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Author Topic: when should i give up on a turkey and move on?  (Read 1808 times)

Offline birddogdad

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when should i give up on a turkey and move on?
« on: January 29, 2026, 11:33:52 AM »
lets hear your thoughts and why's!

spring is just around the corner, maybe i will start some of these questions for folks to jump in on~
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1981-2011

Offline Dan-o

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Re: when should i give up on a turkey and move on?
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2026, 12:23:14 PM »
I never leave a Tom that's hung up.

I've had then come in 2-3 hours after being hung up.

A couple years ago, I had a Tom hung up for hours. 
Then a Jake showed up and ended up bringing the Tom in with him.

Not saying my way is the best way.
I just won't leave if a Tom is hung up. 
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I love the BFRO!!!
I wonder how many people will touch their nose to their screen trying to read this...

Offline brokentrail

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Re: when should i give up on a turkey and move on?
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2026, 12:30:41 PM »
Once I have given up hope, I check my watch, and then sit another 45 minutes.  After that, I just want to run and gun and find one that wants to play the game.

Offline Pathfinder101

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Re: when should i give up on a turkey and move on?
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2026, 12:40:00 PM »
Usually I won't give up on the turkey until the pumpkin pie comes out...  :twocents:

...wait...
Never mind.  Talking about hunting them.

Agree with Dano.  I've had them hang up for hours in plain sight 300 yards away, and then just decide that my decoys that they've been ignoring for two hours look interesting.   :dunno:
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.  That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Offline bearpaw

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Re: when should i give up on a turkey and move on?
« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2026, 06:23:10 AM »
Turkeys by nature cannot stay in one spot, they are constantly moving around feeding and the toms will follow those hens wherever they go, and in my experience even a lone strutting tom at his favorite strutting zone will eventually move around!
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Offline birddogdad

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Re: when should i give up on a turkey and move on?
« Reply #5 on: February 02, 2026, 10:02:25 AM »
so my reply here is that i will typically wait at least a half hour after last gobble reply. If i hear hens yelping, i will remain longer. If i hear a Tom sounding off in distance, i may pickup and run after that hotter bird.  I will also return later in day to try and strike him back up if needed. I also pin this for "next time" as a stop. If i buggered him up, i will not return for several days.
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