As turkey hunters, there is no better sight to see then a strutting turkey, especially if that said bird is within 40 yards from you around about mid-April. Gobblers will typically strut to attract hens. This flaring of the feathers is a display of dominance and their longing for courtship. As I often like to express to people I hunt with, the only thing predictable about turkeys is their unpredictability. Case in point when we talk about strutting, you can’t always say that this is a display of dominance. Turkeys are also caught strutting sometimes in the fall where the toms are not necessarily trying to attract hens. Poults sometimes even at less than a week after hatching have been seen displaying a strut. And yes there have been numerous accounts of hens that display a strut. So regardless of the full science behind the strut, one thing we do know, is that during the spring a strutting bird usually represents a mature tom that most of us turkey hunters wouldn’t mind taking for a ride home in the back of our truck.
I’ve hunted in numerous states across the country and a common tactic in most areas if a morning set-up has fallen through is to simply move around permissions, whether on foot, utility vehicle or truck, and glass for birds strutting. As a turkey hunter you develop an eye for really being able to hone in on them as you drive around or glass long distances. These strutting birds, if alone, are really good opportunities to punch your tag. Oftentimes a gobbler after having tended to his hens will be left alone for the latter part of the morning and will do a fair amount of strutting to ensure that any stragglers know of his willingness and readiness for his companionship.
When a gobbler finds success in an area where he’s been spending some time strutting. He will oftentimes become very fond of such a spot. Much like fishing, if you tend to catch fish from a certain hole, then you’ll probably be back. Finding spots where a gobbler struts regularly can get you a solid fix on harvesting a longbeard. A strut zone is usually somewhere like a field’s edge or logging road. Often they like spots with a bit of sunshine, but again, these turkeys can sure leave you scratching your chin. Look for areas along paths and edges of fields with sand and bare earth. When gobblers are strutting the rigid nature of their stiffened wings will drag the ground and leave lines in the dirt. If you find an area that resembles where a child has sat with a twig drawing in the sand, well you have found a nice strut zone that may even have multiple gobblers strutting there. Of course, pay attention to the turkey tracks accompany these lines in the sand. An adult gobbler will have a longer and pronounced middle toe whereas a hen’s looks a bit more balanced. Either way, turkey tracks accompanied by all these erratic lines surrounding it means where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
If you can slip in there tight on him while he’s courting, then be careful not to get busted. Move in as close as cover will allow and hit him with some sharp cuts followed by a few yelps. If he answers you, Get ready! I like to get within a hundred yards or less and hit them with the box call. This is where knowing the property is key. If he answers the long box, I will usually give him a quick aggressive follow up with it. And then get set with my gun barrel facing the direction of his last gobble. At this point, I am going to get him fired up with a HeadCrusher V-Cut Mouth call. Usually, if this scenario has played out this far in this manner. Then I will have this guy slung over my shoulder in a few short minutes. But as mentioned, these birds can be super unpredictable. The good news is these strut zones are an area he likes, and the likelihood of him being back in the morning is very good, so you should plan to as well. As I always like to mention the only surefire tactic is to stay after them!
Good luck and Make Him Gobble!
Edward
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