Struggling a little in Al

ImThere

ImThere

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I been lucky a lot I guess in Tn. I've tagged out every year I've hunted since somewhere around 2000. I've always killed field birds and have very little experience hunting woods birds. I've had a couple of close encounters here. But been unable to seal the deal. So let me hear those big woods advice. Lots of pines here. Lots of pigs here. Lots of creeks/ rivers/ ponds. Better luck calling Turkey up hill or down hill?
 
Don't bump him. While it is good to cut the distance as much as you can, if he sees you coming, it is game over. Especially early in the year when it is open, it is better to be "too far" than risk bumping him. They will come from an amazingly long distance.

The best advice I ever got from one of the premier turkey call makers was to decide if I was more interested in killing a bird or to hear him gobble a bunch. He told me aggressive calling can be fun, and sometimes will get one in quick. But, he also said it leads to a bunch of birds hanging up waiting for the hot hen to come to them.

His advice to kill more is to get a bird to answer the call a couple of times, and then put the call down. Instead of calling, scratch in the leaves like a feeding hen. Keep your gun up and be ready when he sneaks in.
 
Ditch the plastic turkeys, get on the same elevation or above him, once he answers you ,he knows exactly where you are, i kill lots of birds with leaves and food city bags, patience kills woods turkeys
 
Ocoee Ridge Runner said:
Best advice I've ever got was setup where he is in range the moment you see him. Absolutely critical in killing woods birds in my opinion.
Click to expand...
You just gave away the ONE piece of the puzzle that makes all the difference in killing birds period!
That, and if he answers you, SHUT UP and say nothing else to him, regardless of how much he gobbles. Once he moves, he will typically go silent. Most folks give up when that happens. I wont. Hes either coming or hes going away and I wait until he gobbles again after moving to see which he chose.
 
having grown up and cutting my teeth on AL big woods hunting it can be challange. However IMO they are easier to set up and deal with then lazy az field birds hahah.

You HAVE to know the terrain you are hunting, every hill, dip, creek, ridge etc. Thats the key because if you do, now you can start figuring out where or why they go where they go. Pick set ups that are to your advantage, by that I mean when he sees you or you him, he is in range. Also means you have more then 1 exit strategy if he wont commit and you need to make a move.

Field birds are much easier cause you can see and keep tabs on them, and generally they dont move far fast. Big wood birds you dont have that luxury, but if you know the land very well you can use that against him and start eliminating areas or places he wont use or cross.
 
Never used decoys or a blind. Just a gun and a call.

It's funny I had three birds in a triangle around me just never seen them in range before 1 pm.
 
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