Like DTC HAS already said...... patience! When a gobbler goes quiet don't assume he's left and the game is over. I was always taught that when he gets quit he's up to no good ��

If you see another hunter sneaking up on you decoys, yell "DECOY!!" and don't move. On the same vein, set your decoys so you can see a long ways behind them (i.e., further than a shotgun can shoot). Always remember, you are wearing full camo and making noises like the thing that everyone out there is hunting (be extra careful with a gobbler call on public land -- I leave mine at home.

Patience !
like many before me have said.... be patient!

When I first started turkey hunting, if I didn't see them fly down or I didn't hear any that were close within the first 30 minutes of sunrise... I'd be stomping back to the truck all pi$$ed off.

Then one day a TRUE hunter, an "old timer" set me straight and now I sit, and sit, and sit, and do my best to limit my calls, and my success rate is really great now!!


* Oh, and I rarely use a decoy.

BDB

Decoys can work against you sometimes. I've had birds appear to spook from a decoy. I assume these were educated birds. If I use them, it tends to be early in the season.

Thats the way alot of public land hunters around here seem to be. Hard to find a parking spot before daylight , darn near the whole place to yourself by 9-10 o'clock

Be cautious when calling gobblers up in the tree,cant kill them until they hit the ground , an old tom is smart enough to wonder why there is a hen on the ground already .At leastyou have a 50/50 chance of him flying down in your direction if you dont call much or at all. Call to much and your %drops fast.

Say What???



Some good tips here......

Quiet entry to your spot. I have busted birds off their roost in the dark in the past cause I made too much noise. I always liked the short cuts to my spot but I learned a little longer walk pays off.

+1

Never set-up closer then 100 yards from their roost tree.

.........................Or you're already busted :bash:

Ya a game changer for me was putting away my decoys for late season public land toms. Early season they work most of the time.