WITHOUT A BLIND by calling one in? Ive gotten close several times, but never have gotten a shot.
I did.... several years back... on the last day of the season. I hid behind a big pine tree... and was very lucky. No camo either, aside from my boots. Its difficult to draw your string without being seen. As I drew on the gobbler, a hen busted me and alerted him. As he ran off at about 20 yards, I got lucky and my snap shot hit him dead center. I had Missed two birds earlier that season. I don't think its camo... or the lack thereof that gives you away, but movement.
I've only killed one. Without a blind. Without calling. I did use a hen deke though. Crawled to an opening, waved the deke and stuck in ground. Backed off about 10 yards and waited for two toms that were in field. They came with a hen. Hen spooked, first tom spooked, second tom stepped from behind a tree as I hit full draw. It was awesome.
I killed one without a blind in Nebraska two years ago. I've also had a few close encounters here in WI without a blind and missed a few shots. Being so close to a strutting Tom with nothing between us but air just gets me so shook up my shooting falls apart completely!
By far the most exciting and challenging way to hunt turkeys - I'll be trying again this spring.
Called in and shot a Rio without a blind in TX
A number of years ago I hunted NE for Meriums. I ended up taking two in the first morning(shotgun) so we had lots of time. My guide wanted to take one with a bow so I called in a Tom for him. His Tom was maybe 10 yards. I was more excited calling in his for a bow than shooting mine with a gun.
On my bucket list. I like to what I call "troll for gobblers" so not using a blind would be easier to move around and get setup faster. Think I may buy a ghillie or at least the jacket. Do you use one Keith?
What a terrible question to ask! I've stalked and killed bear, bull elk, mulies, whitetails but have spooked, missed and every other thing you can do wrong with turkeys! One day it will all come together...I hope.
I've killed two while stalking them. No blind, just a leafy suit.
Three so far without a blind. One was from a tree stand during deer season though. Man those buggers are tough without a blind.
This was my first recurve kill, in 2009 I believe. Spot and stalk, I got lucky. I've tried spot and stalk on several birds since then and came up empty handed every time, sure is fun trying though.
(http://i.imgur.com/5v2vc2Q.jpg)
I have better success when I know of fall flocks, not as many birds around here as there use to be for that, split the flock charge towards where they flew and do the old hen cluck. Last year I called from a basswood cluster. Something started to really stink, that is when I noticed a dead buck with a mangled carbon arrow in its shoulder that was at the bottom of a wash that must have been shot late in the season. I got up to move away from the smell. When I stood up I had a tom 5 yards away, right behind me. I must have been paying no attention at all. The next day I did not get a chance to call, I crossed paths with a suicidal turkey. It really helps to be able to shoot a longbow accurately and fast. With me slow shooting does not work, turkeys can pick up on any motion anyway, but there are times when it takes them a second or two to react to that motion. Back in the day I tried to hold my recurve up and draw straight back, because that is what was suppose to work. For me a rather quick half spread half swing draw works better for turkeys. With the lower turkey numbers getting them called in is tough. When an area is known to have some birds, it is known by all of the gun hunters as well, the callers and those pain in the butt run and gunners. The turkeys get scattered and they stop responding to any calling.
Several years ago I called to locate a gobbler that I knew was in the area as I had seen him from long distance an hour or so earlier. When I called he gobbled and was within 100 yards.
I didn't have time to set up my home-made blind, so I stuck a jake decoy in the ground and literally ran for cover. The cover was a multifloral rose bush. The gobbler came in below me and from behind me. As soon as he seen the decoy he ran to it and puffed up.
I shaved some downy feathers from his right leg with the first shot... he disappeared and I nocked another arrow. Angry at myself, I was calling myself names under my breath when, to my surprise, he returned to the decoy... and I shaved some feathers from his chest with my second shot!!!
To this day, I have been jinxed on turkeys.
No, I have never killed one without a blind.
Scatter-gun and compound dudes (& dudettes!) often forget that we (tradgangers) have to draw our bow to actually shoot an arrow ! The folks that talk about how they are calling in birds left and right must remember that calling in a longbeard and shooting him are two completely different things. Although I've had a number of birds w/in spitting distance as soon as that arrow is coming back all hell breaks loose. Ambushing w/out a commercial blind certainly could work when "the stars align", but it's got to be absolutely perfect. Or, you must be able to hit a moving softball w/a snap shot.
I've killed several without a blind but blown quite a few to :biglaugh:
Haven't tried it in years but did with the Hope bow last year! Used a little cedar tree next to a brush pile to hide by.
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zpsd843d373.jpg) (http://s904.photobucket.com/user/TmPotter47/media/null_zpsd843d373.jpg.html)
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/null_zpsf04464f4.jpg) (http://s904.photobucket.com/user/TmPotter47/media/null_zpsf04464f4.jpg.html)
Tracy
I don't own a pop-up blind so all my hunting is without one. I have been after turkeys with a ghillie suit for 4 years and finally last year got two shots - missed both of them but to me just getting a shot was a huge success. Every year I learn a little bit more and one of these days it will all come together.
Haven't really counted, but one or two a year for the last 15 years. I've only hunted out of a blind once. Just don't like to be tied down.
Hadn't thought about tree stands like TJ reminded me. If that counts add several more while deer hunting.
Fall bird from a ladder stand.
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/09turkey.jpg) (http://s904.photobucket.com/user/TmPotter47/media/09turkey.jpg.html)
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/t1-3.jpg) (http://s904.photobucket.com/user/TmPotter47/media/t1-3.jpg.html)
Tracy
Never drew a bow on a turkey...yet. I like to get behind a big tree for deer. When the critter of choice gets to the area that I want the shot I try to use the tree to at least partially hide my draw and then lean around the side.
Didn't actually call it in.
Just stalked it and "cut him off at the pass".
Wow! Some of you folks are turkey killin machines! "1 or 2 a year for 15 years", w/out a blind to boot! Holy crap! My guide in the Yucatan built us a "hide" w/jungle foliage and was expecting me to just slowly ease up over the top and shoot the "pavo". Lmao! Sure;). The first birds that showed up came absolutely unglued when I "eased up" over the top. I then had to explain that I can't draw a recurve and hold it while the birds approach and that a three toed sloth could not ease up slowly enough to surprise a tom at under 15 yards! He had never seen anything but compounds and shotguns.
We then brushed it up over our heads and left a small "window" to shoot through. The next tom that arrived was not as lucky as the first and never knew what hit him! So, I guess technically I can say Ive killed one turkey not hunting out of a commercial blind. Every other bird, however, I shot out of a blind. Maybe Ill sneak up on one this weekend, but don't hold your breath.
Ive never hunted out of a blind. I refuse too. Takes all the turkeys defenses away. I just sit at the base of a big oak here in PA. Its illegal to stalk birds in PA, too. You have to call them in.
Some day I will get a shot. But watching them close without a shot is success in my book.
Whoa...illegal to stalk em?
That stinks.
Tell ya what..the thought of that being illegal never crossed my mind..had to go check our regs. Doesn't say it's illegal here..whew..lol
I kill them all the time, doesn't matter if they're in season or not, only difference is I shoot them with a train, usually ain't much left, feathers all over the place, very messy, not to mention it scares the crap out of you.
Oh, you meant with a bow, 0.
Keith
My turkey this year was spot and stalk...sent ya a pic:)
I've taken one without a blind. We were kneeling in the tall grass with just our heads showing. Called in four nice toms.
waited and waited for the right opportunity and then the "PUT". They all whirled around and started trotting.
I raised up and let loose in one movement and drilled square in the back...severed spine.
Since then only one opportunity. I was leaning against a tree wearing a bush-n-a-bag. My friend called in two big toms and they bum rushed us. At about 18 yards, they stopped and I whispered I had a shot. My friend made them gobble and I proceeded to shoot under. They even allowed me to load and shoot another arrow, but I was flustered by then and missed again.
bigjim
my first bird with a bow was without a blind. a jake at 15 yds.
On the bucket list,maybe this year. Blind kinda ties me down.Like to troll and call. Might need a ghillie top or a leaf jacket. Killed a few but from a blind. Sure will be less to carry. Good luck, be safe.
Back in 2003,4,5,6 I killed 2 Toms each spring, for these 4 cosecutive years.
My set-up was perfect... I found a Strutt Zone.
It was on the edge of a field, 12yds from a hedgerow. I made a little spot to sit a milkcrate in the hedgerow in the brush. I would ONLY use my box call, to eliminate the "temtation" of spooking him. I DID NOT, use a decoy of any kind!
I'd walk in & get set-up before 1st light. After flydown, I'd yelp with my box call, I'd yelp, He'd Gobble... Back & forth... I'd watch the far edge of the field for him to come out of a log road that entered the field. The minute he stepped out, I stopped calling, and lay the call at my feet. He would Strut & gobble his fool head off, but I wouldn't respond... Finaly, he'd get flusterd & make a bee-line for the Strutt Zone...
Once there, He would Strutt & Gobble and put on his show... I'd watch for awhile, untill he turned "just right"..... When his tail was toward me, and his fan hideing his head, I would draw my bow & pick my spot... About 4" above the root of his tail. I'd drive my arrow, through his fan & into his back! None of them made it to the woods, and most, never made it acrossed the field..... :archer:
Two, out of tri-pods positioned in known turkey roosting areas, using a decoy and a mouth call. Both taken in the AM after putting them to bed the night before. Great fun. Unfortunately, I now hunt on public land which does not have a spring turkey season. :thumbsup:
I've killed two fall Birds but never have killed a Spring Bird.
One day I'll connect in the Spring.
Have made it happen 4 times...lucky all of them. Ghilli suit all of them, close shots with birds working over the dekes. Here's a bird from NE.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/imagejpg5-2.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/user/wapiti792/media/imagejpg5-2.jpg.html)
I don't want to talk about it :rolleyes:
I have only killed one and it was while stalking. The heavy winds allowed me to do what I probably would not have pulled off otherwise.
I usually stay home when it is windy, I cannot hear them and maybe they cannot hear me, but last year no calling or blind was required. I was glad it was not windy today, because I could not find any sign where I went and I heard no turkeys either, if one would had so much as chirped with in a mile in that valley I would have heard something. Last year it was a busy area for turkeys.
About five years ago had one step out onto the trail as I walked back to the truck from deer hunting. 18' away, I saw the beard and reacted, he was done flopping by the time I got to him. MOAB Longbow and wood arrows. 2 1/2 yr old gobbler, 7 1/4" beard corn fed and fat. Tasted great.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Got one sitting at the base of a tree along the edge of the swamp no blind just sitting under a tree. Shot at about 12 yards roughly. Got another one while moving between setups.Spotted and circled around waited for the bird to get close. Got him at about 5 yards. Missed several from man made blinds. Got all feathers on a few. Thought sure I made the hit. No blood just feathers around the arrow in the ground.
awwww come on Drewsbow you must have a story or TWO....... :smileystooges: :knothead:
(http://%20[url=http://s300.photobucket.com/user/Dan_Tuttle/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsslbg6a7e.jpg.html%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/Dan_Tuttle/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsslbg6a7e.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]
Shot my first with a bow this morning. I was sitting under a pine tree.
Very cool!
QuoteOriginally posted by DanBear:
(http://%20[url=http://s300.photobucket.com/user/Dan_Tuttle/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsslbg6a7e.jpg.html%5D%20%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/Dan_Tuttle/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsslbg6a7e.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]
Shot my first with a bow this morning. I was sitting under a pine tree.
Very nice! That should make for a great memory!
Back when I shot the other flavor of bows I called jakes into spitting distance two mornings in a row and on the same trip I called in some more mature birds to a chip shot range and dorked the shots away all three times, so much for those bows being easier to shoot. Almost pulled off getting a shot with a stick bow and no blind once since then but that was the only time I tried, got busted big time that instance but I know it can be done with the right cover and situation!
All of my birds have come without a blind. I will hunt out of them, but it's not my preference. I like a ghillie and a cedar tree. Turkey are not easy to bring down. I've never missed a deer...but I've missed A LOT of turkey!!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/T0aLAROsdIncjPsuWokfaRrSa1tyqEFCHc9xt_cxrdg=s197-p-no
Killed 4 without a blind...just in the right spot at the right time i guess.
It's the only way I have bowhunted them since I started chasing them around. All natural blinds, mouth calls, full headnet and hope they pass behind a tree so I can draw the bow undetected.
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/P8210001_zps5fa97906.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/P8210001_zps5fa97906.jpg.html)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/P4070007_zps9f25a513.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/P4070007_zps9f25a513.jpg.html)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/P4070014_zpsh2qzx5uh.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/P4070014_zpsh2qzx5uh.jpg.html)
Wow!
Good stuff guys!
:campfire:
I'm terrible at turkey hunting. Cant even get them in gun range... Makes it even harder when I carry my bow :banghead:
I was very fortunate to get a crack at a turkey this past weekend. It was quite windy but the turkeys were gobbling steady which is unheard of where I hunt. After the shot the turkey had trouble running so he took to the air and landed on the other end of the field 300 yds distant and went into the marsh. Five minutes later his buddy went in the marsh after him. I found them both a hour later with the buddy on top doing unspeakable acts to his dead buddy.
(http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh38/gszalewski/Winter%202015%20256.jpg) (http://s252.photobucket.com/user/gszalewski/media/Winter%202015%20256.jpg.html)
Congrats Greg!
QuoteOriginally posted by drewsbow:
I don't want to talk about it :rolleyes:
Lol! Thats me.
ttt
this photo just blew my mind, reminds me of 1976 when my father took me hunting, my father had guess what,,,, A bear grizzly and I was wearing a hunting outfit made by mom out of old Vietnam era surplus because they didn't make stuff for kids back then.
Awesome photo!
QuoteOriginally posted by DanBear:
(http://%20[url=http://s300.photobucket.com/user/Dan_Tuttle/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsslbg6a7e.jpg.html%5D%20%20%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn31/Dan_Tuttle/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsslbg6a7e.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]
Shot my first with a bow this morning. I was sitting under a pine tree.
Another father/son same day...tippit
(http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp83232%3Euqcshlukaxroqdfv7778%3Dot%3E2395%3D%3C78%3D763%3DXROQDF%3E2%3A%3A76%3A%3B4%3A%3C23%3Bot1lsi)
Congrats, Greg. Nice bird.
I've never hunted from a pop up blind, but I do have some brush blinds here and there in good spots.
I usually start my day in one or the other, but if I have a bird gobbling at me that won't come in, I go after him, and use what natural cover I can find to call from.
It's become my favorite way to hunt them, and I've killed some birds doing it over the years, but there have been lots of times that I've either been busted, or couldn't draw my bow when I had a shot, because I would have been.
However things turns out, It's a heck of a lot of fun, and rewarding when it all comes together.
Bob
May 17th gobbler with my PSR.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/seanb45/888FF947-C26E-47EB-AF00-999384453D8C_zpsul1k290u.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/seanb45/media/888FF947-C26E-47EB-AF00-999384453D8C_zpsul1k290u.jpg.html)
QuoteOriginally posted by Sean B:
May 17th gobbler with my PSR.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/seanb45/888FF947-C26E-47EB-AF00-999384453D8C_zpsul1k290u.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/seanb45/media/888FF947-C26E-47EB-AF00-999384453D8C_zpsul1k290u.jpg.html)
The gobbler that came over the stone wall. I loved that story. :thumbsup:
Bob
Yep!! Was my most exciting turkey hunt!!
I killed one with a Brackenbury Drifter Takedown a few years ago. Good eatin..
QuoteOriginally posted by Stickbow Hunter:
I killed one with a Brackenbury Drifter Takedown a few years ago. Good eatin..
Both of my archery gobblers were killed from natural blinds and a Brackenbury Drifter.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/trophy%20photos/recurvelongbeard.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/treekiller/media/trophy%20photos/recurvelongbeard.jpg.html)
I went to Nebraska with a great group of turkey hunters and killed my first and second bird never killed one with a gun.Kip
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p191/Kip_album/Turkey%20hunt%202015%20012_zpsclgelijo.jpg) (http://s128.photobucket.com/user/Kip_album/media/Turkey%20hunt%202015%20012_zpsclgelijo.jpg.html)
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p191/Kip_album/036_zpsiqesrcde.jpg) (http://s128.photobucket.com/user/Kip_album/media/036_zpsiqesrcde.jpg.html)
Kip my friend , I am so happy for you. I know it means a lot when you take them with a bow. You are class act and a GREAT cook. Good luck on all future hunts! I hope to hunt with you again!
(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a411/johnwhitten/IMG_2650.jpg) (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/johnwhitten/media/IMG_2650.jpg.html)
(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a411/johnwhitten/merriam.jpg) (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/johnwhitten/media/merriam.jpg.html)