Drumming?

[PNWPepeLePew]

Hi all, first time Turkey hunter here. Was out this weekend in Colville NF. Found what I assumed would be a promising spot to grab a Gobbler - grassy field with a very slow moving stream or spring running through it. Plenty of droppings, feathers in the area and private farmland less than 1/4 mile away. Found it late but threw out a couple hen decoys, setup the blind and started calling.

Immediately I heard this noise, I believe two birds were making the noise as one was kind of faint and one was subtle but noticeably louder/closer and could practically be felt. It was a strange noise. I assumed maybe it was the sound of feathers moving air and reverberating somehow. It was this sort of drumming woo-woo-woo-woo noise that increased in tempo over maybe a few seconds. It sounds odd but the noise is kind of what you movies make ufo’s sound like. It was kind of creepy but we assumed it was a bird. Is this what is referred to as drumming?

The sound would always respond nearly immediately to my calls. A distant gobbler responded twice as well. We experienced this noise back and forth for about 3 hours. Ultimately we had to call it a day and pack up. We heard it once more right before we left.

Any insight here and lessons to be had? If we could have stayed would this possibly have resulted in a bagged thunder chicken?

[Platensek-po]

Ruffed grouse

[Tbob]

Yep, what he said! Took me forever to figure out what that sound was!

[92xj]

Sounded like a 1983 2 stroke 3-wheeler starting up .83 miles away across a single ravine?

[Tbob]

That’s exactly the sound I thought that was when I would hear it... well, maybe .74 miles, but close enough. 

[270Shooter]

Yep a grouse. Turkeys are pretty quiet when they spit/drum. Generally if you can hear a gobbler spitting you had better not move but be ready as he is most likely within range. It’s a hard sound to describe but look it up on YouTube so you know what your listening for.

[PNWPepeLePew]

Wow, we had no idea.

Just looked up Ruffed Grouse Drumming on YouTube and you guys were spot on. Definitely what we heard.

Thanks! I

[tgomez]

That's funny, my cousin said to me, "Trevor do you here that 4 wheeler?" I was like, "Dude that's a grouse." 🤣 Later that day he shot his first tom.

[HAGEMANIAC]

That’s a grouse. If you wanna hear a turkey drum pull up a YouTube video and put headphones in. Your computer or tv speakers will not pick it up very well but the headphones should. Pretty awesome sound!

[Dan-o]

Yep, grouse.

1st time I heard it, I literally thought it was a small generator firing up in the distance.

[kselkhunter]

Yeah lots of grouse drumming this turkey season.  Took me awhile to convince my friend that recently moved out here from Louisiana that no the noise isn't a bear growling.  It's a grouse.  He's new.  But 92xj hit the nail on the head with the 2 stroke engine in the distance reference....

Based on how many grouse we heard drumming in various spots, it hopefully will be a good grouse year.....

 

[hunter399]

Sounds like the old Briggs and Stratton lawn mower that starts then dies .

[highside74]

Born and raised outdoors last turkey video has to Tom's drumming and dragging wings strutting up the road. Very cool.

[WaltAlpine]

I have never heard so many grouse as this year. NF is full of them.

Also full of turkey not interested in breeding with my sexy self


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[Bogie85]

That’s just the local whore grouse named “stud muffin” little *censored* tried mating my hen decoys last year. Now it’s kind of endearing, like oh hey stud muffins back to play with girls.

[Skyvalhunter]

He must get around a lot then

[dilleytech]

My only a advise would have been to ditch the blind and decoys and take off after that distant gobbler you heard. Get in close and Entice his curiosity.