Why I hate fields....

[catman529]

I set up in a mini island of trees in the middle of a small field today. It's much better for the camera to film a bird out in the open, so I gave it a try.

I got a quick response and he wasn't far in the woods. Finally he popped out and was looking intensely. He got to about 70 yards and got a little funny. Tucked his wings, turned around and started putting.

Fast forward I got set up on the opposite end of where he was, but this time I was on top of a small ridge in the woods. Again, I got a quick response, right down below me.

But he shut up, and now that the birds have flown to roost, I know that he found himself some hens. They're all up in the trees now, I just heard him gobble, and another bird gobbled farther off (so I have backup tomorrow, lol)

So the hunt will continue...

tomorrow, I'll get up at 4:15am, and go to work. But I will be back after these birds come late morning, if the weather isn't too bad.


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[Setterman]

Choose your set up so when he pops out of the woods he's in range, or cut him off in the woods. Best way to kill field turkeys is to stop their heart before they reach it

 

[catman529]

Choose your set up so when he pops out of the woods he's in range, or cut him off in the woods. Best way to kill field turkeys is to stop their heart before they reach it

I didn't want to set up in the island, but there wasn't much to lean up against in the field edge, it was kind of gnarly. Had I been 30 yards closer he would have come out in range. The only reason I set up in the field was to get better video, which I got some great video of him walking back and forth putting. Lol. He may have seen my figure or my hand move just a bit. I was pretty darn still though.

Also, I didnt call until after I set up, he first gobbled after I was already in a clump of trees in the middle of a field.


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[Setterman]

Choose your set up so when he pops out of the woods he's in range, or cut him off in the woods. Best way to kill field turkeys is to stop their heart before they reach it

I didn't want to set up in the island, but there wasn't much to lean up against in the field edge, it was kind of gnarly. Had I been 30 yards closer he would have come out in range. The only reason I set up in the field was to get better video, which I got some great video of him walking back and forth putting. Lol. He may have seen my figure or my hand move just a bit. I was pretty darn still though.

Also, I didnt call until after I set up, he first gobbled after I was already in a clump of trees in the middle of a field.


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It happens, he probably putted to get the hen to show up and when she didn't he bailed. Field turkeys are always a nightmare, but there's some fun it as well.

 

[SKFOOTER]

As much as you hate decoys Setterman, that situation is where one would probably have sealed the deal.

 

[Setterman]

As much as you hate decoys Setterman, that situation is where one would probably have sealed the deal.

No doubt, but for me I'd rather slug it out without them and really beat the bird. i relish the challenge, and get more enjoyment from those then any others I hunt each year. Sure there's easier ways, but I love the battle

 

[SKFOOTER]

As much as you hate decoys Setterman, that situation is where one would probably have sealed the deal.

No doubt, but for me I'd rather slug it out without them and really beat the bird. i relish the challenge, and get more enjoyment from those then any others I hunt each year. Sure there's easier ways, but I love the battle

And I can appreciate that.

 

[catman529]

As much as you hate decoys Setterman, that situation is where one would probably have sealed the deal.

No doubt, but for me I'd rather slug it out without them and really beat the bird. i relish the challenge, and get more enjoyment from those then any others I hunt each year. Sure there's easier ways, but I love the battle

I would have liked a single hen decoy just to see if it worked. I never use em so it's on my list to kill one with a deke. Would have also made great video too. But the main thing is I had a good afternoon and finally got onto a vocal bird and called him in.


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[Tennessee Lead]

Lay with em cat.


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[catman529]

Lay with em cat.


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I dont give up easy when I know there are birds hanging around

Hope to catch one alone tomorrow and call him in. Might take the pop up blind in case of rain, thats one PITA about carrying a video camera.

Man if I didn't care so much about my job I would call in tomorrow. I dont know why but I can't call in unless I am physically unable to get to work. But on the plus side, I have the rest of the day off and will be out in the woods by 10 am and I hope his hens have left him by then.

 

[ImThere]

Blinds are awesome in the rain. If there's high wind stake it down

 

[catman529]

Blinds are awesome in the rain. If there's high wind stake it down

i got the blind in my truck right now.


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[Mike Belt]

I've hunted the edges of fields before where there was nothing but thicket and no trees to lean against. I just carve a hole into the thick stuff and take a seat. Usually when I do I use a deke/s. That helps to keep their eyes off your minimal setup and not so much on you. When only using 1 decoy I've had better luck using a jake than a hen. A big bird coming into a field is looking for a hen but sometimes can't resist kicking an upstart strutting around in his territory.