Question on strategy.....setting up at night
 

I know where we'll be hunting in the morning. It's a GREAT woodlot that the birds converge on after fly-down. Would it make any sense to go in there in the pitch black, tonight.....and go ahead and set up our blind? My thought is.....if we make a "little" noise in there this evening (but not enough to spook any close birds already on the roost).....they'll have all night to settle back down before the morning hunt.

Whatcha think? Anyone ever do this?

RE: Question on strategy.....setting up at night
 

That is what I do;)

RE: Question on strategy.....setting up at night
 

Nice avatar!:D

RE: Question on strategy.....setting up at night
 

I'd set up my blind and things around noon when I was sure they weren't around, then sneak in quietly in the dark of morning.

RE: Question on strategy.....setting up at night
 

Greg:

This woodlot holds turkeys all day long. I was in there at 2:00 on Saturday.....and they were all over the place (5-7 gobblers in there). We want to be in there in the morning.....so it's either go in tonight....or wait and go in tomorrow morning. I was just thinking to myself that the night would be LESS of a chance of spooking them.....and even if we did a "little".....they'd settle down by morning.....when we could set up much more quietly.

I think they're in that woodlot right now.;)

Edit** So eveyone knows....we are allowed to hunt all day, here.

RE: Question on strategy.....setting up at night
 

My experiences have been if you get in early enough (1-1.5 hours before first light) that you can get as close as you want, if you are quite. I would think that if you set up a blind semi-quietly that there would be no problem. Good luck!

RE: Question on strategy.....setting up at night
 

Jeff, we set up on Saturday less than 100 yards from a bird that was roosted out in front of us and he pitched down right after first light and came in. This was only the second time Lyle had set up the blind and the first time in the dark so he had some issues and made a little more noise than he would have liked, but it didn't seem to cause any issues.

So, late at night or early in the morning you should be fine. Can't wait to hear how you guys do.

RE: Question on strategy.....setting up at night
 

This is a funny little woodlot. I'll try to post a pic.

We'd need to set up "just" north of my (plan) upper most NE stand I have shown. They use this area all day long. They also roost in there and in the woods on the lower end west of my SE most stand site noted.

RE: Question on strategy.....setting up at night
 

Haha Gary you clown!! That pic/avatar just made me crack up again. Imagine if you dozed off in that blind and woke up to that face staring at you.

Jeff, I dont use blinds so I couldnt answer your question bud. I would think Gregs idea is pretty good.

RE: Question on strategy.....setting up at night
 

I'll try anything, Greg/Andy.....but if I went in in mid day (I can do this easily enough.....and hunt this woodlot Saturday instead)....don't I risk being seen? I know I wouldn't be seen at night by a turkey.

Just asking!

RE: Question on strategy.....setting up at night
 

Maybe drive up with the truck much like a farmer would? I would do it midday or early morning, but you already know that.:D

RE: Question on strategy.....setting up at night
 

Ahhh, was posting when you said the birds are in there all day. Yeah, obviously not smart goinginafter daylight if there hanging out in there all day. If you make too much noise setting upjust hit your cow call and that will throw the birds off!!

RE: Question on strategy.....setting up at night
 

I don't know how the turkeys are in your area, but in NJ a lot of the birds on the game lands get blown out of the fields about 10 times a day, at least. Usually by joggers, mountain bikers, dog walkers, etc. They come back out within a half hour usually. So, if you go in, blow the birds out and set up your blind and leave they should be back out there within the hour.

I also don't see an issue getting in there early in the morning and setting it up either.

RE: Question on strategy.....setting up at night
 

I'm not questioning.....just trying to understand the (mid-day) strategy. If they're in there......why is that a good timeto set up?

The only time theses turkeys see vehicles is when they leave this woodlot. They're insulated where they are. I can't get a vehicle back there now (wheat planted in the fields).

RE: Question on strategy.....setting up at night
 

I agree with you on that. I'd prefer the cover of darkness. As long as you're not right on top of them you shouldn't spook them off the roost.

RE: Question on strategy.....setting up at night
 

Personally im setting my blinds a week before season opens but thats just my .2, and if i have to move them during season i do it at about 12:00 in the afternoon when Im done hunting and I just make as less noise as possible