1st time turkey

[jimbob91]

Im thinking about trying to harvest a turkey with my longbow this year.Is there anybody out there that hunts without a blind?Ive come to the conclusion that Im gonna have to use decoys and Ive thought about trying to make somesort of a portable type v-blind.Ive always been a run and gun kind of turkey hunter,so any hints or ideas would be greatly appreciated

[varmint]

I like to find multi trunked trees to use as a backdrop,just snuggle right up in there.I also cut some small limbs/branches/saplings with a pair of pruners to stick in the ground in front of my to mask some movement too.Make sure to leave them far enough in front of you to be able to draw the bow with out hitting the "blind".

To me,it's the ultimate turkey hunting.I can't stand pop ups,feel like I'm camping.Tried it once and gave it away.

I've found I can get within range if I know where the birds are roosting and try an afternoon/evening hunt instead of early morning.Pattern the birds and slowly but surely work your way right into their travel route for fly up at dusk.Killed a 1 1/4" hooked spurred gobbler at about 9 yards with a jake and 4 hens even closer than him as they were pecking around in the little bottom where they were getting ready to roost.It took 13 hunts for this same tom to finally exactly pin point the spot I needed to be in,but when it happened,IT WAS SWEET!!!

[jimbob91]

Sure sounds sweet. Ive hunted turkeys for alot of years and ive been in alot of situations where dang i wish id had my bow.But man ive tried drawing on a ton of them out of my treestand its tough deer dont have anything on a group of toms. I swear they can see you blink at 50yrds sometimes.Do you happen to use decoys?

[varmint]

Sometimes I use dekes sometimes I don't,just depends on the situation.I usually always carry some in my vest/pack,but decide on the fly wether I need to use them or not.

[jimbob91]

Is a magnus ok or those heads made just for turkeys that dont allow pass thrus?

[twosheds]

I have killed several turkeys with a Magnus series II and have never had any problems. Just put it in the wing butt.

[jeff / sc]

Don't worry about pass thrus, with trad equip and a good solid body hit, you will most likely not get a pass thru.  They are tough to start with... plus only weighting 20 +/- lbs, a good solid hit knocks they off their feet, thus absorbing alot of the arrow momentum.  I usually use either the big snuffer (160gr) or woodsman. As in any other critter...you want it super sharp.

[jimbob91]

Thats it Im gonna do it ive been puttin it off long enough,thanks fellas.

[dan ferguson]

I never used a blind or decoys, If your willing to spend alot of time and effort it can happen, It is one of the most frustrating games you can play, but what a good time. the score ended up, turkeys 100 Fergi 1. The blind is also alot of fun, calling them, decoys and the whole bit just a good time.

[Duckbutt]

Like Varmint, I tried the ground blind and knew immediately that it wasn't for me.  

Some things I've learned the hard way over the last few years.....
Camo everything up good.  I even spray paint fletchings, magic marker shiny broadhead surface, face paint to the eyeballs etc.  
Tree seats can be valuable and allow you to sit "at ready" pretty comfortably for a while.  If you've hunted turkeys, you know they can quietly appear on top of you out of nowhere.  The downside here is that sometimes you can short draw and miss if you are back up against the tree and the bird is at your 12 o'clock....so practice from this position if you go with the tree seat.
Set up with a one or more good size trees about 5 yards in front of you.  This will allow you to make that last move (sometimes) since you'll find one in ten toms actually can't see through a tree.
I changed my shooting style from a swing draw to more of a bow arm up before I draw and release.  They don't seem to pick you up as well if you are just pulling the string back to anchor and releasing.  Move the bow vertically and they can see it from the next county it seems.
Sneaky Leaf is a great product to help make you dissapear and it's cheap.  Ghillie suits look hot to me.
Learn to enjoy getting your arse handed to you on a regular basis.  Stick to it and it will happen.

[jimbob91]

Thanks duckbutt im lookin forward to it!@