With Ron Newman
Locator Calls
The use of various "Locator" sounds to strike a response from a Gobbler is a key part of the Turkey hunter's arsenal.
Having a selection of calls, and knowledge of their use can help a hunter initially locate a silent bird, as well as maintain contact with him while getting into position. Many times before the season, I will "pattern" a gobbler, by following him throughout the day, from roost to feeding area, to his favorite strut zone, by the use of various locator calls.
More common sounds like Crows, Owls, Hawks, and the howl of a Coyote, will make a Spring longbeard announce his prescence and demand he be the loudest thing in the woods.
First thing in the morning, the "Who-cooks-for-you, who -cooks-for-you-allllll...." hooting series of a Barred Owl, will make a gobbler sound off from his roost tree. Throughout the day, the ever aggravating sound of a Crow, screeching and cawing, will further generate a response.
For roosting in the evening, a howl from a Coyote Howler will usually get a gobble out of a bird who did not give away his position on his own.
Other sounds, such as Hawks, the shrill Pileated Woodpecker, Peacocks, Roosters, and even Predator calls all have the same effect. By either startling, aggravating or just being loud, the gobbler seems to feel the need to respond with a gobble or two.
Hen sounds and even gobbles are NOT the best way to locate birds. The sound of a hen may bring a gobbler to your position and you may be discovered, or a gobble may scare a lesser bird into moving away, or at least remaining silent. Turkey calls should only be used when in a hunting set-up, and only as the situation calls for.
NEVER call to birds before the season while scouting.
By calling birds in and letting them walk off, you may have not spooked them, but you WILL have made them harder to call later. By conditioning them to expect the hens to come to them, which is the way it is supposed to be anyway you will be behind the curve from the getgo. These birds CAN associate a certain sound (or call), heard over and over, with danger or repeated frustration, and they learn to avoid it.
A gobbler who repeatedly responds to a hen, and gets nothing for his efforts, will eventually stand his ground and wait, making him almost impossible to call in and kill during the season.
Locating birds makes hunting them just a little bit easier, don't make it any harder by using the wrong ones.