Why do turkeys cackle?
The cackle is generally associated with leaving the roost, but can also be heard when a bird is flying up to a roost. A fly-down cackle is good call to tell a gobbler that a hen is on the ground. However, a fly-down cackle often works best if the gobbler is already on the ground before you call.
What do different turkey sounds mean?
Louder yelps spaced close together generally mean that a turkey is excited about something – it’s not an alarm call, but it might mean they are angry about an intruding bird or something to that effect. In the fall, hens will often use an assembly call of sorts, which sounds more like a “yawp” than a yelp.
Do turkeys cackle?
Both males and females cackle as they fly down from roosts, give very short, soft purring calls while traveling on foot, and give a long series of yelps to reassemble a flock after it has become scattered. Young turkeys whistle three or four times to their flockmates when they’re lost.
What time do turkeys come off the roost?
In my view, the best times of the day are right off the roost, then again from about 8:30 to 9:30 when more hens start to leave the gobbler to go lay an egg, and again from about 11 until noon. It’s somewhat obvious why gobblers respond off the roost; it’s a new day and they’re not necessarily with hens yet.
How far can turkeys hear?
In a big field they will hear you from 400 yards. It sounds like you know where they are and where they are going. I’d get as close as I could to where they want to be and work from there. If you hear them gobbling on the limb and they are not where you expect them to be, I’d move right away.
How do you call a tom turkey?
Make a loud, short burst of crow or owl calls, and then listen for gobbles. If you get no response, walk 100 yards and repeat until hearing a gobble. Call again until pinpointing where they’re roosted. When returning the next morning before dawn, set up within 200 yards of the roosting tree.
How often should you call turkeys?
Call every few minutes, and act like a disinterested hen going about her daily routine. Moving also helps in such situations, because turkeys rarely sit and yelp in one place for long. Yes, you’re right; those examples are also extremes.
What time should you start calling turkeys in the morning?
Most birds won’t even gobble as much as they might around 9 or 10 a.m. You need to crow call or hen cutt and listen closely for a faint gobble or two. Then move in and listen for softer sounds, like a turkey strutting or walking in the leaves.
Do turkeys like to cuddle?
Turkeys love to be stroked, petted and cuddled. They will remember your face and if they like you, they will come up to you to greet you. Turkeys also love music and will cluck along with the songs.