My Opening Day

[Hootowl]

Well I got in the woods about 45 minutes early, Went in Blind, But New the Turkey would come at sometime. Right about daylight I here a Gobble, and as it got liter the more he Gobbled, hever could see him, But I knew he Had to be down on the ground, Because it sounded as he was comming to my Lite Calls. This gobbling went on for about 45 minutes, He never showed himself, I just wounded if he had Hen's with him, Do you guys think he will be back in the area tomorrow, I may try and get setup Closer. I never really called alot, But I knew he was just out of Sight.

Hoot

I want to Kill  this Bird, He did the same thing Last year, Showed up Opening Day, Gobbled his Head off But would never come into sight.....what Can I do to seal the deal

[Spring_Woods]

Sure give it a shot! Maybe setup where he headed? Or try to get closer to his roost area?

[Punisher]

If he is basically flying out in the same general direction I would get in early and set up in the most possible path I think he is going to take.  Pre-hunt scouting helps as far as knowing his routines.  I would put out a hen decoy and some kind of gobbler decoy, preferably a strutter, where it be visible to him after flydown, or if possible to do without bumping him, while he is on the roost.  Then I would sit there and not make a sound.  Let him hit the ground before you do anything.  If he seems to be coming your way just be quite and let the decoys do their job.  If he is not coming toward you give him just some soft clucks and purrs to make him aware of your presence and hope for the best.  Not the most glorious or action packed way to kill a gobbler, but it has worked for me numerous times.  For example: this past Sunday.  I set up so close to the gobbler on the roost that I could here him spitting and drumming on the limb.  He pitched out in the field with his hens,  strutted in to the decoys,  and then I ended the show.  I never called to him.  
I wouldn't put alot of pressure on him just yet.  Try to find out his routines.  Don't let him learn he is being hunted.  You can always get more aggressive later in the season.  Good luck.

[guesswho]

Be mobile.  Move several times keeping a safe distance, if he's still interested then move in tight if possible.  Pick what you think will be your final set-up carefully.

[Hootowl]

I feel he's only maybe 75 to 100 yards I feel Like if I move he will bust me, I was doing some soft Clucks, and he would gobble. I think he is roosting in the Big trees in the Back of the woods, I may try and slip down the field edge and then Move into where I think he is Strutting, I dont think he was with Hens, But I cant be sure. Thanks for the Help. Cant get back to him till monday.



Hoot

[indybeard]

My opening day & today was a blank! No gobbling at all, no birds anywhere. The farmers plowed up the fields that I hunt around & I think the birds got away from the all the ruckus for awhile.Gonna try again saturday. I stopped on the road across from the field on the way home this evening & heard a gobble back up in the woods,so I think they're on the way back.

[Turkey Call Maker]

Scout and hear....  if you hear him heading in one direction all of the time...   try to set up some where in between the roost and his strut grounds.... good luck!

[Hootowl]

Turkey Call Maker,
                              I fill that I have figured out there strut zone, and will give it a Go, Next week if I can, I plan on getting in way early and get set up, I may just go with a Jake decoy and a Hen? Iam not real sure as what decoys to use if any? But I fill that decoys give me that confidence I need? Iam going to try and get as close to the roost tree as possible, I will skirt down the edge of the field and then in abot 100 yards, and sit and wait, Hopefully they fly down in my lap. I need to pratice on my tree calling, Just a few to let him know Iam there. Any Tips?

[Punisher]

I would not call to him until he hits the ground.  I always like to wait and see what the gobbler is going to do.  Another point is where I hunt there is moderate to high hunting pressure on the turkeys so I don't like them gobbling any more than they have to so as not to attract another hunter.

[ridgerunner]

If he is basically flying out in the same general direction I would get in early and set up in the most possible path I think he is going to take.  Pre-hunt scouting helps as far as knowing his routines.  I would put out a hen decoy and some kind of gobbler decoy, preferably a strutter, where it be visible to him after flydown, or if possible to do without bumping him, while he is on the roost.  Then I would sit there and not make a sound.  Let him hit the ground before you do anything.  If he seems to be coming your way just be quite and let the decoys do their job.  If he is not coming toward you give him just some soft clucks and purrs to make him aware of your presence and hope for the best.  Not the most glorious or action packed way to kill a gobbler, but it has worked for me numerous times.  For example: this past Sunday.  I set up so close to the gobbler on the roost that I could here him spitting and drumming on the limb.  He pitched out in the field with his hens,  strutted in to the decoys,  and then I ended the show.  I never called to him.  
I wouldn't put alot of pressure on him just yet.  Try to find out his routines.  Don't let him learn he is being hunted.  You can always get more aggressive later in the season.  Good luck.

Exactly!! Hit the nail on the head!