judging gobbler distance

[hatracked]

I've come to the conclusion that I am always a bit on the generous side in yardage when I assume a gobblers position from me by the sound of his gobble. Ive come up with a loose system of rules as to how far in reality he is. Lots of stuff dictates how far you can hear a gobble . Anyone got any pointers before I spill the beans on what goes through my head when judging a gobblers distance by the sound.

[ncboman]

You're asking us for pointers?

now that's funny. ;D

My hearing is failing so if I hear a gobbler I know he's fairly close.

Seriously, there are many songbirds I simply cannot hear, something about the frequency I guess. I can hear turkey gobbles though perhaps not as good as some of you guys, but I can hear em.

As for distancing them, it depends on the terrain but a pretty good method if you have an active Tom is timing the response to a few yelps. You might think I'm crazy but when I was raising turkeys I noticed how quick a hot tom would respond, many times it's almost involuntary. He gobbles at the sound so quickly, it's almost like he only realizes he gobbled after the fact. Kinda guestimating the time it takes the sounds to travel back and forth can give you an idea if he's close enough to set up on or maybe tighten up a little more.

Also distant toms sound like it's coming thru the air more. Closer toms, like 200 yds or so the sound comes lower on the ground more.

I'm sure interested in seeing what hat's clues are.

[SCtrkyhntr]

It really depends on the terrain and the situation. Birds in fields gobbling sound different than birds in the swamp. Birds near water also sound like they are closer because the sound carries better over water. I always think a tom is closer than he is when he gobbles. Although when I was down in the lowcountry I found out that when a tom gobbles and the hair stands up on my neck they are usually within 30 yards.LOL

[BillCartwright]

With these hills and hollers here in Kentucky a bird can gobble and sound very close, but he could be several hundred yards away because of the sound traveling down the valley.

Just this weekend I thought a bird was a good 2-300 yards away when he was maybe 150 yards. I got to tight on the bird IMO and he didn't want to play.

Let's here it hat, you are not going to tell us you count from the time you hear the gobble until it stops then multiply it by 75 are you? Joking. Interested in hearing your theory.

[hatracked]

Last guide this morning until Friday. Sorry I am not going to make it up to the hunt boys but business and bills comes first. Im very hesitant to drop any hunts here , as I dont want to jepordize my position as head turkey guide here. Looks like Im staying on for deer season too !

Anyhow when I get to the house later Ill take some time to write out my thoughts. For a tid bit to think about , theres about three intensities of gobbles that I hear. Long distance still or pause in the air that almost can be even made out to be a gobble. Your standard rolling gobble , and then theres the rib cage rattle type ....which I like the most.

[BillCartwright]

Off your description of intensities and how I relate to them, this is how I would ear mark the distance:

Long distance still or pause in the air that almost can be even made out to be a gobble: THIS BIRD WOULD LIKELY BE WELL OVER 4-500 yards AWAY. IMHO.

Your standard rolling gobble: THIS BIRD WOULD BE ANYWHERE FROM 150-300 YARDS DEPENDING ON THE TERRAIN. IMHO.

The rib cage rattle type: THIS BIRD WOULD BE CLOSER THAN 100 YARDS AND MOST LIKELY 50-75. I experienced this one on Monday morning. IMHO.