Blind vs the ground
 

This is going to be my first year turkey hunting and im going to be hunting a wooded area with a water source very close.The area has a lot of hills.What do you guys think blind or stick to the ground.

I like being mobile so I say ground... :)

The blind will conceal your movement but it will also cut down on your vision and hearing.I'd stick to the ground.

I have only hunted turkeys for three years and for the first two i hunted the ground. I had success both years on the ground and for my third year i used a blind and decoys. I used the carry light pretty boy and pretty girl but i was in the middle of a field with the blind. If you are restricted to wooded hunting only i would just stick to ground hunting

I would stick to the ground..you are able to hear and see better.. also you can move around easier

Well the first thing Id do is scout the area. Id get the turkey patterns down. Ive done both and have been successful at both. I hunt in a blind anymore, but Im always mobile and have my vest with a seat to be able to go whenever I want. I say if ya know your area and the turkey patterns a blind is the way to go. Now if you run and gun the blind is not the way to go.

Great advice Arrowmaster. I often hunt the morning from a blind. It gives me the chance to relax a bit more, and movement is not so much an issue. They are turkeys, and even though you may have patterned them, they will not always be where you want them. Which means you will need to run n gun them. I always have my vest with seat attached, and I will always carry a half blind with me. They roll up small and carry easily in your vest, set-up is quick, and gives you about 2ft of blind to hide behind. If you are hunting in the timber, carry two. One in front and one behind.

Remember,,,, If you choose to use a blind,,, Never open cross windows,, as the birds will be able to see your silhouette movement inside the blind.

I am a run-n-gun type turkey hunter for the most part. Doing a good job of scouting is always wise, and absolutely essential if you are going to restrict yourself to a difficult to relocate ground blind or two. If and when I need a "blind", I'll cut a branch or two and stick them in the ground as a "cover". Works pretty good .... most of the time.

I'm a run and gun type hunter, so if the birds are gobbling, I move a lot and try to strike one. If the birds are henned up, and I know a likely strutting spot, I'll sit in a blind all morning hoping one shows up. It's boring, so I take a book, but at least I can fidget without worrying about getting busted. We are cursed with a declining turkey population, so that may be my strategy for a few years.

How much land do you have???

If you are huting 25 acres, it's hard to run and gun...You'll have those
turkeys busted up within a week...

Both ways work, just depends upon the situation...

Frankly as a new hunter, I think a blind will help...I know guys that always
run and gun when they would be better off sitting tight and calling occasionally...

I love to run and gun but over the last few years it seems like I've doing more blind
sitting and more hunting during the middle of the day...

I hunt and film for turkey in the back country of Oregon for North American Hunting Competition. Weight is an issue but I always pack a blind if I can. Sometimes they will sound off too close and I hunt the ground. Any time they will give me time I always use a blind. I have found my kill ratio went up dramatically when I use my blind. If you would like to see me in action and the effectiveness of a blind go to www.northamericanhuntingcompetition.com and you can see my blinds in action. Good luck and good hunting.

I like to stick to the ground. It makes you plenty more mobile and your field of view will be much greater. As long as you are camo'd up pretty good and conceal your movement when the turkeys are around you should have no problem sitting up against an ole oak, or whatever your area has. Good luck.

The only time I'll use a blind is if it's raining. I prefer being out against a tree for vission and sound reasons,I feel all cooped up in a blind.

We have used blinds alot!! Great for filming plus they are great for first time or youth hunters.we dont use them every time but they do come in handy when ya need one

The new mirror type blinds really have my attention. I actually built one that is posted in the whitetail forum. It really looks awesome in the right places. You can buy or make one that is shorter which is designed for siting behind it on ground to be even more concealed. Best of both worlds in my opinion!

It all comes down to what type of hunting you like to do. I personally favor a "run-n-gun" type of turkey hunting. This just consists of calling, waiting for responses and trying to cut the birds off. I usually stay put for about 30 minutes after calling. If I don't hear anything, I try a different spot. my other friends I hunt with prefer to just pick a spot they know birds frequent too and just wait it out. There is no right or wrong way to hunt. Since you have never hunted this spot before, I would suggest to leave the blind at camp and just get out in the woods. Make sure you're completely camoflauge. And if you find a great spot, bring the blind out with you the next morning, or make a natural blind with sticks and trees already in the woods. I hope this helps ya out. good luck man

If I could
 

taking to the ground was always my first choice. Hunters, unfortunately, don't chose where the turkeys are. And the conditions might not be best for one over the other. Blinds are for maximum camo, but in downside, limit the hunter to fewer places.

Personally, I think there is a broad choice of hunting fewer places. Many a hunter stays in one place, because they really don't want to move often.

I like to move until I get the turkeys busted in the fall. Once they are busted you could use a blind with success, but until I find and bust the flock I stay mobile. With the right camo you can call in turkeys after they are busted without having to use a blind also.

I could not have said it better.

id go out and sit with my back to the tree and call...and if you have no response then move to a different spot. or you can just scout out for them and stalk them.. and move into a spot where you know they will be moving too and set up and wait for the shot. thats my favorite type of hunting. is stalking..it takes skill and time and give you one hell of an adrenaline rush..at least it dose me anyways haha

I know it depends on each persons specific situation, but I have to be on the ground. I'm not just a run and gunner by any means. You just have to hunt and play with the cards dealt every hunt, and for me it usually involves moving, or setting up quick! On the other hand I've set up on field edges for hours working birds, but still like to be able to close the distance or skirt that field edge if needed.