Calling techniques

[shredder4286]

I've had 2 instances in the past where I was talking with a tom, and he basically just kept circling around but not getting any closer. I was taking it pretty easy of the yelping, trying not to over do it. I'm thinking maybe the last tome had a few hens already and wasn't willing to close in on another he couldn't see, but I couldn't hear any toms yelping or anything.

Any ideas what I could do differently? Maybe use several different calls to sound like multiple hens?

[Seatown5]

Sometimes rather than going towards the gobbler, so you don't get busted. Its better to drop a hundred yards our so. Then call. He might panic, think you're leaving, then finally commit to you

[The Gobble-stopper]

Once you spot the tom, stop calling, make him wonder where you are. He knows exactly where the last call came from. Give him a chance to come investigate. If he hears you calling, he will keep circling and looking where he already knows you are. And wont come in till he sees you. And Seatown is right! If you are in a position to sneak out. Move away from him about 50 yards and call slow, quitely, and steady as you walk away move out calling all the while to about 150 yards. Then sneak back half the distance you backed off. That makes him think you are some shameless hussy that is too good for him. And works on his pride as king of the woods. Usually he will come running. Shot many a tom this way. And it is usually the 3 and 4 year old. Good luck!

[turkeydancer]

    Good advise there ...
If you do a soft cluck when he's 600+ yards away, he knows within a foot of where you are. In nature the hen goes to the tom when he gobbles and we have to reverse that ... so if you're answering every gobble, he'll expect you to appear in front of him. Use his sex drive and natural curiosity against him, by only answering every 2nd or 3rd call (sometimes even best not to call and let him come looking for you, because that just reminds him that you're supposed to be the one coming to him).  Soften things up only soft clucks and purrs as he gets closer if you call at all ....
  

[BOWHUNTER45]

All sounds good  just getting out there you learn more everytime you go ... One thing I have done a few times or two is walk off yelping for about 20 yrds or so and return to where I started ...if he is still in the same spot gobbling I will repeat this until I hear him going to me ...and if he starts to gobble closer to me then I sit down ASAP ...and get ready ...yes they could come in silent too ....I have been busted before too but I also killed a few too !! just do whatever you feel might get that tag filled ...never know until you try !!!!!!!

[shredder4286]

Move away from him about 50 yards and call slow, quitely, and steady as you walk away move out calling all the while to about 150 yards.

One thing I have done a few times or two is walk off yelping for about 20 yrds or so and return to where I started ...

Very cool tactics there. I'm definitely gonna try that next time. Now it makes sense why the toms would just circle around. They're thinkin "what ya waitin for? Come over here, baby!" 

[turkeydancer]

As BH45 said, try a different approach ... you have nothing to lose ... it's just like fishing where you're not going to keep using the same lure if it isn't getting the fish to bite.

The gobbler may not be the dominate gobbler in the area and is tired of getting whooped ... it may be any gobbler thats tired of being repeatedly over called to, bumped, and/or shot at.  So other things you can also try is aggravated purrs (a turkey fight), or (if on private land only) a gooble or jake yelps, or even immature bird sounds llike kee kees and kee kee runs, or try a different call they haven't heard before (tube call, wingbone, etc).  What you got to lose ... 

I'm also assuming you are not in thick brush, because they know that's where other predator's hide and rush them from ... and they'll avoid it like the plague !
    

[shredder4286]

I hadn't thought about the fact they wouldn't wanna come close to thick brush. (Although I didn't think coyotes could make yelps and clucks  ) Just kidding.

Something OTHER than a yelp would do some good, I reckon. Seems like that's all you ever hear folks doin in the woods. Thanks for all the tips, gents. I'll go to the turkey woods a better hunter next time.