It’s not surprising how the human mind is affected by all of the humiliating jokes and teases we’ve suffered from others over the years. Unfortunately, humans, instead of assisting one another and building one other’s confidence and trust, more often than not tear it down trying to assert dominance in almost every aspect of human sociality.
Now, perhaps the preceding paragraph has you taking off the old camouflage hat and scratching your head. What in the world does this have to do with an outdoor column? Great question.
In the old days it was an insult to be called “bird brained”, but study after study has revealed that birds have an unusual ability to reason and deduce. Despite the fact bird brains are very small, even tiny, they are most efficient.
Anyone who’s owned a pet crow knows exactly what I mean. My Grandmother owned one, Blackie, who when happy, was charming, landing on your shoulder, watching you intently, especially when food was involved and trying to join in games. He collected anything bright and if you discovered his hiding place, would promptly move it to another.
One day Gram got fed up when Blackie kept stealing her clothes pins off the line and dropping them on the ground. He thought this great fun and when Gram lost her good temper and chased him off, accidently striking him Blackie became angry.
Never again did he play with Gram, he simply waited till the laundry was on the line, flew to the nearest mud puddle, flew back and walked on the clean laundry with muddy feet. Then he’s sit on the garage roof and watch Gram blow her stack.
Finally, Gram admitted defeat, offer treats and pretended the muddy footprints didn’t bother her before a truce was called.
Parrots display teamwork, simultaneously pulling chains to gather food. Ravens solve puzzles and pigeons carry messages. Many other scientific studies show birds have intelligence and reasoning ability. The point is, don’t underestimate a bird brain, it’s sharper than you may think.
A wise old turkey gobbler’s ability to outsmart hunters can be remarkable, but many on hearing these stories scoff, believe they’re being made fun of or thought gullible. A shame for they therefore lose the wonder and enjoyment of the experience. It’s a shame this type of doubt is so prevalent, instilled in all of us by years of sad experience. Oh, if all simply told the truth.
A seasoned, observant turkey hunter is about the only person who’ll believe many of the things that take place in the spring woods for the simple fact they have had similar experiences themselves. Unfortunately, less successful turkey hunters and sometimes those who simply can’t stick to the facts dirty conversations with their drivel, interrupting their honest betters, but life isn’t perfect and those who stick to the truth can always spot those who don’t.

Now, the purpose of this story, (“Finally!” you may be saying to yourself) is to cause true turkey hunters to reevaluate some of their defeats in the woods and non-hunters to better appreciate turkey smarts.
Hunters, what you thought was simply bad luck, intrusive hens, other hunters or simply Karma was actually the fact that big gobbler was having a little fun with you, playing a high stakes game and enjoying it. I can see Blackie shaking his head up and down in agreement.
How many of you have hunted a big Tom who gobbles every morning, flies down, moves toward you, gobbles and gobbles, them walks away? Oh, you think, he has hens. One day you actually see him. No hens, he’s by himself, supposedly the kind of gobbler the books say is eager for female company and likely to answer your call and run in to be blasted. Nope, that gobbler knows exactly what you are and is enjoying stringing you along. Get too close to him, break your pattern or otherwise become a real threat and this type of bird will move or stop gobbling. Think about it, how many times has it happen to you? Hmm.
What about the gobbler that answers, cautiously comes in and darn the luck there “just happens” to be a thick bush there you couldn’t shoot through, but the turkey could see through? Just bad luck? Really?
I particularly love the gobbler that comes sneaking in quietly after only a gobble or two. You have managed to patiently stay in one spot long enough to give the gobbler time to tiptoe in and finally you spot him. His head is high and his six-power eyes are x-raying your spot. You feel naked under those eyes, but confident in your camouflage wait for him to walk behind that big oak. When he does you shift the gun to cover the far side of the tree, but the turkey never comes out. When you see him again he’s 70 or 80 yards off. If you were a physic you’d probably hear him laughing. A dangerous game for sure, but it’s only a stupid human he’s dealing with, no problem.
How many times has a gobbler snuck in on you staying in a ravine or behind a rise? The head pops up, doesn’t see a hen or spots that odd lump against the tree, the head disappears and he’s gone. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
I could go on, but do you wonder now just how smart an experienced three year-old Eastern Gobbler really is? Think about it…if you dare!