Silent Gobbles in the NE?

[cmiller85]

The past 2 weekends, our usual turkey hunting spots have been almost dead it seems. In 4 days of hunting we heard maybe 15-20 gobbles total. It is not uncommon for us to hear up to 5 or 6 different gobblers in an area that will gobble to til 10 or 11 A.M. and start back up a few hours before dark this time of the year; but this year, something is off terribly. There seems to be less turkeys overall but it is likely not as bad as it seems with hearing almost no gobbles. Even the misquitos aren't there like they usually are.

With the toms we did manage to get a glimpse of, they were strutting it up for their hens and everthing appeared to be business as usual; except for the gobbling part. Then this last Saturday we got into a spot we expected some turkeys to be and sure enough they were. A couple of toms flew down at daylight and we coaxed the dominant bird our way. He stopped at about 70-80 yards out and just strutted around putting on a great show. Then after a few clucks and purrs he did what can only be described as a silent gobble. He went thru all the motions but no sound came out. It was like someone pushed the mute button on him. He silent gobbled about 5 or 6 times then headed up the hill after his hens.

Anyone having similar experiences or know what the heck was wrong with this turkey?

[bearpaw]

Try hunting some different areas, if the birds have been hunted hard where you are going that will tend to shut them up, there were birds gobbling real good in some areas this weekend.

[Gobble Doc]

I remember last Memorial Day when I went hunting with my oldest son.  It was so quiet.  I felt like I was wasting my time.  Sitting for hours in the silence. 

[The Gobble-stopper]

I find this year after year. Both sides of the mountains. A few days after the hens start sitting on the nest all day long, after laying all the eggs. The gobblers get upset, and go cry in their beer. The go hide in some dark hole and wonder themselves. Seems like there is nothing left in the woods to hunt. After about a week or maybe a few days longer, they begin to figure out they arnt doing any good at getting what they really want, (*censored*). So they slowly begin to wander and gobble. This is when they start picking up hens that have had their nest raided. Which is usually in the week to week and a half period. Give em a few days, and this second session of gobbling can be a hoot! Good luck

[cmiller85]

Try hunting some different areas, if the birds have been hunted hard where you are going that will tend to shut them up, there were birds gobbling real good in some areas this weekend.

Yea I figured they would be going good somewhere. Have you ever seen a turkey trie to gobble but couldn't? I found that very interesting.

[BOWHUNTER45]

yeah this is usually what happens ...but let me tell ya another little trick ...If you really want to know how many birds are around , get a peacock call and wait until almost dark and head down the road and start blowing that thing ...this is what I do when someone tells me there is no gobblers gobbling or they all been shot ...go about every 1/2 mile or so and blow it where you think there might be a few .... It will usually blow your mind how many you can get to go off ...

[kevinlisa06]

Kudos on the Peacock call got to try something that the birds haven't seen or heard this time of the year that's for sure. Getting down to crunch time hopefully I will have an opportunity this weekend if all goes planned.

[bearpaw]

It's not new, there are a lot of guys with peacock calls, but bowhunter is correct, you can find birds at dark or just before shooting time early in the morning. When the peacock don't work, use your truck horn.

Right now I have found the brids to be very talkative, once the hens leave the toms to go lay in the late morning, those gobblers are talking late morning and mid day looking for more hens.

[USMC Hammer]

I'm up in Kettle Falls, and experiencing the same thing. Silent birds.

I unintentionally bumped 3 birds of roost yesterday, thinking they were further down the hill. I put em to bed, then they wouldn't respond in the morning. I figured they relocated so I headed down the hill, walked right up to the trees they were in. oops! They flew away and I lost em.

Anyways, I've been up here 3 days and heard only a handful of gobbles. Hope it gets better fast. I'd hate to go home empty handed for the third year in a row.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Its on on how you blow it  guarantee ya I can make them gobble ....sharp - hard -loud blast of air ..Gobble gobble gobble ...I be heading that way soon...unless I decide to try this new area I just cought wind of  just a couple hours closer .....but I want to try and hit Rufous on the way back ...Hell I do not know what to do  You get one to gobble at you now and it should be game on ... but then again it could be really good that last week ... it sure was awesome last year ....

[bearpaw]

Its on on how you blow it  guarantee ya I can make them gobble ....sharp - hard -loud blast of air ..Gobble gobble gobble ...I be heading that way soon...unless I decide to try this new area I just cought wind of  just a couple hours closer .....but I want to try and hit Rufous on the way back ...Hell I do not know what to do  You get one to gobble at you now and it should be game on ... but then again it could be really good that last week ... it sure was awesome last year ....

sounds like a tough decision... 

[ghosthunter]

I am leaving Thursday for another run at them. Coleville-kettle falls. Had them lite up last time but couldn't get them to come in.

[bearpaw]

good luck, hope you do well... 

[ghosthunter]

Thanks if you see the ghost camp sign stop in for a soda.

[bearpaw]

Thanks if you see the ghost camp sign stop in for a soda.

Seems like I have seen that before... not sure what I am doing yet, but will stop in if I see your camp, thanks. 

[Gobble Doc]

I might give this one more try over the 3 day weekend with my son.  I would like to see him get his first with a bow.  I remember last Memorial Day the birds were very quiet.  I was wondering if they actually bugged out into the deep  woods with all the camping noise of everyone. 

[kevinlisa06]

When the hens leave the toms its game on my wife got her bird at 10:40am 2 week ends ago. Good luck to ya and hope you enjoy ur hunt, 2 days of work left for the week and I'm back in the Turkey woods.

[Wayne1]

Since Elk season is closed   This is the time in the Turkey season I like using my Bugle....  This is a call not many birds have heard...  and it can reach out there away's.