Know-How: When Toms Gobble Most

by
posted on March 30, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
whentomsgobblemost_lead.jpg

To prove a theory, biologists must isolate a variable to get a result that can be replicated, as in peer-reviewed, and there just isn’t any way to do that with bird-brained gobblers. We’re left with subjective field research. This, however, doesn’t mean we can’t gain valuable insights from studies on gobbling. Not all wildlife biologists agree on the following five statements about gobbling activity, but nonetheless, they are useful to consider when planning a hunt.

THERE ARE TWO GOBBLING PEAKSThis is disputed largely because there are too many local variables involved to make a concrete scientific claim. Still, it’s generally the case. The first peak comes when gobbler flocks break up in late winter or early spring and begin to compete for hens. This peak usually comes before spring turkey season. The second peak generally comes when most of the hens have left the toms to sit on their nests. This often comes a week or more into the season. The takeaway: Don’t give up. A dominant tom that has been henned-up for weeks will suddenly come to a call when his hens leave him.

TWO-YEAR-OLD TOMS GOBBLE MORE. Research by Dave Godwin, turkey project leader for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks, found that gobble counts go way up in years when there are a lot of 2-year-old gobblers in the woods. This is related to how productive the spring nesting season was two years before.

WINDY DAYS ARE BAD GOBBLING DAYS. Derek Colbert, graduate student at the University of Georgia, determined gobbling activity was highest when winds were about 3 mph. The toms he listened to gobbled well when wind speeds increased to 6 mph, but tapered off after that and almost stopped when winds exceeded 12 mph.

TEMPERATURE AFFECTS GOBBLING. The average daily temperature plays a role in gobbling activity, according to Colbert. His research revealed toms gobbled most when the average daily temperature was 60-69 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature went higher, gobbling decreased.

ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE HAS A BIG IMPACT. Colbert determined lower pressure, as happens as rain comes in, reduces gobbling. The birds he studied were most active when the barometer read 29.9-30.2 inches Hg. When the pressure fell below 29.7 inches Hg, gobbling activity all but ceased.

Latest

Bear Walking By River
Bear Walking By River

A Brown Bear Hunt On Baranof

A spring hunt for brown bear on Alaska’s Baranof Island is a bucket-list experience, and, on the author’s hunt, included buckets of rain. 

Smith & Wesson Adds .30-30 Win. to Model 1854 Line

Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. has announced the release of its Model 1854 chambered in .30-30 Winchester.

Hardware Review: Savage Axis 2 Pro

This year Savage has upped the budget bolt-action ante with the introduction of the Axis 2 Pro. You don’t get something for nothing, and upgraded features do bump up the price a bit, but also the overall value.

First Look: Barnett’s Hyper Raptor T-Rex Crossbow

New for 2025, Barnett has introduced its Hyper Raptor T-Rex, transforming the hunting experience with an Integrated Planetary De-Cocking System.

Treestand Site Prep 101: Attract Bigger Bucks

We examine multiple ways to make the bucks you want get close to your stand.

New for 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II .22 LR Revolver

Charter Arms, manufacturers of 100-percent American-made revolvers for more than 60 years, has announced the introduction of the new Pathfinder II .22 double-action/single-action (DA/SA) revolver, chambered in .22 Long Rifle.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.