RE: Help me out with my situation
Well let's correct one thing - am no darn legend and far from it - just been hunting past 20 yrs.
Now you say they don't use the fields.... Okay what are they feeding on? Acorns? find that.....
Any loggin roads with muddy trails - sit and wait em out in high traffic - high sign areas......
Have you tried to go right at 'em at first light sneaking close to the roost yet? Even if you don't call and can ninja sneak close to see fly downss that may help give a direction they wander off in.....
It certainly IMO has been a very late spring - every state I have gone to the birds are henned....
How good are you at mimicing the hen if you get one to talk to you? I have the best luck with a box and is why I shot one in MI.....my new partner and I did what I call 'racket' calling. We both fast clucked and cutt witha bit of yelping and pulled two hens who each brought a Tom - I got one of them.
Oh if they answer you but go with the hens - stay put.......it might be a long wait but one of them may come back.....
but the best is to sneak in and watch and listen for the way they commonly go. thne once you have that direction try it again in that direction.
I did find a strut zone but we left too early from that set-up this weekend. Would like to go back to get a crack at the bird I now call Mr Wilson. I know where he will be arond 10 to 12.....
JW
Not an expert but do have a deep passion to down right obsession!
Hope I gave you some ideas.