Fighten Purr, man does that sound fun

Kyle.....Do you use a decoy(s)?

If so....tell me your setup.

So after your set up, what is the difference in calling between bow hunting Turkey's I think that's a good question.

I'm not seeing why it's any differnt either,anyone?

Last year,

"Agressive" Jake (actual name) behind a hen

5 yrds from the blind, made to look like a breeding pair. Usually.

Sometimes, just the Jake.

Jeff, I said I had shot opprotunities at Jakes, that doesn't mean I didn't have mature birds come in.

Could I have tagged out on a mature bird with the shotgun? Absolutely.

I employed the same tactics I normally do (agressive calling) and had the same results as far as birds coming into my setups.

I had birds come in with and without a blind. I either elected not to shoot or didn't have a shot I was comfortable with.

I employed the same tactics with the bow as I would with the shotgun.

As far as range is concerned, its a mute point. The farthest bird I ever shot with my shotgun was 37 paces. I made it a habit to call them in close. I don't hunt turkeys because I want to just kill them. I hunt turkeys because I enjoy calling them. Why would I do it any different?


I'm sorry, I'm still not seeing a huge difference.

That's what I was asking, Charlie. Why do you choose one tactic v. another?

I have done both, IMO nothing

Once setup we called the same way. The differnce was the setup.
With bow we setup where the turkeys were going, with gun we went to the turkeys and setup.

Jeff, Your saying it's totally different tatics for bowhunting Vs Gun, Why would it be?

If your in a blind your in a blind why would you have to call differently because of the weapon in your hand?

I also don't understand why you think you won't call a Boss Tom in by being aggresive.

I killed one that I had to use my mouth and as Power Crystal at the same time to call the old hen he was with. If I had used a passive approach that bird would have follwed the hen away. Had to get her fighting mad.

IMO......it depends on the birds in your area.....and whether or not the pecking order has been established or not (yet). Again....IMO......being aggressive with your calling (if you plan to remain stationary) will sometimes limit who (and how many)comes looking. And I don't mean that to say the most aggressive birds will be enticed, at all.

I'd like to hear from the vets on this philosophy, though. Hence my question in the thread header and my plea for others to expound.

It's pretty well accepted that bowhunting v. gunhunting tactics are different, Charlie. Like I said....I don't know of too many "run and gun" (not to be taken figureatively) bowhunters who go after birds.

If I'm off-base on this assessment....I'll say I'm wrong.

I never siad you "wouldn't". But let's look at it this way. THE dominant bird in your area is used to 2 things:

1. Hens coming to HIM. If he hears a very aggressive hen...."I THINK" he's going to expect her to come to him. If he hears a non-agrresive hen that won't.....it "may" 9hence my philosophy) entice him to investigate.

2. If a subordinate tom/jake is in the area....."I" don't think they're going to be AS likely to be caught in the boss tom's area courting an aggressive hen....or attempting to.

Like I said....."my" philosophy. I was hoping to have others voice theirs.

Good stuff.....and what I was looking for. Thanks.

Define "vet."

And does your definition of "vet" limit one to bowhunting only.

If so, why?