What does it mean when a turkey is strutting?
Strutting
“Strutting is an instinctive or innate behavior,” Eriksen said. “The word is used to describe the courtship display of the wild turkey.” The displays range from ornate to simple, and all are designed to allow the male to show off his plumage and colors in hopes of suitably impressing a female to result in mating.
What is a strutting tom?
$194.99. This strutter decoy is deadly! With a sub-dominant head position, this ultra lifelike decoy is a game changer! Gobblers will charge from across the field to run off the intruder.
How do you identify a gobbler?
Male turkeys, often called gobblers, are a darker brown color — even bordering on black — than the females. Gobblers’ heads are a combination of red and blue, while their feathers have a metallic sheen. Females, known as hens, are generally a drab brown from head to toe. Gobblers are also larger than hens.
Will a spooked gobbler come back?
If left alone, they might return. Make darn sure to avoid bumping a previously spooked turkey again. Be extremely cautious in your approach to a roosted bird and about your movements while setting up. Often, a careless turn of the head or hasty walk out of the woods is all it takes to bump a bird again.
Can a hen turkey gobble?
2. Female turkeys don’t gobble A female turkey is called a hen and the male turkey is called a gobbler and for a good reason. Only male turkeys make that adorable gobbling sound; hens cluck and make small, chirp-like noises. Each male turkeys use his unique gobbling and strutting skills to attract the ladies.
What does it mean when a turkey drums?
What does turkey drumming mean for hunting? Turkey drumming is a sound you should be actively listening for every time you step in the woods after a big gobbler. Most hunters know the frustration of a turkey that suddenly stops gobbling, but some hunters might not realize that bird is still approaching them.
How do you tell a hen from a gobbler turkey?
The white skull cap on the gobbler is distinct, as is the presence of leg spurs and prominent red wattles on the neck. The body coloration of a gobbler is distinctly dark, almost black. In contrast, hens have a smaller, bluish-gray head, lack spurs and prominent wattles, and are brownish in appearance.
How do you tell male and female wild turkeys apart?
Males, called toms or gobblers, are much larger than females. Males boast dark iridescent plumage; large, fanning tails; prominent snoods; and wattles. They make gobbles and other mating calls. Females, or hens, are smaller, with duller plumage and less prominent features.
What time do turkeys fly up to roost?
Afternoon hunting generally peaks from around 2 to 4:30 p.m., but you might as well hunt right up until dark some days. Gobblers love to roost within 50 to 200 yards of hens. If a turkey hears you yelping and cutting late in the day, he might come in to roost in the area.
Do turkeys return to the same roost?
Will turkeys roost at different spots? Yes, in areas with abundant roost trees. In areas with few suitable roost trees — parts of Texas, Oklahoma and the Dakotas, for example — turkeys predictably use the same roost trees day after day for generations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiXJSPd6EuU