When spring fills the air, Tom turkeys get in the mood for love as the wheels of another breeding season kick into gear.
A dominant gobbler riding a testosterone high is prone to bust into uncontrollable fits of boisterous gobbling. The resonant vocals are often followed by peculiar struts, drums, spitting sounds and other haughty displays of self importance. It’s raucous behavior meant to impress the ladies and discourage other suitors from infringing on their turf.
All of the trash talk is sweet music to the ears of spring turkey hunters. That’s because they rely heavily on gobbling activity to pinpoint birds and plot hunting strategies. The idea is to home in on the sounds of the gobbler so you can move in close, mock the sounds of a lovesick hen turkey and ultimately lure the boss bird into shotgun range -- 40 yards or less.
