turkeys-cluck to stop?

[Daz]

Shot timing is everything, and i'm not a fan of grunting bucks to make them stop to shoot, or mewing at bull elk, but i have stopped moose with a grunt, and it's been fine.

Turkeys? Not a clue. When a tom is coming in and moving, cluck to make them stop, or does that make them more aware and likely to bust me?

Any thoughts from experienced turkey hunters is welcomed...

[Dave McDaniel]

You cluck and he will throw that head up and look right at you. He will most likely stop close on his own if you have been calling. If he suspects anything he will be gone! Are you going to use a blind? what about decoys? Not really enough info here to tell you what to do. Get a good book, not a video or TV show, they don't show the whole story and most of what you watch is filmed after the kill. There are little subtleties you need to learn. Calling gets lots of attention but woodsmanship kills turkeys. Any more questions or thoughts ask away. Am interested to here what others have to say.

[Daz]

I guess i should clarify. I am by NO MEANS a turkey hunter. Last spring i was able to sneak up on a solo bird, and after five minutes realized it was a hen (our season is bearded only).

The season before that i intercepted a flock of 14 birds working up a narrow ravine, but the toms stayed behind the hens, and didn't provide a shot.

I have a hand-me down box call, and have been wondering about mouth calls, hence the question. Maybe i should consider a decoy. With our bobcat population exploding, i'm not even sure what our spring population will look like...but any excuse to be out with my bow is a good one.

[crotch horn]

Interesting question. Will follow this thread along as well. I love turkey hunting but do most with a shotgun. Hunt them more & more with my longbow though. Got a nice Tom the last day of the spring season with my longbow. Made it my bestbird yet. You might get away with it if you are in a blind but I would not personally try it without the blind. I don't use a blind when turkey hunting but may try it this year. Good luck.

[sawtoothscream]

i personally wouldntry it. turkeys have some of the best eyes and hears in the game.  you make a sound and they will point you out most of the time. use a decoy and the bird should at one point or another stop for a second or 2. timing will be key. in a blind you could get away with more and making a noise my help stop him but like mentioned without a blind i wouldnt try. if using a blind have a mouth call with you. when if range draw and give a yulp or 2 in my experience it will stop the bird in most cases unless he is nervous. but get it way before the season and practice alot, you can make some weird sounds with one of them haha. i use a primos a frame triple reed bat cut and wont use any other call now the birds in my area fire up and pretty much run into it.

speaking ofit i cant wait until turkey starts up. its by far my favorite animal to hunt, love hearing nd shooting those long beards and seeing all the birds and stuff that come back. i know im going to try for a turkey with a bow this year but sadly i dont think ill be prepared to go after them with my long bow yet, i dont use a blind.

[sawtoothscream]

also since your newer to it. do not over call.  once i get a bird to gobble i sit and call a few times. then after he gobbles ill call every 15-20 minutes. you may not hear him again until he is there. last year i heard some birds gobble real far. sat down gave a few calls and stoped, 30-40 minutes later a hen came out then a second later 2 long beards.  when ever i over called i never saw a bird cause in nature the hen goes to the tom. he knows exactly where you are after the first few calls and will come if he wants to.  turkeys are real fun after you figure out what the birds in your area like and respond to. good luck and post pics if you tag one.

decoys are geat to have. i had a bird that would come in silent every time and look for hen, he would come within range at all and would just keep looking.

[Guru]

If you are in a good pop up blind,extremely well hidden, or are at full draw already...then I guess it would be ok.

But if you haven't drawn yet, and are not in a blind...then I'd have to say no...

[mnbwhtr]

I always cluck when in a blind, it makes them stand staight up so I can take their head off with a bullhead. If for some reason I'm shooting snuffers I'll just let them stop naturally or shoot while they're walking if I'm not in a blind.