Blinds & turkeys

[ninepointer]

Its often said that turkeys pay no attention to ground blinds (pop-up/hub blinds). But my experience and conversations I've had with folks I consider to be real turkey experts indicate that turkeys are in fact sometimes shy of blinds that either stick out like a sore thumb or that were not there yesterday. What are your observations?

[Bluebulldog]

Turkeys have no working memory. A ground blind that is in place for some time will just be the landscape to them. Yes, if it isn't really blending, or has bits blowing in the wind, it may get a bit more attention.

I have always placed mine out well in advance, and if need be, I have a small umbrella style blind that I take for the odd run and gun scenario.

[rick_iles]

Turkeys have no working memory. A ground blind that is in place for some time will just be the landscape to them. Yes, if it isn't really blending, or has bits blowing in the wind, it may get a bit more attention.

I have always placed mine out well in advance, and if need be, I have a small umbrella style blind that I take for the odd run and gun scenario.

Blinds that flap in the wind, or move at all will get their attention. Down south, guys put their blinds right out in the middle of fields. I once brought out a buddy that could not walk any distance. I used my Argo. I parked it a hundred yards or so down the field along the bush. A big flock came out right at the machine and didn’t give it a second thought....
I’ve also had hens come up to the blind and look inside.
I wouldn’t worry about a blind. Keep in mind though, that keeping too many windows open, allowing them to see any movement, will get you busted every time .

[kickingfrog]

I've used a ground blind the last 2 years. I've had hens, jakes and toms walk right past them, coming and going. Each time we set it up the morning we got there. Last year my brother and I had 2 doubles.

[kickingfrog]

Also had the confidence to bring my son for his first turkey hunt.
Nap time



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[trimmer21]

I've never used a ground blind because (i) I hunt crown/public land and (ii) they're a PITA to set up and take down. I like sitting in the shadows and getting comfortable using 3-D loose leaf camo. I found that I could hear and see better hunting from concealment.

[MikePal]

they're a PITA to set up and take down. ...

I could hear and see better hunting from concealment.

Have you seen the new ones Trimmer...if you're setting up for just a day, no need for peg or guy ropes so they go up and down in seconds. They have spring steel instead of poles so it folds up quick and make it easy to carry out in a shoulder bag.

They are truly amazing pieces of kit to sit in without detection. Don't block sound and allow you a little more movement so you don't get busted as often.

Game changer for turkey hunting in bushes where there are few large trees or fence lines to sit behind. I still do the later but find pop-ups a great addition to turkey hunting.

[perrysbirds]

Set your blind up a couple of weeks before the season....get them use to it.....it dont bother them at all...

[oaknut]

Turkeys are rather clueless when 8t comes to a blind, even if you spook the birds by some freak accident they forget about the danger within 30 mins and can be called back.

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[Deer Hunter]

I live too far to set up my blind ahead of time. I set up the afternoon before opener. I’m sure it might bother some but we usually manage to get turkeys.
I know for sure they won’t tolerate any movements in or outside of a blind.
Never seen or heard about these new ground blind MikePal, will definitely check them out.