Just can't catch a break

[SpokaneSlayer]

So I go out for an afternoon/evening hunt hoping to catch birds going to roost.  I get all set up in my blind and sit for a few minutes.  I pull out one of my pot calls a give a few yelps.  Nothing.  Wait a bit and give a few more.  2 birds answer downhill and bit behind me.  Game on!  I yelp, they gobble and it sounds like they are slowly making their way toward me.  So I set my bow on my lap and continue woking the birds.  After a few minutes I hear a hen at the top of the ridge.  I think "This may work to my advantage", since I am a closer "hen".  But then I hear another hen yelp right about where I last heard the gobbler's.  I yelp, she yelps, they gobble.  She yelps, I yelp more aggressive, they gobble.  She starts to cut and I pick up a box call because I can cut better on it.  I cut and yelp back at her.  She's fired up and the gobblers are going nuts.  She's cutting and I cut her off and really let her have it.  This goes on for about 5 minutes, then all goes silent.  I lost that round.  A bit frustrated but at the same time it was fun.  I love getting into a pissing match with a hen and playing tug-o-war.  Back to just trying to get a bird to answer.

About 45 minutes later, I hear a gobble at the top of the ridge.  Round 2, *ding*!  I'm working this tom and he is definitely getting closer.  He gets to a position almost directly above me.  I'm ready.  Then 2 hens fire off.  Here we go again.  Same result.  The tom goes the other way.  No fair double teaming me like that with the temptation of a threesome.

Anyway, a pretty good evening even though I never saw any birds.  But I can't help but wonder, am I doing something wrong or did I just lose out to some hens the tom's could actually see?

[SpokaneSlayer]

Bump for the day crew.  Hope to get some feedback.

[jackelope]

this has happened to me a few times too...curious to hear any input.

sounds like a good day either way.

[boneaddict]

1st one sounds like another hunter might have slipped in.  Any chance of that?

[tlbradford]

Like they say hind sight is 20/20 but hear is a Monday morning quarterback response.  If you had them coming towards you, another thing to try is to quit calling and see if they come into your location.  This may do a couple of things.  It gets the gobblers curiosity up a little (Why aren't they answering me, Why isn't she working towards me, I am the boss, Is there another tom mounting her right now), It also may keep the other hens from competing with you when calling.  Of course who's to say they wouldn't have lost interest anyways, or the other hens may have called them away no matter what.

Now that is just a different tactic to try since what you did has worked for millions of bird hunters over the years as well.  Giving them what they want to hear is a tried and true tactic, and as you said it was working until you got bested by some competing hens.  Sometimes you just can't win.  Good luck with those birds.

[merlo105]

Well from the sound of it you may have done everything right by getting crazy with that hen she would have came in and the gobbler would have followed. Or you could have gave the silent treatment but whos to say that would have worked on that typical day. When that happens its a 50-50 deal. You could have sat silent and gave that hen to the Tom then when you felt that the tom was with her you could have tryed to lure them both in with some fighting purrs and some excited Yelps. Half of my birds i have called in have been hen'd up, just mock the hen when she yelps 7 times you yelp 7 times she gets mad she wants to give you a spanking they both come in you saw that jokers head off... Its hard to win a calling competition with a hen so just keep it mellow and try to bring her in next time, the gobbler wont be far behind her... Good Luck

[wastickslinger]

One thing we learned this year is that it doesnt hurt to throw a few different pitches at them when there are hens involved. The first day we dumped a tom out of a group of 4 and decided to come back later for a second one. They responded to the slate that I had used the prior day, but were hesitant. We reset on them an hour later and same thing, not much response out of the slate. They came up the hill but were very slow and very very little gobbling. My partner fired off with his mouth call and they perked right up. I hit my mouth call real quick too. Now the toms are thinking, ok multiple hens over there. Partner kept firing the mouth call they had not heard all day. Something new and exciting. In they came and we sealed the deal. There were 3 toms and about 6 hens. Normally very difficult situation and I think our little mix worked quite well.

They will get use to the same sound.

The other thing that worked on my first bird this year was a bit of purring. I normally will not purr but the gobblers just shut up and started following hens. I purred and clucked and one tom broke off and came in with the silent treatment. I was ready for him.

There are so many options. It is always a gamble.  I think that is what makes it so fun.

[SpokaneSlayer]

Thanks guys for the advice.  I'll keep it in mind.  I'm set up in a good location and the birds have been very vocal, just still a bit henned up.  This bowhunting for turkey's is pretty tough.  Had I been shotgunning, I would have filled a tag Saturday morning. 

[docsven]

Would have been funny if it was someone else on here that you heard and thought was a hen 

[wastickslinger]

Thanks guys for the advice.  I'll keep it in mind.  I'm set up in a good location and the birds have been very vocal, just still a bit henned up.  This bowhunting for turkey's is pretty tough.  Had I been shotgunning, I would have filled a tag Saturday morning. 

We thought we'd try bow one year.  Shotguns came out real quick. I hate using blinds for turkey hunting. With a bow the blind is a must. I decided I want to try the bow again next year but only right off the roost, I will set up the blind and decs the night before and slip into it. After that it is run and gun with old faithful.

[SpokaneSlayer]

I hear ya.  This spot I'm hunting is in a county no firearm zone so I'm forced to use the bow.  But the advantage is that I live 10 minutes away and can get out there every day after work.

[wastickslinger]

that is a big plus. Id be doing the same thing