Anyone hunt turkeys out of a ground blind? Or is "run and gun" more successful? I am anxiously awaiting being drawn for Minnesota Turkey... Any tips?
I have killed quite a few out of blinds. I have gotten shots a couple of times without a blind but did not connect. I would like to take one without the use of a blind.
I've killed out of a blind with my bow and one THAT bird and in THAT setting, I think it could have been done without. In PA, IMO, it's tough to bow kill one without a blind. I know of one guy that has done it.
We set up blinds near roost trees and sit them in the morning and evening but "run and gun" during the day. We have way more luck out of the blind but have taken birds in the open. I would say we've taken 20 birds out of a blind and 3 without. It isn't easy but you wouldn't be a bow hunter if you wanted easy.
This will be my first year bowhunting and we will have a couple blinds set up near roosting areas. I'm going to sit in a blind because I move way to much and don't want to be seen by the birds so a blind helps minimize that. Bowhunting turkeys is tough I need all the help I can get therefore I'll be in a blind.
I shot both mine last year out of a blind. I almost shot one while in the open, but he busted me drawing
I've been trying with the bow since I was 10 and 6 years later still need to kill one with the bow... I do both ground blind and just walking around and sitting. Its super hard without a blind.
I would suggest a blind if your taking your bow into the woods. Turkeys have exceptional eye sight and making a move with a bow is tough without having a blind as concealment. Either way its a challenge!! Good Luck.
I've hunted out of blinds, for birds, with both shotgun and bow. I've never taken a bird from a ground blind(a few opportunities, though), or with a shotgun, but, I have with a bow, no blind.
Your chances are significantly increased with a blind but it can definitely be done without one. I've killed a bunch from a blind and only 3 without one... not for lack of trying either.
Id start off in the blind, but dont be afraid to go mobile if birds hang up on you. I usually carry a small collapsible blind with my hub blind. Sometimes just a small position change lets birds know that the "hen" thats trying to coax them in (you), is moving around a little, therefore more realistic.
I recommend starting out of a blind till you gather more experience especially with a bow. When hunting in the open there is a higher chance of being spotted on the draw. Patience, subtle movements, and concealment are critical in taking a turkey.
Check out hideabow.com, blind/decoy all I'n one. Turkey fan is hot, hideabow.com go for it you'll like it.
I took one from my treestand with my push button call rigged on the ground. The turkey. never had a clue. I alsao use natural blinds in brush piles due to long hike on public land