Calling the Wild Tom Turkey

The basic wild tom turkey call to use on an early morning wild turkey hunt is a series of short tree yelps. Make them sound sleepy, just enough to let the Tom turkey know you are there. Give a louder series of yelps if the wild tom turkey answers, then go quiet. Continuing to yelp at the gobbler as he is still in his tree, and that wild tom turkey is likely to keep gobbling at you expecting you (Being the wild turkey hen) to come to him. Remain quiet and the wild tom turkey may fly down and head toward you.

Once you, (the wild turkey hunter impersonating a wild turkey hen), have gotten the wild tom turkey to fly down. You should be able to tell the gobbler is on the ground by the muffled sound of his call. Now is the time to make your play and really get the wild tom turkey interested. Make a few pleading yelps, then a short series of fly down cackles. Whack your hand, which should be gloved against your leg or maybe your hat to imitate flapping wings.

When the wild tom turkey calls again use a series of strong yelps. Begin with the tutt sounds that turkey hunter call cuts, then the yelps, and end with another cut. Now quietly set that wild turkey call aside, slide your diaphragm turkey call in your mouth to be ready to make some purrs and clucks, and ready your gun. Should it seem that the gobbler has stopped, scratch at the leaves beside you to encourage the gobbler to keep coming. But if the tom is still moving closer, be quiet and still. Make the wild tom turkey come looking for you.

Should the gobbler seem to fade off or not come in all the way for a good shot, resume your wild turkey calling. Bring up the pitch and excitement of your turkey call a bit, pleading with the tom turkey with yelps to turn him your way again. When the gobbler is approaching you again, ease off the turkey call and let him hunt you.

If the wild tom turkey is already with some hens, that gobbler isn't likely to leave them and come to you. But often there is another tom traveling with him or somewhere around. If there is a group of wild turkey hens, the odds are good that there's more than one wild tom turkey. So don't jump the gun and change positions or just give up too soon.

A wild tom turkey that is surrounded by hens can often be made to come closer by annoying his dominant hen into coming in to drive you off and along with her, the gobbler straggles along. To do this use alot of aggressive cackling, cutting, and yelping. Whatever sound she makes to you, give back that wild turkey call with the same rhythm and the same number of repetitions.

I hope this article about calling the wild tom turkey has been helpful and inspires you to practice how you call as well as how your wild turkey call sounds. Remember that knowing when to use the wild turkey call and when to stay quiet, or use more subtle calls can increase your success. Thank you for reading. And please take time to visit my sponsors by clicking on their banners. Each carries some great assortment of wild turkey calls and other wild turkey hunting gear that will help make your wild tom turkey hunting experience more successful.