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South Sound Longbeards


Turkey Tips - Sooner the Better

 

Standard wisdom suggests that when you scatter a band of mature gobblers, lengthy waits - sometimes days long - can be expected.  On the surface, this does make sense:  Longbeards have no pressing reason to reassemble.  On the other hand, my personal experiences as well as the experiences of some old-time hunters I know, suggests that you are more likely to call a gobbler within five to 10 minutes after the scatter than hours later.  

Longbeards are prone to sneaking back to the scatter site to check out a few muted clucks or a couple of yelps.  When the gobblers sneak back in, it will likely be in total silence.  At the most, they'll offer only a single "where are you?" cluck.  You must be alert.

When you know you have scattered old birds, I suggest you either put a blind up, or better still, find a natural one immediately.  Get ready for business and remember  that any movement or sound will betray you.