Go n' Bow Part 2 - Gobbler Behavior

Know the Turkey you are Hunting

If there was one section of this entire series to read, this would be it.  It’s something we not only have learned from studying wild turkeys but also from listening to other turkey hunters and their strategies.  The ultimate way to be successful in hunting turkeys is to know there are different types of male turkey behaviors.  And you can tell by the way they are responding to your calls.

In a perfect world a bird responds to your calling and comes directly to you for a kill shot. But that’s not always the case. Toms can get hung up, have their own intentions, or even come in silently so it pays to know the different gobbler behaviors.

Type #1 (2-3 yr Tom)

This is usually a subordinate tom, who’s been beaten up a few times, but still looking for a receptive hen.

 Identification: If you set up within 100yds and he responses to your calls, then you move in closer, and he responses further away from you.

 How to kill him: If you can try to get around him.  Pull up your Mapping App and find terrain that will work in your favor.  Use ridges or lower creek bottoms to remain hidden and move into position. This will signal to him that there is another receptive hen looking to breed.  For this to be successful, you will need to change calls and sound like a different hen.

Type #2 (2-5yr Tom)

This tom usually has one set determined location that he is looking to get to.  Whether it’s a field, a strut zone, or a dusting area, he doesn’t care what he hears, he’s going to that spot!

 Identification: If you are setup he’ll answer your call.  If you call again and you are in the same position and he answers again, only he answers further away from you.

 How to kill him: Cut him off!  Try and determine where he is going and get in between him and his destination.  Again, pull up your Mapping App and find terrain that will work in your favor.  Get setup and kill him.

Type #3 (3yr +)

This type of turkey is by far the hardest to hunt of the 3 types of behavior.  This particular Tom is in his safer area and/or the place where he wants to be, and he’s going to stay there.

 Identification:  Responses to calls, but stays in one spot.

 How to kill him: Go to him. Try and determine where he is and try your best to close the distance. Crawl into position, as close as you can, and give him a few softer calls to try and lure him to you. Again, pull up your Mapping App and find terrain that will work in your favor.