When to switch calls

[hook]

The previous post regarding HOW MANY calls in my vest got me thinking about a delima I often run into on hung up gobblers. How quickly do you switch calls when a gobbler is not responding but you know he is there? Do you switch and stick with a schedule (call every 20 minutes) or do you switch within the same call sequence until you get a response? I hate to over call, but I also want to make sure I pull out all the tricks before I relocate.

 

[Liv4Rut]

If i have a gobbler hung up, and he is gobbling his head off, and i know that i cant see him and he cant see me, i get up slow walk sneak back about 30 40 yards, call a few times quickly like im leaving, then sneak back up to the original spot. then just wait and he usually comes, if he doesnt after awhile i call again find out where he is, and then i start sneaking towards him and sound like a feeding hen scratching through the woods. if that doesnt work, then i will either let him be or try to make a huge circle around him and try that approach, a hung up bird sucks big time, the best approach for me is to have a buddy and when he hangs up just have him walk away calling and the bird usually will come in and you are there and the hen he hears is 50 or so yards away lol, i feel like im writing a book, i will stop now, goodluck!!!

 

[iowaelkhntr]

Never hurts to switch calls or calling sequence. I like the new flip over mouth calls to give the illusion there is more than one bird. I've had success in the fall calling in birds to the tree stand(not yet harvested one) by softly using more than one contented feeding hen clucks. Never say never with different calls.

 

[GunnerJon]

It is all up to the hunter...but personally, I don't use the "call every 20 minutes routine". Every day in the turkey woods can call for a different method. If there are hens around, I listen and mimic what I hear. Sometimes I have gotten an old hen so fired up, she simply won't shut up, and comes storming right in. And then here comes that tom!
Turkeys are VERY vocal animals....probably the most vocal animal out there....so I would have to say, mimic what you hear.
There is really no rhyme or reason why I switch up calls in call session. Sometimes I get no response. So I'll just wait a while (I have no idea how long "a while" is.....but probably around 15 minutes) and make a call switch.
Sneaking away and calling to a gobbler works too...but you have to be careful you don't get spotted. I have killed turkeys just by sitting for a whole morning in one spot, calling every once and a while. If you have an area with a lot of bird sign...sooner or later, a bird will come to investigate.
Okay.....this novel has to end!

Man....I could just go on and on about turkey hunting!

 

[homerj]

The best call might be no call on hung-up gobblers. It's hard to do, especially for me... I love to call.
To keep calling lets the bird know you're still there, the silence "might" make him come investigate to see if that hen is still around. As usual in the Turkey woods it's all "if's" and "maybe's"

 

[deadeye]

I don't know how many times things don't go my way after fly down. I bow hunt and built a permanent blind in a pretty good spot. I usually sit in it for first light as it is easy and quiet to get setup. Then when things die I might set up my double bull. Usually I call on and off every 15 min or so. Usually something will come by even if I haven't brought them in with the call. Just a good pass through spot I guess. Sometimes I even take a nap once they hen up and wait until they break.

 

[Husker]

I will switch up calls if he hangs up, the other trick up my sleeve is a Gobbler Call. That has pulled my last 2 birds into range. One was on a ridge top cornfield strutting his fool butt off. Tried everything but the kitchen sink. Started to walk off with another gobbler and I gave the gobbler call a shake and lo and behold he came into 15 yards on a string strutting and gobbling the whole way. Just be careful when using a gobbler call cause your never alone in the woods.

 

[M350]

OVERCALLING is over rated--Hit em hard and fast. Forget about 20 minutes and make turkeys hunt you. Early on in the season birds are still flocked up (several Hens included)As season progresses then become more passive in you calling---BUT NEVER limit your efforts to a clock, some birds will loose interest.

Easy summation: call as much as needed to keep the gobblers interest focused on you---Worst case senerio is a subordinate 2 year old will sneak in beside you.

Also dont get caught up in switching calls if what you are using is working, but be confident on different types of callers(diaphram, slate and box), each has its place in the turkey woods. Be it windy or rainy conditions, these 3 types of callers will cover most situations. Practice and be confident--NO 2 TURKEYS SOUND THE SAME--they just have kinda the same cadence--get the rythm and keep it real... Best of luck and keep it safe this spring.