I want to hunt turkey using only natural brush and downed trees. How much concealment is necessary? Any suggestions appreciated. Pictures would help as well.
I am certainly no expert, and have used a small collapsible blind for most of my bow hunts. I did have two hunts I didn't take the blind. Both times I was able to get shots at birds. Wearing a leafyflauge jacket I had no major front concealment and just tucked into brush or in front of a bush. Good decoy was the key. Both birds were so focused on the decoy they did not notice me at all. Two birds is certainly not enough to make this a guaranteed technique. But I was amazed with what I could get away with if I stayed still until I drew.
View from the decoy stake
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_12264.JPG)
This is the other spot. There was a little hollow in front of the bush. with the clipped branches only my waist up was visible. But there was notheing but me in front of the bush.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_12176.JPG)
How much concealment depends on how much moving you plan on doing. If you don't move and draw when the turkey can't see you, no need for a blind. For me, I have to have all the concealment I can get.
Not alot! I usually set with my back against a tree cut 5 to 6 ceader branches and stick them upright in the ground in front of me. Just cut them at an angel and stab them in the ground. Works better than you may think.
I usually try to set up between three or four cedar shrub sized tree. I tie them together with parachute cord to make them work better. If I have an open side I use a Bush In A Bag to help.
My limited experience was a bow hunt in South Dakota,The ranch I was hunting had a good population of birds,listening to the rancher about the travel routes the birds took I made a make shift blind with cedar limbs stuck in the ground in a semi circle about three feet high, placed a hen decoy out front about ten yds,sitting flat on the ground made very few calls,when the birds came up over the knoll they spotted the decoy and came right in,had a beautiful side shot at twelve yds,successful because I remained dead still till the shot moment.It can be done,just need patience.