Need some help fellow Turkey hunters.
So this past weekend I was out. I am huntinga moderately dense oak tree shrub area with some open slopes and fields. I was set up around 4am and quiet. I wear a full ghilley suit and blend in to the scenery. As I sat I heard the first gobble....then about 100 yards to right was another gobble on the same slope facing me. They did this for 30 minutes. then after that the closest one dropped down to the ground and headed towards other as he gobbled every so often. Here is where it gets weird. as I sat tucked up in the blind I made right behind me a LOUD gobble blared out. It had to be less than 20-30 yards directly behind me. Quiet honestly in made me jump as I was not expecting it. There was no way to move to see. I sat figuring he would walk by me to head to the other 2 gobbling. he gobbled 3 times, the others gobbled backthen in an explosion flew across the valley to the other 2 Tom's. I was beside myself. 3 toms within 100 yads of me and not even a shot. In fact I only saw one walking. I heard what appeared to be a few hens but they were very quiet.
I am going back for the last hunt this weekend.I know they will be there. This is the 3rd time in a row they have been in the area. It is the first time I have heard 3 of them.
Good luck, thats really all there is to it, I have birds within 50 yards of me that don't die every time I go out.... Then again, I've never pulled the trigger on an animal more than 25 feet away.
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Hoyt Katera
Limbdriver
Pro-Line Bowstrings
Copper John sights
WHAT!!!!! 25 Feet.....~8 yards? What do you have a petting zoo or do you set up feeders?....... Good Grief what a dream scenario. I can ONLY hope to get a Turkey within 25-30 yards. I have found that these birds are Rideg jumpers. My next position set up is on top of the ridge and hope they fly to me after I do one gobble call.
I agree with the LUCK part. I say this everytime I go out. There has to be a ton of luck to having the birds walk into range.
You have to get used to these guys braggin about their hunting prowness it easy on the key board. As for your question you need to listen closely for drumming and react accordingly - you can hear most birds drumming on the way in if they are strutting . If I had a ghillie suit I would set up in a postion that I could see and adjust - they have good eye sight but you can over do it with the blind
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shootem again they are still moving
Man Of Death, MOD for short.....
I agree. I am going to try and keep myself a bit more agile rather than tied up in a blind. My blinds are not elaborate but branches from surrounding Oaks I cut down, with a sprinkle of long grass for effect. Not to much more. To give you an idea of my camo, Last fall during Deer season(being it crosses over into part of Turkey) I had 3 deer hunters walk with in 30 feet of me and had no idea I was there. I let them pass without a word.
And yeah I questioned the <10 yards shots hence the fun I poked about a petting zoo. I do not even trust pictures much anymore either. People have super lenses that can make them look like they are on top of them.
Thanks for the feedback, The best part for me is everytime out I am getting closer and closer. The fact one was behind me and flew right over me is a clear indicator I am calling them well. I was just in a bad position for a shot. I know we have all had that happen.
From what you describe - I would not be surprised the bird behind you saw soemthing it did not like - so it took off! Even though a ghillie suit you may not have blended into the durroundings as well as you thought.
Thing is to develop a pattern of what, where and when these birds go and do during the course of a day. Then set-up accordingly.
Are they using the ridges more as you suspect than the valley floor? Then pick a ridge. On top of the ridge are there any good flat openings? Might be a better spot yet?
And the thing is to listen to what the hens are doing and mimic them. Try not to overcall. Even if the Toms go with hens first thing - at this point in Wisc then are henless at or around 10 am. Which makes them more callable.
Good luck - and calling one into less than 25 yards is your goal. My average is 22 paces from where I set-up......
JW
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Turkey Hunting! ~ One Turkey Calling Another!
JW,
Again, Thanks. This is my first year hunting Turkey so I am taking all of this in. I think the one above me had no way to see me. He came to a point and simply flew. I was just set up to far below him. Now that I have hunted this area and scouted it very well these are really ridge jumpers. They will go down to about half way, find a flat area, call then fly.A couple of pumps of them wings they haveand the rest is a cruise and they avoid dangers. I have not seen nor heard a bird yet in the valley Hen or Tom.
I am going back Thursday and Friday. After the near miss(HaHa) I surveyed the area wellfor better opportunities.I found a nice flat in the area on the ridge where I believe the Tom flew. I will set up off to the side of it. There were alot of tracks and scratching on the ground so I have to believe this is a routine for them.
Hey that sounds like a great area. Now to help you look for a West edge as it keeps you in the shadows longer and not in the direct sun as it comes up. Use that tip to your advantage. And with your Ghillie suit look for a place with a back drop so you don't get highlighted or sky lined. You will blend in better.
Also a single hen may be a good idea.
Good luck - safe hunting!
JW
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Turkey Hunting! ~ One Turkey Calling Another!
Weird Turkey Hunting scenario
. Good Grief what a dream scenario. I can ONLY hope to get a Turkey within 25-30 yards. I have found that these birds are Rideg jumpers. My next position set up is on top of the ridge and hope they fly to me after I do one gobble call.
