Turkey yelping to calm whitetails?

mj seratt · March 03, 2017, 12:13:00 AM

Yohon, I thought about this as well. The thought of a poacher 300 yards away with a rifle changed my mind.

Murray

dbd870 · March 03, 2017, 07:35:00 AM

I've heard about it but never tried it - probably should!

Trenton G. · March 03, 2017, 09:15:00 AM

This is really interesting. I've never been able to master a diaphragm call, but might have to give it another go.

YosemiteSam · March 03, 2017, 01:07:00 PM

I'd be curious if this would work in reverse -- grunt like a deer to calm a turkey. Our deer are down with the turkeys this time of year but the turkeys don't follow them up in the summer.

Maybe I need to learn how to imitate a grouse for our deer?

March 03, 2017, 05:12:00 PM

Two years ago I was doing some turkey talk, trying to talk in some turkeys that were busted by another hunter. The buck didn't seem to notice, so I shot the buck instead. I do not think that I alarmed the buck at all, he got to within 15 feet of me at one time. I was turkey talking when I first caught the movement of the deer at about 18 yards. The group of five turkeys did not seem to notice my turkey talk either.

KSdan · March 04, 2017, 10:15:00 AM

Already commented, but I have stalked in typical fall mid-western woods to within 15 yds. of bedded deer (bucks even) using small talk like feeding turkeys in the leaves. I even did it once on a wounded deer- got right on top of it. I also use them as I approach stands in the afternoon through dry leaves. If I break a twig/branch its small talk calls and scratching leaves.

Dan in KS

BWallace10327 · March 04, 2017, 10:25:00 AM

I have tried to use this with nervous elk and it didn't work. I yelped at some cows and calves about 50 yards away and I got the dreaded Lead-Cow-Bark, and off they went. I haven't tried it for deer, but since then I'll just cow call or be quiet.

March 04, 2017, 03:41:00 PM

I think soft chucks and purrs would be better than a full out yelp. The sounds turkeys make when they are scratching and feeding.

Bowwild · March 04, 2017, 06:21:00 PM

Makes sense but I never thought of it before.

Funny, when I'm in top deer hunting mode I sometimes don't even realize turkeys are clucking and yelping as they move through the woods. Sort of non-deer background "noise". Then all of a sudden I sort the sound out and realize another opportunity is nearby.

njloco · March 04, 2017, 07:35:00 PM

Great, now when I walk into the woods, I'm going to think I'm surrounded by turkeys !

It is a good idea.

Hatchet · March 06, 2017, 12:37:00 PM

Yes, even on the ground stalking. They may run off or they might go back to feeding. May keep you in the game a little longer.

longbow fanatic 1 · March 06, 2017, 04:32:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by pavan:
I think soft chucks and purrs would be better than a full out yelp. The sounds turkeys make when they are scratching and feeding.

I agree. Clucks & purrs would definitely be better if you're on the ground, esp. in the fall. In the stand, maybe a few light yelps.

LC · March 06, 2017, 08:07:00 PM

I've tried it and had mixed results. I've tried squirrel and crow calling with same mixed results. It doesn't hurt to try but don't expect 100% positive results. Maybe my deer are just very very Leary!

Sam McMichael · March 06, 2017, 08:21:00 PM

I heard of this trick a long time ago. The only problem is that my turkey calling would do more harm than good.

Dave Worden · March 29, 2017, 07:38:00 PM

I haven't tried the yelping but I normally put out a turkey decoy or two when deer hunting. It gives the deer something to look at besides me! They're also pretty good range indicators.

Doc Pain · March 30, 2017, 10:13:00 AM

When the leaves are dry or anytime I know I'm gonna be noisy getting to my stand I always make a few subtle calls like a few birds feeding as I walk in. I've been doing it for several years now. Ever since turkeys started to inhabit my deer hunting areas

TealCoin · March 30, 2017, 10:21:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Dave Worden:
I haven't tried the yelping but I normally put out a turkey decoy or two when deer hunting. It gives the deer something to look at besides me! They're also pretty good range indicators.

I like the idea! Not only for a distraction from me as the hunter, but a great range indicator!

bunyan · March 30, 2017, 03:21:00 PM

Just a thought, if you throw a turkey decoy out and are turkey calling make sure turkey season is in or you might have some explaining to do to the local game warden! Other than that I want to give this technique a try.

Overspined · April 01, 2017, 08:25:00 PM

Yes i have done this for many years. Works great. Walking too. Shot a nice turkey doing it and walking once too, just came in looking. And when climbing trees and deer walk in, they leave but not blowing..