Setting up properly for turkey hunting is crucial to staying concealed, calling in gobblers, and making a successful shot. Here are some detailed tips to help you set up effectively:
1. Location, Location, Location- Set Up Near Roosts: Turkeys often roost in tall trees, usually near water or open fields. Before dawn, set up within 100-200 yards of a known roosting area, so you're ready when they fly down in the morning.
- Near Food and Water Sources: Find areas where turkeys feed, such as fields, food plots, or acorn-rich hardwoods. Turkeys also frequent water sources like creeks and ponds.
- Travel Corridors: Look for well-worn paths or areas where turkeys regularly move between roosting, feeding, and watering spots. Set up along these travel routes to intercept them.
- Camouflage Everything: Turkeys have extremely sharp vision, so full camouflage is essential. Wear a camo pattern that matches your surroundings, including gloves, a facemask, and hat. Avoid shiny or noisy clothing.
- Natural Cover: Use natural surroundings like trees, bushes, or fallen logs for concealment. Choose a tree wider than your shoulders to help break up your outline. Make sure the area in front of you is clear for a shot, but your body remains well hidden.
- Ground Blinds: If you're hunting in an open field or with little natural cover, use a pop-up ground blind. These can be especially useful if you're bowhunting, as they allow for more movement. Set up the blind ahead of time so turkeys become accustomed to it.
- Facing the Right Direction: Set up with your back to a large tree or bush, and face where you expect the turkeys to approach. Avoid setting up in open spaces where you can be easily seen.
- Downwind from Turkeys: Turkeys don't rely on their sense of smell as deer do, but it's still a good idea to position yourself downwind of their travel route to avoid any potential noise being carried toward them.
- Stay in the Shadows: When possible, position yourself in shaded areas to avoid standing out in bright sunlight. Being in shadow helps further break up your outline and reduces glare from your gear or clothing.
- Pre-Dawn Arrival: Get to your spot early, well before the turkeys fly down from their roosts. Arrive at least 30 minutes before sunrise, giving yourself time to get into position quietly without spooking birds.
- Avoid Spooking Birds: Approach your spot cautiously, and avoid making loud noises that could alert nearby turkeys. Turkeys can be spooked easily, so moving quietly is essential.
- Position Decoys in View: Set decoys about 20-30 yards from your position in a spot where approaching turkeys can easily see them. Place them in an open area like a clearing or field edge.
- Hen and Jake Decoys: A combination of a hen decoy (to attract a gobbler) and a jake decoy (to challenge the gobbler's dominance) can be effective during the spring mating season. The gobbler may approach aggressively to confront the jake and claim the hen.
- Decoy Positioning: If you expect a gobbler to approach from a certain direction, angle the decoys to face slightly away from the gobbler's expected route. Gobblers usually approach from behind or the side of decoys, giving you a better shot opportunity.
- Clear Shooting Lanes: Before settling in, make sure your shooting lane is clear. Remove any branches, leaves, or obstacles that could interfere with your shot, especially in the direction you expect the turkey to approach from.
- Sit Comfortably: Turkey hunting often requires long periods of stillness, so find a comfortable seat or use a turkey hunting chair with a low profile. Sitting low helps keep you hidden but still able to see the surrounding area.
- Gun or Bow at the Ready: Keep your shotgun or bow in a ready position where you can quickly raise it for a shot without making too much movement. Rest the shotgun on your knee or lap and have your bow at hand if bowhunting.
- Adjust for Movement: If a turkey changes direction or takes an unexpected route, be prepared to subtly adjust your position. Avoid large movements that could give away your location. Instead, use slow, deliberate adjustments to track the bird's movement.
- Be Ready for Long Waits: Turkeys are cautious and may take their time approaching, especially when they've been pressured by hunters. Stay patient and hold your position without fidgeting or moving around too much.
- Use Natural Terrain for Shelter: On windy days, turkeys are less vocal and may avoid open fields. Set up in sheltered areas like valleys, ridges, or wood lines where they are likely to seek protection from the wind.
- Weather Shifts: Rain can drive turkeys to more open areas like fields where they can see predators approaching. On rainy days, set up near field edges where you can intercept turkeys coming to feed.
- Relocate if Needed: If you're not seeing or hearing birds after a couple of hours, don't be afraid to move. Carefully relocate to a new spot that shows more promising signs of turkey activity.
- Change Your Approach: If you've scouted and know where turkeys are, but they aren't responding to calls or decoys, consider moving closer to their travel routes or trying a different decoy setup.