With just over 2 months til turkey here I figured this might be a good thread to ease some of the cabin fever.

I want to know who is chasing turkeys without a blind this year. What your setup(camo, calls, decoys, etc.) is going to be and your strategy. By strategy I mean any thing from practice to calling and decoy setups.

Hopefully some of the guys with more experience will chime in with some words of wisdom.

Maybe we can keep this going through the season with hero pics and what didn't work stories.

P.S. any of you guys and gals crazy enough to try this are welcome in my camp and to share a store bought turkey dinner after season.  :D

Well I'm one of those guys that crazy enough (or stupid     ) to hunt turkey's without a blind. I had the chance to close the deal on a few last year but I just couldn't quite connect. One of those time my bottom limb hit the ground so the arrow fell short.

Strategies- I'm building a ghillie suit this winter. Other than that the camo I use is Toad-A-Flage. This year I'm also going to try out the Heads up Decoys. They make a turkey decoy that attaches onto your bow and from what I've heard about them it works pretty slick. As for call's I'm going to try and utilize the gobble better this season. One more strategy is to find two tree's that you can squeeze in between, and draw of course.

I didn't end up getting one with my bow last year but I wouldn't have traded my experiences for the world.  

 

When I started chasing turks with a bow I figured I would need some realistic practice. The couple times a month to the 3d course wasen't going to cut it. I looked at 3d targets but a tight budget wouldn't allow it and didn't have the movement that I was looking for. Finally I came up with a simple, cost effective solution.
I draw out a side profile and a tail fan on cardboard. I then cut a slot half way up the tail fan and half way down the side profile. I connect the two and add a little tape hold them together(my kids love this project). I spray it with some black paint and add a little detail with chalk or whatever is availble. I then add two pieces of string off the back to suspend it.
I then have a turkey target that spins slowly only offering a shot a varying times(I usually wait for the tail shot). In a wooded area with a good backdrop I can shoot at it with field tips or blunts sitting in a realistic hunting position. Works even better on a line with a buddy pulling by long string through your shooting lanes. Simple but great practice!        
I will post pic of this years target later.

Rob

I'm giving a go this year, too. I tried last year, without a decoy, and didn't come close to getting a shot. I did have one big gobbler come up behind me, within a few yards, while I was focused on another one. I didn't know he was there until I moved and he busted out of there.

I'll be wearing a modified leafy suit, utilizing existing cover, and definitely using a decoy or two.

I'll be at it again this year. I had one in shooting range (under 15 yds) but behind some dog fennel last season. He never gave me a shot, but it was the coolest hunting experience I've ever had.

Can't wait! I'll find some brush to break up my outline as much as possible, and go for it.

Snakebit, I'm not sure about decoy attached to my bow, I think I'd want the old bird looking elsewhere      

I don't care if they can't see, I will shoot a blind turkey. I am not a no blind turkey gang member, in fact if they are part of a gang, all the more reason to shoot em! Actually, depending on situations and opportunities, I will hunt sans blind.

I,m going to go with no blind also.Been practicing inside this winter at only 9yrds.in my cellar.I,m shooting out of my waldrop packseat.Going to use a rancho long-coat if its not too warm.Had a shot at a tom last spring but missed.Hopefully I can make it happen this spring.Will be using a decoy and mouth calls.

I'm gonna give Big Jim's Bush in a Bag a try this year. I hate those dang tent blinds. Having said that, all of my turkeys (6 of them) with a longbow have been taken by stalking.

I'm in! Mouth calls only, state ground only, and either using my old leafy suit or getting a new one. Undecided just yet. I really despise mouth calls, I love the sound of a good box or slate, but I have left them at the house the last few years while toting the bow. Had some missed oppurtunities last year. #1 on my list is to make a tube quiver to keep my feathers both hidden and dry during this season.

Carried around a bunch of calls for years before I figured out a few mouth calls and a hoot tube were all I was using in the field. Maybe an occasional crow but that's about it.

I will be going with a leafy suit and inflatable decoys. Knee pads are a big help also. I don't feel comfortable in a chair.

Rob

My plan is to make buddy practice calling a lot so he can call my bird lol

How many are going with a 2 person setup and how much more effective has that been?

count me in.

No real specific strategy but I know of a spot, I can back into some thick stuff.

I have called birds for three different guys with two person set up just like elk with caller 20 to 30 yards behind shooter. Did it with no decoys or blinds

Tried with a buddy last year and got picked off the first time while he was positioning the camera.  I should have killed that bird.  Second one slipped past while I waited for a better shot.

Plan for this year....  First off I have a folding stabilizer knuckle ordered so I can make something similar to Joebucks blind.  I got rid of the ghillie and found a lighter version on sale at a large sporting goods store.  I'm considering a Waldrop but as mentioned before, knee pads are quicker.  Last but not least I plan the first move to be away from a responding bird.  That's what gottem last year but by the time I moved into position for the shot, they were coming so fast we got caught flat footed.

I'm in.  I have very little experience and I Do not have a blind.  I am also poor as a church mouse at the moment and need to not spend cash.  Necessity dictates.  On top of that I am really looking forward to the challenge....

I will try.  Been doing it more and more anyway.  I don't have any really good places to go so it is really hit or miss on even hearing one, but I go anyway.  One of these days. . .
ChuckC

Mouth call,good cover behind me, some low cover in front of me. I always mount a jake on a hen for the setup. I use broken arrows(always due to manufacture era not my shooting)to mount decoys.  

Brent