“Run & Gun”, a commonly used hunting Technique?

[Tom007]

In an attempt not to high-jack the great post on Hunting Preference, I would like to get your definitions on the "Run & Gun" technique we often mention here on the forum.

First off, for me; the name is deceiving. When I choose to hunt turkeys in my area "On the move", I move through the woods very, very slow. I'll take several minutes to move 100 yards. I am very concerned about "bumping" birds. I have been hunting my spots for several years, some of them are very large parcels, some are smaller wood lots. Over the years, I have learned these areas regarding how I enter to avoid close proximity to roost trees and I have for the most part figured out their pattern movements between day-break and noon. I harvest very few birds right off the roost, most of my birds are taken between 7 and 9 am. I have learned over the years that fast, noisy, consistent movement through the woods will cause the birds to become quiet, skid-dish, and even force them to move out of my areas all together.

In summary, I do use my version of Run & Gun on quiet days when I feel covering more ground will increase my chances. This technique, however; is not my primary method. I spend 2 to 3 weeks pre-season scouting quietly locating birds. I'll put together a game plan on how to hunt them which includes where I'm going to set-up and try to call them in. Over the years, I have several "favorite" large trees to sit against in different areas that I have used with success. I have found that turkeys can be "patterned", and that generations of birds will in-fact frequent the same areas over time.

Be safe, spring is right around the corner....

[Bowguy]

Hey Tom,  I don't think anyone runs. It's a phrase to mean you're just out moving hitting dif spots trying to find a good bird.

[Tom007]

Hey Tom,  I don't think anyone runs. It's a phrase to mean you're just out moving hitting dif spots trying to find a good bird.

I get it Mike. Figure of speech. Some guys do move pretty quick....

Be safe brother..

[GobbleNut]

The phrase "run and gun" is just used because it is a clever play on words that rhymes. The hunting method it describes has nothing to do with actually running and gunning through the woods to try to kill a turkey. There may be some folks that take the phrase literally, but I honestly can't imagine anybody that has hunted turkeys for very long doing that. I suspect very few, if any, turkey hunters actually "run" through the woods while turkey hunting. (Note: there are a few exceptions)

To me, the tactic, in reality, just implies a hunting method/strategy of moving through the woods trying to make contact with a gobbler, either by moving and calling, or by perhaps spotting turkeys...but mostly the former, I think. Now, there are times when moving quickly is a much better strategy than moving slowly.  I know this because I hunt some of those places...and that decision to move along quickly is based on the fact that I know those places well enough to understand that turkeys that inhabit them are often very far apart.  In addition, once you have come within earshot of them, they are very likely to respond to your (correct) calling and let you know they are there. That is the time that you slow down and methodically apply sound calling and woodsmanship practices to kill them.

Having stated the above, there are also places where incorporating the above tactic is not practical and is likely to be counterproductive. "Slow-Mo" (to coin a rhyming phrase) may well be the best (and only realistic) tactic to use in those places. The wise hunter understands this and applies the tactic/strategy that is best for where he is hunting.

Getting back to my own situation where I generally hunt, I can't tell you how many times I have encountered hunters using (poor) tactics here that they use in the places they have come from to hunt here. ...And I could tell in an instant that they did not understand the reality of the situation they were facing in hunting here.

The bottom line in hunting anywhere (and most especially somewhere that you are unfamiliar with) is to garner as much information about the place, and the wisest hunting tactics, calling, and strategies to use there...at least as a starting point. 

In summary, depending upon where you are at, either "run and gun" or "Slow-Mo"...or even "No-Mo" may be the best tactic to incorporate. Anybody that hunts places that they are not familiar with should always keep an open mind as to which one might be the best based on the conditions at hand. 

[Greg Massey]

I always tell people to hunt the way you want and what makes you successful. That's why I hunt alone 99 percent of the time, because I know what works for me ... In my opinion ...


Glad to see the forum picking up with some great questions etc... Spring is coming


Some people like to hunt with 1 - 4 calls and only take 1 - 3 shells

Myself, I like satchel full calls and several shells ... LOL...

[Gooserbat]

I go to where I hear a turkey gobble.

[Yoder409]

I go to where I hear a turkey gobble.

Soundest strategy you will ever see posted.     

[EZ]

The phrase "run and gun" is just used because it is a clever play on words that rhymes

"Driving around on State Forest roads and calling out the window" doesn't sound as romantic, 

[Tom007]

Amen my friends. Great answers....be safe

[tal]

The phrase "run and gun" is just used because it is a clever play on words that rhymes

"Driving around on State Forest roads and calling out the window" doesn't sound as romantic, 

LOL... running and gunning the engine.

[EZ]

The phrase "run and gun" is just used because it is a clever play on words that rhymes

"Driving around on State Forest roads and calling out the window" doesn't sound as romantic, 

LOL... running and gunning the engine.

Hey, I'm just repeating what Crow told me 

[packmule]

I go to where I hear a turkey gobble.

Soundest strategy you will ever see posted.     

 

[ScottTaulbee]

I hunt a mix of Appalachia on National Forest and old farm lands on WMA's and have used "Run N Gun" since I started turkey hunting 25 years ago this coming season.

Depending on terrain is how literal I take it. In the mountains on Tens of Thousands of acres, if I hear a gobble the next mountain over or even two over, I'm getting there as fast as I possibly can to close the distance before setting up. If I'm on the WMA's that are typically around a couple hundred acres, I move slowly but am still covering ground until I find a gobbler that wants to work. But in either scenario, I'm changing calls every hundred to two hundred yards.


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[Tom007]

I always tell people to hunt the way you want and what makes you successful. That's why I hunt alone 99 percent of the time, because I know what works for me ... In my opinion ...


Glad to see the forum picking up with some great questions etc... Spring is coming


Some people like to hunt with 1 - 4 calls and only take 1 - 3 shells

Myself, I like satchel full calls and several shells ... LOL...

I'd love to buy that satchel full of calls...

[eggshell]

I had the runs while turkey hunting once. I propped my gun against a tree and went about 20 yards down hill and dropped my drawers and let it rip. I had just made a call when the belly pain hit. Just as I finished I looked up to see a big old Long beard staring at me with a curious look about 30 yards from my gun. I pulled my pants up to my thighs and waddled towards my gun. Amazingly I made it and I had to drop my britches to shoulder my gun. So there I stood pants at my ankles free swinging and slowly raising my shotgun. I got it to my shoulder and just as I clicked the safety that bastard run away. I hunted that nasty bird for the next few days like a hound dog, yup I got the last laugh. Is this what you meant by runs and Gun?

Now you all gotta wonder if this is a true story or not, playing game show music