So many hens, Where’s the toms????

I’m new to hunting and I’ve gone out 4x for turkey so far....2 out of the 4x iv called in hens and I think it was the same 2. Seems like in the morning there’s absolutely nothing around. 4-7pm is when I had the hens roll up on me. Where all the toms? I’ve only heard the gobble one time??? I think my calling is ok, call like every 5min or so. Is it worth hunting during the day? I see turkey prints in the mud there must be a tom or 2 around. Does the flock stay around same area or do they leave??? Getting frustrated with this.

Soon you may find your area changes as the hens begin to nest. Try mid-morning hunting as the toms/jakes will be roaming more.
Try spacing your calling out to about 15 min. intervals; there's no hard rule for timing, but nature programmed to male to attract the female to him -- hunters are trying to reverse this attraction. Without answers, you may put the males off if you're too aggressive. Also, once he's heard and responded, he knows where you are and silence may make him work harder/interested and come to you.
If you have some sign then it's probably just more time in the field that'll create success.
Good luck -- 3 weeks of madness ("fun") left!

Good pair of binoculars work just as good as they see you .

This time of the year I like stocking them. Try glassing them out on the field at different times. Calling will work if there’s hot bird. I wouldn’t waste any time calling every 5 minutes. No response keep on moving and calling.

If you are stringing out decoys I would string out one feeding hen.


GL lots of time left !

I had 2 gobbling this morning....I had a clear shot at 1 but didnt take it because it was on the Niegbours corn field...he’s against hunting, I don’t want to cause any trouble. Then I had another one in front of me probably like 150m away but couldn’t get it out of the bush!!! He gobbling like crazy...you guys just cluck once you hear a gobbler and how often once you hear one? I’m trying to get the mouth calling down but it’s hard lol I mess up every time I use it, I walk around my place last 3 days practicing lol. How long before a turkey comes after it leaves? Do I bother keep calling??? And how’s there memory if they see me....when I walked down the stand couple saw me and took off

Calling is a game that will take a life time to learn all the nuances to make it work.
First thing to learn is calling does NOT bring in a bird.
The scenario you want to create is one of.... I'm a hen here but not really interested in you so if you want me come see me.
So the less you interact with him the better.
Really the odd call to track his position is all that's needed. Thing to note though is a gobbling bird is not one coming to you when he goes silent that's when he is on the move.
The other scenario you'll encounter is trying to call in the hen with the tom as where she goes he goes.
Problem you may encounter is she can turn around and go the other way instead of sharing her man.

You gotta talk sexy to him, just enough to get him all worked up and then change your mind and make him work for it like you didnt start it. Just be a tease. Also luck a lot of luck last year i could get them to gobble but not come anywhere near me this year had one come right to me like someone lit a fire under him.

Yesterday came to the conclusion this season is turning out to be a bit atypical. By now toms should be alone and roaming and easy to pick off. Usually by now glad I'm tagged out as the bugs are crazy.
Well still not a mosquitoe out and the toms still with hens.
Morning broke yesterday bright and clear though still cold at 2'C. Counted 4 toms gobbling on the roost a little deep in the bush across the road. Wasn't to concerned as they usually cross into the open fields once they drop. Well when they did hit the ground they never moved, went silent, and disappeared. Mid morning had 2 hens come down from the opposite ridge of the field and setup in front of me. Watched them for the next several hours cruising around me. Periodically one or the other would crest a small hill and seemed to be scanning the bush across the road. Around 2pm one of the hens got to the top of the hill but now her head was glistening red. She sat down on a patch of green grass in the disked field. She sat there a good 20 minutes until a faint gobble caused both of them to practically run towards it never to be seen again.
I'm figuring the season is off by 2 weeks but at least don't have worry about the bugs.

I was out friday and had the first bugs of the season, so now I will take thermocell with me. Saw a couple toms but not close enough for a shot. Be out tomorrow in the high winds and maybe some rain.

You and I both
Would imagine today a lot of skitters will be out

Thanks FFF for your analogy. I'm still green to Turkey hunting and have to help fill a couple tags this spring season

Yes very true about the toms being with the hens had a Tom with 2 hens the other day and I couldn’t take the shot they were pretty much guarding him. They walked off as one, i had so many close ones but still no cigar...im out right now called in 3 again 2 hens and a jake they were behind me in the bush can barley see them was just waiting and waiting and waiting for the jake to walk out....I can see the beard on the jake it was only about 2-3” at the most, would any of you take that bird or let it grow??? I like to preserve fish and wildlife as much as I can so if it’s not a good bird to take I won’t.

It’s soooooo windy out here the tree stand iam on is swaying back and forth!!! ...wind turn them off? I’m finding they gobble more on nice, calm, clear sky days

"would any of you take that bird or let it grow??? I like to preserve fish and wildlife as much as I can so if it’s not a good bird to take I won’t."

YES!!!!!!! A tom will give you a couple pounds more meat but the quality is far superior in a jake.


"It’s soooooo windy out here the tree stand iam on is swaying back and forth!!! ...wind turn them off? I’m finding they gobble more on nice, calm, clear sky days"

Ya I called it quits a while ago your observation is correct. Question though what the heck you doing in a tree stand? Get on the ground with your back against a tree. No need to be in a stand in fact I think you might be hindering yourself.

I was actually gonna take that jake if I had a good shot....I didn’t care much for my 1st bird...and yea i been on tree stand many times hunting for the birds, so comfy with a chair!! Hahahah...it’s not recommended?

I get comfort but in a word get yourself a turkey lounger. If interested send me a pm and I can show you how its done

Hunt from the ground. Never really heard of anyone hunting from a stand. Not to mention your much more likely to smash your bird due to the downward angle. If your level with him, its head and neck.