In my last issue of Turkey and Turkey Hunting magazine they did a piece on "bushwacking" a Tom. I was just curious what some of the people around here think about the subject. I'm not talking about changeing set-up on birds, but ol' fashion belly crawl type stalk threw mud, manure, or thorns... whatever it takes. I personally don't care to do it. I don't look down on anyone that will. I just prefer the hunt play out in the "classic" turkey hunt style, call'em in, and hopefully tag'em.
I think it's one of those "last resort" type things. I bellycrawled a good 300 yards last season to get to a hung up bird, only to have him spot me and run off when I'd closed in to about 60 yards. I got the bird a few days later with a classic sit and call style.
-- B
I'd love to call every one in, and have so far but one in my short (5 year) experience, but if you bushwack by stalking 300 yards on yer belly through the dirt, leaves, manure etc. that everyone is talking about without ole Tom busting you by golly thats an accomplishment in itself.
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The First 100 years are the toughest
Bushwacking, running and gunning or whatever you want to call it is a whole lot of fun.
There is no bigger thrill than getting a tom to go against his nature and come to the call, but........I use the bw/r&g technique as just another part of my arsenal. Believe me, being able to work within shooting distance of a mature tom is a worthy feat.
killed a couple that way. It sure ain't easy. It's a different challenge buta challenge non-the-less. I'd pick callin them in first. My first time a gobbler was struttin in a circle of 3 hens in late season. He wasn't going anywhere and any callin would of sent those hens the other way. My heart was racin' as I inched my way into position. It was fun for sure.
Sneak attack!
