get Tom Kelly’s book & read his story on killing that 5 year old bird - his technique is how you win against the tough ones
personally i love killing silent gobblers - it’s quite satisfying to see the “oh 💩” look on his face when he realizes he’s lost the battle
Those were always my favorites back when I really got after them. I’ve often said I’ve killed almost as many that don’t gobble as did. They usually would wither cluck or yelp once no more than twice “if” they made any sounds.
The best always took a lot of going out of my way so they didn’t know I was there.
Another thing was to find fresh sign and just listen. Don’t try and strike bird just listen. Listen for walking, soft purrs and clucks etc…. The drumming for sure is a good one. The first time I heard it I had no clue whet was happening. I was sitting on a log smoking a cig after coming back out of a deep hollow at wolf creek. Not knowing I turned to here all heck break loose and they were gone. I’ve not forgotten that sound though.
