Help with a hunting situation

[GMMAT]

I have a spot that I set up in.....that I can hunt in 2 different ways. I'm looking for your advice on the best approach.

It's a wheat field with a woodlot behind it that's holding gobblers. The field is elevated a little from the woodlot. I called a gobbler in last year from the woodlot....but couldn't get a clean shot at him (bowhunter). Saturday......same thing.....except he didn't commit. He came up....but held up at 60+ yds in full strut without commiting. He'd gobble right there.....but wouldn't commit. I was in my blind with a lone hen decoy.

I have a few ways I am willing to try this. I might go into the woodlot and take the silent approach. I heard 5-7 gobblers working this thin strip of woods (approx. 150yds wide) on Saturday. I'm thinking of taking the hen down in there and not calling.......or calling only to let them know she's there.

I'm also thinking a gobbler decoy and a gobbler call might work for this field.....or....maybe just the gobbler decoy.

I'm ready to try anything to entice these birds. I KNOW there's gobblers in there......and I need some strategies.

What would you do?

[zubba]

I would try to set up closer to the woodlot or in the woodlot if possible (depending on where they are roosting). I would keep the hen decoy, but do little calling. This early, he might expect the hens to come to him...especially with a fair amount of calling. I'd call just enough to let him know where I was, then let his curiosity get the best of him. Good Luck

[Charlie P]

I'd be patient what didn't work today might just work tomorrow. Might go with more then one hen decoy.

How did you call, yesterday? Sparingly or aggresively?

How do you know it was 5-7 Gobblers did you see them? Were they with hens?

[mouthcaller]

My advise would be to mix it up. Don't do the same thing everyday.

Slip in the woodlot one morning and try a lone hen with light clucking and purring.

Set up the strutter out in the field with a hen on the ground like he is about to breed her. Buy or borrow more hen decoys to simulate a larger group of turkeys. If your tom is the dominant bird he make take exception with your strutter breeding one of his girlfriends.

Good luck

Mouthcaller

[GMMAT]

How did you call, yesterday? Sparingly or aggresively?

Both....but leaning towards aggressive once he wouldn't commit to my passive approach.

How do you know it was 5-7 Gobblers did you see them? Were they with hens?

No. I heard them all around. There were that many, vocal. I heard a hen a couple times.....but mostly not.

[nchawkeye]

We went to our field Saturday morning...Two buddies were set up in their tents, on the high spot in the field, I took a position in the back of the field...About 6:30, we heard one gobbling along the creek that runs about 300 yards from the field and parallel to the field...My buddy hit me on the radio and asked if I wanted to go after him, I said, no, sit tight as we knew the hens come and feed in the field...I called to him twice and he answered...I shut up...

The bird popped out of the field about 7:00...My buddy had 2 hens and a jake set up...The bird saw that jake with the hens and ran in and started strutting at 17 steps...My buddy took him...

I'd add a jake to your set up, he sure didn't like seeing another guy with "his" hens...

btw...After he hit the field, no one called again, no need to...

If you do call, use your slate and give him a few soft purrs, that usually makes them commit...If you know where he comes into the field, set up the decoys so he has to come past you when he walks by...