Hunting turkey w a bow

[galadriel]

Is it necessary to have a blind and decoys to hunt turkey w my longbow? I would rather just settle down with some kind of makeshift blind with branches etc in front of me for Camo (I have a ghillie too) I don’t have the strength or desire to haul a blind and decoys around on unfamiliar public land.. I’m a run and gun kind of gal. I know they have excellent eyesight so being able to draw a bow w/o spooking a bird would be a challenge

[mnbwhtr]

Go for it. I did it that way for a few years and came close several times. You have to draw when you can't see their head or they'll bust you. Have fun!

[durp]

nope not at all...ive done it several times...timing is everything...go for it and enjoy the ride !!!

[Wudstix]

If their head is visible stay still, time your draw as mentioned.   Ghillie should be a bonus.
 

[Herdbull]

Once the leaves pop, I like to stalk them. Tough challenge. Keep after them. Loads of fun. Mike

[gordydog]

Yes to the other comments, fun with many almost harvest.I have stalked and built blinds that I am invisible in...drawing is another story. I always hope for the fan to block their head, but no deal.

[hawkeye n pa]

I don't use a blind and still have fun every season.     Last year I sat at the bottom of a oak tree with a leafy jacket on and had the hens pecking by my feet and the longboard was fanning behind my tree.  Have no doubt the blind would add to success if you could pattern the turkeys though.  Best of luck.

[Witherstick]

I just finished the season here without a bird.  I had hens all around including one just a few feet away.  I did have a couple of Toms close but couldn’t get them where I needed them.  But, I had a very enjoyable season and always enjoy hunting with my longbow and no blind.  I never understood why someone would cheat themselves from experiencing all the challenges of hunting with a trad  bow by putting down the gun and then buying all the equipment to remove most of the challenges just to say they used a trad bow. I hope you likewise had a great season

[kadbow]

A couple light weight foam type decoys don’t weigh much or take up much space but definitely help distract the turkey making it a little easier to get a shot off.

[The Night Stalker]

The set up is important, finding certain spots to call from with decoy set up. I like a rancho safari long coat. I place the two hens out to the sides like in a V with the Jake facing me with a breeder hen directly in front of him. I prefer a tree about two to three feet between us. That mature gobbler will do a half circle and confront the Jake. Use the tree to draw.
Second option is to build a small panel to hide your draw arm. I made one out of pvc, netting and the swatches I got from Rancho safari. It is crazy camouflaged. I have a video of the design. I use a thin bungy cord around my chest for string clearance and prefer a milineum chair. I prefer a mouth call because of movement. A pop up blind is easy to hunt from but it is tuff of nearly impossible  on step ground.
Mountain eastern' s can be pattererned. Although  I have shot a few I called down the mountain but it is so much easier to call them up the hill.

[BAK]

Another cheap/light option is a chunk of the leafy camo netting.  You can prop it up with a couple of sticks, sit behind it and your set.   

[9 Shocks]

Decoys definitely make it easier.  They will get distracted by the decoys and strut and when their fan blocks their eyes, you draw.  Face the decoys towards you about 8-10 yards out.

[Overspined]

I refuse to use a blind. So I’ve only killed 2 with bow. I’ve given up with bow due to time constraints and teaching kids/friends for now..

[Overspined]

Decoys definitely make it easier.  They will get distracted by the decoys and strut and when their fan blocks their eyes, you draw.  Face the decoys towards you about 8-10 yards out.

This makes me laugh. Where I live I typically use only a Jake 1/2 mount turkey decoy or none. My birds will not commit to a hen...especially if it’s a plastic decoy.

[Zwickey-Fever]

The better of a caller you are, the less need of decoys you will need. If youre just a mediocre caller, I would just use one upright hen, a feeding hen and a jake.  I have had more than one gobbler get hinky and hang up once they see the decoys. Also remember, turkeys will come directly to the sound of the call, so your set up is key. Its natural for the hens to look and go to the gobblers, but I make a gobbler frustrated and search for the hens or I just call hens in and let nature take its course. I use downed trees and thick areas as my blinds.

[YosemiteSam]

No blind needed.  Just camo-up and hold really still until their head is obscured.  If you're on private land, you may be able to get away with some movement.  Last year, I hunted a small parcel & called in a bunch of birds.  I was having a horrible shooting day as each arrow dropped right below the feet of the birds.  On my 6th shot, I finally connected.  Not one bird ran off.  They just walked off giving me the stink eye as I fumbled around for another arrow.  I'm not sure my ego has fully recovered yet.

My son took his first tom this year at 10 yards with a pellet gun (legal in CA).  No blind but I did put a little netting up on the side to avoid having one spot us if it approached from behind.

[9 Shocks]

Decoys definitely make it easier.  They will get distracted by the decoys and strut and when their fan blocks their eyes, you draw.  Face the decoys towards you about 8-10 yards out.

Typically I run a 1/4 strut jake looking at the blind 8 yards out.  Then a feeding hen facing 3/4 away from the Jake about two-three yards diagonally away from the Jake.  When a bird comes in they almost always circle between the blind and the Jake offering plenty of shot opportunities.  Depending on where I’m hunting dictates how much calling or what dekes I use. Sometimes all ya need is the Jake.
This makes me laugh. Where I live I typically use only a Jake 1/2 mount turkey decoy or none. My birds will not commit to a hen...especially if it’s a plastic decoy.