Since we have alot of new fellers here I thought some incite by our older class would help some of these newer fellers avoid this frusterating situation.But trust me when I say even the most knowledgable turkey hunter in the woods can find himself saying I wish I was 20 yards closer,or over on that ridge,or against that tree.Bad set-ups come from a wide variety of things rather than just being a poor turkey caller.Good turkey callers in a set-up that is not right more often times than not end up with the same results and thats wishing they were somewhere else![:@]I'll give ya one example that attributes to a bad set-up and then you fellas can add on cause I know we've all been there...Lack of preseason scouting can lead a fella right into a thicket,a wall of brush,or what I call no mans land simply because he has no idea what the terrain holds.Alot of fellas make the mistake in there preseason scouting of just going out and listening for vocal birds when one should not only be doing this but taking note of where obstacles such as thickets,roads,trails,fences,and even steep terrain are at.Simply because these things play an important role in where you should and should not set-up on that gobbler and in many cases knowing your land will get you to the bird faster but still in a stealthy fashion....

As usual, Good Thread Bobgobble..

Down here our land is scattered with creeks, sloughs, backwater and rivers- Just going in to a Gobblin bird, you may cross 4-5 of any of the above obstacles that may seem insignificant to us, but a turkey may not cross any of them reagardless of how hot he's gobblin.. I cant even begin to tell you how many times I've watched a bird hang up at 70yds because he would cross a slough or other water hazard and just stand there strutting and gobblin his head off- One thing to remember is that it's natural for the hen to come to the Gobbler sounding off rather then the other way around, so it doesnt take much to make him hang up just outside of gun range and make you wish you were somewhere else.
Like Bob said, know the land your hunting or your going to have a long an frustrating season.

I have to agree that knowing the land is a key factor. One way to get to know the land is just walk it in the off season. For instance here in Wisconsin now it's cold the birds aren't gobbling and are bunched up in winter flocks. But it is a great time to get out and learn the lay of the land in new areas, or areas you hunted last year and had a gobbler hang up but cuoldnt figure why. While turkey habits change the lay of the land usually does not.

Good post Bob , I can't add to it , you said everything ...BT

Again,Good post Bob.I know all about bad setups