Dang Turkeys!

centaur · May 03, 2008, 08:00:00 PM

Played with these two today for about 45 minutes. They wouldn't leave their hens, and got within 75 yards from me, but no closer. I have been hunting for about 20 days now, with no shots. Aargh!!!

twosheds · May 03, 2008, 08:03:00 PM

I hear you, I have had two shots and still no meat!!! I'm going bald scratching my head chasing these thunder chickens. Tripper

ishiwannabe · May 03, 2008, 08:04:00 PM

Next time that happens, call the hens. Kee kees and purrs. Sometimes it doesnt work no matter what ya do, but thats why they call it hunting. Good luck next time!

BMOELLER · May 03, 2008, 11:53:00 PM

Looks like the one in the back is doubled bearded big time. I went acouple times and had no luck getting them in. They'd gobble and hit the ground and shut up. I'd wait and call sparingly and nothing. Oh well!!

Smilingg · May 04, 2008, 08:07:00 AM

Given the situation you describe, I would try a full-strut gobbler decoy (like Pretty Boy or B-Mobile) and a hen decoy. I'd use a gobble call, if you are on private property and it would be safe to use one.

A short burst of cutting (7 or 8 seconds) probably wouldn't hurt either...

Good luck with 'em...

centaur · May 04, 2008, 08:35:00 AM

Yeah, the one to the right in the picture had two beards.
I don't have dekes; guess I will have to get some. This is public ground, bowhunting only, and I am the only person on it during turkey season. Deer season is another story, however, but it is not uncommon to see 100 deer and 50 antelope in a morning hunt. And it is 5 minutes from my house!

straitera · May 04, 2008, 10:35:00 AM

Turkeys with a bow are big fun and supreme challenge. They're alerted in the pic. Do you use a blind?

Smilingg · May 04, 2008, 10:40:00 AM

The Pretty Boy full strut and the B-Mobile are both on the expensive side. You might be able to get by just fine with a $20 jake decoy and a hen.

Gobblers with hens are hard to pry away. Triggering their fighting, territorial instincts with another male strikes me as a tactic I'd try in your situation.

You might not even have to call at all. I killed a nice one last Saturday who flew down with a hen. I expected to have a tough time getting him to come my way, but he saw my jake decoy and spent 10 minutes covering 40 yards to check the jake out. Suprisingly, he brought the live hen along with him, though she stayed back a ways...