Backyard birds

[jrfelkins]

While I was blessed to get a nice bird with my scatter gun I have one spot that I'm allowed to hunt that is now only. There I use decoys because my understanding is that I've got to get them to line up looking away from me to shoot. I'm using a half blind. I'm not opposed to a box blind but I don't have one. The thing is it seems like these backyard birds are actually repelled by decoys. What would y'all suggest for next year? Thanks!

[Tail Feathers]

Hunting without decoys may be a good option.  They don't necessarily have to be looking away from you, they rarely will be.  When you're sure he's coming, stop calling.  He will come in looking, have the gun up facing where you think he will come from.  Of course they don't always come in like you think, but it's a good place to start.  You want to minimize gun movement to line up the shot.  Sometimes it's easy, sometimes you have to move it like molasses in the winter.

[jrfelkins]

Thank you! Would you amend that at all for a bow? I'm hunting this spot with my recurve per property owner not allowing guns. Thanks!

[Tail Feathers]

Bow hunting is usually done with decoys to help focus their attention away from the draw motion.
What I described would be pretty darn hard with a bow.  You can get them in, but getting a decent shot with a bow and no decoys is very difficult.  If you get one to come in looking and strutting, you may get the shot when he turns away. 

[jrfelkins]

Thank you!

[jrfelkins]

Should I move this post to the Learning to Turkey Hunt Board?

[joey46]

No.  Most just do a quick scan for something interesting. Some sub forums are pretty desolate places.  There is one very good recurve poster here.   Look for CaptJJ's post.  Good luck.

[zelmo1]

Post is fine here bro. Using a bow , in my opinion, calls for decoys. There are a lot of things that need to happen for you to get a shot. Knowing your yardage exactly and having them stationary is paramount. Set it up so you take every advantage possible. Be in the shade, decoys placed so the bird will be facing your preferred shot angle, etc. Good luck and practice hard. Z

[Dougas]

I am very much not a fan of decoy use for myself, however,  I findyself not opposed to the use of decoys and pop-up blinds for youths and BOW HUNTERS. I have seen it done plenty of times without decoys, but way too difficult for the average bowhunter in my opinion.

[joey46]

Just a thought. Without trying to look like a PETA person the main problem with bow hunting anything is that if the hunter isn't skilled and practices often wounding can be a problem.  When my bow skills diminished due to age my bow was given away. Since you are on private property where firearms are prohibited, if legal, think about a crossbow.  Even the word "crossbow" often triggers some into a frenzy but having started my hunting life in a crossbow friendly state (Ohio) where many older hunters stayed in the bowhunting game when switching over to one. At reasonable turkey range they are deadly and don't require the movement needed to draw.  Good luck.

[eggshell]

I second Joey's recommendation of a crossbow. You'll be far less likely to wound and lose a gobbler

[jrfelkins]

Appreciate it, y'all. I'm not a crossbow guy. Regarding injuring and/or losing birds my approach to this is to only attempt head shots with a Bullhead type broadhead. I either miss or make a quick kill. I'm with y'all and i don't think that's a PETA mindset. I see it as respect. Thanks!

I'm back to my OG issue. These birds don't seem to be interested in decoys. I wonder if they "know" everyone in their flock and are put off by "strangers?"

[joey46]

Get a Funky Chicken decoy or any half strut Jake and put him over a breeding hen.  If that doesn't work - punt. Good luck. Do you have any season left?

[jrfelkins]

thanks! I have the 1/2 strut. I'll try the funky chicken! Thanks! We are done this year...