Newbie question - blind?

[Korichnovui]

Hey all,

New to hunting in general. Was out hunting with my more experienced brother-in-law, and we saw lots of turkey at our spot. We are planning to go back and hunt some fall turkey in late November. However, I may or may not be able to align my schedule with my brother-in-law, in which case I would want to go on my own. So I've been reading a lot about turkey hunting, even found a cool site that demonstrates the different turkey sounds.

Seems like a popular strategy is the scatter and call back method. Sounds fun. My question is, what exactly are you doing when you call them back? Are you standing around calling them, or are you hiding in a blind? That is my question. Thanks in advance for your time reading this!

[wannabhntr]

I have never really hunted fall turkeys, but I have heard the same thing. Turkeys have very good eyesight. You definitely do not want to stand around. You don't necessarily have to be in a blind, but you do want to be very well concealed.

[Gobble Doc]

For fall turkey I would ditch the blind.  If you want to try the scatter method then I have found better luck first locating a big flock.  Then scatter and settle into a good spot and try calling them back in.  I don't think you probably need to have a blind.  By November it is possible that the birds will be in very large groups and not on public property.  That's my experience.

[Korichnovui]

Yeah we saw some good groups when we were out deer hunting. I saw 1 flock of 20 at one point. I was just wondering about concealment. I'll try without the blind, but I'll have some decoys and my caller, and some sweet spot that gives some concealment hopefully... The group of 20 was out in the middle of a wheat field so that could be tricky.

[Gobble Doc]

My best luck in the fall has been more of a spot and then sneak up.  It especially works well if you can come over a small hill so that you can hid your visibility. 

[turkeydancer]

Two basic methods ...
1) Scatter to the four winds, then setup at the break point, wait at least 30 minutws, and call back using kee..kee..runs or hen assembly calls.  Note that you must scatter them in all directions and not just flush the birds in one direction.  Hard to do with one man.  Easier if you have 2 or more screaming "bushes" coming from different directions.
2) Pattern and Ambush.  The birds follow certain set routines each day if nothing changes it, and you can setup in places they habitate or along paths that they use for a successful ambush.
***Note: You can try spot and stock,, but most people will not find this very successful due to the many turkey eyes and their general wariness ... to them everything wants a free turkey dinner.

If you have good camo and remain fairly motionless, you do not need a blind. I have various portable ground blinds for the spring, but most times I don't even use them and have good success.   That said, it gets pretty cold in late November/early December ... that's when I sit comfortable on a tri-pod stool in my 3-man popup blind heated by my 5,000 BTU adjustable portable heater.  I have had approx. 300 birds come within a couple feet of my blind trying to look in, and then launch over the top ... one would go, then half a dozen, then a couple, then a dozen, etc for over 20 minutes.   It was take your pick.

[Lady In The Creek]

Be extremely careful about using decoys in the fall.  In some areas any turkey is legal game so  watch out for other hunters.

[turkeydancer]

    Good point anytime especially if on public land or if other hunters you don't know will be on the same private land.  Also, don't invite Dick Cheney ...