So, I set up a decoy in a clearing on the point of a ridge. Had a gobbler located the night before at the base of the point in a deep hollow. At daylight I got him talking, and expecting him to skirt the steepest part and circle around the clearing to the dekes. So, I set up looking In that direction. As luck would have it, he came straight up the face of the hollow and stepped into the edge of the clearing to my left rear position. I couldn't get around without him seeing me, and after one gobble at 10 yards, he headed back down the hollow gobbling all the way. Here's the question - do gobblers take the path of least resistance or do they straight line it to the call.
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Question for the pros
- Thread starter huvrman
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MickThompson
Well-Known Member
Hardly a pro but the answer is the square root of 19. If you can calculate it in your head you can figure out turkeys every time. Turkey gonna do what a turkey do.
gobblesandgrunts
Well-Known Member
Yep, not a pro by any means whatsoever but I have hunted them awhile and the perfect gameplan that you have in order will not come together 99% of the time, it's the times you strike one up in the hardwoods behind you or to the right of you when your after another one in the big open field, that's when you'll kill him. Just my 2 centsMickThompson":2hd77dd9 said:
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Setterman
Well-Known Member
Nobody is a pro, some just get lucky more than others. For your situation who the heck knows, I would surmise that he saw your dekes and didn't like the situation, maybe he was subordinate and didn't want to get whipped. Bottom line is turkeys don't make much sense and do crazy thingsMickThompson":2jp07zqt said:
fairchaser
Well-Known Member
Not a pro at all but often they don't even know what they are going to do until they do it. You will get a feel for what they might do and you just have go with that. Sometimes it works and it feels great. Then you think you got it figured out until the next one comes along and you start all over again climbing the learning curve. The only advice I can give you is to try and learn the terrain and the habits of a particular bird.
Stumpsitter
Well-Known Member
In my experience, they will come straight on to a call. Steep terrain won't matter much. If their committed they will come pretty much head on. With that being said, they can still get hung up on an obstacle and set and gobble. That's when you'll have to move set ups. You can also try to throw your calls to the left or right of your position to try and steer them.
It's all a crap shoot in the end. But, it is a wonderful game of strategy. I've been hunting them on the plateau since I've been 12years old, I'm 48 now and I haven't got tired of it yet. Not a pro by any means. Just a student of the turkey woods.
Try to learn something about the woods you hunt or a particular bird every time you go and it will greatly improve your skill. Good luck to you.
It's all a crap shoot in the end. But, it is a wonderful game of strategy. I've been hunting them on the plateau since I've been 12years old, I'm 48 now and I haven't got tired of it yet. Not a pro by any means. Just a student of the turkey woods.
Try to learn something about the woods you hunt or a particular bird every time you go and it will greatly improve your skill. Good luck to you.
huvrman":3ldvp5wb said:
Yes!
They will do the opposite of whichever path you think they will come.
I do always try to set up where a straight path would put them at my 10:00 position (right handed shooter). That way I can cover 7:00-1:00 fairly easily.
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woodsman04
Well-Known Member
This tip right here is very important and so easy to do. I take so many new guys that just face the turkey straight on at 12. Set up to where when he comes for a right handed shooter you can adjust easily on him.PalsPal":2ppvrgxt said:
Another tidbit, learn to shoot left handed when needed when the turkeys do show up at 3 for right handlers.
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megalomaniac
Well-Known Member
Yes, great tip to point out for newer hunters!
In my experience, more than half dont come in a straight line. As a tendency, birds like to approach from above on on the same level. For those querky birds, almost expect them to make their final approach from the side.
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In my experience, more than half dont come in a straight line. As a tendency, birds like to approach from above on on the same level. For those querky birds, almost expect them to make their final approach from the side.
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