Try a Ground Blind for Turkey Success

hunting

Jun 10

Blind dating is not always a picnic. Neither is turkey hunting with a bow and arrow. But a ground blind give is picnic potential.

Ground blinds anchor you to one location and that is an obvious negative, but they block your moves from the turkeys, and that’s a powerful positive. If you do our homework via thorough scouting, ground blind ambushes can be as effective as any run-and-gun strategy.

For your best odds from a ground blind, scrutinize the details.

Start with location. First, obviously, set up where you expect turkeys to travel. Note their schedule and be where they want to be when they want to be there. Next, try to set up on level ground. If you set up on a ridge and the turkeys spend more time on the fields below, you will likely have a difficult time calling them close, particularly uphill. The topographical overlays on a hunting app like HuntStand can be a big help while scouting.

Next, avoid setting up near obstructions. Obstacles, barriers and blockades can be enough to make any gobbler turn around and go the other way. Or a gobbler may stand just out of archery range and demand you come to him. Fences, creeks and steep canyons may all impede a turkey’s incentive to strut into arrow range.

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One spring I conversed with a tom for more than an hour as he stood and fanned on the opposite side of a river, staring my way, but refusing to fly across. In retrospect, I should have set up on his side of the river. During scouting I’d seen turkeys on that side of the river twice as often as on the side I foolishly staked my blind because it was easier. My laziness cost me a turkey on that hunt.

After choosing your site and staking your blind, take care of the small details. Use a pruner to trim any small limbs or brush that could deflect an arrow. Carefully and thoroughly study the area for any arrow impediments between you and where you will stake any decoys.

Speaking of decoys, stake them close. I prefer my decoy to be at 10 yards or less, and at an angle to make the gobbler position itself for the best shot. Gobblers approach hens from behind for breeding purposes so keep that mental image when positioning a hen decoy. If you like a rear shot, place the decoy facing away. If you like a broadside shot, place the decoy broadside and if you like a frontal shot, position the decoy straight at you.

If utilizing a tom or jake decoy, keep in mind turkeys typically are confrontational to other males. They will approach from the side or head on. Your male turkey decoy should be staked to ensure that when a male turkey shows up, it still gives you the shot you want as it approaches the decoy. What is the best shot? It depends on your definition, but a head shot, vitals or an anus entry all have the potential to turn any strutting turkey into a Crock Pot guest.