Turkey Gobbles

[Rauly]

How far away can you hear a turkey gobble in the woods? It seems to me like I can hear them for a long way. Maybe 300 - 400 yards At least that is what the little voices in my head tell me.

Rauly

[Bill Monroe]

The little voices in my head wonder if the turkey gobbles in the woods but you don't hear it, did it really gobble?

But seriously folks...actually, I don't think the sound travels very far. My limited experience has been that if you hear them, they're a lot closer than you think.
Across pastures, etc., it's a lot different...up to maybe an eighth of a mile or even a quarter?

[birdhunter]

Depends. Just got back from turkey hunting over in Hells Canyon. If you get on top you can hear them a couple of ridges over. That's 1-2 miles. Down in the bottoms or in the forest it's more like 500 yards or so. Depends a lot on the terrain. Bottom line is, if you can hear them, they can hear you.

Bill - I'll give you a call later this afternoon.

[Swamp Critter]

I've been turkey hunting for 16 years (other states before Oregon) and predicting the distance and direction to a gobbling bird is one of a key step to success. I just got back for a turkey hunt in south Texas which is very flat and relatively short vegetation…there on a calm morning you could hear a gobble at least a 1 1/2 miles. Here in the west where the terrain and vegetation is mixed you might not hear one 250 yards away.

I would say the following effect hearing distance (somewhat in order)
1) distance
2) wind
3) terrain
4) vegetation
5) bird on roost or on ground (they usually sound closer when in a tree)
6) direction the bird gobbles (this can make a big difference)

Pin pointing the gobbler will allow you to set up properly. Too close and you bump them, too far away and they might not come to you when you call.

Its the art of turkey hunting that makes it fun!!

You can't replace time in the field. Have fun out there.
:smile: dave

[ 05-02-2003, 09:49 AM: Message edited by: Swamp Critter ]

[Gun Rod Bow]

Rauly,

I can tell you that I have heard them and thought they were right on top of me and found that they were actually a couple hundred yards off.

I've heard them and thought well I better close in and bump them out of a ditch 50 yards away.

I think which way they are facing also comes into play.

Looks like my answer is just as perfectly vague as the rest.

Help Any? [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]

GRB

[gotZem]

Yep, if you can hear him, he's close enough you'd better be for sittin' you butt down-FAST! They have long, powerful legs and can be running. I've been busted about a hundred times thinking I needed to set my decoys up! Don't waste the time if he's gobbling hot. Set up and get ready to whhhhack him! I had one fly across a 500 foot canyon while I was on my hands and knees setting up decoys! I had to go back the next morning to get him! Fun isn't it!?
Ken Cox

[tramp]

you guys listen to gotzem, he's a turkey whhhhacken' machine.