Ground Blind

[Turkeyjohn]

Hey Folks,

We were out a couple mornings ago, and the devils skirted around us after fly down.. They gobbled on the roost, but when they hit the ground, they already had hens so they didn't need to keep gobbling...When they finally hit the field we were on the edge of, they had their own mission to go so no amount of calling or lack of forced them to even look our way and the decoys didn't help either.....

So, what I think we're doing in the AM is to set a ground blind up on a rocky outcropping, sort of like a low brush island in this field and the birds, if they follow the plan will go one side or the other in range....That's the plan anyway. I'm also going to pack in my strutter decoy and if they stay in the middle of the field or further out, I'll send TurkeyWesley out behind it to try to reap one of them, nothing to lose and no one else in the neighbourhood and it's a wide field so no fear of getting shot...We've got a low doghouse Altan blind that doesn't have too high of a profile so we should be ok in the limited brush....

Any thoughts or suggestions?

TurkeyJohn

[Lenny]

I've popped up my hub blind as well as a single and double chair-blind right in the open of a field, meadow or open hardwoods, and it is amazing how much the turkeys ignore it, unlike deer. I havn't got them out yet this year, preferring to carry less, be more mobile, but after the last two days I think the blind is in order. I've called in birds withn 20 yards three times now, only to have them see something they didn't like, turn tail and leave on the double (once I had no decoy, the other time was a lone hen, and this morning was a jake and breeding hen). Im in full camo, and very still, but this tom is very wary (and quite educated now I fear.....). He sure wasn't comfortable gobbling with the snow qualls and gusty wind today.....would have been better in snow camo first thing this morning!

As far as fanning is concerned, I've always wanted to try it. Let us know how he makes out, and good luck

[JMatthews]

Blinds can help you keep still as you can be comfortable and stay out longer. They also allow you to hunt in whatever nature throws at you. If you are having problems with Toms being henned up, you could always try going out later. Bring a book and just relax, look up now and then. I don’t know how many times I’ve looked up from a book to see a turkey or deer looking at me. It helps pass the time and also keeps you from moving.

[410001661]

Blinds can help you keep still as you can be comfortable and stay out longer. They also allow you to hunt in whatever nature throws at you. If you are having problems with Toms being henned up, you could always try going out later. Bring a book and just relax, look up now and then. I don’t know how many times I’ve looked up from a book to see a turkey or deer looking at me. It helps pass the time and also keeps you from moving.

X2.......personally I love hunting in blinds when they are henned up. I arrive 9'ish after a nice breaky and bring a comfortable chair and a good book and/or magazine. I also bring some good food to eat while I am there. Plan on a nice relaxing sit in the woods - nothing like it!!

[dilly]

I like the ambush plan but find that I can’t hear or call very well in a ground blind for turkey. They are great for comfort. I use one for deer hunting and love it.

[pbonura]

Called in a hen with gobbler to follow with a ground blind. So comfortable you can move and use your hands. Ground blinds are great..

[recurve40]

I’ve had good luck putting a hub blind out when they are henned up as well, only time it’s been an issue I find is if they have been pressured heavily.. I’ve got one property that the edges of gets pounded hard to the point they won’t come in to a set or blind at all due to it.. I’d have ptsd too if I got chased off my roost every am.. good luck !