The Gobble Call

The use of calls imitating the gobble of an adult male is somewhat controversial. It is an excellent locator call. It also can attract a dominant gobbler looking for an intruder in his territory. However, gobbling has some tactical downsides and involves safety considerations.

As with bugling to elk, gobbling at a gobbler with his harem hens may make him decide to leave and take his girlfriends elsewhere, away from competition. If you sound too big and bad, it also can cause sub-dominant gobblers to shut up and leave the area.

Of course a well-executed gobble will attract other hunters. Having other hunters sneaking in, literally hunting you, is potentially dangerous and is almost certain to at least mess up your hunting area for the morning.

I would restrict my gobbling on public or hard-hunted land as a matter of both common sense and safety. As a turkey hunting tactic, it's a judgement call as to whether it will draw in a particular gobbler or drive him away.