Not that one wants to miss a turkey due to lack of diligence, but brief thoughts of mating grouse provide hope for later woodland visits. You would not, though, in a million years return for grouse carrying the same shotgun and loads used for turkeys. Getting back to turkeys, more and more hunters like to use decoys. Set them up at a measured range so you can accurately determine when an approaching gobbler is in range. The best setup is paired hunters with one hunter calling from 15-20 yards behind the first hunter.
Turkeys have acute eyesight and detect the slightest movement.
With the shooter in front he has a better chance of going undetected while his partner behind him moves his hands only slightly to call turkeys. A turkey's hearing informs him of how far away a calling bird is, so by calling from behind the actual hunter, it gives the shooter a chance to have the turkey come closer. Though being in the woods prior to dawn is a good way to get a gobbler, the time between 9 and 11 is also very good, so don't give up, especially if you are in an area you have confidence in. Set up near known roosts or feeding areas, keeping in mind, though, that turkeys often go to water the first thing in the morning. If there is water near a known roosting or feeding area, that might be a good place to start your hunting day.