This week we had the privilege of taking Ronnie “Cuz” Strickland hunting on our property and we can honestly say we learned more this week than we usually learn all year.

The first day we hunted it rained all morning till about 2:00.  As soon as the rain broke we went and set up on a small field and planned to call for about 30 minutes to see what happened.  Mr. Cuz broke out his tube call and let out an ear piercing cut and then a yelp.  A bird gobbled so far away Jacob was the only one that heard it.  Thirty seconds later he gobbled again and was a little closer.  When the bird had cut the distance in half another turkey gobbled in a different direction.

Cuz was calling so aggressive that if it were anyone else, we would have thought they were out of their mind and taken their calls from them.  Every 10 seconds he was calling and calling VERY loud.  Within 5 minutes both birds came into the field.  One on the left side of the field and one on the right.  Both went into strut and ran right at each other.  They met up in the middle and fought for about two minutes and then one of the birds ran the other right to us.  Cuz smoked the boss bird at about 40 yards.

What We Learned:  Don’t be afraid to call a lot and call loud.  Many times articles and videos discourage people from calling too much and too loud.  Sometimes it is good to tone down the calling, but many times it is good to call as loud as possible and call a lot.  Get the bird fired up and wanting to come in.  It is not unnatural for a hen to yelp very loud and often.