Team Tactics for Hunting Spring Turkeys
Working Together to Increase Your Odds in Turkey Hunting
May 22, 2009
Spring turkey hunting is one of the best times to be in the woods. Often, a hunter will partner up with a friend or a family member and head to the woods with hopes of bagging a gobbler. Here are a few techniques that can be used by hunters to team up and work together.
Team Calling to Add Realism
Sometimes adding a second person in a calling sequence is what it takes to drive a gobbler wild. Two callers can add realism to a sequence and comfort to responding birds. At first light, when preparing to call, try working together with some soft tree yelps. Keep the calls soft and spaced apart mimicking the sounds of two hens roosted in a tree; vocalizing with each other, preparing to fly down. If a fly down call is to be used, one caller should call while the other uses a hat or a wing to flap in the air; simulating the wings of a turkey against branches during flight.
When calling to birds on the ground, create a scenario of two feeding hens roaming through the woods. Using a raspy call and a higher pitched call, try to simulate an old hen with a younger hen. Yelp to the gobbler with one call at a time, using the other caller to occasionally yelp softly and purr, acting like a content feeding set of birds. Using a stick, scratch in the leaves to create realism. Turkeys expect to hear these sounds, they respond well to a realistic approach. As a gobbler approaches gun range, the shooter is able to focus on the short while the other hunter is able to keep him coming in. Team calling is an effective tactic when the two callers can work together. Sometimes it is just what is needed when a wiry old Tom fails to commit. Many gobblers have fallen victim of two-man tactics.
The Fall Back Method
One of the most effective two man tactics is The Fall Back Method. This is an extremely effective tactic when a bird is hung up or coming in really slow. With the bird hung up, the shooter will stay put, keeping focused on the approaching gobbler. The caller will work straight back about thirty to forty yards. This creates a situation that leads the gobbler to think the hen is moving away. The caller should call to the bird with the same volume as before moving.
Don’t increase the volume to make up the distance. The bird will hear the calls. Too much volume will decrease the realism. As the bird responds to the calls and moves in, stay mobile and fall back another ten yards or so, heading the bird right into the shooter’s range.
Sometimes this tactic is ineffective. When a gobbler is hung up, he is there to stay. In this situation, reverse the rolls. The caller needs to remain in the location keeping the gobbler talking, while the shooter moves forward into gun range trying to get a shot off. Usually the bird will be easily spotted strutting around. The shooter will have an idea of his location as the caller keeps him gobbling. Both tactics are effective, team tactics and the fall back method offer a unique experience.
The next time a wise old gobbler is hanging up, or two people are hunting together, try using two man tactics. Work together as a team, calling and shooting, enjoy a new hunting style.
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