Over the past 2 seasons of turkey hunting, I have tried different tactics in terms of keeping concealed and camo'd.. Last season on one occasion, I basically planted myself at the base of a large tree and had 3 turkey swing by, even quite close (12 yards) but I couldn't take a shot because they were off to my side. I didn't get a chance to swing the gun without the risk of them detecting me. Either way, I don't think the hens and toms that went by new I was there even though I was completely exposed.... they didn't seem nervous at all... On another outing last year, I set up snugged in with branches and grasses, and twigs, etc.. definitely more hidden. Does is really matter? I have read that as long as you are completely still, and camo'd you should be ok.. movement is the most important factor.
Thoughts? Thanks!
I think someone posted the other day ...be more concerned with what the turkey can see than with what you can see. Sit in the shadows if you can. If you are completely in camo but out too much in open it will still be difficult to get your shotgun mounted for the shot or manipulate your calls. If you error , error on the side of being in too much cover vs. not enough.
You still need to be able to make a clear shot.
thanks...
Since i started using a leafy suit, i feel much more comfortable settting up in the open, but i still prefer cover. My favorite is getting in under the low branches of some shrubbery at the base of a good sized tree. I like to be broken up good on rear and sides and a little bit in front, but not so much it obstructs my shot. Find this set up, add a little shade and my leafy suit, and im like a sniper in the grass. Had them within feet of me like that.
Quote from: jakebird on April 23, 2012, 06:56:06 PM
Since i started using a leafy suit, i feel much more comfortable settting up in the open, but i still prefer cover. My favorite is getting in under the low branches of some shrubbery at the base of a good sized tree. I like to be broken up good on rear and sides and a little bit in front, but not so much it obstructs my shot. Find this set up, add a little shade and my leafy suit, and im like a sniper in the grass. Had them within feet of me like that.
Not always easy to find that...
I would say as long as your outline is non existent and you are totally camo you should be ok. But i mean totally camo no white around your eyes hands,wrists.... what i am more concerned about is color, ex you know that orange under armor emblem they put on there camo, no good. I was picked off by a bunch of birds that looked directly at a embroidered turkey on my hat that was no bigger then a silver dollar. Also if your wristwatch shows they see it. All of these examples were learned the hard way.
Mike,
I learned of the wrist watch deal several years ago (in the 80's). I lost a watch after that by fastening the watch to my belt loops. Now I wear long gloves and always check to make sure the watch is covered. I hunt mostly mountains of WV and VA and I almost always hunker down next to a tree that is larger than my shoulders.
Jim
Shadows help a ton, Break up your outline, don't wear colors that stick out like a sore thumb (almost any of the popular camo will do) and sit still...
I've killed them in dark colored work pants, a camo shirt, no gloves, no face mask and with a shiny gun. As long as your outline is broken up and your not sitting in sunlight your fine. Even when they are keyed up, they almost always let you pick up and aim at them. I wouldn't try it if they are very very close, but I've killed birds that were on edge and I needed to switch hands to shoot. I will give up some visibility in favor of cover, but being still is #1.
A lot of the bottoms I hunt are wide open with no cover around the trees and on occasion one will spoke but not sure if its because they see me or because they don't see any other birds. I never use a decoy so it could be that. I always have my gun up on my knees at all times. I hate the thought of getting caught with it in my lap or on the ground so that helps as well when you don't have much cover. I do always try and find a tree that's wider than me but that's not always possible. One thing to remeber is if they're coming and you can see them then don't call because they will pin point you in a heart beat.
To go along with the watch issue, don't forget about your socks. I never wear white socks. One day my brother and I were hunting and I looked over and could see his socks because his pants leg had come up. I bought a bunch or grey and brown socks just for turkey hunting which now I wear tall rubber boots so its not really a problem.
We've had pressured, public land birds all over us this season when we were sitting up against 6" diameter pines. All I've been wearing is green Carharts, a camo buttondown, and of course gloves and a facemask. Don't call when a bird is coming to you and don't move your gun when a bird is facing you.
We were walking and calling one hunt this year and had a bird come over a ridge at 30 yards. I didn't see it but my buddy told me not to move. We stood perfectly still and that gobbler walked right by and had no idea we were standing straight up 25 feet from the closest tree.
I call BS on the birds spooking from an emblem on a hat.
Don't move and you can be wearing a Barney suit and kill them.
That being said, I wear a leafy suit and try to sit against a wide tree to help cover up my movements when a bird doesn't come walking right down my barrel when I'm set up perfectly.
Wnm, I will say it must all be the bird your dealing with. I think hens are more trouble then gobblers. And I myself had a many a standoff with a bird in the middle of a trail that i had to wait until he crossed in front of me so i could drop down for a shot.
But the emblem on my hat was as real as it gets all at once they looked at the emblem. I could see were they were looking.
If a turkey decided he didn't like the emblem on my hat, it'd be the last time he ever had to worry about it because, when they get that close, that emblem is usually pretty tight down toward the business end of my shotgun.
In all seriousness, I can't believe a bird would see a small emblem and spook from that alone. I'd be willing to bet it was your general outline or facial profile that spooked him and not them emblem itself.
Camo matters. With that being said, it's not magical. Being still is more important than the brand of camo you have on your back. Be still, be cautions, and be on target! :anim_25:
Good cover increases success in my experience. Overhanging cover such as low hanging limbs really seems to help hide a hunter very well.
I've killed birds with less than ideal cover but good cover helps quite a bit.
It's been my experience that some birds will see me and get nervous when I think they shouldn't and others will be completely relaxed when I think they should see me easily. Just this year I was against a huge poplar with an old pile of cut firewood that covered about to the middle of my body, vertically (to my left), in deep shade...I'm wearing a shannon bug tamer jacket...Perfect setup right?
Well had one bird come up in back of me and slightly to my left and picked me off right away. I HAD NOT MOVED! Through some confusion tactics, he came home with me but he did see me.
Same setup, within a week...Gobbler (LO-O-O-O-O-O-G beard) comes over a set of railroad tracks straight in front of me. Clear line of sight from him to me...He walks up to within 20 ft. (ft., not yds.) and turns slightly and continues on without a clue I was in his world...
Both of these instances were for all intents the same time of day. Light was the same. I was in EXACTLY the same spot and position.Everything the same except the position of the bird relative to me. Both mature birds...You tell me...
I just try to stay still, stay shaded, and stay calm (while my heart is jumping out of my chest)...If they see me I'll let them move away and as soon as they disappear I'll gobble or scratch and call or make a small commotion. If you do this stuff while they're still unsure that they've seen something, sometimes they'll either return or hold up long enough for a shot...
I try to sit up against a tree with a base wider than my shoulders. I wear full camo and try to sit in the shadows if possible. The most important thing though is turkey huntings #1 rule, SIT STILL!
Quote from: dirt road ninja on April 24, 2012, 01:52:16 PM
I've killed them in dark colored work pants, a camo shirt, no gloves, no face mask and with a shiny gun. As long as your outline is broken up and your not sitting in sunlight your fine. Even when they are keyed up, they almost always let you pick up and aim at them. I wouldn't try it if they are very very close, but I've killed birds that were on edge and I needed to switch hands to shoot. I will give up some visibility in favor of cover, but being still is #1.
I will go along with this. I actually think more birds get away because folks give em more credit than they actually deserve.
Being still is the key. Also, terrain plays a huge factor. If I can be concealed and not give up visibility, then I will go for cover. But, I have killem em pinned up against a barbed wire fence out in the wide open. You have got to be where you can kill them. Killed one this year sitting in the middle of ankle high grass in a cow pasture--but terrain was the factor there.
I never understand folks that say they had em at 25 yards and couldn't get their gun up and let em walk away. You ain't gonna kill em by uglyin em to death--take a chance. Even if you spook em, you weren't gonna kill em by just watchin. Never try to fast draw one, but SLOWLY ease your gun up. Chances are they will see it, but a lot of the time it even helps by makin em lift their head and stand still.
Quote from: Hooksfan on June 30, 2012, 10:46:10 AM
Quote from: dirt road ninja on April 24, 2012, 01:52:16 PM
I've killed them in dark colored work pants, a camo shirt, no gloves, no face mask and with a shiny gun. As long as your outline is broken up and your not sitting in sunlight your fine. Even when they are keyed up, they almost always let you pick up and aim at them. I wouldn't try it if they are very very close, but I've killed birds that were on edge and I needed to switch hands to shoot. I will give up some visibility in favor of cover, but being still is #1.
I will go along with this. I actually think more birds get away because folks give em more credit than they actually deserve.
Being still is the key. Also, terrain plays a huge factor. If I can be concealed and not give up visibility, then I will go for cover. But, I have killem em pinned up against a barbed wire fence out in the wide open. You have got to be where you can kill them. Killed one this year sitting in the middle of ankle high grass in a cow pasture--but terrain was the factor there.
I never understand folks that say they had em at 25 yards and couldn't get their gun up and let em walk away. You ain't gonna kill em by uglyin em to death--take a chance. Even if you spook em, you weren't gonna kill em by just watchin. Never try to fast draw one, but SLOWLY ease your gun up. Chances are they will see it, but a lot of the time it even helps by makin em lift their head and stand still.
I'll agree to a point. Sometimes they'll seem to not see you when they should. I've been wide open and had them come or not react...As far as moving when a bird has a line of sight to me...Generally I won't move. I'll usually let the bird go and try to call him back. It's been my experience that an alarmed bird is usually a missed bird. Once they start ducking and running, I usually miss.
I have a friend who is fairly successful at moving when they're looking at him but for me, not so much...
I'm pretty successful doing it this way...I like for that bird to be looking for that hen he heard calling him one minute and the next playing cards with his turkey buddies in turkey heaven talking about that clap of thunder :)
I prefer they didn't have a clue I was there...
One thing that is a luxury to have is a good cedar tree that you can sit up under.
I hunt everything under one if I can find it. Usually the low hanging branches provide great cover for movement, the area underneath is dark and just dirt around the base (makes a difference when deer hunting).
What I do is scout out my hunting area well before season and make note of any brush piles or cedars that will provide great cover while I am hunting. That way, if I am moving through and a gobbler sounds off, I know where all of the cover spots are and move accordingly. That way everything is ready to go.
You can never be too concealed.
When given the option I would always take more concealment unless it effects my shooting. Movement is your worst enemy. I've been stuck many times against a not so perfect tree in big timber and it worked out fine.
Quote from: WNM on April 26, 2012, 09:59:44 AM
I call BS on the birds spooking from an emblem on a hat.
Generally, I agree with you on this point, but I believe that this one has some validity.
He said that the birds picked out the orange UA logo and started getting antsy. While I doubt that turkeys are concerned about effective corporate branding in the marketplace, this logo is a little different. An orange colored UnderArmour logo looks remarkable like the eye of a cat (bobcat?), complete with the vertical slit. Animals, particularly those who are usually prey, are very sensitive to the detection of eyes and these hens may have thought they they had spotted a bobcat's eye watching them from the shadows.
FC
I use ground blinds. either a full tent like blind with windows or a simple two man ground barrier fully camo. Both give me ample time to get my gun swung in the bird's direction without being seen. :fud:
gh
I've had birds walk right past me while wearing carhearts and an orange vest while deer hunting. But, I've also had them booger out while fully camoed and covered up. In the end I would say movement is the biggest factor.
I hunt blind birds. ;D
Quote from: charlie on July 30, 2012, 09:06:26 PM
I hunt blind birds. ;D
Hmm, and where is this magical place.. ;D
I dont think that the latest and greatest camo pattern out there is a necessity. Look at what the old timers wore in the past and still killed birds. Shadows and breaking up your outline is a big bonus to not getting busted. I hunt in North Louisiana and we have miles and miles of pine forest that is owned by timber companies. Most of the time a pine tree isn't gonna get big enough to hide you and break up your outline, especially for a big boy like me. If I'm walking around trying to strike up a conversation with a bird, before I call I always look around me to see if there is a good spot to jump into quickly if that bird is really close when he answers. Once in a while it happens that way and you can be caught off guard. When I do set up, I pull out everything that I think I may need and put it where it is easily accessible. Once he answers and sounds like he's coming my way, I'll set down everything except my gun and mouth call. After that, I play the "Freeze" game like we did when we were little kids. I think that is more important than anything else is just being still and having your gun already up ready to go.
Movement will get you busted more than camo. I don't wear gloves unless its cold and rarely a face mask. I just pull the bill of my cap low.
In my experience, if I don't move when they are looking at me they may notice Im something out of place but they don't spook. Every time one has busted me and left its because I moved something. May be a barrel turning, or a hand setting a call down but i moved.
we are blessed down here w/ plenty of palmetto frons to make a good hide with if you sit....i take time and make a hide that i feel i can move in without being seen when i wake up from dozing....also big enough to swing the gun and hide my boots so i can wiggle my toes without the turkeys seeing that.
Well, i'll say one thing. With all this talk about those bright logos on your hat, when I was in Bass Pro the other day buying a few things for spring, i remembered this thread and i walked right around those under armour hats, and right to the rack full of off brands with dull logos or none at all...if i could spot those logos from across the store, i know a bird could. Regardless of what they think it is, if my head moved it would be like flashing a neon sign. Sorry folks, but that trendy, bright logo may impress your buddies and make the guys on tv look cool, but i dont think it belongs on a serious turkey hunting hat...
A lot of those fancy logos have UV brighteners in them too, which make them even brighter to the turkey's eyes than they are to ours. And the brighter something is, or the sharper the contrast with the background, the easier it will be to detect any slight movement. I've tested all my camo with a little hand held black light and been surprised how much some of it glowed, and not just the logos either.
Shiny stuff is in the woods. Slow deliberate movements or no movement. I have killed a pile wearing that UA hat!
Mix up your camo.
I wear mossyoak bottomland on my torso and mossy oak obsession pants. I think it helps create depth and works extremely well if I'm forced to accept a shadowless tree.
Movement is critical. Once a bird indicates he is coming, my gun goes up on my knee, my hand gets positioned on the fore end, and I get my head down on the butt stock. I'll sit there motionless anticipating his arrival so I'm ahead of the game once he shows up.
Also, get a low profile on the tree. Sit so you knees and shoulders are aligned with your rear end a good distance away from the base.
Shade is your best friend. On cloudy days, you will need much more cover. Make sure nothing will get in the way of moving your gun.
I do the best with what I'm given. (Relating to cover)
I hunt pretty mobile and just try to find a perch wide enough to conceal my outline. Sometimes I gotta just make due.
I agree that movement is they key. The best way I have heard it explained is that turkeys see in 2D, like a photograph. Imagine looking at a photo and seeing something move, how badly that would stick out.That helps explain how easily turkeys key in on movement.
I don't worry about it much actually. If I can get under a tree with low hanging limbs I will, but I always keep a pair of clippers in my vest to cut down some bushes to stick up in front of me.
I am going to either buy or make a ghillie suit this year and I am not going to worry about cover.
movement is key, yes backdrop, shade, etc. make a difference, but most times you could stand up and a turkey will walk right by you as long as you don't move. Obviously the better your outline is broken up, and the deeper the shadow you're sitting in, the better.
My tip of the day, there should be no such thing as having a bird walk right by you without "getting a shot". swing on the bird, even if its gonna see you. most times they just freeze for several seconds offering you a shot. I've had plenty of birds come in from my right side, where I couldn't shoot them. I'll wait until they are in an clear lane, the more open the better, then I pivot on my knee and fire.
Thats why I don't shoot anything but a bead. sights and scopes make it a lot harder to do this.
Quote from: skos29 on February 12, 2013, 01:05:29 PM
Movement is key #1. Camo color or camoflage is immaterial period. Sit still and have a good field of view and open lanes of fire and you will kill turkeys. I wear a old pair of faded green Carhardtt pants and jacket most of the time and have birds walk past me comsistany. Camoflage is way overated for turkey hunting.
agreed. I hunt a lot of the time with khaki carhartts and a brown plaid shirt. The best turkey hunter i've ever known never wore a facemask or owned any camo.
Wear camo, don't move and have your gun up on your knees.