How to Bowhunt Turkeys Without a Blind
So if you’re ready to ditch the blind and make more of a mobile approach to tag your turkey this spring, read on. Below you’ll find a short list on how to bowhunt turkeys without a blind this spring, with insight from avid bowhunter and turkey thumper, Mike Hunsucker from Heartland Bowhunter.
Bowhunting without the use of a blind comes down to 3 main factors. Calls, concealment, and decoy setup. Below, we’ll take a closer look at these, and how Hunsucker prefers to set up for gobblers each spring. We’ll also wrap up with a look at the #1 mistake hunters make when attempting to tag their tom with a bow.
Decoys – Where Should You Put Them?
Some hunters love decoys. Other hunters hate them. But when it comes to killing your bird with a bow, decoys are a game changer. But where should you place your decoys for the best success?
“I like to put them right around 20 yards when hunting without a blind,” says Hunsucker. “I don’t want them too close but want them close enough for a good lethal shot. Also, most people’s top pin is 20, so you know exactly where you are hitting. When hunting with a pop-up, I recommend people put the decoys super close, like 5-10 yards. With the blind concealing so much of the movement, you can get away with so much more and having a shot that close increases the odds of an ethical kill. But when hunting without a blind, it’s best to put some distance between you and the decoys so approaching turkeys don’t pick you out.”
Camo & Concealment
As mentioned above, a ground blind works wonders when it comes to concealment. But when you decide to ditch the blind and hunt in the open, your camo and concealment are of the utmost importance. A gobbler in bow range will pick you out in the blink of an eye. It’s imperative that you melt into the landscape with adequate camo and cover. Consider your camo. Does it have the same drab colors as the landscape around you? Does it enable you to blend into the tree you’re sitting against. The same light patterns you wear while in the treestand, or hunting out west aren’t likely gonna work here. Make sure you have the camo to blend in well, and don’t neglect your face and hands.
Calling
There’s no substitute for being in the right place at the right time. Turkey hunting is largely about location. But don’t underestimate the power of a timely turkey call to help close the deal on a prospective gobbler in the area. Saying the right thing, at just the right time, can make all the difference in a bird walking away, or riding home in the back of your truck.
“Calling is a crucial part of being successful while turkey hunting,” says Hunsucker. “So much comes into play with the particular birds you’re hunting, the area you are hunting, and the hunting pressure the area has experienced. Knowing when to call, when not to call, and when to get aggressive can make all the difference in tagging a bird or going home empty handed. These are all things learned through experience. Over the years, you learn how to judge the body language and receptiveness of a gobbler.”
#1 Mistake Turkey Hunters Make
The deadliest tactic in any hunter’s bag of tricks can’t be bought off a store shelf. it’s gotta be earned. They call it, patience. Few hunters have it. Those that do will kill turkeys when nobody else does.
“There will be lulls in the activity, and you’ll often find birds that are tight lipped,” says Hunsucker. “That’s when being patient and waiting out a stubborn gobbler can be extremely rewarding. The morning roost hunt is obviously the most exciting time to hunt with all of the calling activity and interaction. But one of the most effective times to call one in is late morning when the hens leave the gobblers and head to nests. Patience will be required to wait out these birds.”
Notching your turkey with a bow without a ground blind won’t come easy. It takes plenty of patience and a renewed focus on your calling, concealment, and decoy placement. Apply the words of wisdom from Michael Hunsucker above to your game plan this spring and watch the excitement level of your turkey hunt rise to a new level.
Be sure to check out Heartland Bowhunter’s latest season of their Full Strut series in the video below. Also, take a look at their new Bow Ready Bow Stand, designed to keep your bow at the ready when you’re waiting out your bird. BOW READY BOW STAND
