Why do toms gobble at owls?

[TealTapper]

The boy asked me today something I couldn't answer for sure, except to say I think they're just kinda stupid that way. Anyone else have a better answer?

If owls eat turkeys, then why would turkeys gobble at them letting them know where they are?

[turfgrass]

same reason they gobble at crows, trains, thunder, woodpeckers, etc...
just want to be louder than anything else around, shock gobble

[SCSwitchback]

same reason they gobble at crows, trains, thunder, woodpeckers, etc...
just want to be louder than anything else around, shock gobble

+1. They'll gobble at almost anything that's loud.

[rp]

They won't gobble much at a shotgun blast.

[Sashimi]

They won't gobble much at a shotgun blast.

Killed a lot of turkeys have you?

I'll take bullshit for $1000, Alex

[TealTapper]

LOL, rp...pretty good.

[shrpshtr]

from what i was always taught they gobble because they don't want owls or crows landing in the tree with them. i don't think it's a fear thing, more of a territorial thing.

[tradorion]

they gobble at ANYTHING-- +1 on the "To Be Louder Than" theory...

I have killed one in a group and had the others gobble at the shot...

My favorite locator call is a peacock scream...

I have gotten birds to gobble at the Yelp Siren on my work truck for giggles...

[Sportin' Woodies]

ive seen turkeys gobble at geese, hawks, owls, crows, shotguns, bluejay immitations, trains (esp hookup up booms), sirens, other turkeys, my cell phone @10 yds, and my brothers fart at 10 yds.

it's just noise that makes em gobble. theyll start getting tightlipped after theyve heard dozens of fake sounding owl hoots and crow calls and then busted those hunters.

[quack head 11]

One of the best locator call is a goose call. They are around all year and very vocal.



And hardly anybody else does it.

[tradorion]

LMAO-- Sportin-- gobblin at your brothers farts... one more reason to be glad turkeys can't smell or we would never kill one !!

[roxminister]

I've actually had some jakes walk within 15 yards and from behind brush cover I've said "hey jake" and they've gobbled. I did that for about 10 minutes until it just got boring. I agree totally with the "to be louder theory".

[ccleroy]

Startles them.............kinda like us saying O Shit when we get scared.................

[huntboykins801]

they gobble at ANYTHING-- +1 on the "To Be Louder Than" theory...

I have killed one in a group and had the others gobble at the shot...

My favorite locator call is a peacock scream...

I have gotten birds to gobble at the Yelp Siren on my work truck for giggles...

X2 on the peacock! I have a bunch of pea cocks on the farm beside my house and in the mornings I have stepped out and those peacocks would have the woods screaming and then right behind the peacock scream is a gobble!

[HARV]

" Why do toms gobble at owls?" Simple,they can't hoot.

[TealTapper]

Thanks for all the responses guys, ya'll are great!

I had actually thought of using my goose call. Seems I read about that somewhere else, too. I also have a coon squaller I might try... I'm a little light on equipment, and extra cash!, so using what I have on hand is necessary, if it stands any chance at all.

And, thanks to the fantastic insights and experiences related to me here, I'll have three taco bell buritos the night before just for back up fart calling!!

[HARV]

I've heard them shock gobble at home whilst dipping a pail of water outta the well,when the pail hits the well rings!

[SuperSwamp Fox]

A wood duck whistle is another easy different kind of locator.

[duckiller]

Turkeys gobble at owls, crows and other loud noises in the spring due to their rise in testosterone level.(dont know if thats spelled right) its just a impulse to them because of that. They are on edge and wanting to locate a hen to the gobble at just just the first loud sound they hear to assert their location and make it known to everything around.