Sorry if I haven't got back to anyone today who may have called or sent a note.....Been runnin' since 4:00 this morn, so I'll try to keep this short...
 

 This morning was supposed to be a blind hunt with Cade and I. But when I got home last night from trying to roost a bird, his mother and him had decided that Sunday would be better.

So now the choice...I had myself "ready" to hunt out of the blind first....then if things worked out, go ghillie.

After talking to Cade he convinced me to try the ghille/bow blind.  I was still getting things together at 10:00 last night. Not sure if I was "mentally ready", but I was going for it.

Went to a spot that's a long walk, so I wouldn't be hunting it with Cade.

Birds started gobbling a little late and not very much...till I called trying to sound like the first hen on the ground....then several birds started sounding off.

I gotta say I felt a little uncomfortable with out my blind around me, and not quite sure if this would work out.

I had Floyd, my strutting jake decoy, and a hen decoy in front of him. He was about 12 yds. away.

So about 5:45, her come the birds, I first see them at about 100yds. First 3-4 hens, then 3 jakes, then 2 gobblers. Same group of birds I'd watched walk right past where I was now set-up last weekend.

They start to kinda skirt around me, so I call and both gobblers exploded with gobbles!

They got about even with me, but up hill about 50yds. out of sight. I knew from there they'd see "Floyd".

First in was the three jakes, then hens and both big longbeards cruised right in to Floyd.

I was sitting on my stool, ghillie hat, ghillie glove,ghille bow blind...bottom limb resting on the ground.

I was constantly scanning all the birds to see when my chance might come, but with so many eyes...wow!

So when one of the big birds walked behind Floyd and was hidden for a second behind his fan at about 15yds., I slowly started to raise my bow, while scanning to see who was going to bust me.....

So far so good....so I slowly started to pull, and I pulled, and pulled, and pulled...just waiting for something to go wrong....

Next thing I knew I was at full draw and the arrow was gone!  Not a bird spooked, putted or anything.....I missed!

No excuses, I just plain missed...but I think I was so "worried" about something going wrong, I didn't do my part "right". I just never bared down and got serious about picking a spot and drilling him like I should have...rookie!              

But now I have the confidence to "know" how to get it done.

Dang, almost pulled it off on the first "ghille hunt"!


Here was the set-up...
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Now imaging me sitting in that stool in front of that big old apple tree.  If you look very close you can see my ghillie'd up bow with bow blind standing up in my in the ground bow holder. What great camo! The set-up was about perfect.


After all this I'll be confident and ready for the next encounter.

On a very good note, Cade and I in the morning will be set-up within  100yds. of 4 big gobblers that I roosted tonight              

Not sure if it's the "3 Stooges" and "Crossroads",  or "2 Thirds"-"Nacho"- "Clyde" and "Crossroads"....I'll be able to tell when they strutt into "Floyd" in the AM                

Wish us luck fellas, I really want to "get this done" with Cade by my side        

Good luck!  It's amazing what you can get away with in a ghillie.

Wow Curt!!!!  You should've known it would work just how it is supposed to.....it always does right..    

Sounds like alot of fun and your setup was just right.    

Go get 'em in the morning, hope you get a big'n.

I would think that would have your heart pounding just a little! Good luck in the am with Cade!  

That's alright Curt....you'll get it done..
I think one of those 4 you roosted tonight are in deep trouble in the morning..Good Luck

Well it shows that it works. Should be good for deer also.

Better to take one with Cade calling anyhow.

Tim

Good luck in the morning. I had a similar experience last week. I was standing leaning against a tree with my leafy stuff on but NO "on-the-bow" blind. There wasn't even a hint at a breeze so I think my gobbler got a hint that something wasn't right and I think the hint was my broadhead jumping around right in rhythm with my heart beat...lol when nothing else was moving at all.

Now I have a blind on my bow if I can hold it still when he's less than 20 yds away..lol

Congratulations on a fun hunt!

God bless,Mudd

That's what makes natural setup hunting for those big toms so frustrating yet exciting. At least you know your ghille worked and your blind selection was on the money...and you wonder where all my gray hair comes from....Spring Turkey!  

Atta Boy Curt! Now go get 'er done with Cade. Good luck in the morning!  

You got your thrill with the ghilli, and now it's time to close the deal with Cade.  My money's on it happening tomorrow    

I've been trying that ghilli thing and am really struggling yet.  Hard to imagine getting to full draw with all those birds around you  :eek:    You got the hard part done.

Did the same thing with my first ever on the ground trad hunt at 9 yds on an old buck this season. Plain freakin missed. I was so sure I was gonna get busted I don't remember the anchor or pick a spot, just the red arrow fletching flying an inch over his right shoulder!

I've always been a bit not too sure about the camo clothing. Being muted (in clothing colour) and downwind seemed enough. But this Ghillie stuff seems a different beast altogether. The pics I've seen have me thinking differently. And there was a thread about the different Ghillie suits. Scoring from the ground has seemed impossible before, but now, maybe....

Tom,
I became a believer by taking a ghuillie that was only partially done and hanging it over a small single panel of wire and sitting behind it on the edge of a field then letting a small herd of does walk up on me. I only got busted when one of them walked up and looked me straight in the face from about 2 feet...lol She was standing with her head on my side of the wire panel.

God bless,Mudd

Those ghilli suits are a lot of fun. I was wondering what you used for your bow blind. That sounds like it would be awesome on deer. Bob

That's to bad that you didn't connect Curt.  But it sounds like you were where you needed to be.  I hope Cade and you have some fun and I'm sure you will.  The beauty of the excitement in kids is amazing.  Good luck Curt.

QuoteOriginally posted by Bob Stager:
Those ghilli suits are a lot of fun. I was wondering what you used for your bow blind. That sounds like it would be awesome on deer. Bob

Ditto on the bow blind. Wondering if you can post some pics of the setup.

Curt did a whole "How To" just a week or so ago. Here it is.

 Ghillie "How To"

Nice setup Curt, It will definitely work. Good luck in the a.m.

I've been telling you guys that "Big Foot" hunting is not only a thrill a second but a productive way to thump birds! Are ya a believer now Curt, HA!

Go get 'em......you can do this.....you have had lots of practice unlike me.....

Jer Bear