This is the first time I've hunted turkeys in this area and I'm stuck. The setting is a huge open field that is actually a small private airport runway. (Yes, I have permission) The turkeys are roosting at edge of the runway and strutting each and every morning and nite in the dead center of this huge treeless flat. Today I tried setting up at 0430 on northern edge and calling with 2 hen decoys and a jake decoy. NOTHING. They might look over but never come to the calls. I watched 3 fly down and head due east. another hen joined them a tom that I was able to call to the field but he bypassed me to join his 4 friends. They walked the entire runwayand strutted at the other end of the runway. There may have been some turkey sexual favors granted (I tried to look away). Anyway after about 45 minutes here they come back toward me again only now there is 10 turkeys...3 large toms all strutting, a bunch of hens and a couple of jakes. Had one jake eye my hen decoys but absolutely no action. This runway is elevated on the southern side so I watch them drop over the edge and had hens leaving into southern side woods. Woods is mostly scrub oaks with very few large trees. This is our first week of hunting here in Maine. Questions:
1. Should I set up on the southern side and wait for them to return from there morning trip to the far end? I think this is their normal pattern. I'm thinking of putting down my calls and working an ambush. The Toms appeared to be following the hens to the end of the woods then returning for more showing off. Anyone ever have the ambush work?
2. Any suggestions for engaging these Toms? Maybe my decoys are ugly girls??? I'm nervous about overcalling and then nervous about undercalling.
3. Is it OK to suddenly place a blind in their habitat? Does that spook them?
Sorry for the long note but hoping the more experinced could help me.