Hunting woods birds

[MACHINIST]

This year it seems the birds are sticking to the woods most of the day.A normal year for us they would be out in the fields most of the day.This year they are sticking to the woods except for the first half hour/hour of the day.Whats the best strategy to go at them?I have a weekend and one Saturday to make it happen on my last bird and don't want to waste any more time messing around calling to fields when they aren't producing.

[steinea286]

If they roost in the same area every night, slip in behind them in the woods and be where they want to be. Leaves are out most everywhere now so you should be able to set up within 100 yards of the roost. A couple calls so he knows where you are and you should have decent luck. If you know hens are with him, don't call too much because they make take the gobbler away from you. Once your in the woods, you can always circle around to get a head of him. Good luck!

[troutfisher13111]

I have killed almost all of my birds in the woods. One thing I like to do is get a barrier between myself and the bird at about 35 yards from me. A fallen tree, knoll, brush, or whatever is available works. I feel like if the bird thinks he should be able to see a hen and can't they will hang up. This way by the time they are in the line of sight it is too late, they are in range. Also, I don't use decoys at all.

Hope it helps

[MACHINIST]

I usually don't use deeks either and I have had as much or more luck than the people I hunt with.The areas I hunt are blocked farmland,so I have been jumping from block to block to block but the toms don't want to come to the fields.This weekends I think I will just do the opposite and start in the woods and work out to the fields.They roost in the same general area but like I said they are pitching down into the woods except for 2 spots and I already have ambush sights prepped for the next hunt.

[Gooserbat]

Hunt deek free, and I like to use the lay of the land to force a bird to pop over a rise be it a shelf on a hill side or a saddle on a ridge and be 30 or so yards away.