hunting eastern turkeys without a blind

the longbowkid · February 27, 2010, 07:14:00 PM

I am planning on bowhunting turkeys this season, it will be my first seaon after them with a bow. I wont be using a blind, does anyone have any advice?

T Lail · February 27, 2010, 07:21:00 PM

try to find natural cover and use a decoy to distract eyes from you.......put cover between you and bird and draw only when head is behind something or turkey is facing directly away...it will be tough but can and is done all the time.......

kbetts · February 27, 2010, 08:06:00 PM

Get a ghillie suit. I'm on the hunt right now. Without it, you will be very frustrated. I used a blind last year and it worked the first time. The year prior, I did not and almost ended up throwing my bow through the woods.

the longbowkid · February 27, 2010, 08:19:00 PM

thanks for the advice, I have tons of turks on my lease, and today we were doing maintenence, and herded 6 toms, with the truck, up the road for 200 yards.they refused to go into the woods, until a flushing covey of quial spooked them. they were very non threatened, and the flock is new to the ground. we'll try to keep them comfortable until april......

bowmofo · February 27, 2010, 08:20:00 PM

I like to use a giant beech tree prefurably the roost tree

Roy Steele · February 28, 2010, 09:21:00 AM

I also use a ghille and have sence I built it 20 year4s ago.Set up behind the creast of a hill if you can.Or where your gobbler has to come around something.I also like to set up where it's an open woods that has nice size tree's for your bird to go behind to draw.And buy a decoy to use when to have to.All of these helps when it's time to draw your bow.

Hot Hap · February 28, 2010, 01:43:00 PM

Make your own stumps. Use cardboard nailed to stakes. Use a 1/2 doz. or so put out so you can draw your bow when the turkeys head is behind a "stump". Hap

fireball31 · February 28, 2010, 04:49:00 PM

Hunt with a partner. One calls while the other is the shooter.

eman614 · February 28, 2010, 04:59:00 PM

i don't have any good advice, except for be patient. you will probably lose more than you will win. they kicked my butt all last season. had one about 10yds away opening day last year, and he busted me when i tried to draw. and i thought i was well hidden.

have fun and good luck!

inn8hunter · February 28, 2010, 05:18:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by eman614:
i don't have any good advice, except for be patient. you will probably lose more than you will win. they kicked my butt all last season. had one about 10yds away opening day last year, and he busted me when i tried to draw. and i thought i was well hidden.

have fun and good luck!

This is prob. the most accurate post - hehe. It really is tough without a blind unless you have them walking parallel down a field edge and you are in the woods.

At a minimum, make a 3 stake/arrow burlap blind that is about 4' in length. I sewed in arrows into the burlap and you can carry it in your hand as you walk. I still lose more than I win - hehe.

Tim

Chris Shelton · February 28, 2010, 07:11:00 PM

yup yup yup. Instead of explaining I will just show you. This video is not entirely turkey, that is why it is my smorgasbord hunt. Because I am basically hunting everything. But I do get some turkey action, without a blind, and a run in with a big boy buck. So enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjqaKUwx2MY

scbowhnter · February 28, 2010, 08:26:00 PM

Cool stuff Chris!

RC · February 28, 2010, 08:47:00 PM

I`ve has success using 3 umbrellas camo`d.Easy to carry and set up and you can shoot between then sitting on a short seat.RC

Jon Shade · February 28, 2010, 09:28:00 PM

Got lucky 4 years ago on a very foggy morning. Looking back at it, so many things had to fall in place. i've been trying to repeat it since with no success. Sure have had many exciting moments regardless. Decoys are probably a great idea. A friend calling behind you, if it is the spring season is also a good idea.The fall season in Pa. is probably the best chancefor sucess.

Granite Mtn · March 01, 2010, 01:31:00 AM

corn, n dynooooomite that should do it!

MJB · March 01, 2010, 01:59:00 PM

PAITENCE

Covey · March 01, 2010, 02:36:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Granite Mtn:
corn, n dynooooomite that should do it!

After a few years without success... I'm starting to think the same way!! :D Jason

Skipmaster1 · March 01, 2010, 06:32:00 PM

I took 3 mature toms last season and 2 of them without a blind. One I crawled along a stone wall through a field to sneak up on the flock and just popped up and drew on the birds on the other side of the wall. i took a big tom at 15yds as he rab almost strait away.
The other I had my buddy drop back 30yds or so, i set up a decoy and went 30yds forward. i hid along some brush next to a stone wall. I called and once the birds commited I stopped calling and my buddy started. the birds walked past me toward him and the decoy. i was able to late the last tom from behind at 25yds. he was so focused ahead of him that he never saw me.
The blind is really the way to go though. set up a decoy at 5yds and hopefully you'll get a crack at a strutting bird facing away at under 10yds.

the longbowkid · March 01, 2010, 08:19:00 PM

thanks for the advice everyone, season opens april, mabey I can put it together.......

Izzy · March 01, 2010, 08:29:00 PM

They have busted me too many time to count, usually at 15 yards or so when they hit my shooting lanes.This spring Im gonna try shooting through smaller, less noticeable holes in the brush and brushing in more.Not an easy critter for me with the bow but Im gonna fight the urge to pull out the Beretta for the entire season. I dont like blinds so this is all I can think of.