We’re all accustomed to a raspy hen yelp and a thundering tom gobble. However wild hens and gobblers make many turkey sounds past these two vocalizations. Every of those sounds categorical particular meanings. As turkey hunters, understanding every name helps us decipher what turkeys are saying, and what we must always say again to them. However even when you’re not a turkey hunter, it’s enjoyable to have the ability to determine these sounds within the turkey woods.
Listed below are the commonest turkey sounds that gobblers, hens, jakes, and jennies make. Whereas we will’t assure the precise which means of each vocalization, these are the perceived interpretations primarily based on a lot of area statement.
Widespread Turkey Sounds
Gobble
The wild turkey gobble is the flagship turkey sound. It’s generally made by male turkeys (longbeards and jakes). Nonetheless, hens can gobble, too. This vocalization is a long-range name that asserts the presence of the turkey that sounds it out. It’s used to problem different birds, give hens their location, and extra. Possible translation: “I’m proper right here. Come and get me!”
Hen Yelp
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The plain hen yelp is the first vocalization for feminine turkeys. Oftentimes, this can be a sequence of sentimental, average, or loud notes. Every yelp begins with a high-pitched entrance finish and finishes with a raspy again finish. These sounds may be emitted singularly, or in sequence of two, three, 4, or extra notes. The yelp is more than likely a name that asserts a turkey’s basic presence. It’s the overall turkey sound for urging different turkeys to strategy their place. Possible translation: “Right here I’m. The place are you? Come over right here!”
Assembly
The wild turkey meeting name is a protracted sequence of hen yelps. Consider it as common yelps on steroids. Typically, these are among the many loudest yelps heard within the turkey woods. This name is primarily utilized by hens to deliver turkeys again collectively, find misplaced flock members, and extra. It’s particularly frequent amongst boss hens calling their younger, or subdominant hens, again collectively. Possible translation: “Everybody, come again right here proper now!”
Cluck
The cluck is most frequently a single observe. Generally, it turns into a sequence of brief notes. This turkey sound is emitted in average quantity and may be heard from about 80 to 100 yards away. Normally, this smooth social vocalization is emitted by hens which might be feeding and speaking with close by birds. It’s a social name that acknowledges approaching turkeys. Possible translation: “What’s up! The way you been? All good right here.”
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Cluck and Purr
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The cluck and purr create a mixture name. It combines clucking and purring into the identical sequence of turkey discuss. This can be a frequent social contact name. It additionally indicators contentment and security. This reassures different turkeys that every one is nicely. Possible translation: “Every little thing is swell right here. The coast is obvious, and the grub is sweet!”
Cutt
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Slicing is a sequence of aggressive clucks. These are brief however loud notes. Oftentimes, these are emitted as a fast-paced sequence of three, or extra notes. Generally, yelps cap off the again finish of reducing. Hens that emit this turkey sound are excited. They’re actively reaching out to different turkeys. They may be speaking to hens, or it could possibly be gobblers. However they’re in search of the eye of different turkeys. Possible translation: “The place are you? Get your butt over right here proper now! I need a piece of you!”
Combating Purrs
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Combating purrs are aggressive, erratic purrs. These are vocalized by male birds, they are fairly loud, and they are often heard from a lot farther away than typical purrs, that are largely emitted by hens. Typically, this sound is utilized by male turkeys as they battle. Briefly, this can be a show of aggression towards different turkeys. Possible translation: “I’m going to provide you a whoopin.”
Fly-Down Cackle
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The fly-down cackle is often vocalized as a hen turkey ascends to or descends from its roost limb (however largely the latter). The fly-down cackle is generally a sign that lets different turkeys know the place they’re initially of the day. Along with roost limb exercise, it’s even related to when a turkey flies down from a excessive ridge, throughout a creek, and so forth. (no matter time of day). Possible translation: “I’m right here, however I’m fixing to go over there!”
Jake Yelp
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Jakes (younger male birds) yelp, too. It sounds just like a hen yelp. Nonetheless, it’s completely different in tone and is raspier and never as clear as a hen yelp. Jakes use this sound greater than another whereas speaking with different turkeys. Possible translation: “Yo! It’s me. What’s up?”
Tom Yelp
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Toms can yelp, too. This turkey sound is a deep, raspy, three-noted name. Oftentimes, this can be a turkey sound that toms use to speak with different male turkeys. It’s particularly frequent exterior of the spring breeding season. Possible translation: “Hey, dude. What’s up?”
Kee-Kee and Kee-Kee Run
The kee-kee and kee-kee run are calls used to deliver turkeys again collectively. Turkeys additionally use this sound to seek out close by turkeys they misplaced. It’s particularly frequent amongst youthful turkeys. Possible translation: “The place are you? I’m looking for you. Come again right here!”
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Purr
The purr is a sequence of quiet notes made by hens (just like the purring a cat makes). It’s troublesome to listen to until you’re shut. Oftentimes, it’s audible inside 30 to 40 yards. Typically, hens vocalize this sound when they’re calm and content material. It’s typically made by a turkey that’s feeding or casually strolling alongside. Possible translation: “It’s good occasions within the turkey crib. And the bugs over right here aren’t dangerous, both.”
Putt
The putt is an alarm vocalization. This turkey sound is sharp and high-pitched. It may be singular however is often strung along with different putts with brief spacing between them. In fact, the putt is probably the most dreaded sound within the turkey woods (for turkeys and turkey hunters). It’s a sign of alarm, and the vocalization underscores imminent hazard. Possible translation: “One thing isn’t proper. Let’s skedaddle!”
Tree Yelp (Tree Call)
The tree yelp (additionally known as the tree name) is a sequence of sentimental yelps. This sound is emitted by roosted turkeys. It’s often heard early within the morning as daylight nears, and throughout the minutes main as much as fly-down. This turkey sound is just like the quieter model of the first yelp. It’s a technique for hens to alert different turkeys to their presence. Possible translation: “Right here is my location. After fly-down, let’s hang around!”
Spit-and-Drum
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The spit-and-drum isn’t a conventional vocalization, however it’s an audible sound that male turkeys make whereas strutting. It’s solely emitted because the turkey flows from half-strut to peak strut. Typically, it’s not possible to listen to until inside of fifty yards of the tom. Generally you “really feel” drumming greater than truly hear it. Biologists are not sure precisely how gobblers spit-and-drum, but it surely appears to come back from their chest and throat. This isn’t a vocalization to make use of as a hunter, but it surely’s actually one to pay attention for within the area. In the event you hear it, a tom is shut. Possible translation: “Come over right here — I’m prepared for you, child!”
Whines (Do-Whit)
Lastly, the whine (a.okay.a. “do-whit) is a vocalization that hens typically use along side clucks, purrs, and yelps. It’s a refined sound that may simply go ignored, just because it’s much less frequent and troublesome to imitate on a turkey name. Typically, this name is a social, contact-based communication between turkeys. It’s a name kind that provides one other layer to the general message despatched by way of smooth yelps, clucks, and purrs. Possible translation: “All is nicely. Good to see you!”
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Closing Ideas on Turkey Sounds
Now you understand all of the necessary turkey sounds and what they imply. Begin training probably the most helpful vocalizations with a mouth call. As soon as within the area, it’s time to deal with making candy turkey sounds, and opening these ears to listen to responses.
To do this, attempt to ignore all different ambient noises. Get away from roads and noisy working rivers. The very best time to listen to turkeys is throughout a nonetheless spring morning. When you do hear that distant gobble, march forth and convey residence that treasured longbeard.