How to set up near small roosting woodlots?

[Ridgerunner7]

I have this area that is just loaded with turkeys.  The wood lot I can hunt is 5 acres and holds some turkeys that roost.  They come out to the adjacent field and can be seen all hours of the day there.  I typically set up my ASAT blind right near the woods edge near where they've been strutting.  With the timber so small I'm worried I'll blow birds off the roost if I set up too close.  How close do you think I can get in the dark and set up?

Would a better tactic be to set up 200 yards away with some dekes and call them when they fly down to reduce the risk of spooking them?  I've never seen them more than 100 yards from that small woodlot.

[Spring_Woods]

Have you spooked birds before trying to get setup there?

[Ridgerunner7]

Just got permission. Never hunted it.  Been glassing from 400 yards away.

[jakebird]

You shouldnt have to worry as long as its good and dark. A bright moon may blow it for you, though. Otherwise, id plan on getting there very early and dont cross the middle of an open field, even in darkness. Stick close to the timbered edges and move slow. Get in to where they have been feeding in the fields and put out your dekes. Dont call while theyre still in the tree, and you shouldnt have to call much to bring them where they already want to be. A word of advice is dont sit right at the edge. Stay a couple yards inside but where you have a good shot. Good cover will help keep you undetected by many sets of eyes. Good luck!

[Ridgerunner7]

This small woodlot is surrounded by open field.  I'll have to cross some sort of field to reach it.  There is a tree line 200 yards away I could set up in and try to call them over maybe?

[Spring_Woods]

This small woodlot is surrounded by open field.  I'll have to cross some sort of field to reach it.  There is a tree line 200 yards away I could set up in and try to call them over maybe?

No. Don't try calling them some place they may not want to go.

Bring the hunt to them and setup 1.5 hours before daylight.

[Mike Honcho]

Ridge Runner I agree with Spring Woods and Jakebird ...go very early use the darkness and take your time getting in , take slow deliberate steps if you have to to avoid making noise (walk like an Indian).   I had the same question you did in past...should I try to call them over 200 yds...my experience did not pan out doing this...I've been more productive scouting roost sites and getting up extra early to get in.  So far I'm 1 for 2 on set ups like this for 2012...first time worked perfect even though the tom had several hens with him.  2nd time about 3 miles away at another place the tom had 4 hens with him and they drug him off another direction after flying down 70 yards from me.

Good Luck and keep us posted on your results!

[Hootowl]

Has alot of similarity's of what I hunt although Where I hunt its some what Larger about 27 acers, But I have to pay close attention to where the Birds are roosted at. When I get out of the truck I let things settled down, and most often I hear them up in there Roosting trees, there are more that 25 birds, sometimes if they have roosted in the Back of the wood lot I have to sneak down along the field edge, with no Light at all, and make a 250 yard walk down a picked corn field, and the walk into the woods about another 35 yards, and I have to be on stealth Mode then, I set up, sometimes I take my DoubleBull Blind, when rain is Comming? I have busted Deer before and think the Jig is Over, as they snort and wheeze, all through the woods. Sometimes if they Pitch to the oppsite field, then I have to call alitttle more, and then its a Longer wait, But its usually filled with Hens and Gobbles, which keep the excitement at a High Level. But I may of lost this Honey Hole after hunting it Now going on 4 years, Iam just about to cry when I think about Sharing or not hunting it at all? I will find out in a few Days, But the other Guy, has never Hunted Turkey, and he just went to the Land owner, one day and asked, and was giving permission? I have know idea who it is other than what the land owner told me. But I do have to hunt this spot like what you were describing about yours, Best of Luck, And I sure hope it works out for you. about my problem I have no other place to Hunt, and If I do have to share, I may just wait and hope he bags a Bird on opening day. Or I can drive 3 hr's South and Hunt Public land.