Where would you position yourself?
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Northern New Jersey
Posts: 414
Where would you position yourself?
Tan = road
Black = houses
Blue = water
Green = turkey tracks
I heard its hard to call them "down hill" if I set up at the bottom of the gulley. During fall bow they only walked down the middle of the gulley once.
Black = houses
Blue = water
Green = turkey tracks
I heard its hard to call them "down hill" if I set up at the bottom of the gulley. During fall bow they only walked down the middle of the gulley once.
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: west central wi USA
Posts: 2,242
RE: Where would you position yourself?
I'd set up on the easiest route between the roost and water. A lot of times, the first thing they do off the roost is head for water. "It's a lot easier to call a turkey if he's going there anyway."
#4
RE: Where would you position yourself?
Is this their pattern now, or was this there winter pattern?
What are your legal hunting hours?
How much of the property can you hunt?
Are there any small fields/openings nearby for strutting and/or dusting?
Available food sources?
Weapon of choice...and how far are those houses (in ft) from your turkey's pattern?
What vegetation is on the terrain, and it's density?
Answer a handful of those questions and you should get some pretty good answers. Personally, if the map is oriented with N up then I hunt due North of their roost site, on level ground. This plan is especially good if you have access to the river, your hunting property abuts the river, and you own a canoe
What are your legal hunting hours?
How much of the property can you hunt?
Are there any small fields/openings nearby for strutting and/or dusting?
Available food sources?
Weapon of choice...and how far are those houses (in ft) from your turkey's pattern?
What vegetation is on the terrain, and it's density?
Answer a handful of those questions and you should get some pretty good answers. Personally, if the map is oriented with N up then I hunt due North of their roost site, on level ground. This plan is especially good if you have access to the river, your hunting property abuts the river, and you own a canoe
#5
RE: Where would you position yourself?
I would get up on top ridge to the left of the roost and listen for the first gobble at first light. I would'nt hen call just owl hoot. I would'nt make a move until I hear the first gobble. I usually wait until I hear a couple different birds gobble before I move on a bird. In my experience when 1 tom gobbles another will gobble from another location. It may even be closer to me or farther, just be patient. If I move on the first bird I hear gobble I may bust one off the roost that was closer going in.. Once I determined which bird to move on I try to get as close within 100 yard or closer if I have good cover. I would stay on the ridge but go all the way down the ridge toward the bottom. Also I listen for hens, if possible I would get between them and the toms. If the hens are pretty far from the toms I would bust them off the roost without spooking the toms. When The hens cutt and cackle when I flushed them I would use my hen calls after they have left . Sometimes the toms think the hens have flown down during all the rucus and fly down and come right into my setup., . You are correct toms are more likely to go uphill instead of downhill after flydown. Especially Easterns. So when I finally made my move while they are on the roost, I would call to the Tom ONCE while he is on the roost. If he gobbles he heard me. I WOULD PUT MY CALLS DOWN UNTIL HE FLIES DOWN!!!! If I keep calling I know he will keep gobbling and stay in the tree. The more he gobbles the more hens will hear him and start going to him. So the quieter I can be the better my chances. I would scratches the leaves and make soft purrs. This drives them nuts. Once he flies down now I would hammer him with every hen call in my aresenal. I try to sound like several hens. I have a mouth call and box call going at the same time. I switch to a slate call after the first sequence. I make as much noise as possible, so much I can bearly hear him gobble. The I go totally silent! and wait. I go back to scratching leaves and soft purrs. If he has other intentions I hit him again to locate him. If he has no moved I wait him out for about 20 minutes. If he is on the move he is probably heading to a strutt zone. I back out and circle him trying to get in front of him, staying behind cover or terrrain. Somtimes this works sometimes it does'nt. But nothing ventured nothing gained! If he is planted and not moving he is at strutt zone probably with hens. I now try to get close enough without being busted to get my eyes on him. I use every bit of cover and I move at a snails pace. Most of the time belly crawling. I never call when I am trying to get close unless I am as close as possible to him. If he is with hens calling him is not going to be very effective, but I can try to draw the hens in and bring the tom. I try to challenge the boss hen and see if she will come in. It has worked for me in the past but it can also make her leave with the tom in tow. Again nothing ventured nothing gained. Regardless what ever happens I know if I stay with them eventually the hens are going to nest leaving the old boy for me. That's my favorite part a couple of calls and usually the old boy comes right in!!!! PrimeTime!........................ WOOOOOOOOW sorry about that kind of got lost in the moment! Man I love turkeyhunting! Oh well I think I answered your question in all that ""Where would you position yourself?"
GOOD LUCK! Cluck once .................up comes the periscope................ aim at the base of the waddles!
GOOD LUCK! Cluck once .................up comes the periscope................ aim at the base of the waddles!