Hunting after 5 pm?

Tennessee Lead

Tennessee Lead

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With my work hours I have only been hunting weekends. I don't have much time to go to my normal spot and climb to the top and try and try to cover ground. I may have picked up a 3 acre field that is down a haul road enclosed by timber with a couple ridges that run out from the edges. I will only be able to hunt the field I won't have permission to hunt the timber so I can't cover ground like normal. I own a couple decoys which I don't use. I am thinking of trying to go some after work and set them out and call some. This is a tactic I am not familiar with but I am willing to try so I can get more hunting time in. Season goes by fast when it is 2 mornings a week. If y'all have any experience hunting late evenings what are your thoughts. I have never killed a bird after 1 so the evening hunting will be a little diffrent. Thanks
 
It can be really good especially as hens begin to nest. It can also mess birds up, mainly from altering their roosting patterns. However since you only have the field I doubt much damage can be done to the roosting patterns
 
Don't expect them to gobble much in the evening, make sure you're comfortable and can sit a spell, and even if you don't score listen intently for the fly up. My odds skyrocket the next morning when I can put a bird to bed.
 
Boll Weevil said:
Don't expect them to gobble much in the evening, make sure you're comfortable and can sit a spell, and even if you don't score listen intently for the fly up. My odds skyrocket the next morning when I can put a bird to bed.
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This. You'll most likely have one come in quiet unless he gets fired uo right before flyup. If you know where they hang out and where they roost, you could set up and intercept them - i.e., deer hunt them. I set up opening afternoon intending to roost one. Called a little and got a hen fired up then a gobbler appeared at 40 yards at 6:15.
 
Setterman said:
It can be really good especially as hens begin to nest. It can also mess birds up, mainly from altering their roosting patterns. However since you only have the field I doubt much damage can be done to the roosting patterns
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That ran through my head no one hunts there but I wouldn't want to cause the birds to not use that area. Because it could be a good spot maybe to try for a morning on a weekend. I am excited about a new spot but will sorta feel tied down. Thanks
 
Boll Weevil said:
Don't expect them to gobble much in the evening, make sure you're comfortable and can sit a spell, and even if you don't score listen intently for the fly up. My odds skyrocket the next morning when I can put a bird to bed.
Click to expand...

I left that question out in the OP and didn't mean to thank you. I wasn't sure how the gobbling would be. I will look for a spot that I can be as comfortable as possible, if I hear them fly up I may have to call in sick for a litte while the next morning. :)
 
Southern Sportsman said:
Boll Weevil said:
Don't expect them to gobble much in the evening, make sure you're comfortable and can sit a spell, and even if you don't score listen intently for the fly up. My odds skyrocket the next morning when I can put a bird to bed.
Click to expand...
This. You'll most likely have one come in quiet unless he gets fired uo right before flyup. If you know where they hang out and where they roost, you could set up and intercept them - i.e., deer hunt them. I set up opening afternoon intending to roost one. Called a little and got a hen fired up then a gobbler appeared at 40 yards at 6:15.
Click to expand...

I wondered about that as well. Kinda why I thought i might try the use of a decoy. If I was able to call one into the field that slipped in silent he might be preoccupied with them and give me a chance to be ready. I should be able to be set up around 5:45. Thanks
 
Ive only been successful.with decoys in the fields only....actually im 100% successful with field decoys and with timber decoying im 0% never been successful....if it was me and could determine there roost patterns id set up on the opposite side maybe half the field away and make come check it out from a distance and any signs of fake decoys that a bird my pick up is too little too late once he has made the mistake of coming in
 
TN Whitetail Freak said:
Ive only been successful.with decoys in the fields only....actually im 100% successful with field decoys and with timber decoying im 0% never been successful....if it was me and could determine there roost patterns id set up on the opposite side maybe half the field away and make come check it out from a distance and any signs of fake decoys that a bird my pick up is too little too late once he has made the mistake of coming in
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I tried decoys in the woods 2 times epic fail. I have never had a field to try.
 
I have had great luck in the evenings. You dont want to yelp a lot as hens just dont do that much late in the day. Clucks, purrs, etc are effective for sure.

You will wish you had hunted in after season ends. LOL
 
I love hunting late afternoons. I found 5 longbeards strutting with 3 hens in a field on Ft Campbell last Friday Afternoon after 6 o'clock and 2 of them rode back to the check station with me in my truck before dark. :grin:
 
I shot one at 6:20 on Good Friday. I was checking a new place out yelping as I walked and had a 2 year old fire up. First long beard that I have killed. Didn't have my best or decoys just my shotgun and my slate in my pocket. I may start carrying less junk with me.
 
Richard, I kill as many birds in the evening as I do in the mornings! Get out there and hunt! Most days you wont hear as much gobbling, but it just takes one! Ive killed 3 birds in TN this year alone in the afternoons.
 
Killed a gobbler at 5:20 last Friday evening. He had his hens with him and I did a few soft yelps and he came to "herd" me up with the rest of his hens
 
Both birds I have killed this year were in the evening, one at 620 and the other about 530. I have had good gobbling in the evening at times too.
 

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