STORY AND PHOTOS
BY MIKE Roux

I knew the flock was on this ridge every day. The signs they were leaving on the ground told me there were about 20 birds, more or less. I had no idea how many adults and how many juveniles. I was pretty sure that there would be no mature gobblers in this flock. I imagined it could possibly be two or three hens with this year's poults. I would have to look elsewhere for my Thanksgiving bird.

Big gobblers do not socialize much in the fall in the Prairie State. They tend to be loners, or at the most, form small bachelor groups. Hens are not the friendliest creatures when they are watching out for poults.

The big boys go about their business mostly as hermits, not really caring that they are alone. This disinterested attitude is what makes fall gobbler hunting such a challenge. It is definitely not impossible to harvest a big autumn tom, but it may be the toughest hunting job you'll try all year.

The traditional way to hunt fall turkeys can produce many birds, but few gobblers. First, you find an area

Getting close to big toms In the fall is difficult, but certainly not impossible.

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Many gobblers are harvested each autumn in "The Prairie State" with archery gear. (Photo by Spencer Dietrich.)

where a flock is routinely feeding. Scout the spot to find out what time of day they are there. Then, one day, meet them there and scatter the birds. Hold your position for a while, and as the flock begins to regroup, begin calling to pull the birds to your location.

Using either mouth or friction calls, start with the assembly call of the mature hen. This series of loud, aggressive yelps may number as many 15 to 20 notes. The last few notes of the series should be very emotional, very demanding. This lost call will bring the young birds in quickly. If you are looking for some prime young turkey meat, here is your chance.

If a little more quantity is what you're after, then continue calling to bring in the old hen. Lost calls of the young birds are what you use now. The "kee-kee" is the most common call made by young, lost turkeys. This three- or four-note, very high-pitched call will bring momma turkey on the run to find the lost young'un. The best way to describe the sound of this call is to imagine the squeal of a puppy with his tail shut in a screen door.

This method, and these calls, will consistently work to put birds within bow range in the fall. Unfortunately, if you are hunting beards, you may be disappointed in the results. Let us talk just a minute about how to get close to fall gobblers.

As already mentioned, mature male turkeys are loners in the fall. Finding their sign is a bit more difficult, but very easy to identify. If you run across ground scratching that looks like only one or two birds, it is probably a couple of toms. Also look for "J" shaped droppings in this area. This is a sure sign of gobbler activity.

Once you think you have located an area that may hold a gobbler or two, stake it out. You actually need to see the birds to be sure you are after a beard and not just an antisocial, old grumpy hen. Once you have made positive visual identification, you are ready to go to work.

Do not be fooled into thinking a fall gobbler will not strut. With the right calls, anything is possible.

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Fall turkey hunting can have some unexpected conditions, like snow.

For years, I have heard the stories of how it is impossible to call in mature gobblers in the fall. And for years 1 have called in and harvested mature gobblers in the fall. If this sounds a bit contradictory, it is. I said I "heard" the stories. I did not say I "told" them.

You can call in toms in the fall, but it takes a large measure of patience. Patience, for some reason, is an expensive commodity.

It all depends on two things: first, how much time do you have to spend fall turkey hunting? And how much of that time will you dedicate to harvesting a big gobbler? You must make those decisions before you ever get in the woods. Spring turkey hunters know that "patience is a virtue." But, it has been my experience that for every minute it takes you in the spring to be successful on a tom, it will take you two minutes in the fall. For every spring hour, plan on two fall hours. For every spring day, two fall days. If your math is still good, it will not take you long to realize that fall gobblers are at least twice as tough as spring gobblers. But that fact does not make them impossible to harvest.

After you have located your target, begin a calling sequence with gobbler clucks. These can be made with either a diaphragm or box call. The key to calling fall toms is to reproduce gobbler calls, not hen or flock calls. The tom has more reason to pair up with another tom than with a hen and her poults. Your big tom may respond to these first clucks, but do not expect him to run right in.

Continue making occasional gobbler calls. Clucks, gobbler yelps or even challenge purrs can work. The idea is to get him interested enough to want to "buddy up" to the tom you are imitating. Here is where the patience comes in. This wise old boy may never even acknowledge your existence. He may just keep feeding and walk out of sight without so much as a hello. However, my experience is that he will be back. A turkey's instinct tells him there is safety in numbers. There is not much that a turkey dislikes more than roosting alone. My prediction is that about 75 percent of the time, he will come back to meet up with the other gobbler—you—before roost time.

Good luck this fall with "Mr. Tom." Don't let your impatience keep you from harvesting a fall turkey.

Mike Roux is a free-lance writer from Quincy.

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