The gobble is one of the most iconic and easily recognizable sounds of the spring woods. This distinctive vocalization is made almost exclusively by male wild turkeys, known as toms. But what exactly does a turkey’s gobble sound like?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the unique qualities of the gobble, what it means, when turkeys gobble, and how to imitate this quintessential turkey sound while hunting
The Purpose of the Gobble
Male turkeys gobble for two key reasons:
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To announce their presence and attract females (hens) for mating. The gobble lets hens know there is a virile tom nearby ready to breed.
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To declare dominance over competing males. Toms gobble to warn away “rival” males from their breeding grounds.
The gobble serves a crucial role in spring turkey mating behaviors. Dominant, alpha toms will gobble loudly and frequently to attract hens and proclaim their superiority in the pecking order.
Gobbling peaks just before and during the peak breeding season. As hens begin nesting, gobbling tapers off. By late spring when hens are no longer receptive, toms gobble less often.
When Wild Turkeys Gobble
Toms gobble most actively
- Early morning before flying down from the roost
- Late afternoon as they return to the roost
- Throughout the day during peak breeding season
- In response to loud sounds like owl hoots, crow calls, and claps. This is called “shock gobbling.”
Hens and juvenile males occasionally gobble as well but not nearly as frequently as a dominant tom.
Characteristics of the Gobble Sound
So what does the gobble actually sound like? Here are the key qualities:
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Loud volume – Gobbles carry over a mile on calm mornings.
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Low pitch – The gobble resonates at a very low frequency compared to other turkey sounds.
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Fast tempo – 12-25 rapid gurgling notes in just 2-3 seconds.
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Rolling cadence – A resonant, rhythmically pulsing quality.
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Abrupt ending – The gobble ends with a sharp “glug” or “plop.”
When written out, the cadence appears as: “Gobble-obble-obble-glug!”
Overall, the gobble is a loud, rapid-fire gurgling sound lasting about 2-3 seconds in duration. Here are some audio examples of real wild turkey gobbles:
[insert 3 audio clips of wild turkey gobbles]
How to Imitate a Gobble Sound
Turkey hunters have several options to mimic the gobble in the field:
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Gobble mouth call – Specialized calls that require practice to sound realistic.
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Friction calls – Some friction calls like box calls can imitate gobbles when used a certain way.
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Voice – Skilled hunters can vocally gobbles by rolling the tongue and throat. Requires much practice.
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Recordings – Electronic gobble callers that play recordings of real gobbles. Check regulations in your state.
When imitating gobbles, be conservative and strategic. Only gobble occasionally to sound like a real tom. Remember that mature gobblers will aggressively seek out “intruders” on their turf.
Using Gobble Calls When Hunting Turkeys
Here are some effective tactics for using gobble calls:
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Locate a roosted tom early in the morning.
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Draw in a silent tom that has already responded to hen calls.
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Pull a hung up gobbler within shooting range.
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Entice a tom to cross an obstacle or open field.
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Compete with a real gobbler to portray dominance.
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Get one last gobble at night as toms roost.
Other Turkey Sounds and Vocalizations
While the gobble is the most recognizable, turkeys make a diverse array of sounds:
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Clucks – Made primarily by hens to gather poults and communicate.
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Purrs – Soft, rolling calls used by males and females on the ground.
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Cackles – Loud, fast vocalization as turkeys fly down from roosts.
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Yelps – Drawn out series of high-pitched yelping often used by lost birds.
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Cutts – Short, loud cluck made by hen turkeys.
The Bottom Line
The gobble is a unique, rapid gurgling vocalization made almost exclusively by male turkeys in spring to attract mates and proclaim dominance. It carries far and cuts through the woods with its low pitch and loud volume. Hunters can imitate this sound with specialized calls to interact with and draw in gobblers during the exciting spring hunting season.
FAQs about Turkey Gobbles
How would you describe a turkey gobble?
A turkey’s gobble is a loud, rapid gurgling sound lasting about 2-3 seconds. It has a rolling, rhythmic quality and a very low pitch compared to other turkey vocalizations. The gobble ends abruptly with a sharp “glug” sound.
Why do male turkeys gobble in spring?
Male turkeys gobble in spring to attract female hens for breeding and to declare their dominance over other males in the area. The frequent gobbling advertises their presence and fitness for mating.
What’s the purpose of the gobble sound?
The biological purpose of gobbling is for male turkeys to announce their presence to females ready to mate and to warn away competing males from their breeding grounds. It’s a sound made almost exclusively by male turkeys.
When do wild turkeys gobble?
Turkeys gobble most actively in the early morning before flying down from the roost, in the late evenings when returning to roost, and throughout the day during peak mating season. Gobbling tapers off as the season progresses.
Do female turkeys gobble too?
Female turkeys and juvenile males occasionally gobble, but the sound is used primarily and most frequently by mature, dominant male turkeys. The gobble is largely a sexually selected trait of male wild turkeys.
Fly Down or Fly-up Cackle
A cackle usually consists of three to 10 irregularly spaced notes, loud and staccato, increasing in pitch as the call nears its end. The cackle is generally associated with leaving the roost, but can also be heard when a bird is flying up to a roost. A fly-down cackle is good call to tell a gobbler that a hen is on the ground. However, a fly-down cackle often works best if the gobbler is already on the ground before you call. Otherwise, the tom may stay on the roost; waiting for what he thinks is a hen turkey to come to him before he flies down. A fly-up cackle can also be a good tool when trying to locate roosted toms, as it may get a roosted tom to gobble. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The gobble is a loud, rapid gurgling sound made by male turkeys. The gobble is one of the principal vocalizations of the male wild turkey and is used primarily in the spring to let hens know he is in the area. Hunters must be cautious using a gobble, especially on public land where it may attract fellow hunters to your position. It can also be a double-edged sword. A gobble may draw a dominate tom to you looking for a fight or you might drive away less dominant birds who want to avoid a beating. It is often used as a call of last resort. However, it can also be used effectively late in the evening when trying to get a tom to gobble on the roost. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The kee kee is usually a three-note call that lasts about two seconds. A variation of the call, the kee kee run, is merely a kee kee followed by a yelp. The kee kee is the call of lost young turkeys and variations are also made by adult birds. Its often associated with fall hunting and is used to reassemble a scattered flock. It can be used in the spring to make you sound more natural – especially on public land where it may set you apart from all the other hunters using yelps and cutts. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The plain yelp of a hen is a basic turkey sound and is often delivered in a series of single note vocalizations. The plain yelp can have different meanings depending on how the hen uses it, but it is basic turkey communication. It is also commonly used by a hen to communicate with a gobbler during mating season. This is a basic turkey hunting call. If you can yelp, you have a chance of being able to call in a turkey. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Purring is a soft, rolling call turkeys make when content. It is a low vocal communication designed to keep the turkeys in touch and often is made by feeding birds. This is not a loud call, but is good for reassuring turkeys as they get close to your position. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The putt is a single or several sharp notes. The putt is generally associated as an alarm and usually means the bird has seen or heard something and is signaling danger. This can be useful when you have a gobbler in range, but cant get him to raise his head or stop. However, before putting at a gobbler it is best to have your shotgun ready and on target. Once you raise the alarm by putting, you will have little time to shoot and the bird will take off at the slightest movement. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The tree call is a series of soft muffled yelps given by a roosted bird that sometimes picks up in volume as fly down time nears. Maybe accompanied by soft clucking. It is generally acknowledged as a call to communicate with others in a flock. It can be used to let a gobbler on the roost know you are there. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
There are a wide variety of different sounds or vocalizations made by wild turkeys. Listen to them here.
There are many factors that go into successfully hunting wild turkeys, including calling them at the right place at the right time. Knowing the distinctly different sounds wild turkeys make in specific situations will increase you chances for a successful harvest and make you an all-around better wild turkey hunter.
Sounds courtesy of Denny Gulvas of Gulvas Wildlife Adventures.
The adult hen assembly call is a series of loud yelps, usually a little more emphatic and longer than a standard series of yelps. The assembly yelp is used by a hen to assemble her flock or young poults. It is a good call in the fall when trying to call a scattered flock back together. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The cluck consists of one or more short, staccato notes. The plain cluck often includes two or three single note clucks. Its generally used by one bird to get the attention of another and a good call to reassure an approaching gobbler that a hen is waiting for him. This is a great call while trying to encourage gobbler to come into range if he starts to hang up. It can also be used while birds are still on the roost to subtly let a gobbler know you are there. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
The cluck and purr is a cluck followed by a rolling, almost staccato call. It is often associated with flock talk or the feeling of contentment. Typically not a loud call, though sometimes it can be amplified, it is good for reassuring turkeys as they get close to your position. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Loud, sharp clucks that are often mixed with yelping. Cutting is a sign that turkeys are excited, not alarmed. Cutting has several uses in hunting. If a gobbler is henned up, and one of the hens is cutting, you can cutt back in an attempt to bring her to you. You will want to mimic her calls, while cutting off her vocalizations and being a bit more excited. The goal with this tactic is to lure a dominate hen to you for a fight, often times bringing the gobbler with her. You can also cutt when you have tried soft calling to a gobbler that is hung up. Your browser does not support the audio tag.
Similar sounds and notes as a plain yelp but much more excited, rapid and with more volume. This is not a sign of alarm, but indicates that a turkey is worked up about something. If a gobbler is henned up, you might be able to bring him to you by picking a fight with the dominate hen in the flock. Yelp at her excitedly, cut off her vocalizations with your own calls and you might lure the hen, and the gobbler with her, to you. You can also use an excited yelp when you have tried soft calling to a gobbler that is hung up. Your browser does not support the audio tag.