How to Bring In A Drumming Tom?

[landtracdeerhunter]

Got him drumming with a yelping call at 6:50am today. 5 sets and then went silent. He's a tough old bird. Any advise on what to try? Thanks in advance.

[Uncle Nicky]

I'm not sure there is anything you can do to coax in a bird that doesn't want to commit, other than to just purr or cluck quietly and hope for the best. They seem to have a mind of their own most times. You could try following him if he moves on, sometimes if they think a hen is cutting the distance they will turn back around.

[TreeGuy]

Try putting him to bed at night and sneaking in while he's roosted the next a.m. hopefully u put him on the ground before he has breakfast

[WNY Bowhunter]

That's a tough one...sounds like an old bird that knows how to play the game. He wants the hen to come to him just as nature designed it to work. All you can really do is get his attention with a few calls and then sit back, be patient and keep an eye out for him sneaking in to check you out. A gobbler's mood can change from day to day, maybe tomorrow he'll mess up. Good luck!

[Lawdwaz]

Got him drumming with a yelping call at 6:50am today. 5 sets and then went silent. He's a tough old bird. Any advise on what to try? Thanks in advance.

Drumming?

You mean gobbling? Grouse drum.....

[WNY Bowhunter]

Spit-n-drumming...you know, the PPFFFFTTVVVRRRMMMMM sound you hear when he's getting close!!!

[landtracdeerhunter]

I recorded grouse drumming Past Sunday. This was no grouse. He was close but on private land. Felt like I was this close but, a mile away.

Edited May 23, 2012 by landtracdeerhunter

[Lawdwaz]

I recorded grouse drumming Past Sunday. This was no grouse. He was close but on private land. Felt like I was this close but, a mile away.

It wasn't a turkey.

They don't "drum". They make a sound like WNYBH says but more like a, well, a..... oh hell I don't know how to spell it!

Get a video or YouTube of it and you'll know what it is.

If you get a gobbler close enough to here the sound were talking about, he is within 30-40 yards I'd guess??

I need more information, such as coordinates and ownership? <grin>

[33Canuck]

Spit-n-drumming...you know, the PPFFFFTTVVVRRRMMMMM sound you hear when he's getting close!!!

I felt like I was in the Turkey woods when I read this, almost like V-nam flashback if you know what I mean.... LOL

There is no mistaking a spitting and drumming Tom and if you hear it you are well within the killing zone. If you have one that hangs up alot there are several tactics you can try but none are for sure. My favorite to get a stubborn bird to commit is to fire up a really aggressive hen fight, I work 2 mouth calls and a slate and will cut in with a gobble from time to time. Alot of times it is just to much for them to handle. The key usually is getting the ladies to commit and he will come in tow. Sometimes just a suttle move left or right will work to, he has to think there are a couple ladies and they might be on the move. Sometimes its just shutting up and letting his curiousity get to him. Good luck

[landtracdeerhunter]

That's the noise, spitting and drumming. The spitting noise is hard to describe but that's as close of wording. He was close but in a heavier underbrush on the edge of the woods. I think I smelled his turkey smell. Like a rutting deer kinda, lol. Did have his interest, but it like he knows how far to go. I think this old boy has fooled many a hunter, myself included. This morning, fly down was very early, 4:51 to be exact. Not a sound but a few clucks and wings flapping. Even heard thumps this am.. Once they hit the ground, all silent. Going to try some of the things mentioned and thanks guys. `One tired,drug through the weeds hunter.` Back out tomorrow.

Edited May 24, 2012 by landtracdeerhunter

[WNY Bowhunter]

I felt like I was in the Turkey woods when I read this, almost like V-nam flashback if you know what I mean.... LOL

The banded gobbler that I killed this year tortured me with that sound for over an hour...

[33Canuck]

yah The Northern Gobbler I got was 15 yards to my right for 20 minutes doing the same I thought he was never going to come out in front, had that happen so many times where they are close enough but you just cant move and they loose interest or go behind and walk away. All part of the chess game and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Huntingbum]

i"m curious..... how did this end up? did you ever get himt o come out and play?

[landtracdeerhunter]

I had so completely forgot about this post. While deer hunting back in November, this year,( after turkey season, of coarse) I believed to have seen this old bird on the edge of the thicket, within 100 yds. of the action last May. He had surfaced out of an old deer trail, gobbled and almost a squitting sound, before vanishing into the under brush. It was almost like he turkey gestured to me, LOL. This gives me, so something to aim for May 1st. I say he's old, as his appearance shows it.

Edited December 17, 2012 by landtracdeerhunter