beards-n-bone
04-25-2009, 06:56 PM
Accidently staggered onto this method a few years back and have pulled it out of the bag when all else fails. I used to get after whatever bird that would talk, but now I take it personal when a bird wont work for me. I was driving on a forest service road on the DBNF when I topped a rise 3 hens a a gobbler were standing in the road about 60 yds in front of me. I started to ease back over the lip of the hill and try to work the bird but I knew deep down him being semi-spooked and having hens with him it would be next to impossible to kill him......so I floored it:eek: The hens took flight and pitched off to the left of the road and the tom ran down the middle of the road before finally running into the woods on the left side. I pulled down the road and around the next curve and parked. Before I even got my stuff on and my shotgun out the Tom was gobblin. I walked off into the woods and closed as close as possible to the gobblin bird. I cutt and made a few yelps on my mouth call and I had to shoot him in self-defense:) Now if I have a Tom that gives me trouble by either roosting with or gobbling up hens in the morning for a few mornings, I scare him off his roost. Without making a call I approach his roost tree as soon as he sounds off in the morning well before flydown. I then walk right under him shining a bright flashlight until I hear turkeys fly. I then move away from there and get in a good place to listen. I guarantee if you float a few calls he will answer after allowing some time for him to calm down. GET TO HIM QUICK using the terrain to hide you movements. You have broke his routine and he will act like a love struck 2 yr old as he closes in. If all else fails give it a try. Kinda of using fall tactics in the spring.