will understand except the turkey...

Hearing that bubble-cluck is a sound I both love and hate...  Means there is a bird coming, but it also means he is a bit nervous about the situation...  (At least in my limited experience)

What do you all do when you hear that sound???

Marc, had that happen this morning, sitting in broomstraw patch facing a pasture...cluck and purr about 7:00 and few minutes later he behind me and that "bubble cluck" and I cannot move he so close...I just sat there and waited till he moving away...never could turn around and he gone. When one gets behind you like that you have no chance, and only wish you were facing opposite way.

[darn2ten]

 I also don't use decoys, and are usually in the woods. I've had it happen both ways with no consistency. If I have a bird I know is coming in I won't call to him within 50 yards or further if he's in sight. They're pretty good at pinning down pretty close to where that "hen" called from from a good distance, it always amazes me. Most of the ones I didn't know were real close when I called seem to be the ones that are more weary and cautious. I've had birds in close that periscope their neck up and you think uh oh, then all the sudden blow back up and continue strutting forward. I think a lot of people automatically think when he straightens up and runs his neck up that the jig is up and it's time to throw lead. I've been caught frozen quite a few times when I wasn't lined up for the shot and thought it was over by his body language only to have him drop right back into strut or just continue easing along.

[HookedonHooks]

For me many a times that final "OH SH#T" moment is about the time they realize your blind actually sticks out like a sore thumb, or the shotgun you have rested over your knee ready to kill him, is black shiny, and not natural. Most of time once that moment has been reached its game over for these mischievous birds.