Does anybody hunt without them? Does anyone scout for sign, listen at daylight then sneak in and sit down and try to call him to the gun? If you haven't tried it, I strongly recommend it. It is very exciting and rewarding. I've hunted them just about every way one can but like this method better.
For the most part, no blind. Decoys ... not on my favorite place, but have found they come in handy on other places. Some scouting usually works, just to see if the birds have moved their roost. And its always exciting to go out early just to hear the gobbles :happy0064:!
I've found life is too short to limit yourself to just one tactic/method of turkey hunting. I've killed birds in the timber without decoys and I've killed them in fields with decoys out of a double bull with my bow and by just about any other method you can think of in between. I like variety.
thats me most of the time, maybe opening day in a blind, & then I am on the move, Mike
Quote from: budtripp on February 25, 2015, 10:56:46 AM
I've found life is too short to limit yourself to just one tactic/method of turkey hunting. I've killed birds in the timber without decoys and I've killed them in fields with decoys out of a double bull with my bow and by just about any other method you can think of in between. I like variety.
:agreed: I switch from day to day. Sometimes I don't fully decide until I park my truck. I actually like it that way. If I have a bird roosted, then great. Otherwise I just have to rely on knowledge from past seasons and scouting from pre-season. I always use a blind when I take my son (5 years old now) and I'll use decoys from time to time.
I've only shot a few birds over decoys and never out of a blind I cant stand sitting in blinds. I use decoys as a situational tactic not an essential piece of gear by any stretch.
nothing wrong with any of it. I started hunting turkeys in the 70s. if we sat down and wanted a blind , we would just break cane stalks and stick in the ground all around us. the calls and equipment has improved greatly since then and I have along with it , but in my method I have not. I still find a large tree to lean against to break my outline. I try to put the sun to my back and set up where when the bird comes in he is in killing range when I see him. that's how I have done it and it has worked well for me over the years.
Unless the weather is really bad or I am trying to take a young child, it's the only way I hunt. Been hunting that way for over forty years, don't see much reason to change now.
For me, i've never hunted out of a blind, and never will; even when bowhunting. Nothing wrong with it, just my personal preference. I'll use decoys if I'm sitting a field, not in the woods, though.
I typically hunt without decoys. I don't own a blind but have once hung a piece of camo cloth in a bush and hid behind. I don't often roost birds either. I just walk to the ridge and blind call to strike up a bird. It works for me.
I generaly only use decoys when on a field. Woodland birds i dont use them
I have never used, nor do I own a blind.
I have decoys, but the majority of birds I have killed have been without decoys.
This season, I will probably put a couple decoys out right off in the morning, and then leave them behind to "run & gun." I love hearing that gobble 1/4 mile away and going after that bird, and finally having him come in.
The area I am hunting does not have a huge turkey population... My best ranch is 400 acres, and there are probably 3 or 4 toms on it this year. So rather than wait patiently for a bird that is not there, I tend to seek out a bird and hunt him...
Now, I do have two young children, and my oldest at 4 years old is asking to go turkey hunting this year (she went duck hunting with me several times this past season). I might just have to break down and purchase a blind, cause keeping a 4 year-old still while a tom is coming in gobbling and strutting might be a difficult task...
I've done it with decoys, without decoys, with a blind, without a blind, both, and neither...and I've enjoyed them all. ;)
I enjoy hunting them anyway I can.
I use decoys...not so much for attracting the birds, but reaction I get from big toms. They can get flat out mad at a decoy.
I hunt so much out of state that I find having a blind almost necessary for adverse weather. Had I not had one 2 years ago, my Kansas hunt would have been pretty much a wash-out as it poured pretty much the whole time. Rain, snow or cold...it's the only time I use one.
Gman
Quote from: Blong on February 25, 2015, 10:29:17 AM
Does anybody hunt without them? Does anyone scout for sign, listen at daylight then sneak in and sit down and try to call him to the gun? If you haven't tried it, I strongly recommend it. It is very exciting and rewarding. I've hunted them just about every way one can but like this method better.
When bowhunting most of the time it is with a blind. The number of birds killed with gun and no blind over the years will always be more for me although it is quite easier to kill a turkey with a gun and no bow, blind or decoys in my opinion!
The crusades against decoys, blinds and bows are full of BS in my opinion.
It is much easier for me to take just my shotgun a few calls and go to the woods to kill a bird.
If you want to add a degree of difficulty try packing a blind, stool, bow, calls, decoys and sometimes camera equipment to a place where you want to set up.
I have been on hunts where I have set up and tore down on multiple occasions in a single day and when you add in putting a bird to the pack list above I guarantee when you get back to the truck it is a more demanding and rewarding hunt and your body will tell you so.
Personally I feel it considerably more of a rush every time I send an arrow through a turkey more so than a pellet from a gun, especially knowing the physical demand it adds to the overall hunt.
No one method is "better" for everyone. It's all about what each person feels is a rewarding hunt to them. Good luck chasing longbeards this spring to everyone no matter which legal method you choose...
I'd rather go to a gobbling bird and hunt him then sit in a blind and watch decoys. Also like running and gunning when the birds are quiet and try to fire one up.
What is this turkey hunting without decoys and a blind y'all speak of? Sounds like a waste of time to me.
I set a blind up for rainy days or if I take a kid. It stays in that spot all season.
I've seen more bad than good when using decoys. Just my experience. I don't use them.
If I can't get on a bird at daylight I'll set up and call for awhile or run the ridges trying to get a gobble. If no luck there I'm in the truck on my way to another hunting area.
Idk how many times I've hit that second spot, cut real loud or crow call and get a gobble. Then it's hustle in and set up. Takin many birds this way.
Id rather not sit in one spot for long. Carrying the decoys and blind from spot to spot would be less enjoyable to me. I like the walk and change of scenery now and again. This might not be the best method but its how I like to hunt.
Yes.
Yes.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I usually put out a flock of funky chickens and badonkadekes in front of my godzilla pop up blind every time. ;D
Quote from: northms on February 25, 2015, 02:37:49 PM
I usually put out a flock of funky chickens and badonkadekes in front of my godzilla pop up blind every time. ;D
That's an excellent plan if you want to limit out early, or don't have long to hunt. I appreciate your continued support!
I only use decoys and blinds when I'm hunting a field in the pouring rain.
Quote from: guesswho on February 25, 2015, 01:35:48 PM
What is this turkey hunting without decoys and a blind y'all speak of? Sounds like a waste of time to me.
Never heard of it. I'm just looking forward to trying out my new Mojo Super Turkey Flapper. I am wondering how Ill find the time to stake out a dozen wind sock turkey dekes
Quote from: northms on February 25, 2015, 02:37:49 PM
I usually put out a flock of funky chickens and badonkadekes in front of my godzilla pop up blind every time. ;D
I intend to try this out this spring! :)
BGD
That's the only way I hunt!
decoys ever so often, no much
blind, on rainy days
:deadhorse:
Been sitting at the base of a big ole oak tree here in PA all my life.
I think I've only killed two toms with my single "blow up" hen decoy, (I think she cost be $9.00 and I keep patchin her).
Never been in a blind.
Don't use blinds or decoys. I never have and never will. I like the challenge of hunting the old tom without them.
I mostly run and gun, locate turkeys, work close, and then call and try to get them engaged. While I frequently pause for a period of time, I don't stick to a spot until I think I've got them engaged. At that point I believe they're coming and then I'm worried I don't have time and I don't want to get busted. More often than not the decoys stay in my vest.
You use a shotgun? And camo?
You should really try just wearing a loin cloth and calling them in using nothing but your voice. Then when they're close enough you just pounce on 'em. Man, that's real turkey hunting. ::)
I use whatever strikes me as appropriate for each particular set up. I think I've used a blind twice and only with my kids. I like stay mobile.
Never use a blind or decoys, take three or four a year in Alabama.Mouth call ,chair and a gun.!!
Killed my 1st bird at age 14 in 1987. I've never used a blind or decoy. Even in places like Kansas I don't use decoys and have always had great luck without them. I have also never considered using a blind
I never hunted from a popup blind. I use pole blinds when necessary. I prefer using whatever downed tree is nearby. A couple of the places I hunt I already have dragged a few downed trees together to make some cover.
I use decoys about 25-30% of the time.
I use a chair 100% of the time because of a bad back. I already have 3 vertebrae fused together and don't want anymore.
I always have fun no matter how I hunt.
Jim
I would like to start by saying I think all legal methods of hunting turkeys are ok if they float your boat. I personally call my birds and don't use a blind and no decoys. I find hunting this way leaves me awed and amazed and really satisfied. But again I don't look down on other methods. I look down on just killing: I kill too but it's the end of a hunt, not the reason I hunt turkeys. I leave you all with some authors that can explain it much better than I, Gene Nunnery, John Mcdaniel and Ken Morgan. :OGturkeyhead:
I normally hunt with decoys. I hunt a few times a season out of a pop up blind. I kill birds every season those ways. I also have hunted, and killed birds without decoys or blinds. My favorite way to hunt is running and gunning, but I mainly down in Dixie, and that doesn't work so well where I hunt. That's why I use decoys, and call and wait a lot.