Turkeys without a blind.

[HcSmitty]

Ok, so turkey huntin is a couple months away here n NC.  This yr will be my second yr huntin em.  Las yr i carried a........(one of those things).  It as my first year n Dad wanted to introduce me to his passion so i carried "it".  This year im gona carry MYYYYY weapon of choice.  itll be much more fufilling im sure.  but heres the thing.  I enjoyed the hell out of "runnin in gunin" as dad calls it.  The mobility of not useing a blind is a great advantage when it comes to huntin turkeys no doubt.  I first thought of deviseing some way to carry my blind on a sling over my shoulders n its still on my mind.  that way i can move n call as a please.  But thatd be sorta bulky.  But alsoooo i must admit the idea of huntin useing natural cover and NOOO blind is somewhat romantic.  Maybe ive looked at to many jack paluh prints.  N that would seem a lil more befittin for turkeys with "traditional archery" gear.  Soooo have any of yall chased birds without a blind???  if soo gimme some tips n information.  Im kinda convinced that with enough patience n wit and alot of luck, i can pull it off.  itd def add to the exciteinmentand feeling of accomplishment.

[Osage61]

During turkey season of 2010 I had six turkeys walk in on my calling and decoys. All were close enough to shoot, the closest being a mere 8 paces away. I was simply sitting in some brush. No camo. No store-bought blind. Just cut away some branches for a shooting lane and that was it. My own errors failed to bring me a bird, but I can say for certain that it was my experience that natural settings and not moving a muscle can got me close to a success.

[owlbait]

ya gotta use a blind on one or at least ask them to put a patch over one eye! shooting turkeys with 2 good eyes is really only for the experts.

[HcSmitty]

i dont think tha indians walked around the woods wwith their double bulls.  Come on, its has to be possible.  Im just askin to hear from people who might have done it.  Surely if a bird walks behind a tree you could draw n get a shot.  Theirs no way its completely impossible.

[Cocklebur]

I hunt without a blind quite a bit. I have a spot where three trees have grown up together. I get in the middle of them and set a decoy up and I have had good luck hiding there. I think if you break up your out line and be patient for the right time to draw you can make it work.

[HcSmitty]

Thanks man.  Im glad to hear somebody has done it without a blind.  It gives me hope. do u wait for a single bird to gi behind a tree to draw or how has it worked out for ya???

[Ragnarok Forge]

Two words - Shaggy Suit

Move very little to not at all before and during the shot.

i missed three times today, by the time i would get drawn on them they were getting the hell out of town,theese were two flocks of 7and10 gobblers,getting close isn't the hard part. its the movement of the draw...theyer sharp!!
spring is different you have new groth and lots of foilage to hide in, rite now theres nothing but tree trunks...takes a lotta luck to getter done on turkeys without a blind. and i wont use one.....good luck

[HcSmitty]

thanx, for the examples.  Mr Walker, ive thought about investing in one of those.  prior to postin this i serached the net for articles on the topic of interest.  A shaggy suit or leafy ghillie was HIGHLY recomended n im thinkin bout investin in one.  Would yall suggest camo for the bow as well??

i either use two large trees or a cluster of junipers to call from.  I have found that when I am not carrying a turkey tag I can be anywhere and wear anything I want and they don't care, must be they can see that I don't have a turkey tag.

[greyghost]

Best to you on a very addictive sport.

First, so no one takes it the wrong way I have never used a pop-up blind or netting. Never used decoys. Just the natural cover. If that is ones choice by all means use it.

You mentioned runnin and gunin. If that is your choice and Iam sure your dad covered this is to make sure you have the right cover to get in and set up if a bird was to answer you close by.

If you are backed into some brush or behind a blowdown only call to the bird if he can not see you, if you see him he can see you. Try then only to draw if and when the bird goes behind a tree or whatever and time your draw that he appears from behind whatever.

Again there are so many different situations the only way is learning what the birds teach you over the years.

Now, what has worked best for me and takes a lot of determination, willpower and nerve controll is if I get a bird going I will place myself on the backside of a tree wider then myself from where the bird is coming and throw my calls out and away from me and hopefully the bird will come past the tree continuing to look for the hen that he thinks is another 50 yards or whatever further out past my position. Now I have had birds pass within a few steps of me but that is where nerves and a rock steady position comes on. I am usally on my knees with the bow up in front of me with the bottom tip on the ground. Most birds have a tendency to swing aroung most calling positions so hopefully when one comes out past you he will be within bow range. Now once you got the bird committed again this comes from years afield and of cource most gobs don't play the game fair and that is to stop calling and make him look for the hen. You may hear a lot of spitting and drumming which the gobs do coming in.Listen for that and not so much gobbling. Now while he is trying to see the hen once he passes you and he knows the hen is close he may go into strut for you once that tail is beteen you and him that is your chance. If he does not go into strut he may be focused enough for you to make your move carefully. With practiced you will be surprised what you can get away with.

So now that I confussed you. Please feel free to PM me and I will give you my phone # since I cannot articulate in typing as well as words.

Earl

[BlacktailBowhunter]

It can definately be done. Especially if you get a lone gobbler and have a killer decoy like DSD hen that will keep the tom busy.

I am stuck to hunting a blind on my private land honey hole. The birds are plenty and they are fairly dumb. The close shots are what is so appealing to sitting the blind. Turkeys can be tough to kill and having the advantage of a blind is a plus, but if a guy wants to make it a challenge, go for it.

It's all about getting in the woods and having fun. You are only limited by your own imagination.

The one guy on Dual Survival killed a wild hen turkey with out a blind and a guy here in Oregon that does come on here once in awhile killed one without a blind.

Good luck.

Paul

[tim roberts]

Got to second what greyghost said, turkeys without a blind is a hoot!  I have tried it the last two years during a fall hunt.  With a Gillie suit on I was able to get away with a lot, almost too much for my own good, cause I seemed to push, when I should of stopped!  It is a great learning experience, and a great way to test your own abilities!
Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!

[Gary Logsdon]

I've taken a good number of wary Easterns while wearing a Shaggie Suit and with the help of a "stuffed" decoy. When the gobblers open their fans to show in front of my decoy I draw and shoot them up the rear window.  "Texas Heart Shots" are deadly guys!

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[owlbait]

joebuck has a ton of info on hunting turkeys without a blind. He and Mudd have photos of bow blinds they have made that camo the bow and they shoot thru. Don't put much into that Dual Survivor example: Lots of people feel that bird was tied down. Now, if you tie them down, you won't need to put a blind or a patch over their eyes      

[HcSmitty]

Thanks Guys!!!!!!!!!  Keep it comeing, yall are addin fuel to the fire.  Ive really taken to turkey huntin and i am REALLY anticipating it.  But last year just didnt feel right cause i had a 12 gauge in my hand.  I enjoy all the strategy n technique to calling, that was sooooo appealing.  But i want something more.  Im even thinkin bout throwing the calls away n just callin entirely with my mouth.  Keep tellin all the cool stuff u can.

[Friend]

I would suspect that the Native Americans relied on more efficient means for catching turkeys. I have read some interesting methods for catching critters,including turkeys. from old trappers m anuals. Most of us would deem these techniques as unethical, however I am confident that many of the techniques were both viable and efficent.

You may wish to try the to consider how my buds & I hunt on occasion until you feel much more confident in your stalking abilites.

1. Pattern birds morning, afternoon and evening.
2. Blind hunt morning
3. Scout, single and team stock birds in afternoon
4. Blind hunt evenings

Yes, birds can be taken without a blind, however nearly everything has to be in your favor. I recall back in the 80's, before tha advent of modern blinds, when a Bow Hunting Zone opened up and there were ~30 of us would go after them on the 5300 acres. For years there were ~3 birds taken per season. I would track down those successful hunters and get their story. None seemed to be able to repeat taking a turkey the next year and most all flat admitted that much luck was involved.

Consistant successful stalkers are few and far between and so far I have only met one.

Best of luck in what ever methods you try.

[joe skipp]

No blinds...just natural cover and some luck. Hopefully one tom comes in and either walks behind a tree or starts to display. Then its full draw, aim and shoot.

With 2 hunters, like elk hunting, put the shooter about 25 yds ahead where the bird should come with the caller setup behind.

 

[RC]

I believe Turkey hunting pressured birds without a pop up blind is easier...Yep I said that.Not eveyone has private land Turkeys to hunt and Public land birds ain`t easy. It takes a lot of Turkey hunting and very little calling and the ability to run and gun or should I say run and bow.
  I`ve had turkeys spook from a pop up blind and they are to heavy and to much trouble to tote for me.I use a Ghillie/leafy type suit and hunt very aggressive.
  I hunt the same public land and have a routine that works.I`ll let you hear it and maybe you`ll pick up a good tip.
  I find where birds roost and I mean several different birds/flocks. Don`t put all your eggs in one basket

 I listen during pre-season to the different groups and find out where they go at fly down.Its easier to call a Turkey the direction he`s already headed.I`ll then go at midday and throw a few limbs and things together for a makeshift blind. Nothing fancy just something for a small amount of cover.If its kinda thick and there are big trees I don`t worry about doing that.After fly down and the birds headed another way I`m not tied down with a pop up blind to tote around and move ahead and cut the bird off.

 I don`t hunt the same birds two days in a row.

 If I could only hunt one time a day it would be from 11-4.Any bird that gobbles this time of day will usually show up.

  I`ve killed quite a few Turkeys and only two have been from a pop up blind.Felt like hunting in a closet. Can`t hardly see or hear and miss the whole outdoor experience or for me thats how it seemed.
  A lot of folks will give advice on this subject but those that say no blind or camo and the birds just stumble up and are succesful at killing them...Have never hunted public land Easterns.RC

[RC]

Also I would recommend investing in a very comfortable and pack ready stool.

  I meant no disrespect to you fellers about the no camo and stumbling up birds. Just a total different ball game in the south east.RC