Helpful Tips and Tricks

[Tom007]

Another tip I learned is while your walking and calling (trolling for gobblers), I always stop before each call and pick out a quick set-up spot/tree. Too many times I made a call in a bad spot on the trail and had no good backdrop. Now, If I hear a gobble, I know I can make a quick move to a pre-determined spot close to me. This is critical if your response is real close to your position.......

[paboxcall]

Easy way to estimate 40 yards.

Simple to know what is 3 feet or 1 yard right in front of you. Take that distance and do it five more times to get to 5 yards from your set up tree.

Then double that distance to 10 yards. Then add that distance again to get to 20 yards, then again from the spot to get to 30 yards, then again for estimate for your maximum 40 yards.

Check yourself with a range finder if you are carrying one, or after the hunt is over stand up and step it off. Practice makes perfect.

[GobbleNut]

I kill a lot of birds standing up, especially in steep terrain, those birds that go past you out of sight sitting on the ground are dead meat, and you see them coming much easier!

Standing in a pine or cedar or on the back side of a larger hard wood tree, only thing sticking out is half your head and your gun, they have no clue your there!

Great hint!  We've talked about this tactic before, and it is a hint that everybody should consider when they are setting up on a bird.  Before going into "sit down with your back against a tree" mode, always take time to consider the terrain and ground-level cover and make your decision about sitting or standing based on what is the best course of action in each situation. 

As Dtrkyman says, there are times when sitting rather than standing in the wrong situation will cost you birds if you hunt long enough.   

[Cut N Run]

Carry some thin wire or zip ties in your vest, because sometimes it is better to have a limb tied out of the way and use it for cover than to snip it off. On some public land it is against the regulations to cut vegetation.  I have also pulled a small tree top over slightly, then wired it to another tree to give me shade where there hadn't been enough to start with.  This really helps on a spot you intend to return to hunt from in the future. 

Jim

[guesswho]

I've mentioned it for years but haven't in the last couple of years.  Late season is a prime time to resort to gobbler talk.   During late season, especially in the south, a lot of gobblers are as interested in getting the ole gang (survivors) back together as they are hen, if not more so.    Another tip along this same train of thought.   You or a buddy kills one half of a dynamic duo.   That survivor is really vulnerable to gobbling and or gobbler yelps for the next several days. 

[ScottTaulbee]

If you use pot calls, take a mouth call container, one of the single ones, and cut your piece of scotch brite and your sand paper just big enough to fit in there. You can also add a thin stone if you like those. It's completely quiet and doesn't take up as much room as a primos slick stick or having everything separate.


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[snoman4]

Three tomato stakes cut down to 40" and sharpened on one end...camo burlap 32" wide by 12 foot long.  Staple the burlap to all 3 stakes with a staple gun....roll it up and you have an easily portable quick blind for running and gunning. 

Another trick is piece of hog panel bent into a half square cut windows into each section.  Cover in camo or vegetation of your choice.  It is light and portable and can be moved easily.

A photo of a palmetto covered hog panel.

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[Wigsplitter]

I keep green scotch bright on a safety pin on the inside of my vest for quick striker tip cleanups - saves digging in the vest - another tip - the bird looks his best right after you kill him - pictures are better in the woods to me than in the back of the truck - take time and enjoy the moment!

[WildTigerTrout]

Another tip I learned is while your walking and calling (trolling for gobblers), I always stop before each call and pick out a quick set-up spot/tree. Too many times I made a call in a bad spot on the trail and had no good backdrop. Now, If I hear a gobble, I know I can make a quick move to a pre-determined spot close to me. This is critical if your response is real close to your position.......

This is very important.  I do the same thing. 

[Sir-diealot]

Another tip I learned is while your walking and calling (trolling for gobblers), I always stop before each call and pick out a quick set-up spot/tree. Too many times I made a call in a bad spot on the trail and had no good backdrop. Now, If I hear a gobble, I know I can make a quick move to a pre-determined spot close to me. This is critical if your response is real close to your position.......

This is very important.  I do the same thing.

I used to do this before my car accident.

[Greg Massey]

You can usually watch Goodwill and get you nice camera tripod for less than 10 dollars and buy you one of those shooting adapters off Ebay for a tripod and make you a pretty nice portable shooting rest ...

[Tsgman]

Try to learn when a bird makes particular calls, so your situation and call sequence makes sense to the Tom.  I could be wrong here, but for instance I never hear them purr after louder yelping,  they always purr, cluck and maybe soft yep if they are going to yelp at all in that situation.  If a fight breaks out it is totally different though.
Timing is just as important, if not more important than sound quality,  as long as you don't sound like a dog Barking.

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[Notsoyoungturk]

I keep green scotch bright on a safety pin on the inside of my vest for quick striker tip cleanups - saves digging in the vest

Great idea.  I just sewed a piece of scotch bright to some velcro.  I wrapped it around the strap of my Glenda Green satchel for quick access.

[West Augusta]

I keep green scotch bright on a safety pin on the inside of my vest for quick striker tip cleanups - saves digging in the vest

Great idea.  I just sewed a piece of scotch bright to some velcro.  I wrapped it around the strap of my Glenda Green satchel for quick access.

Get a mini carabiner, punch a hole in a piece of 150, 60 grit emery cloth, and a piece of green scotch brite and hang on the outside of your vest.  You don't want to be looking for it when you need it. 

[Greg Massey]

Change out the thin carry strap from a turkey chair and replace it with a cheap wider/padded gun sling ...