Most turkey hunters focus all their effort on calling in a longbeard, but sometimes the best way to bring that gobbler into range is not to call to him—but to call to the hens instead.
Every seasoned turkey hunter has been there: a big ol’ tom strutting just out of range, locked onto a few hens, and not budging an inch. No matter how sweet your yelps or how aggressive your cuts, he won’t break from the flock.
So, what do you do? You shift your focus to the real boss of the group—the hen.
Why Calling in Hens Works
Hens are territorial and competitive—especially during peak breeding season. If a dominant hen thinks another hen is challenging her status or trying to steal her gobbler, she won’t ignore it. Instead, she’ll likely come marching right in to investigate. And where she goes? That gobbler is sure to follow.
But the trick isn’t just calling—it’s knowing how and when to call to the hens.
Step 1: Read the Flock’s Behavior
Before you start running your call, watch the birds.
- Are the hens vocal? If they’re already calling and yelping, you’re in luck. That means they’re in the mood to talk, and you can mimic their sounds to fire them up.
- Are the hens quiet? If they’re silent, start with soft, subtle yelps and clucks with a Success Call to test the waters. If they don’t respond, don’t force it. Loud, aggressive calling could push them away instead of drawing them in.
- What’s the tom doing? If he’s strutting hard but not moving, that’s a sign he’s locked onto those hens. Your best bet is to convince the lead hen that she needs to come check you out.
Step 2: Call Like a Boss Hen
Once you’ve got a feel for the birds’ behavior, it’s time to make some noise.
- Get Aggressive: If the hens are vocal, mimic them exactly—match their rhythm, tone, and intensity. If she yelps, you yelp. If she cuts, you cut right back. This gets under her skin, and she’ll likely come right in to defend her turf.
- The Sweet Talker: If the hens are quiet, go with soft clucks, purrs, and light yelps—like you’re just another hen feeding nearby. This makes them curious enough to come investigate.
- Play Hard to Get: If a hen is moving off with the gobbler, try making excited, pleading yelps—as if you’re a lonely hen desperate for company. This can spark jealousy in the other hens and bring them right to you.
Step 3: Know When to Go Silent
Sometimes, less is more.
If you’ve engaged a hen and she’s actively moving toward you, back off on your calling. If you keep hammering away, she might lose interest or get suspicious.
Let her natural curiosity do the work. If she keeps coming, stay quiet and let the gobbler follow her right into your setup.
Step 4: Use Decoys to Seal the Deal
Pairing the right call with the right decoy setup can boost your chances of success.
- Pair of Decoys Strategy: Using a pair of decoys can give the lead hen a sense of comfort—making her more likely to join up with what she sees as a small flock. The hen decoys may aggravate her enough to bring her own hens in, while the Jake decoy can fire up the boss gobbler, pushing him to come in and challenge the competition. This combination can seal the deal and bring the entire group into range.
- Solo Hen Decoy: If you’re relying purely on hen calling, a single feeding or upright hen decoy makes you look natural and non-threatening—perfect for pulling other hens in.
Final Thoughts
Calling in hens to bring a gobbler closer takes patience, strategy, and the right call. But when done right, it can be one of the most effective ways to tag a longbeard.
Next time you’re up against a henned-up gobbler, forget about him for a second. Focus on winning over the lead hen, and more often than not, that tom will come right in tow.
Good luck, and may your gobblers always come in close! 🦃
🔗 Need the right call to get it done? Check out our best hen-calling turkey calls here: Houndstooth Turkey Calls
