When should you not use a turkey decoy?
Here are four scenarios to leave the decoys in the bag.
- You’re Sneaking in Tight to a Roosted Tom.
- You’re Working a Tom in Thick Cover.
- You Struck a Gobbler Close.
- Everyone Else Is Setting Up Decoys in Fields.
Should I use a turkey decoy in the woods?
Using decoys in the woods can be an extremely effective technique to kill a gobbler and here are a few tips to help you be successful when setting up a decoy in the timber.
Should turkey decoys face you?
– Always place a male turkey decoy facing you to minimize the chance of a gobbler hanging up. An incoming turkey wants to see the head of this new member of the flock and will move to get in front of him.
Can you leave your turkey decoys out?
Yep. Just get out there early. I have already carried decoys in all set up so all I had to do was stick them in the ground and hop in the blind.
Why won’t turkeys come to my decoys?
If a subordinate gobbler comes in, and he’s already been beat up by a dominant gobbler, there’s a very good chance that he’s won’t come in and get his head bloodied again. Many times, a turkey won’t come to a decoy, because the hunter has made a mistake in where he’s placed the decoy.
How close should turkey decoys be placed?
15-20 yards
Solution: Place your decoys 15-20 yards from your location. If a gobbler hangs up at 40, you still have a chance. If this problem persists with the same birds on multiple occasions, stake your decoy behind you where it’s visible to an approaching tom.
Does a full moon affect turkey hunting?
They do not, in my experience, howl at the moon, nor turn particularly crazed when it’s full. Barometric pressure seems to affect them much more. On a nice, high-pressure day, they wake up feeling good and gobble more.
How far should turkey decoys be from blind?
Position the decoys 10 yards away from your blind.
Set them up at 10 yards so you know when the bird is within bow range.
Should you move around when turkey hunting?
The hunter can see what’s in front of him. The gobbler can see everything around him, and that’s the reason you have to keep your movement to a minimum and wear camouflage. The turkey knows that there are thermals and different types of winds in the outdoors.
Will turkeys return after being spooked?
The gobbler wanted to be where you were when you spooked him. So, after he thinks you’re gone, and he hears a hen softly calling, there’s a very good chance he may come back in that direction. Remember — the gobbler has a limited number of days to breed.
How high off the ground should a turkey decoy be?
A foot or so off the ground is about right. Though this may seem trivial, remember: toms see hens every day of their lives, and not once do they run into one that happens to be three times taller than all the rest.
Is turkey hunting better in the morning or afternoon?
The fact that birds gobble and their location is known takes some of the guesswork out of it. Again, mornings generally provide faster and hotter action with vocal birds, making it the preferred time to turkey hunt.
How long should you sit in the morning turkey hunting?
If I’m in a good spot, I discipline myself to sit for at least 30 minutes, more if I feel confident. That’s not to say that if you’d given it one more minute, you’d have killed the bird that sneaked in on you, but staying longer is better than leaving too soon.
How often should you call while turkey hunting?
But don’t call too often – less is more. Calling every 15 minutes or so and starting off quieter and then getting more aggressive/louder as the day goes on are good rules of thumb. If you hear a hen, try to mimic her exact vocalizations.
How often should you call to a turkey?
every 15 minutes
But don’t call too often – less is more. Calling every 15 minutes or so and starting off quieter and then getting more aggressive/louder as the day goes on are good rules of thumb. If you hear a hen, try to mimic her exact vocalizations.
Do turkeys roost in the same tree every night?
In areas with few suitable roost trees — parts of Texas, Oklahoma and the Dakotas, for example — turkeys predictably use the same roost trees day after day for generations. Unless you spooked your turkeys by the roost site that morning, they probably just chose — for whatever reason — to roost elsewhere that night.
How early should I be in the woods for turkey hunting?
Most turkey hunters know their best chance to bag a bird is in the early morning (right off the roost) or at dusk as they prepare to roost again for the night.
What should you not do when turkey hunting?
Turkey-Hunting Errors The top 10 “don’ts” to remember in the woods this spring
- BEING IMPATIENT.
- MOVING TOO QUICKLY.
- CROWDING THE ROOST.
- NOT SETTING UP.
- CALLING OVER BARRIERS.
- CALLING TOO MUCH.
- BEING POORLY CAMOED.
- MISSING THE SHOT.
How long should you sit in one spot turkey hunting?
What to do when turkeys stop gobbling?
When the gobbler quits gobbling, look at your watch, and force yourself to stay on your stand. Don’t move around for an hour after the bird has quit gobbling. If you’ll use this strategy, you’ll see more turkeys, and you’ll take more turkeys.
What is the best sound to call in a turkey?
A turkey yelp is one of the most basic turkey sounds, and one of the most produced and effective turkey hunting calls as well. Turkeys use it to communicate many different things, depending on how the call is delivered.
Will turkeys come back if spooked?
What time do turkeys come down from roost?
In my view, the best times of the day are right off the roost, then again from about 8:30 to 9:30 when more hens start to leave the gobbler to go lay an egg, and again from about 11 until noon. It’s somewhat obvious why gobblers respond off the roost; it’s a new day and they’re not necessarily with hens yet.
What colors should you not wear while turkey hunting?
Never wear red, white, blue or black clothing while turkey hunting. Red is the color most hunters look for when distinguishing a gobbler’s head from a hen’s blue-colored head, but at times it may appear white or blue. Male turkey feathers covering most of the body are black in appearance.