Understanding a GOBBLERS Behavior / Having more TURKEY HUNTING success

If you understand a
gobblers behavior
and know how to hunt him smart
then your success rate
will increase 100 percent.
It's not just about having
the right gun or shells
or camo or even being
a tremendous caller.
If you know how to read
a gobbler and think
ahead of him then that will put
you on the road
to being a TURKEY KILLER.
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[@michaelparcell1350]

My father inlaw had a turkey go the other way every morning he called to him, and the turkey always went 180 the other way. I went one morning with him to do the calling. I stayed about 75 yards from the rooster turkey behind a large oak tree, and my father inlaw went about 75 yards behind. After listening to the Tom gobble about 20 times, he flew down. I gave him a few very soft yelps and off he went the other way gobbling. About 6 minutes later I heard the shot that ended hunt. Nice Tom with good hooks and a 11 inch beard. This bird knew the game and how to play it, he had been hunted before. It took two hunters to kill this old tom.

[@reedmitchell6716]

Old School Hunt love it. Great job .

[@Sharkdog11b]

That was a slick idea

[@markhamblin8195]

Ur a idiot... What did he do say ow there is a hen let's run fellas.....lol....

[@donjohanson2898]

Dale and fellow turkey hunters, I set up on a steep wooded hillside and yelped a couple times and sure enough a gobble came back from about 150 yds down in a bushy flat area. For the next twenty minutes this tom would answer every cluck, yelp or made up sound I did on the slate and stick but would only travel side to side at that 150 yes going from 10 to 2 o'clock in terms of position but would not come in. I figured he would spot me if I tried to advance on him so I remained still. Suddenly my slate got some sweat on it from my forehead and stopped working except for a delayed couple of clicks. As soon as I stopped the back and forth he got all worked up with double gobbles and closed the distance down to 50 then 25 yds. in an instant. The only thing I could do was lay down on my back from a sitting position cross my left over the right to avoid shooting my foot and made a head shot at 20 feet with my 3 1/2" magnum. Game over. Big Tom, only the second one I have ever shot. They are an amazing bird, and I will never forget that hunt.

[@barrydement5527]

You talked about crawling. I did that one day and came over a log a ran into a 6 foot timber rattler lol.

[@timwest6710]

Absolutely appreciate your videos and all your experience that you share with us. I'm trying to get a turkey with my crossbow this year.

[@kyridgejumper]

Thank you for these videos and your time,knowledge. Awesome help even for a older hunter

[@usmcscout0311]

After an early season miss, these are the gobblers i have encountered this year. I'm fairly new to turkey hunting. This video helps!

[@justpassinthrough7]

What a great video!

[@mattgrimes2757]

My first time hunting them today I had a big guy about 150 200 yrds he gobbled every time I called he come out with a hen in the field fanned a few times gobbled and went back in the woods but never would come back out

[@railroaderoutdoorsandmore5888]

This is some awesome advice, thanks for sharing

[@tomallen6356]

Opening day can't get here soon enough for me!

[@kirylkhatkevich6526]

Love your videos man!

[@briankillgore7129]

I couldnrt share on fb coz people have reported videos like this mean and cruel>>. LOL

[@Manbunmen65]

Do you have tips for understanding woman behavior?

[@edwardclark2695]

I got a book I wrote: All I Know About Women. There's not a page in it w/o anything on it!😘

[@oneshot1984]

They all respond to money.......its always your fault and its OK if theyre late but you must be early..........I think that'll get you there !!

[@kevinamack6]

Hahahaha. It’s impossible.

[@andrewsheppard9084]

You don't want to understand women. They already do and they hate each other

[@garretthemric6575]

Good luck 😂 it’s a struggle

[@mikejones1628]

The more I watch your videos, the more I’m learning about what has happened in past interactions with gobblers.

[@sidneyrosen9159]

The best turkey advice comes from this man right here! Thanks Dale for all of the information. Best of luck this season!

[@oldwarmonger8750]

I’ve been turkey hunting for 25 years I scout and I find out where a gobbler likes to hang out during the day.I set up there if possible stay all day and I’ve killed over 60 gobblers

[@dalecox5326]

The only thing that is predictable about a wild Turkey is they are unpredictable now that's 50 years of experience lol

[@billbaker1561]

How do you get turkey's come to you when their on another person's property. There's a fence between us.the gobbling is crazy. Can't use mouth calls.

[@STEELNAVIGATOR1]

Excellent Video. Can you make a video on your thoughts on the declining Turkey Populations? -Jeff

[@dallas5528]

I second this request!! 👍

[@mikeschlup5279]

Coyotes and Bobcats are wiping our populations out.

[@paulellsworth7679]

It's not coyotes and bobcats. It's raccoons opossums and skunks... nest eaters.

[@billyingram3492]

I know in my neck of the woods the yotes really hurt them being vocal compared to 25 years ago. Night and day difference now. While I still see a decent amount of turkeys, even gobblers running together now, its rare to hear them firing off like I did 25 years ago. Of course it's always one or two but they're usually jakes. Have any of you fellas paid attention over the years at how they just don't roar the ridges like years past?

[@ryanharkins9383]

Hey I would like to hear some other calls besides the basics. Like the whines you talk about

[@andyc.947]

Dale outdoors is for those turkey geeks like me and I look forward to his videos every spring. He is always spot on. Great job, Dale

[@chevyon37s]

How about a video on scouting for turkeys, what land features etc. do you look for?

[@lunatic1976]

if youre able to find where they roost either by going out before light or just about dark they tend to rest in the same trees every night all u gotta do is get out there before they come down

[@chevyon37s]

@@lunatic1976 yea I get that part of it, just want to know some of Matt’s tips for when he gets to new ground, since I have really only hunted the same two spots, and have only been successful in one exact same spot (private) years running now. And would like to venture out to some public places and other states. But also Following a study from turkey biologist Mike Chamberlin (@wildturkeydoc on Instagram, he has pics of roost locations there) turkeys do not roost in the same tree every night. While they do use the same trees, they have multiple roost locations across many acres that they will use and kind of rotate through the roost locations.

[@justinvernal]

When's the dale outdoors turkey vest comeing out👍🇺🇸

[@j_doodle2008]

I'm a black man from nj that moved down south. First year turkey hunting your information is vital. I'm a avid deer and hog hunter but your info makes me feel better about my first year

[@carminemonaco5712]

I’m pretty new to turkey hunting too, so far I’ve found that you just have to use trial and error until you find what works

[@markmilitant]

U could’ve moved to Pennsylvania we have one of the greatest state game lands in the country

[@j_doodle2008]

@@markmilitant yea but the gun rights there are horrible

[@markmilitant]

@@j_doodle2008 easy permit shall issue state carry super easy to get a permit unless someone a criminal permitless is perfect

[@j_doodle2008]

@@markmilitant I don't need a permit to have something they had no problem sending me overseas with so no I don't think me paying for a permit is right

[@willbarwick4599]

Awesome material. A lot of times if I have a turkey that is trying to get me to come to him, I will Flip the script on him and start playing hard to get. If I’ve got him fired up, and I move in the opposite direction while calling, he will think “oh no the hen is leaving.“ and he will follow. Sometimes I’ll even gobble to make him think there’s someone else moving in on his lady. I’ve had em come running looking for a fight.

[@BourbonBasement1177]

this is my first year going hunting. I know it's a long shot to get anything but I'm excited to learn and hopefully one day one!

[@ethanmccurley2735]

Good luck! just getting into it this year myself. Finally got to hear a fired up gobbler this morning.. didn’t work out but I picked up some good info

[@stevegraves2968]

It's the experience of the hunt. The harvest is a bonus. Enjoy all that has been given, that equals success.

[@inanimateuser9828]

This will be my first turkey season as well. I've hunted whitetail for almost 20 years now, and seen turkeys everywhere on the mountainside at our property. I'm guessing I won't see a single one when I am there next week.

[@BourbonBasement1177]

@@stevegraves2968 I've never hunted so I have alot to learn but excited to try.

[@BourbonBasement1177]

@@inanimateuser9828 will be hunting deer this fall for the first time as well. we have 260 acres to hunt on so hopefully I atleast see something lol!

[@alankampf8998]

You must not be in deer tick country, crawling on the ground where Im at youd be covered with ticks

[@lfcox5660]

Confushious say...you dont know jack about calling turkeys or about turkey behaviour.

[@richardroot2724]

Im gonna order your mouth call and shirt and mug!!!

[@castertroyar5526]

I've got 2 adult turkey🦃 in my range backyard and they got 7 matured chicks.. I am so fascinated of their behavior, it's very fun like when you are chasing their movement for an hour.. And in a matter of minutes, the male one 🦃 will gobble and that's behavior makes them so interesting.. I treated them like they are the king and queen of the backyards..C",)

[@charliehay1520]

I LOVE TURKEY HUNTING...been chasing them ol mountain gobblers in southwest VA for 30 years..... KNOWLEDGE + EXPIRENCE= WISDOM....learn all you can about the game you are hunting...take that knowledge you have learned Out to the field and use it...then you will have turkey wisdom...good luck boys!! Shoot em in da face!!

[@jmj3324]

Another awesome turkey lesson from the Dr. of Turkey college Professor Matt Dale 😂 Your a damn good teacher

[@DeeplyDrivenOutdoors]

This dude is one of the best turkey teachers around

[@randlerichardson5826]

Great tips I’ve killed I don’t know how many gobblers but still learn something I ain’t never heard of before. Thanks for sharing your experience with us GOD BLESS

[@galenperry4606]

Good advice except getting down and crawling. DO NOT crawl in turkey season on public land! This is extremely unwise and your risking getting a face full of buckshot. Don’t do it.

[@billbaker1561]

I've got Parkinson's it's hard for me to walk very far. Sitting down for 2-4 hours will be challenge. I'm going try. Can't use mouth calls .I enjoy your series

[@wantabeu2ify]

I’m pretty new at turkey hunting. I’ve come across the “sanctuary” turkey, but what happens more often to me is I’ll call, then get a gobble. I’ll call and maybe get another gobble, but then nothing. He just shuts up. I’ll even wait 15-20 min before calling again, and nothing. So frustrating. Any idea what’s going on here? I didn’t think my call is so bad that he can tell I’m not a turkey, but maybe that’s the problem?

[@colby0082]

Dale could you do a video on how You cape your turkeys and get them ready to hang on the wall?

[@chiya2006]

Last year, I harvested my biggest Tom weighing over 21Lb. The first day I setup across the trees, he started gobbling like crazy, but went opposite direction like a one way street never looked back. So I knew where he was heading exactly, the next day I set up in the middle right where he was gone the day before. I used a breeding hen & a jake. Boy, as soon as he came and saw the setup, he marched and kicked that jake really hard before he took a Winchester XR, I had early breakfast at home that day😂

[@davidzellers3537]

I’ve been wanting to thank you for all the info and tips you have given out to all of us. I just started Turkey hunting last year but I’ve been able to call for years, just didn’t know when to call or what sounds to use when. I did kill my first gobbler last year and killed two more after him. I am hooked! Can’t wait for March 15th here in Mississippi. Thank you for helping me continue to learn about these awesome birds!

[@mikeschlup5279]

I hunted a sanctuary bird ...worked my way close...I got close...stopped calling ..it strutted right by me and gobbled maybe 30 feet away...wow...and then it went bye me...when it got maybe 60 yards past me, I turned around...set up...purred a wee bit and he spooked and flew off...no way it saw me...it spooked right after I called.!

[@randlerichardson5826]

I haven’t seen you on here in awhile but I was subbed to your channel but somehow I got unsubscribed hmmmmmm strange KZbin has been taking subs from certain channels lately

[@ramrodrymensnyder2648]

Turkey hunting is 90% knowing birds and 10% knowing how to call lol. Love your videos man.

[@ec9697]

Great advice..!! Also..stalking turkeys is illegal in some States..

[@tfred2129]

3rd Turkey is the easiest to kill right off roost. Get under him and put a strutter out 40 yds from his tree, and hell fly down on you. But you need the decoy out and sitting still 2hrs b4 daylight minimum

[@HuntHardFishHard]

Hunted a sanctuary gobbler last year, he was in more like his “fight club” watched him whoop up 2 younger gobblers in the same field, high water and private boundary made it very tough to get close, unsuccessful , but this year I’ll try harder!

[@markkimball1569]

Been schooled by a lot of those same ones. Started in my state when they reintroduced them from western ma Ny state 1990 you are bound to get caught 🦃👍

[@ASAILESE129]

basically describing how we stack trees doing recon in the army to sneak up on an objective moving tree to tree

[@ICU-th7qj]

My biggest problem with turkey hunting is getting outa bed that early on my day off lol

[@sstanley99who]

That is a real struggle! But I do it anyway!

[@ICU-th7qj]

I agree! And I make my self get up also

[@1william89]

Mines every time I get on the trail the coffee kicks in and I gota goooo haha

[@sharonlane1988]

if i couldn't get up to turkey hunt i wouldn't go to sleep

[@ohhunter1995]

Don’t be a wuss take a nap later

[@srmjr4200]

Great video - very helpful! Thanks! I wish I would have seen it before my hunt last week. I would have recognized the birds I was dealing/struggling with.

[@rorynelson7548]

Trying to run and gun turkey hunt with a bow and a ground blind is so much work

[@reddawng43x91]

The third turkey is easiest to kill, you get behind a full strut decoy and crawl to him , works every time

[@GoBlue576966]

All you need to do is use a mountain lion call and they come running in. That is what I do.

[@camrot06ify]

What do you do when you have a older turkey that gobbles like crazy stays in the tree until hens come in then Flys down and goes silent you stay with him all day but never leaves his hens and the hens stay in the field all day lol hunted a bird like that Last yr they never went the same way to the field either.

[@jnie370]

Great info. Thanks. Turkey 410 g ???

[@curtishidlebaugh]

My greatest turkey hunt was a bird I was able to sneak on mid-morning that was on his strut zone. He never left a 40 yard line...back and forth for over an hour. He finally broke and came to me at 7 yards with some purrs and light leaf scratching.

[@lambertmike]

Never heard u talk about decoys… did u use any?

[@mrscoot1]

Great information, also a good turkey fan while you are going after the sanctuary turkey can really help you with the crawl to close that last distance or bring him to you on the edge of his sanctuary and you can even move up on him with fan infront of you( but not recommended on public land its just to dangerous) also if you pay attention and get the sanctuary boundaries you can move up when he's walking to the other end( if you're quiet) then once on opposite end of bubble software call him back !

[@richardroot2724]

I believe you need both calling and woodsmanship skills to kill gobblers like that. And sometimes more patience as well to get gobblers like that!!! Great video matt!!!

[@domcutrone1221]

Love your videos informative entertaining never to old to learn more

[@LynrydsDad]

How do you decide what call (mouth, box, etc) to use and when.

[@larrypeakjr.16]

I have noticed over the years, a lot of times the gobbler like 1 and 2 in this video. He gobbles and goes the other way. I have had success with these birds just waiting for a couple of hours of no calling. It's tough, but has worked on several old birds. Most of my land I have permission is not large enough to move around on them. So I have learned to just be patient. I learned this by trial and error. I set up on gobblers and they would gobble their head off and go the other way. And after a while I wasn't patient enough. I would get up to leave. By the time I got back to the truck he was gobbling right where I was set up. So, now I just take my time. If he don't wont to come in now, he will remember where that hen was and come looking for you. This is truly effective with a gobbler with hens. Once his hens leave he will come back. Soft calling is a must on these birds is my opinion. Thanks for the videos and enjoy the footage of your hunts.

[@daleoutdoors17]

Exactly right! If you can’t use the woods because of lack of acreage or your not confident in being able to move then wait em out. I’ve done that also on small properties. Good comment

[@chrissheathewoodguy]

behavior and the willingness to hold out for the bird to come in. to many give up and walk away only to jump the turkey on his way to you.

[@robinbakker2701]

Thank you for your knowledge and wisdom in Turkey hunting.

[@davidyoung1427]

I have encountered all of these situations and that’s what I do to get it done! 👍

[@Bryan-wc3et]

Been hunting turkeys 35 years, quit gun hunting 25 years ago and hunt only with a bow. With a gun it was no challenge. I’m 66 and hunt out of a blind exclusively. I find a good spot set up and stay all day. I shot my 40th turkey last spring with my bow. Patiently waiting is the key

[@risestoremain]

Looks like Dale is in full strut

[@nadasheep]

Dale, Live your videos. I ran into a sanctuary gobbler a couple years ago. I tried slipping on him, he heard me coming and came towards me. Gobbled real close and when I tried to take cover, he putted and backed off, but kept gobbling. He wouldn't budge after that.

[@Twistnthewind]

I've been hunting turkey 30+ yrs and to me you are the man for explaining it all...........the only beef is for Sanctuary birds......it's a bad idea imho to stalk a turkey on public land.......in Pa. it's illegal........but this channel rocks regardless.....ty Dale.

[@kiloton1920]

I have a turkey roost literally 100 feet from my house. Every morning they start making their racket and I have decided I am going to kill the Tom and try to get them to move their roost when hunting season commences. Any tips?

[@TheIceman101]

I agree in some cases on the 1st example but sometimes they are walking with hens as well. I had that happen in Nebraska were they were walking with them and gobbling. The good thing was I could see them and learn from what I was seeing.

[@darrellmayo9066]

Hi deal IAM new on your channel, but after listening to you on these turkey senerios I feel like a pro already. IAM all fired up, turkey season comes in this Saturday. If I get one I'll let you know. Thanks allot for your advice

[@YT-BenG]

I have very deep heartaches over past hunts lol a pang of disappointment whenever I think of my blown hunts 🥴

[@pamountainmilitia3977]

Hi Dale well today may 20th in PA. I had 2 flextone decoys in a feild a Jake and a upright hen The gobblers have not been gobbling for a week nothing, but I kept at it I knew these gobbler were useing this feild, so I put the decoys where they could see them from the woods, I clucked and purred and soft yelped about every half hr, 5 gobblers came right to my decoys and never made a sound except 1 dragged its wings, that is all I herd and they came from behind me, almost got busted but I got my Turkey this morning just goes to show just when you are haveing a tough season keep at it it can change for the better just when you are ready to give up. Thanks for the vids.

[@ryany5571]

That classic 100yard turkey it's like they hit a wall and won't pass it at a 100 yards. Having 2 people really helps, one calling the other shooting. If the caller can get up and walk away calling, will suck that bird right past the shooter. Some of the best I've ever shot had to do that with.

[@usmcscout0311]

Question: I have been told it's much harder to call a turkey downhill. Any truth to that?

[@PaulOgie]

You start the video by saying you have over 30 years experience and should work on calling every year. Then you proceed with a horrible series on a slate call 🤣

[@patiodadio]

Great video ! I have made every mistake you can make and you have explained them all......

[@kevinamack6]

Very informative. I’ve killed a few birds by hardly calling to them on public land

[@jonadams867]

So ready for this spring!!

[@joshbennett4561]

I just found you Dale. Tagged out in Greenbrier county WV at 7:25 this morning. Started gobbling at 5:50 and never stopped. He flew down made his way to the strut zone and stayed there thunder gobbling for 2 hours. I had to go get him !!! Thanks for all the great advice

[@cackalacky_outdoors4959]

Finally i found a video with useful turkey huntung tips thank you so much!!! Them toms that wont come in are tricky indeed😂

[@stormcrow7698]

Kinda like a woman

[@cameronbragg3612]

Awesome video brother

[@nolanacheson7005]

Thanks, man!! :)

[@allenshifflett5300]

You didn't say anything about decoys when you're chasing ether of these 3 birds is it because you don't use them or because there is no time to set them up or because a young Turkey is scared of them

[@johnpearce7835]

Everything you mentioned is exactly what you have to do here in NM on our Merriams!

[@daleoutdoors17]

I’d love to get a merriams

[@cameronbragg3612]

There a blast to hunt I've killed two and im headed to Wyoming this season

[@coyoteodie4458]

@@daleoutdoors17 how much planning would it take to get you to Idaho? We have Merriam's.

[@daleoutdoors17]

@@coyoteodie4458 plane ticket lol And a place to stay 😆 I’d absolutely love to hunt a merriams I’ve never have.

[@coyoteodie4458]

@@daleoutdoors17 well i have room at my house for you. But, I'm still a long ways from where the turkeys are. I drove 7.5 hours last week to try my first solo hunt. I called in 7 jakes but I let them go. I'm not a trophy hunter but I'd like to let them get bigger. Let me mull this over and we'll see what we can come up with. I couldn't connect with your email and I don't have any social media.

[@richardroot2724]

A road runner gobbler could have hens leading him away as well. But hunt them the same way. Try to get in front of them and hope he will stray from them to investigate that hen he hears or the hens may come to investigate and lead him right to you. I have encountered birds like this alot and been successful in getting them. But ive been whipped by them as well.

[@jonwilks7679]

good video and tips. hunting is my life and turkey is #1. enjoyed the video always good to refresh

[@DavidKissinger-cm3lh]

thanx

[@Owl4909]

Great plans, ive killed birds with a gobble call as a last resort ,usually they come on the run if there coming

[@buckscornerhunter8843]

Great info! Best I've seen on youtube! Keep up the good work and good luck turkey hunting! What great time of year to be in God's creation.

[@mikewerden4056]

Matt, Nice piece on turkey psychology 101. Really enjoy your knowledge.

[@robertsloan7228]

What is the scope and choke you are using on your shotgun? Thanks, enjoy your videos.

[@ontheridgeadventures4650]

Good stuff as usual. I wish this video was around last year! I hunted the same bird for 2 weeks and he was a roadrunner turkey and sanctuary bird and in some rough nasty country.

[@nicholasholmes3500]

Hey Matt, great video thanks for the tips. How can you tell what time the gobblers are flying down? I've been sitting down at first light calling with gobblers but can't tell if they're still on the roost or they've flown down already.

[@graysquirreltreeservice7299]

I have seen guys who can win a 3d shoot but can't hit a real deer or turkey 😁😁

[@-lovefromnh]

Matt can you do a video on the cheapest way to a grand slam?

[@-lovefromnh]

And out of state / e-scouting??

[@JNNJR]

First time I watched one of your videos because I am always searching for tips and trying to learn. Great advice! I've been busting birds since the mid 80s and I would have given all of the same tips. Just last year I had to crawl up on an old mature gobbler (type 3) that kept going to the edge of a pond surrounded by heavy brush every morning, and it was too thick to try and maneuver through in the dark. He came in only spitting as I crawled through the brush. I've never seen one stay in an area like that ever, so I guess he had some hens nesting there and wanted to be close.

[@timothydavey7569]

This man gives the best, most professional advice on turkey hunting