Last Friday I showed up at LaGrange High School to check Harman out early so we could head to Montana for a little late-season turkey hunting. Harman’s schedule had been so hectic during the spring due to soccer and school that we had not had the chance to turkey hunt. We weren’t going to be able to stay that long in Montana, but we were both really excited just to hang out together and spend some time in the woods.

As I stood in the main office signing the check-out sheet, the principal, Steve Cole, came out of his office to wish us luck on the trip. Being a serious turkey chaser himself, we began to discuss (whine about) the results of the Georgia/Alabama seasons.

Steve tells me the turkeys in Georgia were tough but where he hunts in Alabama, the toms really came to the call! I think he was rubbing it in.

“Tell you what I saw the other day,” Cole says. “Mickey McCoy (Alex’s science teacher) and I were in the truck just outside of town and we looked over and there’s this big gobbler just struttin’. Just standing there all puffed up. By himself. I got my call out, rolled down the window and called and that ol’ bird gobbled and just kept struttin’. About that time, three chickens walked out of the brush and that gobbler just followed them, showing off big time!”

I didn’t even laugh. This was serious business.

I looked at Steve and my mind was racing.

Steve continued to laugh. Finally I gave him a courtesy laugh only to amuse him. The entire time I’m beginning to understand exactly why the turkeys were getting tougher to call in. The answer was clear and simple in my mind…We are using the wrong calls.

Does anyone know who makes a good “cockledoodledoo” call?

Photo credit: Stephen Bauer/National Wild Turkey Federation