Things are about to get hot (mid 90's) here in south central Kansas. I am looking to bag my second gobbler tomorrow morning before it gets miserable if possible... I just got permission to hunt a new piece of ground and I would like any input you have to offer. (Sorry the map is sideways. Up is north if you tilt your head so the words read normally!)
Looking at the map, I can hunt everything east of the hedgerow. Turkeys roost in big dead trees (big star) just to the west of the hedgerow. I plan on setting up by a small patch of trees and pile of bales (circles) on the edge of the pasture. This puts me about 90 yards from the roost. I am slightly uphill of the roost site and the rest of the pasture. As long as they are up in the roost, the birds will have a clear view of my position on the hill.
Questions:
1. Decoys? I have a small semi-strut jake and a ordinary hen. I also have plenty of real tom and jake fans laying around that I could easily attach a stake to for a fan decoy. Should I go with a breeding arrangement?
2. Calling? Since I have reason to believe they pitch down on the other side of the hedge, should I use the calling and/or decoys to hopefully get them to fly down on my side? Should I just give a tree yelp or two and then pour it on when their feet hit the ground?
All input, advice, and critique is welcome. Thanks and good hunting!
I would go in early...I mean AT LEAST an hour before the sky starts to glow and place multiple hen decoys at your position. I would avoid jake or strutter decoys this late in the season. A group of hen decoys should work fine without scaring off subordinate toms. And yes, I would throw out a few tree yelps, so they know where you are.
Agreed with the above. Get in their early. Have the birds been alone? Are there hens? have them be strutting or just working in a general direction? These questions are important to answer IMO. If its one gobbler with a couple hens, a strutter may not be bad! If its a couple gobbler, again a jake or strutter may not be bad. If its a lone gobbler, as stated above, hen decoys should work. Best of luck!