Why is this so hard this year????

[turkeyfeather]

Ok, I need some advice from you turkey experts. In the 5 years I have hunting these tirds I have never went this late into the season before getting a bird. I have had no luck this year. I was out again this evening and it was the same story as it has been. I can get the birds gobbling but they will not leave their hens. Shouldn't they be about done breeding by now? And if so what is my next strategy? P.S. more importantly I am trying to get my wife her first bird. Poor girl has been trying for 3 years.

[Mfowl]

Pattern and ambush! Don't rely so much on calling them to you. Learn their habits, travel routes, where they spend their time and try to let them come to you naturally. Soft calling when you are where they want to be can help but sometimes when employing this method you don't need to call at all. By now the birds have been called at a bunch and are pretty wise to it. I try to pay attention to the route they take to get to their roost and put myself on that path the following morning as close as I can get to them. Often they will follow the same route, especially when undisturbed.   

[MerriamMagician]

Last years spring hatch was dismal. Combine that with the bad ones of previous 2 years and turkey numbers are cut in half or more from what they were from 02-08. Many of my premiere private spots didnt even have birds this year. And I can relate to you on how everything is hard this year to call in. I called to countless birds who wouldnt quite come in. Had to work really hard this year to get our birds.

[jennyfell55]

It's my fault turkeyfeather... I'm sorry My bad luck must have rubbed off a little bit! 

[turkeyfeather]

It's my fault turkeyfeather... I'm sorry My bad luck must have rubbed off a little bit! 

At least we haven't had to listen to the worlds worst caller again. 

[jennyfell55]

It's my fault turkeyfeather... I'm sorry My bad luck must have rubbed off a little bit! 

At least we haven't had to listen to the worlds worst caller again. 

Oh come on... you didn't like that sweet siren song?! It really had that one gobbler all worked up!! 

[Ridgeratt]

Heck when I met you sounded confident you had them Dialed.
Having no idea where you are chasing them, but I would spend some time Mid day to maybe seal the deal. Perhaps just tone your calling down to the very minimun you feel you need and then cut it in half again.

[WonkyWapiti]

This was my first year turkey hunting and last week I went out with two friends. They each tagged a tom but I did not but still had a blast. Nothing wanted to come in and both turkeys were taken while running and gunning.  One morning my buddy and I were set up and he started calling.  5 cows came in to us from the pasture and stood there staring at us from 10 yards away.  I told my buddy he was now the state champion cow caller.  We couldn't stop laughing.

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[turkeyfeather]

You know Ridge, I thought I had them pretty well set too. But I have got my butt kicked this year. Today was the first time I tried the evening and was very close to closing the deal. So I think I will try again tomorrow and do as other have suggested, and not do any calling. I have an idea where they are going to get to roost. I thank those for the advice. I have always been a morning guy so this evening thing is new to me.

[MrsTurkeyFeather]

You know Ridge, I thought I had them pretty well set too. But I have got my butt kicked this year. Today was the first time I tried the evening and was very close to closing the deal. So I think I will try again tomorrow and do as other have suggested, and not do any calling. I have an idea where they are going to get to roost. I thank those for the advice. I have always been a morning guy so this evening thing is new to me.

WOAH...hold the phone there babe...what happened to "you should go tomorrow evening"?!?!?! You're not the only one with a vendetta against those bratty d*mn birds!    better yet...lets duct tape the kids to the wall  so they can't cause trouble and we will both go!  ;-)

[jennyfell55]

WOAH...hold the phone there babe...what happened to "you should go tomorrow evening"?!?!?! You're not the only one with a vendetta against those bratty d*mn birds!    better yet...lets duct tape the kids to the wall  so they can't cause trouble and we will both go!  ;-)

I agree... duct tape!!! I've got a roll you can use 

[turkeydancer]

Agree with either patter/ambush or occassional soft calling ... especially if they are on the roost ... and then one time only to get their curiosity and sex drive working ... wait 10 minutes and do a couple hat slap flydowns.

    Glue gun works for kids too !!! 

[billdo5]

Go to teanaway and shoot one on my property u can practically pet them lol

[bobcat]

Go to teanaway and shoot one on my property u can practically pet them lol

Your property or your dad's property?

[billdo5]

mine