So, I have had gobbling so close to, but they are not coming in. I'm in the cedars with good vision to open meadows for shooting. I had one so close today, but he wouldn't show up in the opening. A hen came in from my back side and walked right by me that gobbling tom. I never heard that tom again. Last few days two or three toms answering to my call and fairly close but don't walking.

So, you think they are just with hens and hard to pull away or what??

A gobbler could be hesitant to come into that opening depending how vulnerable he feels? For a turkey to survive the 2-3 seasons before he can start gobbling, it's the smarter birds that make it.

But yes if he's henned up, even less chance to get him in. A decoy of a competing male could help?

A turkey isn’t 2 to 3 years old before he starts gobbling. Snowy henned up Tom’s are hard to pull away from the flock. A decoy spread can help or try to sit up where they want to go.

Okay!! I have a jake & hen decoy. I see them up 300 to 400 feet on ridges in the rock and dirt cliffs gobbling their heads off. Looking all around trying to see the hen when I'm calling. A lot of long bearded mature toms.

Will it easier to call them in later in season??

It seems early but try calling softer or not at all make him look for you if you call too much or too loud he might think your coming to him. If he has other hens he has no need to come to you he’s good. I like to mimic the hens cluck for cluck that will often bring in a gobbler sometimes they come in silent so be ready.

It’s easy to get caught up in calling but more is not better often and louder is the same not good when they are coming in, if it was me I’d tuck them in tonight then get close to the roost in the morning when it’s dark. Then wait for the first calls and respond accordingly.

Great advice.
I don't call if I one answers. I might after 15 to 20 minutes if he hasn't shown up or I haven't heard him again.

Also try to get above them, hunting eastern turkeys I’ve found its better to get above and call them up hill.

Most folks mainly yelp but clucks and purrs have killed a lot of birds. I react 1 step below the gobblers level if he’s interested I’m a little interested if he’s a little interested I’m less interested. The hens I go one to one a ticked off hen is a good drawing card.

Who told you that a turkey takes 2-3 seasons to start gobbling? That’s hilarious.

People say they are so stupid, well I have to disagree on that.

Oh they can be stupid, but they are also prey animals and don’t want to be lunch. Lol

Likely he has hens and is “henned up”

If you can pull some of the hens you might get him to come in with them.

If you know where he likes to go, you can cut him off. When he hits the ground, give some clucks and purrs if he answers don’t call until he gobbles. Get him looking for your reaction and call. If you call and respond to him at his level, he will expect you to come to him, or if he sees where the calling is coming from and doesn’t see a hen, he won’t come. That isn’t natural to them and he won’t know what’s going on.

Less is more sometimes. Good luck.

Yup

Great advice, problem for me is over here on the peninsula, I’d have to climb a tree to get above them. lol.

Merriam’s might be different to hunt, and they are pretty savvy here with all the predators after them.

Yup

Very true! Find a cut off spot if you can pattern him, maybe that’ll work.

Sometimes it can be tough or impossible to pull them from hens early in the morning.
Go after him a little bit later in the morning 9-10ish, after he has bred a few hens. Also pay attention to where he likes to strut and put yourself as close to there as you can. Sometimes there are places that they want no part of going, especially without decoys to help peak his interest.
They have a brain the size of a pea and it's packed with fear.
Don't give up

Like others said, try to mimic the hens and get them fired up and try to call them into range, the gobbler will follow. The problem is not getting busted by the hens before the Tom is in range.

Set up an evening ambush if you know where they roost, I have taken 3 toms that way.

I'll keep at them. I haven't hunt them any earlier then 11am so far. I hunt for an hour or two ovah noon, late morning. I been busy with other stuff at the ranch.