Coaxing a known bird off the roost is one of the quickest and most efficient ways to kill an early morning gobbler. However, with all-day hunting beginning Monday for the final two weeks of Pennsylvania's spring gobbler season, there are times when changing tactics is needed.
By now, many gobblers have been pressured and changed their routine, so sometimes hunters are forced to go in blind as to the roosting location of a bird. When this happens many often employ what is known among turkey hunters as the "run-and-gun" style of turkey hunting to locate a bird and fill a tag.
Although there are no sure things in turkey hunting, this technique can get the job done. All one needs to know is how to successfully locate and conquer, and the first thing hunters need to do is find a reliable tract of land that consistently holds birds.
In this case, large areas of public land are a good bet since they provide lots of room to roam. That is not the case when dealing with private acreage, where hunters are limited to the confinement of areas for which they have permission to hunt. This is problematic when birds hang up, gobbling their heads off on a neighbor's land with hunters next door unable to do anything about it.
With large public tracts, hunters are limited only by their own physical capabilities and willingness to cover some ground. Most state game lands and forests have prime turkey habitat, as well as seasonal maintenance roads that snake their way through the property.
These gravel roads are almost always open to foot traffic and make accessibility to some of the best hunting locations a possibility, as long as hunters are up for a long hike away from everyone else and closer to unsuspecting gobblers. Utilizing the "run-and-gun" approach, hunters can walk access roads and stop at various locations to try for a response using a locator call.
Coming in a variety of styles - from owl hooters, crow and pileated woodpecker calls - locators mimic natural animals in the environment and will often prompt "shock gobbles" from nearby toms or jakes without alerting them of danger. Many hunters also locate birds using hen yelps or cuts on a box, pot and peg or a diaphragm call.
Though effective, using turkey calls can be dangerous because other hunters may mistake these calls for the real thing, and it runs the risk of over-educating birds. Regardless of the locator call one prefers to use, if a gobbler responds, it is go time.
Quickly note the general location of the turkey, then assess the terrain. If the bird is far off, try to cut the distance without bumping him. Use discretion when moving in - 150 yards is a good distance if the cover is adequate - and remember to set up either above the bird or straight out from him on equal elevation because calling a gobbler downhill is often difficult.
Also, try to avoid obstructions, such as fences, creeks or brush piles that might cause an approaching tom to hang up on his way in to the setup. Upon getting into position, try to select a tree broader than shoulder-width when seated against it, as this will break up the human outline and also provide safety coverage from behind.
Some light, natural cover is also helpful for concealment if it is readily available and provides a good spot to nestle in, but trying to make it perfect is a waste of time. When time permits, it is often effective to put up a hen decoy before calling to help draw the gobbler's attention as he approaches.
When calling, keep the gun rested on a knee or shooting sticks and keep movement to a minimum, as a bird can approach at any time. Calls should vary depending on how a gobbler responds, but a good choice is to start with some yelps and cuts, and as he gets closer, tone it down to soft occasional purrs just to keep his attention.
If his gobbles cut off the calling, he is likely interested and will be approaching soon. If the bird is truly committed, remember that less is more, and forgo the hand-operated calls for a mouth call to limit movement.
This "run-and-gun" mobile approach can be an extremely effective spring gobbler hunting technique, especially in the afternoon when birds can be anywhere. With attention to safety and a willingness to put on some miles, hunters have a great chance for success.