Turkeys, like deer, are influenced by photoperiod, the number of light hours per day, but it is lengthening hours of daylight not shortening hours, and warmer spring temperatures that trigger turkey breeding behavior, including gobbling. A graph of turkey gobbling and breeding activity looks much like the graph of breeding activity in white-tailed deer.

Phase 1; Initial Gobbling
As the spring days become longer and the weather warms the toms start to gobble. The earliest gobbling is done by adult males and as the days grow longer more males gobble. Toms first start about two months before the actual gobbling peak. In the south gobbling may begin as early as mid-February, in the north as late as mid-March. At this time both the hens and toms are establishing dominance.

While the hens may not be willing to breed at this time the toms are, and they usually respond to hen calls, but they may not come in. Remember it is usually the hen that goes to the tom, especially if the tom is on a strut, because the tom uses gobbling to attract the. But, because this is when dominance is established toms will often come to the sounds of a gobbler to enforce dominance. If you are hunting private land you may feel safe using a gobble. However, if you are hunting public land you could attract other hunters. Don't do it. Instead, use the yelps of a jake, or better yet the deep cluck of an adult tom. If you are on private land, and know you are the only one hunting the area, you can move to a gobbling tom that will not come to your calls. But, you should do this with extreme caution, and I would suggest never on public land, because another hunter may mistake any movement you make as the movement of a turkey.

Phase 2: Breeding Period and Gobbling Lull
As the days grow longer and weather warmer the hens become interested in breeding and respond to the gobbling of the toms by joining them and breeding. Because the hens are with the toms there is less gobbling, and gobbling activity is reduced. When the hens are nearby toms display instead of gobbling to attract hens. They strut, showing their colorful head, puffed up body and wide spread tail. The sounds they use at this time are the spit and drum to attract and keep the hens nearby. The spit is not a vocalization, it is the sound of the wings being snapped open and the wing tips hitting the ground. The drum, properly called a "harmonic rustle," is the sound of the feather shafts of the tail vibrating together when the tom shakes them. Neither of this sound can be heard from more than a few yards. Because there is more strutting when the toms are with the hens there is less gobbling, and this is part of the reason for the lull in gobbling activity at this time.

If the weather continues to be warm, about a month after the toms begin to gobble most of the hens become receptive and gobbling activity is at it's lowest. Hens respond readily to gobbling at this time and if jakes are with the hen you may be able to call her with a gobble, and the jakes with her. Because the toms are with the hens they are unwilling to come to calling. But hen calls may work because the "boss hen" will come to challenge the caller, bringing the toms with her. This phase may last from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the number and sex ratio of birds in the area and the amount of warm weather.

Phase 3; Post Breeding and Gobbling Peak
As more of the hens are bred they begin to nest and the toms, still interested in breeding, begin increased gobbling activity. Approximately a month after the peak breeding period most of the hens have been bred and gone to nest and gobbling activity reaches is highest point while the toms continue to try to attract hens willing to breed. It's at this time the toms are most willing to go to the calling of a hen. The frantic "fast cutting," the come here call, of a turkey will often get the tom to come in. If the tome hangs up you can use the deep yelps of a jake to make the tom believe an immature male is with his hen. Because he wants to express and maintain dominance the tom may come in to drive the youngster off. If he is looking for a fight he usually comes in slow, checking to find out where the jake is. Be patient and aware.

Weather
Weather does affect the breeding season and gobbling activity. Late snow and spring rain with cold weather and cloudy days can disrupt or delay the gobbling activity of toms, and hens to respond, breed and nest. Wet cold weather may affect nesting success and cause a second nesting attempt if eggs are destroyed or young die off. This in turn may cause another decrease in gobbling activity, making it difficult to call the birds.

Daily Gobbling Activity
Daily gobbling activity almost mirrors the Seasonal Gobbling Activity. Most gobbling occurs from about forty five minutes before daylight to an hour and a half after. As the toms fly down and begin to gobble the hens show up and the tom begins to display more and gobble less. Once the hens have been bred early in the morning, depending on the amount of light and the warmth, the toms may move to traditional strutting areas; open meadows and feeding sites, and begin gobbling again to try to attract any lingering hens. If you have not been successful in the early morning, you can try again at these late morning strutting sites.

If you are interested in more turkey hunting tips, or more turkey biology and behavior, click on Trinity Mountain Outdoor News and T.R.'s Hunting Tips at www.TRMichels.com. If you have questions about turkeys log on to the T.R.'s Tips message board. To find out when the rut starts, peaks and ends in your area click on Whitetail Rut Dates Chart.

This article is an excerpt from the Turkey Addict's Manual ($14.95 + $5.00 S&H), by T.R. Michels, available in the Trinity Mountain Outdoor Products catalog.