Don't Mess with the Brood Hen

You’ve scattered the fall turkey flock. You’ve set up, waited and heard that first kee-kee made by a bird of the year. It’s then the brood hen starts her assembly yelping — 6 to 10-plus notes that aim to pull them all in like iron filings to a magnet.

You’re as finished as a hard-boiled egg.

Why? She’s been with her brood since she first laid those turkey eggs. Biologists will even tell you she vocalized to them before they pushed and cracked their way out. They know her voice and will come to that call.

So what do you do? Run her off.

You heard right. Stand, walk toward her and move that mama hen out of there. Sure, you might also scare another bird on its way, but others are still likely to regroup once you start calling again — especially if it’s been a good scatter. It’s time to kee-kee back and imitate the calls they make.

Some of those pink-faced fall jakes are the size of the brood hen and growing every day. Call one up and take it if you want. (I would.) If not, chalk it all up to fall turkey fun and find yourself a gobbler flock to hunt.

Just don’t mess with the brood hen. She’ll beat you every time.

—Steve Hickoff