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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2006 9:55:38 GMT -5
I have never hunted this deep into the season before. What is the best set up strategy for the last week of the season. Also, how much or little should I call, if at all even? What about decoys?
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Post by eelriver on May 8, 2006 15:19:28 GMT -5
I've heard it both ways.......some people have told me to call very little don't move around much, others have said you have to get aggressive, call often, and if you get a response be mobile go to them quickly.  I will be interested to hear what people say. |
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Post by 10point on May 8, 2006 15:49:59 GMT -5
I have killed birds several times on the last weekend and really just hunt the same way which is normally sitting along a field edge with a decoy or two doing light calling every 15 minutes or so.
I kiled my biggest bird in PA on May 20th one year sitting on a field edge calling every once in a while. He came in silent. I am going back for another late season hunt next week. Plan to do a lot of sitting unless I hear them gobbling.
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Post by songdog on May 8, 2006 17:07:05 GMT -5
Most of the turkey hunters who normally run and gun settle down during the last week of the season and hunt like 10point on the edge of a field with a decoy and call softly using soft clucks and purrs . I some how can not make myself do that and I think that is probably why I have walked out of the woods too mant times on the last day with the air bird over my shoulder.
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Post by hunter480 on May 8, 2006 17:25:31 GMT -5
You have to figure these birds that are left have been pushed and have heard all kinds of calls, so I believe they get pretty sensitive to too much calling, or being crowded.
Don`t know where you`re hunting, but if you know the lay of the land, and know how the birds use it, set up in a dusting area, call very sparingly, and ask the good Lord for a hand.
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Post by hunter7x on May 9, 2006 7:11:18 GMT -5
all sounds like good advise.
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Post by mbogo on May 9, 2006 7:35:28 GMT -5
Being aggressive can work late in the season on birds that haven't been pressured a lot, but louder and more frequent calling is not what I mean by being aggressive. Most people call too much and too loud as it is. You need to get as close as possible to the birds and don't be afraid to move.
A well thought out ambush with little or no calling could be your best bet on pressured birds. Many toms have a preferred strutting area which they visit almost daily whenever they are not with hens. These places make a good place to set up an ambush and a little soft calling in an area that the tom already wants to go to only increases your odds.
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Post by Indyhunter on May 9, 2006 8:50:50 GMT -5
I don't think the last week of the season any different than the first. You find a bird, you find out what gets him fired up, and if nothing seems to work then you throw everything in your arsenal at him. If your not finding any birds then you find a nice field or clearing, setup, and call now and then. I don't believe it is any different than the first week. It may require more patience, but I don't think any adjustment in calling or setup etc is necesssary. Just my opinion.
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Post by semisneak on May 10, 2006 16:16:40 GMT -5
Stay in the woods all day. When that lonely tom gobbles you will be there to hear it and make a move. I would hunt them as usual , agressive on my set up and soft on the calling. If they are not gobbling I would stay on a field and call softly. I would not try the run and gun tactic. Good luck.
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Post by dec on May 12, 2006 15:11:05 GMT -5
Well, they are still strutting. I saw two long beards in a freshly planted corn field that I have permission to hunt, just yesterday. They were strutting their stuff for a lone hen in howling winds and pouring rain. Later in the day, I went out and found their grubby little foot prints on where the went into and out of the field. They've been in the field nearly every day this week, so I know my plan for tomorrow morning. Set up the blind along the edge of the field, stake out one hen decoy, sit, shut up, and wait them out.
Also, today, I was driving back from Michigan and saw a lone gobbler in full strut out in a field in POURING down rain. I did not see any other birds around him.
Their still active. I just think that around here, the hunting pressure has given them a case of lock jaw.
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Post by Woody Williams on May 12, 2006 15:36:17 GMT -5
They are still killable.
Your plan will work.
Just takes patience AND luck..
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Post by hoosierwilk on May 12, 2006 16:54:00 GMT -5
Depends on where your hunting imo. If your lucky enough to be hunting birds that havn't been hunted you can probably get away with just about anything. Aggressive, soft, whatever. Personaly I would start soft then crank it up. I'm not a fan of decoys but wouldn't be afraid to try it in this situation. On the other hand, if your hunting birds that have been hunted, like most everybody is, I would tone it down. A little calling every half and hour or so. A few clucks and maybe a few yelps. I would keep the decoys in the vest and if you can move and call without be detected, that's worked really well for me. Just like a real hen moving around a little. You never know whats going to work so don't be afraid to try anything. The birds will let you know how your doing. hw
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