The
next consideration is camouflage. Find a natural blind such as a
blown-down tree or natural covering to do your calling. Sometimes, the
only cover you can find may be a shoulder-width tree. In this case, sit
at the base of the tree using as little movement as possible.
Before
you call to the turkey, you want him to think you are a hen.
"I’ll
try to work across the terrain to engage him before I speak to
him," said Pentecost. "I’ll get in as close range as I can
on his same terrain level or higher."
Pentecost
takes every opportunity to cut the distance between himself and the tom.
"I
don’t want another hen to intercept him before he gets to me,"
said Pentecost. "The closer I can get without spooking him, the
better."
Pentecost
begins his calling with soft yelps.
"It’s
always easier to make your next call louder, but you can’t take a loud
call back," said Pentecost.
John
Wayne once said concerning his acting to talk low, talk slow and don’t
talk too much. Pentecost uses this same philosophy when calling toms.
As
long as the gobbler is responding and working his way towards Pentecost,
he limits calling.
"I
listen for drumming if he stops gobbling," said Pentecost.
"Sometimes, a simple cluck will keep him coming in. As long as he’s
moving, keep it silent or soft."
As
long as the tom is gobbling, he is easy to keep track of.
"I
have to depend on my eyes and ears because the tom may be drumming,
walking softly in the leaves and sometimes he will cluck or even yelp as
he comes in," said Pentecost. "Sometimes, he won’t even make
a sound."
Take the
shot
With
modern shotguns, the advertised range of effectiveness can be different
than the actual range.
"I
think 40 yards is the magic distance," said Pentecost.
"Really, 25-30 yards is where most patterns will perform at their
best."
Pentecost
recommends patterning your shotgun extensively before you take to the
woods.
"The
name of the game is patience and knowing what your gun will do so you
can make an ethical shot," said Pentecost. "I practice
shooting right and left-handed in case that gobbler shows up on an
unexpected side."
In
addition to making professionally handcrafted turkey and locator calls,
Pentecost’s company also produces top-quality deer and predator calls.
For more information visit them online www.woodhavencustomcalls.com
or call (256) 463-5657, and make sure you have a solid game plan for
gobblers this spring.
John
Howle is a freelance writer from Heflin. |