Ok, so the IN turkey season is coming up. I have elected to use bow only. Most people think I'm crazy since I have never turkey hunted and what to use a bow but oh well. The property I'm going to be hunting is woods. Basically all woods. There are trails a couple feet wide the turkey use and this is where they scratch. I can be elevated (through natural rises). However, a blind is basically completely out of the question. What are some strategies that you have found to be successful in this type? My thought is use distance as my friend. The woods should still be low enough to get a good 30 yard shot in.
Prepare a natural blind somewhere close to where they are scratching. Since you know they use the trail a decoy isn't necessary but I tend to think that the decoys distract the tom from movement. I would put a couple of hen decoys on the trail and setup. Good Luck.
We're going to be working in a team with a friend calling while I hunt. I'm going to try and set up to where him calling should turn the bird and give me a shot.
A turkey's head is on a constant bob, there is basically no chance that you will draw and be able to shoot while your buddy is distracting him, most likely he wont even be looking in the direction of the call even if he is moving towards it. Like Rednas said a decoy is probably your only bet like this. A breading hen/jake setup might piss him off enough to distract him... maybe. Good luck and definitely let us know how it pans out.
Thanks Kyle, that's good info that could save me a lot of trouble. We have 4 or 5 different decoys also. Yeah I am so pumped. Going to be a good/learning weekend even if I come back empty.
I agree it is very hard to get a bow back without a turkey catching you draw if you don't use a blind. Decoys should aid in you distracting the bird, so good luck getting that bird with stick & string!
