Relative newbie to the hunting of Turkey question.
I cut and pasted my message from a pretty much dead turkey hunting message board.
This
will be my third season trying to outwit the wild turkey. So far I've
heard lots of Gobbling and had one in sight but he saw me move and fled
about seventy five yards out. Anyway.... My question is this. I've
read many times that you should wait for the bird to walk behind a tree
or other obstruction before you move your gun in position. But what if
you are, say on the edge of a small feed plot and the bird walks out in
front of you in the open?
Could I slowly move the gun until he is
in my sights? Smoothly and a millimeter at a time? If not what.
Maybe sit up in the woods nearby? The plot I speak of is on the flat
top of a ridge of sorts with a logging road leading from boths ends and
hardwoods at my back and really thick pines and thickets in front of
me. The plot is about the size of the average Suburban yards. I've
heard them Gobble many times from the thick area, but about fifty yards
that way is another property. I hope I was clear and I appreciate any
help. Opening day is Friday.
Not sure why it came out so pale......
The rule of thumb I use for turkey hunting is when you hear a turkey coming get your gun up and keep it up so you can get on target as soon as possible. The less movement the better. Sometimes you can get away with moving, others you can't. In the earlier years of Wisconsin's turkey seasons you usually had a couple seconds to get on target and make your shot, but they are getting smarter and smarter and much less trusting of decoys and set ups. In the south the turkeys have been hunted for a while and have their instincts well honed. If you can wait for them to step behind a tree, do so, if you can wait for them to start eating or humping your decoy, wait. Don't rush the shot, make sure you have a good one and then take it.
Thanks Clarinath. That helps.
He is right, when you hear it gobble, get your gun propped up on your knee or whatever and shouldered. Also if you are hunting a small field, set up on the edge just barely in the woods so that your whole body and gun will be concealed in the shadows.
Movement is the kiss of death. Those damn things can see you from several hundred yards it seems. See if you can set up so they cross in front of you and when they get past your midpoint make your shot. If you can figure out a way to have your gun already up, like on a crossbar, you will be in a much better position and be able to move the gun and yourself less.
A trail cam can help determining their usual paths.
Be patient, it took me quite some time before I got one.
US the terrain to your advantage.
Place your decoy on a small rise of land so it can be seen from a good distance.
Use the terrain for concealment.
Lay down in tall grass, be to the side of a big rock or tree, under a small pine tree, lay down in a slight depression. or use a ground blind. it needs to hide your silhouette.
If you need to move, do it quietly when the bird has no line of sight or very very very very slowly, and have your sights on at least by 100 yards out.
