Set Up?

[TheMadCatter]

So, I'll be heading to this area next week for my last Turkey hunt. Where should I set up? A friend will be set up somewhere else. I've found that they like the eastern side of the creek better than the western side. What Dekes do you normally use? I have 2 hens and a jake available.



This is what I've been hunting, it really sucks. Maybe 3 different Toms in the area and they're old. I've seen 9 hens in a group with 2 Toms, the Toms are either walking to hens or with hens all the time and won't stop for 1 hen deke. Shot my 'Yote in this field.

(South of it is 200+ acres of Timber) this is only 1 mile or so from my house and nobody believed me when I said there were Turkeys around.

 

[oldgene]

Whatever you do is usually wrong I have found. I will be using my jake and hen set up, but I do worry that using the jake may drive some toms away that are tired of fighting. Good luck, and if you figure it all out let the rest of us know.

 

[risto2351]

Whatever you do is usually wrong I have found. I will be using my jake and hen set up, but I do worry that using the jake may drive some toms away that are tired of fighting. Good luck, and if you figure it all out let the rest of us know.

Good point Gene. Same setup I will use all season long.

I do believe that as the hens start to sit 24/7 they will

be on the prowl and will want to kick the Jake's butt.

Good luck.

 

[Shoot2Kill]

If you can, go out there the morning prior to when you are hunting and just sit down and listen to where they are on the roost (keep your distance) they are usually pretty close to the same area every morning unless someone or something forces them out of their comfort zone. Hard to say by looking at an aerial where exactly they'll be.

The terrain where I live makes it hard to roost birds at night so I start going out as many mornings as I can prior to when I hunt to pin point the most common roost spots. If I can I will then take my blind and decoys in the afternoon prior to hunting and get set up as close to the roost as I feel comfortable so come time to hunt I can sneak in and not make a peep and have birds all around me - worked flawlessly on 3 birds this year shot at 6:08, 7:10, and 7:35. Get in close and you don't have to wait all morning for them to make their way to your set up and get sidetracked by those annoying live hens!

Good luck man.

 

[SEIowaDeerslayer]

If you can, go out there the morning prior to when you are hunting and just sit down and listen to where they are on the roost (keep your distance) they are usually pretty close to the same area every morning unless someone or something forces them out of their comfort zone. Hard to say by looking at an aerial where exactly they'll be.

The terrain where I live makes it hard to roost birds at night so I start going out as many mornings as I can prior to when I hunt to pin point the most common roost spots. If I can I will then take my blind and decoys in the afternoon prior to hunting and get set up as close to the roost as I feel comfortable so come time to hunt I can sneak in and not make a peep and have birds all around me - worked flawlessly on 3 birds this year shot at 6:08, 7:10, and 7:35. Get in close and you don't have to wait all morning for them to make their way to your set up and get sidetracked by those annoying live hens!

Good luck man.

X2...this late in the season you need to get in the bedroom with them if you want to kill one in the morning. You'll get intercepted by live hens if you stay too far from the roost.

 

[THA4]

Its already been said, but scouting, scouting and more scouting... The very best thing you can do is get out there a couple days ahead of time and listen... Then when it's time to hunt move in as close as you can within reason and give him a few quiet yelps...

Good luck!

 

[turkeyriver]

Remember one thing. In nature, the hens go to the toms. Point is, if a tom answers your call, don't call back to him too much. He has to think the hen doesn't know where he is to keep him coming your way. That and him thinking another tom is beating him to the punch. One rule I've come to live by is, always call a little less often than you think you should.

 

[risto2351]

Another tactic to possibly use is sleep in.

Get out there around 9 or 10. Hunt the rest of the day.

With the hens laying eggs and soon to be sitting on nests the afternoon should

be a great time to hunt.