Houndstooth Game Calls

If you turkey hunt long enough, it’s going to happen.

You get a bird fired up. He answers every time you call. He sounds like he’s coming. Your heart’s pounding. Then all of a sudden, he stops.

He’s still gobbling. He’s still interested. But he just won’t take those last few steps.

That’s what we call a hung-up gobbler, and it’ll test your patience in a hurry.

The good news is, a gobbler hanging up doesn’t always mean the hunt’s over. Most of the time, it means something in his mind just isn’t adding up. If you can figure out what that is, you’ve still got a shot.

Why Gobblers Hang Up

Before you can fix it, you need to understand why it happens.

A gobbler usually hangs up for one of a few reasons:

• He expects the hen to come to him
• There’s a fence, ditch, creek, or thick cover between the two of you
• He got to a spot where he should be able to see the hen and doesn’t
• He’s with real hens already
• He’s been pressured and has learned to be careful

Most of the time, that bird isn’t scared. He’s just stuck. Either mentally or physically.

The Biggest Mistake Hunters Make

When a gobbler hangs up, most folks do the same thing.

They call more.

Then they call louder.

Then they cutt, yelp, and plead with that bird until he either shuts up or walks off.

I’ve seen more hunts ruined by overcalling a hung-up gobbler than just about anything else.

If he already knows where you are, calling harder usually doesn’t fix the problem. A lot of times it makes him dig his heels in even more.

My First Move: Shut Up

If I’ve got a gobbler hung up, the first thing I usually do is get quiet.

That may sound backwards, but think about it. If a hen was calling to him and then suddenly went quiet, what’s he going to do?

A lot of times, he’ll start looking.

And when he starts looking, he may take those few extra steps you needed all along.

Sometimes the best call you can make is no call at all.

Soft Calling Still Kills

If I do call to a hung-up bird, I’m usually going softer, not louder.

A few soft yelps. Maybe a little cluck and purr. Just enough to let him know that hen is still there and still relaxed.

That soft stuff can be deadly, especially on a bird that’s already committed but needs a little reassurance. Getting the clear front end of your turkey yelp right can make those soft calls sound a whole lot more natural.

If you start hammering on him when he’s hung up, it can sound desperate and unnatural. Soft calling feels more real.

Pay Attention to the Terrain

A lot of hung-up gobblers aren’t really hanging up because of your calling. They’re hanging up because something between you and them is making them stop.

It could be:

• A fence line
• A creek bank
• A logging road
• A patch of thick brush
• A rise in the terrain where he wants a visual before coming farther

Turkeys like to see where they’re headed. If that bird has reached a point where he thinks he ought to see a hen and doesn’t, he’ll often stop right there.

That’s why setup matters so much. Sometimes the problem started before the first call was ever made.

Sometimes You Need to Move, Sometimes You Don’t

This is where experience comes in.

If I know the bird is locked down in one spot and the terrain is the issue, I may try to slip closer if I can do it without getting busted.

But that move has to make sense.

If the woods are open, the leaves are crunchy, or he’s likely to spot movement, I’m usually better off sitting tight and letting the bird make the mistake.

Moving on a turkey can save the hunt, or ruin it in one second flat. You’ve got to read the situation.

What If He’s Gobbling But Won’t Come?

That bird is still huntable.

Just because he won’t close the distance right away doesn’t mean he’s done. I’ve had birds stand in one spot and gobble for what felt like forever, then finally ease in quiet.

That’s another reason not to get impatient.

A lot of hunters leave too early, call too much, or force the issue when all they really needed was five more minutes.

If you’re trying to mix in a different sound when a bird stalls out, knowing how to do soft kee kee runs to a turkey could possibly make him make a move.

What I Do If He Starts Drifting Off

If I can tell the bird is losing interest or starting to go the other way, I may hit him with something a little sharper.

Not a panic routine. Just enough to make him think that hen is walking off or getting interested in something else.

Sometimes that little change in emotion will turn him.

But even then, I’m not trying to do too much. Just give him a reason to gobble again and reconsider.

If you’re still figuring out what kind of call best fits your style, this breakdown of turkey call cut types explained will help you understand why certain calls run easier or sound different in the woods.

Pressured Birds Are a Different Deal

Late season birds and heavily pressured gobblers are some of the worst about hanging up.

They’ve heard every call in the county. They’ve probably had hunters yelp at them from bad setups all week long.

Those birds usually need less calling, better positioning, and a whole lot more patience.

That’s where soft calling and letting the woods settle down can really pay off. If you need help cleaning up your sound, these turkey mouth call tips are worth a look.

Final Thoughts

If a gobbler hangs up, don’t panic.

Most of the time, that bird is still interested. He just needs something to make sense before he commits.

Get quiet. Call softer. Pay attention to the terrain. And above all else, don’t let impatience talk you into ruining a hunt that’s still alive.

Some of the best birds I’ve ever killed made me wait longer than I wanted to.

That’s turkey hunting.

And when it finally comes together, it’s worth every second.

And once season’s over, don’t forget to keep your gear ready. Here’s how to tune and maintain your turkey calls for peak performance.

If you need a call that can go from soft and subtle to sharp and aggressive when the moment calls for it, take a look at our handmade turkey calls. Every one is built to sound right when it matters most.

Good luck out there, and hunt safe.
~Lyle

If you ask most folks what the best time to kill a turkey is, they’ll tell you right off the roost.

And they’re not wrong.

But what a lot of hunters don’t realize is some of the best opportunities you’ll get all season don’t happen at daylight.

They happen after the woods go quiet.

Mid-morning is when a lot of hunters are heading to breakfast, back to camp, or climbing down thinking it’s over. Meanwhile, that’s when things can actually start getting good.

What Changes After Fly Down

At daylight, gobblers usually have one thing on their mind.

Hens.

If they’re already with hens on the roost or fly down into them, your job just got a whole lot harder. He’s not looking for you. He’s already got company.

That’s why early morning hunts can be frustrating. You hear him gobble, he sounds fired up, but he goes the other way.

That’s not the end of the story though.

Why Mid-Morning Gets Good

As the morning goes on, those hens start drifting off to nest.

And when that happens, that gobbler that ignored you earlier is suddenly by himself.

Now he’s looking again.

That’s your window.

A lonely gobbler at 9:30 or 10:00 is a whole different bird than one surrounded by hens at daylight.

Less Pressure, More Opportunity

Another thing working in your favor mid-morning is pressure.

Most hunters are gone by then. The woods settle down. The calling stops. The movement dies off.

That gobbler has likely heard a bunch of bad calling early. By mid-morning, things get quiet, and a natural-sounding hen stands out a whole lot more.

If you can sound like the only real turkey in the woods, your odds go up.

How I Hunt Mid-Morning Birds

I don’t hunt mid-morning the same way I hunt fly down.

Early, I’m trying to be set up where I think a bird is going to be. Mid-morning, I’m covering ground and trying to strike one.

I’ll ease along, stop, and call. Then listen.

Not rushing. Not stomping through the woods. Just moving with a purpose.

When I do strike one, the game changes quick.

Striking a Mid-Morning Gobbler

Mid-morning birds don’t always gobble as much.

Sometimes you’ll get one to fire off right away. Other times, you’ve got to work a little for it.

I like to mix in different sounds. Yelps, cuts, and every now and then something different if needed.

If you’re looking to expand your calling, knowing how to run a kee kee turkey mouth call can give you another sound that birds don’t hear as often.

Sometimes that change is all it takes to get a response.

Once You Get a Response

Once a gobbler answers mid-morning, you need to slow down and hunt him smart.

These birds are often by themselves, but they can also be cautious.

I’ll set up as quick and quietly as I can, get comfortable, and start working him.

Not overcalling. Not forcing it.

Just sounding like a hen that’s in the area and easy to find.

If your calling isn’t clean, it can cost you here. That’s why it helps to understand turkey mouth call tips that help you sound natural and relaxed.

Be Ready for a Quiet Approach

Just like in early morning hunts, mid-morning birds don’t always come in gobbling.

In fact, a lot of them will come in quiet.

You may not hear another sound after that first gobble.

That’s why you need to stay ready, stay still, and keep your eyes working.

If you’ve learned what to do when a gobbler hangs up, you already know how quick things can change.

Mid-Morning Mistakes to Avoid

• Leaving too early
• Moving too fast and blowing birds out
• Calling too much after getting a response
• Not setting up properly once you strike a bird

Most of the time, the opportunity is there. Hunters just miss it because they think the hunt is over.

Final Thoughts

Mid-morning turkey hunting doesn’t get talked about enough.

But some of the most cooperative gobblers you’ll find all season are walking around between 9:00 and noon looking for a hen.

If you’re heading back to the truck early, you might be missing your best chance.

Slow down. Stay longer. Hunt smarter.

And when the woods go quiet, don’t assume it’s over. That’s when it can just be getting started.

If you need a call that will run soft, loud, and everything in between, take a look at our handmade turkey calls. They’re built to sound right when it matters most.

Good luck out there, and hunt safe.
Lyle

If you hang around turkey hunters long enough, you’ll hear both sides of this one.

Some folks swear by running and gunning. Cover ground, strike a bird, get in his lap quick.

Others would rather sit still, let the woods wake up, and work a gobbler the slow way.

So which one works best?

Truth is, both do.

The key is knowing when to use each one... And more importantly, when not to.

What Is Run and Gun Turkey Hunting?

Run and gun is exactly what it sounds like.

You’re moving. Covering ground. Trying to strike a gobbler by calling, locating, and listening.

Once you get a response, you close the distance, set up, and try to make it happen quick.

This style is aggressive, and when it works, it works fast.

When Run and Gun Works Best

• Mid-morning when birds are alone and looking
• Large properties where you can cover ground
• When gobblers aren’t talking much at daylight
• When you’re trying to locate birds

Mid-morning especially is made for this. If you haven’t read it yet, here’s why mid-morning turkey hunting can be your best chance.

The Downside of Run and Gun

It’s easy to mess up.

Move too fast, you bump birds.

Call too much while moving, you educate them.

Set up too late, you get caught.

Run and gun takes discipline. You’ve got to move smart, not just move fast.

What About Sitting Still?

This is the other side of the coin.

Pick a good spot. Set up right. Call and let the bird come to you.

This is the way a lot of old-school hunters prefer to do it—and for good reason.

When it works, it’s about as clean and controlled as it gets.

When Sitting Still Works Best

• When you know where a bird wants to be
• Early morning on a roosted gobbler
• When birds are pressured
• When terrain limits movement

If you’re set up right, you don’t have to chase a turkey. You let him make the mistake.

The Downside of Sitting Still

You can sit in the wrong spot all morning.

If birds aren’t coming your way, you’re just watching the woods instead of hunting them.

That’s where a lot of folks get frustrated. They sit too long in a dead area instead of adjusting.

The Real Answer: It Depends

This ain’t a one-or-the-other deal.

The best turkey hunters I know do both. They just know when to switch.

They’ll sit still at daylight when they know where a bird is.

Then once things slow down, they’ll get up and go find another one.

That’s the balance.

Reading the Situation

This is what separates guys who get lucky from guys who stay consistent.

Ask yourself:

• Are birds talking?
• Do I know where they are?
• Am I in a good setup?
• Is the terrain helping or hurting me?

If you don’t know where a bird is, you probably need to move.

If you’ve got one working, you probably need to sit tight.

Don’t Move Too Soon

This is one of the biggest mistakes I see.

Hunter hears a gobbler, sets up, doesn’t see him in 10 minutes, and gets up.

What they don’t realize is that bird may have been working in slow or had already gone quiet.

If you’ve ever had one go quiet on you, you know how tricky that can be. Here’s a good breakdown on what to do when a gobbler hangs up.

Moving too soon will cost you birds.

Don’t Sit Too Long Either

On the flip side, don’t waste your whole morning hoping a bird shows up that isn’t there.

If nothing’s happening, it’s okay to get up and go find one.

Just don’t turn your hunt into a hike.

Every move should have a reason behind it.

Your Calling Style Matters

Run and gun hunters usually need to be louder and more aggressive to strike birds.

Sit-and-wait hunters tend to rely more on softer, realistic calling once a bird is working.

If your calling isn’t matching your style, it can hurt you.

Understanding turkey call cut types explained can help you pick a call that fits how you hunt.

And if you need to clean up your sound, these turkey mouth call tips will help you sound more natural no matter what style you’re using.

Final Thoughts

Run and gun works.

Sitting still works.

The best approach is knowing when to use each one.

Don’t get stuck doing one thing just because that’s what you’ve always done.

Adapt to the birds. Adapt to the pressure. Adapt to the situation.

That’s how you stay consistent.

If you need calls that can handle both styles—loud enough to strike one and soft enough to finish him—check out our handmade turkey calls.

Good luck out there and hunt safe.
Lyle

One thing about turkey hunting, you never know what kind of story you’re going to walk away with. Sometimes it’s about a gobbler that played the game perfectly. Sometimes it’s about a hunt that didn’t go your way.

And sometimes it’s about realizing your hunting partner might hear a little better than you do.

This one happened last season while hunting with my better half.

Getting Her Hooked on Turkey Hunting

You know, I never thought my wife would ever love the tick-infested, mosquito-swarming, cold and hot weather turkey woods. But once she got to going, she was all in for turkey hunting.

Which, when you have a hunting partner, your decision-making can get skewed. Especially when it comes to the direction you thought you heard a gobble. At least that has been my experience.

My hearing isn’t as good as it used to be, but in my mind it’s more of a selective hearing thing, as I would say. Some have other opinions, but we won’t get into that.

A Gobbler That Wouldn’t Budge

Me and my wife went on an early afternoon turkey hunt last year and we cranked up an old pine thicket turkey. We sat down to him, and he wouldn’t budge, of course.

He was happy on his little ridge and played the game well.

After about 30 minutes I decided to take a pig trail around him and get more in line with him and his chosen pedestal of a ridge he was making home.

In other words, I got up in his bubble and he had no clue.

I gave him a yelp and he answered in front, or what I thought was in front of us, fast, two times.

Summer said, “He is behind us.”

I said, “No, he is directly in front.”

I gave him a bit of silence. He gave me some silence.

Summer got her gun on her knee, pointed forward where I expected 100 percent the gobbler to appear.

The Gobble That Made Us Jump

I got a little antsy after a bit and decided I wanted to know where he was. I yelped, and directly behind us a turkey gobbled down in a hole, and I mean a black hole behind us at about 30 yards.

The kind of gobble that makes you jump.

I eased my head around and could see him walking through the thick vines and pines behind us. He was headed to a logging road to the right of Summer.

She started easing around on the tree like a pro. Found her a hole, and when he hit it, she let him ride the lightning and he was down.

The Hearing Test

That’s where the hearing part comes back into the story.

When the gun went off and it was over, Summer instantly said, “You need hearing aids. I knew that turkey was behind us the whole time!”

I just replied with, “Well, that’s probably just a different turkey that came in. I only get it wrong every once in a while.”

I was just trying to make it more challenging for her.

Never a Dull Moment in the Turkey Woods

Truth is, there is never a dull moment in the turkey woods. Hunts like that are the ones you remember the most.

I’m thankful she loves going with me and has good ears.

Turns out having a hunting partner that hears better than you might not be such a bad thing after all.

Lessons From the Hunt

• Sound can travel strangely in the woods. Hills, hollows, and timber can make gobbles seem like they are coming from the wrong direction.
• Always stay ready. A gobbler can appear quickly, especially when you think he is somewhere else.
• A good hunting partner helps. Extra eyes and ears can make a big difference during a hunt.
• Stay patient. Sometimes letting the woods go quiet for a moment is exactly what brings a gobbler in.

Turkey Hunting Questions

Why do turkey gobbles sometimes sound like they come from the wrong direction?

Terrain and thick timber can cause gobbles to echo or bounce, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact location of a turkey.

Should you move when a gobbler hangs up?

Sometimes repositioning can help close the distance, but it must be done carefully since turkeys have excellent eyesight.

Get Ready for Turkey Season

If you’re getting ready to chase gobblers this season, make sure you’ve got the gear you need before you hit the woods. From mouth calls and friction calls to locator calls and hunting accessories, having the right equipment can make all the difference when that bird fires off on the limb.

Browse Houndstooth Turkey Calls and Gear