I tried 3 years on my own on public land. Best I did was spook one off a roost trying to set up on him! 7 or 8 years ago I started my current job and met a guy who had some experience. He called me in a jake that season (my 4th season) and a big tom the next year. I once again set out on my own with lessons I'd learned from my buddy and from the birds. I've called in and killed at least one every year since.

My brother-in-law had the least time under his belt that I know of for his first kill. I took him out 2 years ago and we happened to set up under the dumbest jakes I've ever met. They pitched down 100 yards out and sprinted back to the decoys. He had a total sit-down time of about 5 minutes!

rw