A Dieing Breed?
 

I know I'm gonna catch some flak over this post but here goes. I read nearly every post every day on here and I've noticed not only here but with my close circle of turkey hunting friends just how much that blind hunting (no not as in "can't see" as in a camo tent to hide inside of) has taken over our sport. I'm not bashing blinds and happen to own a DB myself. I just think a lot of folks that never venture away from their blinds are missing a huge part of what makes this sport so great. There's nothing like sitting "out in the open"against a huge oak in a southern swamp in the pre-dawn hrs. waiting for the world to come alive.Maybe that first gobbleis not exactly where you thought it would come from. No problem- you jump up and make your move. I also think that blind hunting willlengthen the learning curve to becoming a good turkey hunter.I guess what I'm saying isdon't grow roots in your blind.Once in a while step outside and see and feel the world around you.An even more novel idea would be to leave your blind at home once in a while. Just go for it.

Dan

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

I think they're a useful tool, especially for those who like to hunt with a bow and a camera, or with kids in less than admirable weather, but you're right there's something to be said for hunting out in the open. I've only ever hunted (2 years) out in the open, but can see the advantages of a blind. That being said, my first turkey hunt ever I had a hen walk past me at about 5 yards and from then I've been hooked! This past weekend I was out and needed to make a move on a bird that was holding tight on the other side of a ridge and I believe hunting out of a blind from the spot we set up initially we would not have gotten that bird. There's nothing like sittin against a pine tree with half a branch poking you in the back while you stare down a line of tall pines waiting for a boss tom to poke his head over a hill.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

I've never used a blind turkey hunting, butnext year whenI'm filming hunts, or hunting with my bow.. my blind will definitely be used.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

I don't own one, my buddy owns 2...I've tried his and just seem out of touch with what's going on around me...

One thing I do like about them, some guy ramble and call too dang much...At least it keeps them in one place so I can ramble...:D

I just finished watching a turkey hunt on TV...The hunter belly crawled across a field to ambush a turkey...To me, the excitement is about calling them inside of 30 yards without them knowing you are there, not just killing them...This is also why I don't get hungup on 50 yard groups...It's not about how far away you killed him, but how close...

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

Iwouldn't use a blind unless I was taking a kid out or bow hunting. I like to be able to "run and gun" the birds when ever I can. One thing NCHAWKEYE said he wont do but I will do is sneak turkeys. If I see a big tom henned up and wont come any closer, I think its just as fun to sneak up on them, and most of the time a lot harder to pull off than if you called them in. Their eyes and ears are so good that it takes practice to sneak up on them without getting busted.

Oh, and its "Dying", not "Dieing..". Sorry, had to point that out:D

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

I like 'em close and I use a bow and I don't see that I'm missing anything by using the blind to hunt them. I can still hear nature wakin' up, I can still see nature wakin' up, and I killed both turkeys this year at 5 yards. It was a rush. What am I missing again? Sitting against a tree so I can shoot a turkey at 50 yards with boom stick is more fun?

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

i hear ya! i own a blind and cant stand carryin it in.! most of those that use blinds drive in on there 4-wheeler or better yet there super quiet golf cart or electric somethin of! i prefer to walk now! i have ridden my wheeler when i was younger and dumber. now i can see way more wildlife by walkin in. i even kill most of my deer by walkin. it is a DYING BREED. i agree with you 100% turkey hunting is way better when you cant move an inch or they see you . then its a split second reaction to fire or let em go. If your not disabled sit next to a tree. it a little more of a fair chase. i can blinds only for those who are disabled, or maybe if you want to try a bow for the first time. other than that! try your luck! find out how good you really are!

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

Im with you on this one.. Not sure why he thinks its a problem. I dont hunt with them when I am using a gun because I dont really need to and I dont like toting them around. When bow hunting, heck ya, althoughI have tried with a bow without a blind with moderate success. I have not hunted out of a blind this year when I was by myself, and only once and thats because I took a 13 year old kid who couldn't sit still.

Benjaminearl: Why do you automatically assume that mostpeople who use blinds drive them in with a 4 wheeler? I walk mine in and I dont know many people who have trouble carring a 10 pound blind into the woods with them. Even if I am going out the night before to set it up I walk it in.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

you sound like you are from a place with a lot of thick forest. where we are at, most places are bare and open, that is why the turkeys like it. if you place a blind out in the open, the turkeys won't mind it. if you sit next to the only couple of trees exposed on the hillside you will be busted. we are forced to use blinds all the time here.

we will break out of a blind in a hearbeat if the strategy changes. a blind is more of a strategy that sometimes fits a purpose better than other strategiesat each different situation.

also, hunting out of a blind in the rain makes the hunting so much better than being soaked.

a blind is just another tool that got upgraded, it is always up to everyone to choose what strategy they want to use.

bowhunters of course like blinds because they can help to mask movement. in a place with lots of turkeys and a lot of open ground like where we are at, a person would do everything right to call in a tom and still never have the chance to settle the pin on the tom.

who can forget kids, anyone who has taken a kid on his first hunt will learn to hide and muffle the sound of that kid a little better the second time around. it doesn't matter if the turrain is open or dense, kids always need a larger margin of error.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

I use a blind more often now while turkey hunting b/c I bowhunt. Its pretty hard to sit next to a tree and pull off a turkey kill with a bow.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

No blind here. I've never used one and don't plan on using one. I have nothing against them, just not the way I want to hunt. I like to move, so I don't want to be restricted.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

I agree. Blind hunting is for the birds. It's almost like cheating. The fun is being in the wide open and that bird not seeing you. Another thing I cant stand is all of these people field hunting, and theirs like 30 birds in a field and you wait for them to come to you. Hell no, not for me. That isnt even hunting to me. Get in the timber and call them in through the trees. Seeing them from 200 yards away in a field is no fun IMO.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

of course seeing them in a field 200 yards away is no fun cause 8 times out of 10 they hang up half way through the field. Personally i think it is slightly easier to call them through timber because of there inability to see farther. i dont try getting them 200 yards across a field myself. i try and setup close to where they will come out so as soon as they see the dekes they are almost in range.

As for the "dieing breed". by looking at the posts on here it is not a dieing breed. i only usea blind when i am bowhunting. i like trying to blend inalso.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

As I said in my first sentence. I'm not against blinds. If you're a guy that uses a blind as a tool that's great. I know there's lots of folks on here that do just that. I'm speaking to those that have never tried hunting them outside of a blind and I think there's also quite a few in that boat too.

Dan

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

i hear ya. it is nice to get out and see the "world"

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

Yeah, and shooting them with a scoped shotgun that uses 3.5" hevi-shot shells is real "sporting" too, isn't it![:@]

Like putting a blind up is cheating how again? Since when do turkeys have the ability to spot a fully camo'ed hunter, that blends into his/her surroundings perfectly, with a shotgun sitting on a cradle at the ready, and a couple of life like decoys forthe turkey to stare at,make it any harder?

How many turkeys have you shot with in 10 yards of you, with a bow? If it's so easy, why not use rocks or a sling shot! After all, it would be more "sporting", right?

I'd guess that you don't use any of the available "tools" to hunt deer either. Such as tree stands, scent lock, etc. Probably hate hearing of people sitting over bait piles, or sitting at water holes waiting for antelope to come for a drink, or elk, or mule deer for that matter. After all, what "sport" is it to ambush an animal at a spot that it NEEDS to come to for it's own survival!

And you think because people hunt turkeys around "open fields" where the turkeys can be seenat longer distances simply means that once you can see them, they simply can't resist coming to you. Yip, like pulling fish in on a string!!! You crack me up!:D

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

Almost forgot, this aughta get your goat. Yip, like shooting fish in a barrel![8D]

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

AMEN! I was born and raised that way, always on the move turkey huntin'. I hate it when we have to just sit in one or two spots in one day. That's why I like turkey hunting more than deer. You get to move and call. With deer you just sit and hope somethin' will come by. When your in a blind the whole time you have to rely on a turkey to come to you, and as we all know sometimes they don't want to. It also takes the skill out of turkey hunting. If you sit in a blind you just sit and call. When you don't you have to be quiet, slow in your steps but fast to cut a bird off, Make sure everything is in camo or at least something dark green or brown. I'm just sayin' That's how I do it.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

You know what howler your attacks are starin to give me a sour taste.Fingerz wasn't attacking anybody but then you attacked him on the sporting thing. You went way overboard on the sarcasim and it'sgetting annoying.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

I agree 100% all else equal. If I am hunting woods, I see no point in using a blind as there are plenty of ways to blend in....if I am shotgun hunting I see no point in using a blind, there is virtually no movement involved.

BUT, when I bowhunt the field edges, I use a blind about half the time. I don't feel it is cheating at all, in fact, I often times feel that it HINDERS my chances...I always feel bogged down when blind hunting, like I am stuck helplessly waiting on the turkey. I like to roam as well, and have as of late been bowhunting sans the blind as well. Hasn't worked out perfectly just yet, but should soon.

If I have a chance of trying to call in a bird through the woods or across a vast field...I'll take the woods anyday of the week. It's just easier in my experiences....the smaller fields surrounded by woods are where the dynamite hunting spots are.;)

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

I've only used them with the kids because kids will be kids and get figidity. I love to sit up against a large tree and see and smell the morning dew and flowers in bloom, I just can't explain that feeling and the anticipation of seeing a turkey only adds more to it. The only thing I do not like while sitting are them damn Missouri rat tree snakes. I took a nice bird one year that fell near a large tree and when I bent down to pick up the tom this damn thing made it's acquaintance with me. I darn near crapped myself and just watched as this thing crawled up the tree. I shoot a blackpowder 12 guage and did not have a loaded gun.:D I am always "looking" for this somewhere but when the birds come I always forget as I am so into the birds. This is where a blind could get rid of that fear, however I have one with no floor and it sits on the grass or whatever so that snake could still find its way in.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

I own a double bull blind and I like it for bow hunting but if I am shot gunning by myself then I like to get out and run and gun. I do have a6 year old and blinds are great for kids. They can move around and it helps to keep them entertained. If it is cool a buddy heater will also keep them warm.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

ATTACKS!!! Ha ha, I HARDLY attacked him. BUT instead I am bringing to point that this post is like SOOoooo many others that think THIER way of hunting is better than anybody else way of HUNTING since THIER way is HARDER, or in thier eyes, more SPORTING.. When in fact, many variations come into play that dictate the best way of hunting a particular animal across the nation.Heck, if there aren't BIG woods to call turkeys into, why should my way of hunting get slammed? The turkeys where I hunt pretty much avoid the hard wood creek bottoms, they much prefer to be out in the open, and I suspect that's because of their fear of predators that lurk in the creeks.SO why would I sit in the creeks trying to call turkeys to a spot that I know they don't want to go to begin with? Don't make a whole lot of sense, now does it!!

Yeah I put some sarcasm in my post, which last I checked, sarcasm didn't equal attacks, and if it comes off that way, then my appoligy to Fingerz.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

i am with you here howler.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

you cant call a turkey where he dont wanna go.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

Only been out a couple times, with the bow both times. Had I had a shotgun, the game would have been over a lot quicker, and easier at that. I do not anticipate using anything but my bow to hunt these birds. Did some run and gun type hunting with the bow that first day, never had a tom respond or anything, so I did not get a chance to draw with a lot of eyes around. i would think that would be tough, we'll see in a couple weeks when i try again, but no plans to take a gun. My take is that with a blind and a gun, there is not a lot of sport, IMHO. i will most likely try a blind with the bow for morning flydown and first couple hours, but after that hide behind a tree. When in the blind you need the windows open fairly good for the bow, not like a gun where a couple inches will do. I'm a newby though, so ask me again in a few years. So far, I feel these birds are dumb, but they see real well, lol.
Dandbuck

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

Howler, You need to re-read this thread. I posted it to encourage those that are "only" blind hunter's to not be afraid to change tactics once in a while and to take up the chase. I do blind hunt and will blind hunt in the future. I read a post on here last wk. and the guy that posted it was asking for advice. Apparently he had been hunting a group of birds that day in and day out had been gobbling in the timber behind the field he had his blind set up in. Several of us encouraged him that a different approach might be to start the day out sitting at the base of a tree back in the timber. After several posts back and forth it became apparent that this guy was almost afraid to try turkey hunting outside of his blind. I started thinking about a few guys that I know personally and they hunt solely from their blinds. With that thought in mind I thought I might encourage those that are reluctant to try another approach and suggest that they try hunting outside of their blinds. It's hard to argue that they will become better hunters if they do and they will enjoy more success in the future. Being one dimensional is not condusive to being successful in the turkey hunting arena.
No need to argue here. I was just trying to help some of the new guysand encourage them that it is OK to try something different. I'm just trying to help out.

Dan

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

Thats true gospel in the church of turkey hunting there. Amen.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

I hunt field edges with the woods being "out-of bounds". Absolutley nowhere to hide. If I had big woods, I'd chuck the blind, it's a pain to carry in or out.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

This thread reminds me of the age old public land hunters vs private land hunters. Yawn!

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

Woops wrong thread..


Jeez howler, that really got you going. By your reply, my guess is you're a field hunter?

Chill, I just stated my opinion, and I wasnt downing anyones type of hunting. I respect everyones own personal ways.. who am I todictate how people should hunt? Also, when I said it was like cheating, I was only referring to the amount of movement you can get away with. Because in many other ways a blind is actually a deterrent --you dont have 360 degrees of view and shot opportunities, you're cramped in, you cant move spots as quickly, etc...

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

IF you were only wanting to encourage people that only use blinds to try something new, why would you feel that you were probably going to catch any flak as you stated in your very first post? Looks like you had other intentions, and kinda got what you asked for!

AND hense my primary reason for posting what I have in this post is to get the point across that there are many variables that come into play across the nation, and I think that point gets so often lost by many who get caught up into "thier" situation and they forget or simply don't know that hunting situations vary greatly from place to place and as the situation varys, so do hunting tactics!

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

Ha Ha, I was attacked for using a .22 Magnum and now people are being attacked for using blinds..what a hoot. I just don't understand why everybody has to do everything the same and if not it's 'immoral', or 'unsportsmanlike'. Kind of sounds like socialism to me.:)

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

I am still learning turkey hunting, but I will say, for me anyway that the blind helps me in that I have severe arthritis in my knees and it helps hide the fact that I can quietly move my legs a little.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

I dont own ablind but could have used one a time or two this season.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

While never using a blind for turkey hunting, I don't have any issues about using them either. Like some stated, if they have a younger hunter with them, most likely they won't be still, and you know what that means.....bye-bye birdie!! The other thing that I'm surprized that nobody touched on is hunting in the rain!!! A blind would work wonders, besides keeping you and all your gear dry!!! The only issue I would have would be carrying that thing all over the woods. With the many thieves in the world, I don't think that leaving one set-up while your not there is a good idea either. So you do have some plus and minus issues. Either way, I don't think that many are actually using them. Would be a minority if anything.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

when I started turkey hunting , i was strictly blind huting.I'd go out and make condos out of palmettos and such, killed a few birds that way, then I was introduced to going after that gobble and thats what I do for the most part now....and I have been real successful...but if they ain't gobbling , then I just hangout where i think they'll be, put some palmettos around me and I wait it out.`As long as you're out there , doing things legally, then good for you...
I can see why he posted this...I was missing out on alot of birds that just wouldn't commitwhile stuck in the blind and I'm so thankful I was introduced to going after the gobble....I get alot closer, close enough to where he can't resist me,do my calling, they still come in gobbling most of the time, so I still get to see the show, and I get a bird( God willing)...
Maytom, I use one of those umbrellas that hook to the tree or they can be used as a blind, but most of the time it's doesn't come out...now if it's pouring cats and dogs, then i'll use it but I won't melt, opps did I say that ? I'll melt, I'll melt, lol....seeing I'm so sweet, lol.....
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/allen-umbrella-blind-mossy-oak-break-up-.aspx?a=210592#

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

I don't use them and don't own one either. When I turkey hunt I need to keep moving and find that most often I don't have the time to even set up decoys. This year was an exception and I got my 2 birds on consecutive days from the same area using decoys. Most times I walk and call and never know where I will set up.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

I see the biggest reason folks are using pop-up blinds more and more in my area is simply because folks do NOT have enough land to do the "Run-N-Gun" tactics anymore. I mean, how much can you really get after a Gobbler when you're hunting him on say something only 50 to 100 acres. In these instances, I believe it is far more effective to use your knowledge of turkey movements through effective scouting and remain in a location where you're confident the birds will appear. This tactic is incredibly effective, especially when armed with a bow. Another reason I see more and more folks using pop-up blinds is to take novice hunters and/or Youth hunters along. I know this has been the main reason I use our DB blinds.... it's a bit hard to have my 8 and 9 year old sons hold still when a spooky ol' Gobbler is closing the distance.

All that being said, I still like the Run-N-Gun, wherever I may roam style of hunting, but like I said unless I'm hunting on some pretty decent sized property..... it's just not very feasable most of the time.

RE: A Dieing Breed?
 

Ok nowhowler yourmaking assumptionsabout things you have no ideaabout. I doubt he was trying to start some major conflict over using a blind vs not using a blind.Why would he? What would he gain? Nothing, and he knows that.He was just trying to encourage people to venture out on whatever land they hunt on and not be confined to one spot.