Turkey advice?

[SpokaneSlayer]

So here's the deal.  I've been hunting my spot all season.  We've got our blind set up in a good spot (bowhunting) in a good clearing about halfway up a hill that leads to a flat area.  We've thought about moving the blind all the way up, but we would have to walk right under the roost to get to it.  We have no less than 4 birds, up to 6, gobbling in the morning at distances from about 75 yds out to about 200 yds.  I would call softly and would usually get an immediate response.  But when they pitch down, they never show up.  We are using hen decoys.  I've tried sweet talking them with purrs and clucks, and also the silent treatment.  Nothing seems to be working.  Anything else I could try?

[saylean]

Try nothing. No decoys, no calls...you never know..it might work. Try it one morning....see what happens.

[KimberRich]

Sounds like you've spent some time in the blind and know what they are doing so which way do they tend to go after they pitch down?  If they tend to work in the same direction towards a field or water or whatever, maybe you could set up closer to their travel path.  Like Saylean said, maybe just be silent and don't put out any decoys.  They may walk right by you.  If I'm working some birds that aren't cooperating by coming to calls, I try to figure out their travel paths and get in front of them and just sit still.  As for walking right under their roost tree, if you're going to do it I would make sure it's well before light and you are super sneaky.  Like an hour and a half before shooting light at the latest. Good Luck!! Hope to see some pictures soon!  I'm betting you'll get it done. 

[SpokaneSlayer]

Thanks for the tips.  They seem to be half and half on which way they go.  Some go uphill, some downhill.  Walking past them on the roost would be difficult at best where I'm hunting.  There's a lot of litter on the ground from some logging that was down and it's really hard to be super quiet in the dark.  I'll give the no decoys/no calling a try one morning.  Any other words of wisdom is welcome.

[KimberRich]

If there are 2 of you and they tend to split up maybe one of you set up on the uphill side and one on the downhill side??  You would have both paths covered.  Not sure how small of a chunk of land or where property lines may be but if it's loud to walk under them could you circle around a couple hundred yards above them and get set up possibly? 

Thanks again for the Spokane firearms restriction map you showed me a while back.  It really helped in my planning for the season and figuring out where I was going to hunt.   

[SpokaneSlayer]

No problem.  I'm probably heading out after the wife gets home.  Try to get one coming back to roost.

[KimberRich]

Good luck man. 

[turkeydancer]

I once advised a friend that had Easterns on the top of a ridge and had only a noisy gravel road for his approach to slowdown and walk like an elk and throw out an occasional cow mew and they would just think he was another critter passing through in the dark ... it worked too ! 
  

[SpokaneSlayer]

Well, no dice last night.  Had 3 gobblers about 200 yards away heading up the hill but I couldn't convince them to come my way.  Which brings another question.  I want to get out tonight and try to get up to where I last heard them before packing it in.  Problem is since I am bowhunting and the blind is a pain to move, would it be possible to do this without the blind.  Should I just try and tuck into some brush and take my chances of getting busted?  I really need to get this done since this will be my last turkey season for 4 years.

[tlbradford]

Sounds like you need to set up the blind right where they have been pitching down.  Head in before they return to roost and set up without dekes.  They may be avoiding the dekes on purpose.  If they roost next to you, snuggle up in your sleeping bag and enjoy the sounds of the night.  If not, head home and enjoy your bed.   

That is pretty hardcore and to me turkeys aren't worth that much work, but it is up to you.

Have you hunted mid day yet?  They might be more receptive to your calls at that time.  Too many variables to really give you accurate ideas, I am just kind of spitballing here.  I would toss a pair of clippers in your bag and build a couple of blinds in different areas with some fabric and twine/stakes whatever.  That way you would have a couple more options when listening to them on the roost before flydown.  Good luck.

[NWTFhunter]

Why wont you be able to hunt them for 4 years ?   

[SpokaneSlayer]

Moving to Alaska. 

[yelp]

I find that Merriams tend to run up or use ridges.  I would set above roost or on the other side of where they tend to go.  Most likely they are running around looking for hens which most are sitting by now.  The other thing is to use your locator to nail down location rather than use the yelp.  Use the yelp very sparingly.  A "Where are you " cluck and a couple purrs and a soft yelp thats it.  If they gobble they know where you are 9 times out of 10.  Just give them enough.  Good luck. 

[yelp]

Oh yeah try the SQUEAL!  LOL  They come running!   

[PA BEN]

I'd set my blind up on top, set out hens and a strutter decoy. Try to get them coming back to the roost or spend the night in the blind. Set your decoys out so they can see them from the roost. Most toms will come to a strutter decoy or a jake and a hen.