16 Nebraskaland • November 2020
IN THE FIELD
While it's no secret spring gobblers are
susceptible to calling, many hunters may not
realize fall turkeys can also be called.
The key to calling fall turkeys is knowing
which turkeys you're talking to. There are two
basic types of fall flocks: hens with poults and
gobbler-only bachelor groups.
To call hens with poults, yelps will certainly
work, but also make some contented feeding
sounds like purrs and soft clucks to simulate a
family group peacefully foraging.
Another essential fall sound is the kee-kee-
run, an assembly call often used by young
turkeys that get separated from the flock. It
says "where are you" and can vary in loudness
and intensity depending on how desperate the
lost bird feels. The high, whistle-like kee-kee
actually sounds like "doi, doi-doi-doi" followed
by a couple yelps at the end to complete the run.
Boxes and slates easily replicate realistic
yelps, clucks and purrs, but I personally have
to use a mouth call to make kee-kees. It takes
some practice, but is well worth the effort when
a troop of turkeys comes strolling into shotgun
range looking for that missing member of their
flock.
Dealing with gobbler-only groups can be
trickier. In fall, the focus is on survival, not
breeding, so these bachelor flocks of mature
toms and year-and-a-half-old jakes are ultra
wary. Use deep, coarse, drawn-out gobbler
yelps to fool them. Maybe throw in a few purrs
periodically, but be subtle. You don't want to
blow the birds out of the woods, only peak
their curiosity in the hope that they come
investigate.
CALLING FALL TURKEYS
By Jarrod Spilger
PHOTO
BY
JONATHAN
NIKKILA