Recomendations for calling?

[rosscrazyelk]

So I have been so close but not close enough for years.. I just cant get them to come that extra 10 yards. I figure something is wrong with my calling. Anyone recommend a dvd or book that can help me out? I have watched several videos but none of them really explain what they are doing and why.

[Phantom Gobbler]

When they are in close, very soft calling/purring or none at all.  Any movement detected will blow the deal!     They know exactly where you are ...............

[mallard79]

Get a caller behind you. If they are that close they know exactly where the other turkey should be. Use a decoy if you arent already. Once I know they are coming I will go silent for the most part. Very soft purrs but nothing after they are within view. Make them find the sound they heard.......good luck

[turkeydancer]

 
Just like elk, use their natural curiosity and sex drive against them .... if they are coming in just let them (you don't want him to stop and start strutting expecting the hen to come to him) ... only call if you have to and then only soft clucks and purrs ... less is more.  And as said, if you have a buddy, take turns calling from about 20 yards from behind the shooter (if the bird stops 50 yards from the caller, the shooting will be at 30 yards).  I call softer and less frequent as the birds come closer.  Let him call 2 or 3 times to your once.

As far as dekes, place them about 15 to 20 yards out at most (it is not natural to them see birds 40 yards from where they're hearing the calls coming from) - place a Jake facing your position because the tom will normally challenge the JAKE face to face and the hen away because he will usually approach from the rear for mounting her back (either way he will be facing away from you for last minute shotgun adjustments). Leave at least 10 yards space between your dekes ... remember closely bunched turkeys is seen as a sign of danger.  If the birds are shying away from your dekes, don't use them.  I usually don't use them early in the season especially early in the morning, because the lead hen may not want to share tom with any more hens ... but it can work great later in the day and later season when he isn't as henned up and is trolling for some company.  If you know the direction the birds will come from, place the dekes a bit to the other side so the dekes will draw the birds past the shooter.

Good luck ...

[rosscrazyelk]

Thanks for the advice. Will try to use some of these tactics. I will not be able to call from behind the hunter however. The person I would be calling for is  my 12 year old niece and I have to be next to her. Dont want her to feel uncomfortable or shoot the wrong thing. And my friends are horrible callers. I have got them birds but they have never been able to return the favor. Thus I call for myself and have yet not been able to shoot a turkey. Oh well someday I will get one. But my priority is to get my niece one. She has hunted with me two years and I need to get her one so she wont loose interest. Thanks again

[turkeydancer]

Use your hand and a slow turn of the head away from the birds approaching direction ... it will make it seem that you are further away (ie - throw your call/voice).   Or if you have one of those pump yelpers, you can also point it away from the birds and make it sound further away.

I use my hand and slow head turns to make it sound like I'm moving around a bit anyway ( because its not natural for a thunderchicken to stand still at anytime anyway).
 

[dawei]

So I have been so close but not close enough for years.. I just cant get them to come that extra 10 yards. I figure something is wrong with my calling. Anyone recommend a dvd or book that can help me out? I have watched several videos but none of them really explain what they are doing and why.

First I have to ask, what type of turkey call are you using; box, slate & peg (pot call), wingbone, snuff box, or mouth call?

[lokidog]

Ross, I'll call for you for a chance to get into some birds.  I don't get much of a chance to scout but can usually get birds to come in if they are around.  I'm still hoping to get my wife out for her first turkey hunt as well.

[rosscrazyelk]

So I have been so close but not close enough for years.. I just cant get them to come that extra 10 yards. I figure something is wrong with my calling. Anyone recommend a dvd or book that can help me out? I have watched several videos but none of them really explain what they are doing and why.

First I have to ask, what type of turkey call are you using; box, slate & peg (pot call), wingbone, snuff box, or mouth call?

I use a mouth call. And I have a knight and hale push box call.

[Heartsblood]

Pot and pin combined with a diaphragm is a great combo - you can sound like more than one bird if you want to. But the friction call alone can bring 'em close. Then you can use the mouth call to get 'em that last little bit without worry of birds catching hand movement while you concentrate only on your gun. Can't believe how excited I get just talking about calling to birds. Man! I can't wait! 

[dawei]

Pot and pin combined with a diaphragm is a great combo - you can sound like more than one bird if you want to. But the friction call alone can bring 'em close. Then you can use the mouth call to get 'em that last little bit without worry of birds catching hand movement while you concentrate only on your gun. Can't believe how excited I get just talking about calling to birds. Man! I can't wait! 

The "Monarch of Spring" IS NOT a Butterfly! I have already contracted with the "Jerbear" Klickitat Turkey Hunting Guide Service, Bed, Bath, Bordello, Hair Care Salon, Tire Shop and Adult Video & Bookstore to hunt Merriam Gobblers in the Klickitat River Gorge.
I already have the fever!