Do tom's really get educated? Because I spooked him

[rfickes87]

I took a half day yesterday (Monday 4-30). PA public land. My plan was to walk the game lands till I heard one and then move in and set up on him. I have a tail cam pick of 5 long beards together back in Feb and I heard them gobbling in a certain area about two weeks ago while spring bed scouting for bucks. So I know they're hanging around this certain area.

Anyway, about 9 am I get to that same spot and sure enough 1 gobbles but he's about 500 yards away, down at the bottom of this thick ridge. I called back to him with my mouth call and he seemed to answer me. So I start running down threw a woods to a steep point and closed the distance by 150 yards. I waited about 10 minutes, nothing. So I call, still nothing. I'm hunting with my bow. I have 2 decoys and a blind strapped to my back. I didn't get them out yet because I wasn't sure if he was coming or if I should continue to get closer or move somewhere else. I wanted to hear him again so I knew where I wanted to set up my decoys and blind. I continue to wait for about 5 more minutes looking down this point. and I just happen to look to my right and there he is standing there 15 yards away looking at me and then he took off. If I would have had the shotgun he'd been dead but I had the bow with me. Obviously I screwed up big time. I should have already been in my blind and decoys out and ready. I could have whacked my first with the bow.

Is that bird unkillable now? Can I continue to go back to this honey hole and keep hunting? My plan now is the get to that same spot before daylight and be set up in my blind and ready to go. And just call maybe once every half hour throughout the morning. Any suggestions guys?

Also in a couple weeks I'll be able to hunting evenings after work. Will mature Tom's come in to a hen call in the evening just like they do in mornings???

Thanks in advance guys!!

[oldrank]

He is still killable. Go give it another try. Also I would bet he isn't the only gobbler in the area.

[brancher147]

I did the same thing once. Waited a few days, then went back in and my buddy killed the gobbler coming off the roost and he came right to us. Nice 3 year old, and it was definitely the same gobbler, as there were not any others in the area and very low turkey density, and I got a good look at him the first time. It was the same bird.

I don't know about calling in the evenings, as I have never hunted an evening.

[Abishai]

They do, but it's not a "deer type" educated. They have walnut brains. You can still get him although you might have to adjust or move a little bit.

[flinginairos]

At least you didn't miss him like I did this morning

[jhpa]

In my experience, you can still get a response. There is usually more than one hen in the woods, so sometimes simply adjusting the approach time and location, and using a different call is all it takes to fool him. The toms are like rutting bucks this time of year, not necessarily stupid but sometimes foolish.

[rfickes87]

At least you didn't miss him like I did this morning

Going for the headshot?

[rfickes87]

At least you didn't miss him like I did this morning

While I was chasing turkeys i stopped and scouted some thick points. Found maybe a dozen new beds. Some worn down really well. Got me thinking of your video. I found trails leading down the hill so i tracked myself on my GPS walking down the deer trail so now the deer trails are marked. Maybe in a few months ill get a camera on them like you did.

[flinginairos]

At least you didn't miss him like I did this morning

Going for the headshot?

Just too far of a shot with the 20ga. I have to admit I panicked a little, I know I shouldn't have shot at him. First one i've ever missed!

[matt1336]

First you have to understand what went wrong and then fix it. I wouldn’t be running after birds, especially with a bow. If a Tom answers your calling, there’s a good chance he’s coming to you. He might hang up, but he might not. If he hangs up then go after him ssssslllllowwwwwwly. Like Alex Rose said...just a little patience, yeah yeah.

[Mountain Man]

Also in a couple weeks I'll be able to hunting evenings after work. Will mature Tom's come in to a hen call in the evening just like they do in mornings???

Thanks in advance guys!!

Yes, they will but they may come in silent. I have killed them in the evening that way.

[rfickes87]

First you have to understand what went wrong and then fix it. I wouldn’t be running after birds, especially with a bow. If a Tom answers your calling, there’s a good chance he’s coming to you. He might hang up, but he might not. If he hangs up then go after him ssssslllllowwwwwwly. Like Alex Rose said...just a little patience, yeah yeah.

Oh I've learned from what happened Monday.

[flinginairos]

Little update on the Tom I missed yesterday....went out to listen tonight and he’s right back in the same spot roosted. I’ll be there waiting for him again in the morning! Hoping for a better outcome this time

[muddy]

One spook they don't get too messed up, more than that they move a bit. Generally come back after some time away

Be patient in the morning, he's killable