Pre-set blind?

[firstflight111]

Okay I am a blind hunter now ,I started about 9 years ago with my first of 3 boys now say what you want, it is a pain to take in in and out every day .But here's a big up side of blind hunting
1. weather = when that crazy storm pops up i am dry, I can run a heater when it's cold  .
2 less bugs
3 I can sit in a nice comfortable chair .
4 kids can move all they want
5 keeps you out of poison ivy,oak,
6 and did I mention the no tick thing found 1 tick in the last 7 years .

And just get a deer cart to haul your gear in and out of the woods .

As far as setting up ,i have set up right under turkeys, many times with a blind .you just have to do it in the dark with NO lights .I set up at least 60 minutes before light .
I have everything organized in my backpack decoys ,calls strikers ,shells,thermacell ,heater ,lighter,so I don't have to dig around to find stuff .

Sent from my C811 4G

[Marc]

Don't mean to upset you but the scenario you described is not taking a kid hunting it's basically giving the kid a Wild Turkey.

That line of thinking and action is what's wrong with our society today....great things should be hard earned.

The right to kill a Wild Turkey should be earned not given...

I could not disagree more...

I look at kids and puppies in a similar fashion...  When starting them off, I make it fun, and I make success easily attainable...

My daughter is 3 years old, and getting her started in the outdoors, I don't take her fishing, I take her "catching."  I take her on easy hunts where I predict some action in pleasant weather (i.e. dove hunting in September).  The more she goes with me, the more she wants to learn, and the more she will be willing to endure to go...

For some kids, that interest in hunting is almost inherent.  For others it must be developed.  But as a youngster, if you give them a taste of success, the inherent hunter will developed an increased desire to learn.  And for those who are going cause daddy wants to take them, maybe after a taste of success they will want to go again, and then again, and develop that interest...

At some point when the cognitive skills and coordination are developed, and the desire is there...  They can start to earn those birds on their own....
.

[GobbleNut]

Don't mean to upset you but the scenario you described is not taking a kid hunting it's basically giving the kid a Wild Turkey.

That line of thinking and action is what's wrong with our society today....great things should be hard earned.

The right to kill a Wild Turkey should be earned not given...

I could not disagree more...

I look at kids and puppies in a similar fashion...  When starting them off, I make it fun, and I make success easily attainable...

My daughter is 3 years old, and getting her started in the outdoors, I don't take her fishing, I take her "catching."  I take her on easy hunts where I predict some action in pleasant weather (i.e. dove hunting in September).  The more she goes with me, the more she wants to learn, and the more she will be willing to endure to go...

For some kids, that interest in hunting is almost inherent.  For others it must be developed.  But as a youngster, if you give them a taste of success, the inherent hunter will developed an increased desire to learn.  And for those who are going cause daddy wants to take them, maybe after a taste of success they will want to go again, and then again, and develop that interest...

At some point when the cognitive skills and coordination are developed, and the desire is there...  They can start to earn those birds on their own....
.

I have to say that I am on both sides of the fence on this issue.  There are certainly times and conditions when the use of a tent blind is acceptable to me when teaching youngsters about hunting.  There are also a lot of situations where using blinds, even when dealing with kids, diminishes the entire experience of introducing kids to the thrill of turkey hunting, in my opinion.

I started taking my kids with me when they were about six years old,...and we never, ever used a tent blind.  I wanted them to experience nature, and the hunt, by being right in the middle of it,...and more importantly, I wanted them to learn that, to be a hunter, requires the development of certain skills,...such as using natural cover to hide, and learning that you have to be still.  They learned by witnessing the reaction of game to their movements and thereby understanding the importance of not moving and choosing the proper place to "set up" to begin with.

To me, there is a pretty clear line between turkey "hunting",...and turkey "killing", and although I am not trying to start any arguments here about it, the use of tent blinds by adult hunters in any situation falls into the category of turkey "killing".  Sorry if that offends anybody, but that is how I feel about it.

To me, an essential, and irreplaceable, skill in hunting turkeys is learning how to use natural cover and topography, even in the most difficult and demanding circumstances, and learning to remain still while doing so, such that birds will approach within shooting range.  To me, adults (and kids in certain situations) that use tent blinds are nullifying a key component of the hunting experience as far as I am concerned.  That component, to me, is not an option,...it is a requirement.

People that start off turkey hunting by thinking they need to get a tent blind to do it are starting off on the entirely wrong foot.  My advice to those that are new to this sport is to ditch the blind and learn to hunt turkeys without the crutch.  In the long run, you will be really glad you did! 

End of todays sermon....

[stinkpickle]

This thread is funny.   

[Super X3]

Okay I am a blind hunter now ,I started about 9 years ago with my first of 3 boys now say what you want, it is a pain to take in in and out every day .But here's a big up side of blind hunting
1. weather = when that crazy storm pops up i am dry, I can run a heater when it's cold  .
2 less bugs
3 I can sit in a nice comfortable chair .
4 kids can move all they want
5 keeps you out of poison ivy,oak,
6 and did I mention the no tick thing found 1 tick in the last 7 years .

And just get a deer cart to haul your gear in and out of the woods .

As far as setting up ,i have set up right under turkeys, many times with a blind .you just have to do it in the dark with NO lights .I set up at least 60 minutes before light .
I have everything organized in my backpack decoys ,calls strikers ,shells,thermacell ,heater ,lighter,so I don't have to dig around to find stuff .

Sent from my C811 4G

Agree with everything said by first flight.

I killed a tom two years ago the was roosted 10 yards to east of blind.  I was teasing a tom 30 yards away on roost when I heard wing beats, looked out front and my second biggest bird shot stood just outside the decoys. 15 min after legal time I was done. Made up for 15 hours in a blind at another spot the day before.

[owlhoot]

This thread is funny.   

Really funny
All using self bows , wood arrows and flint heads to EARN your bird are ya.

[stinkpickle]

This thread is funny.   

Really funny
All using self bows , wood arrows and flint heads to EARN your bird are ya.

Yep, just like our native American forefathers.   

[g8rvet]

I started turkey hunting naked laying in the grass until a bird walked by. Took me 7 days with no food or water. Once I killed that bird, I was then able to make a wingbone yelper and used the feather to make arrow fletchings.  Some hand napped arrowheads from flint I FOUND, that was not given to me, were then used. I made my own longbow and string from naturally found vegetation.  Once I started being able to kill birds with this new contraption (bow and arrow), I was much more successful.  It is difficult to hunt naked in Florida due to mosquitos, but by golly, I am going to EARN my birds.  Using camo clothes just takes away the birds natural defense of sight. Currently, I am trying to find a vein of saltpeter and of iron ore to make my first gun. 

Hunt however you want and take your young'uns however you want and however they enjoy as long as you are legal.  I don't need the approval of a keyboard expert to tell me how to hunt. All of us are hunting for sport, not for support, so it is just what makes it fun for you. 

[GobbleNut]

Hunt however you want and take your young'uns however you want and however they enjoy as long as you are legal.  I don't need the approval of a keyboard expert to tell me how to hunt. All of us are hunting for sport, not for support, so it is just what makes it fun for you.

This is entirely true.  Hunt the way you want.  If you are happy with it, stick with it. 
The point I was trying to make is for those newly indoctrinated into our ranks as turkey hunters that might think that sitting in a blind watching decoys and chirping somewhat like a turkey on occasion is the standard, accepted method of turkey hunting.  That form of turkey hunting is relatively new.

As one who got into spring gobbler hunting in the mid-1960's, the "standard, accepted method" of that era was to learn to call turkeys, go to the turkey woods, find a gobbling bird, set-up on him, and call him to the gun.  Sitting in a tent blind overlooking a field with a bunch of turkey decoys in front of you,...similar to goose hunting,...was never even considered as a hunting method.

Over the last fifty years, I have taught hundreds of people how to spring gobbler hunt.  They were, and still are, taught the "old" way.  Many of them are still around and hunt turkeys to this day.  Those individuals are also well aware of the "new" tactics of blinds and decoys,...and guess what?  To my knowledge there is not a single one of them that has chosen the "new" way over the "old" way. 

Why is that?  I can state unequivocally that, if you asked them, the vast majority of those folks would give you the same response.  That response would be something like this,..."Why would someone choose to hunt turkeys sitting in a blind watching decoys when they could get out in the woods, find a gobbler, and call him in?  That is the essence of turkey hunting."

Now, before a bunch of you get your panties in a wad over that, let me say again: Hunt the way you want to hunt.  Period.  ...But if you want to introduce your kids to the sport of spring gobbler hunting, do them a favor and at least give them the option of choosing the old way over the new.  I have no doubt in my mind which of the two methods they will eventually choose to continue, and I suspect they will do it much sooner than you think.

[Marc]

Now, before a bunch of you get your panties in a wad over that, let me say again: Hunt the way you want to hunt.  Period.  ...But if you want to introduce your kids to the sport of spring gobbler hunting, do them a favor and at least give them the option of choosing the old way over the new.  I have no doubt in my mind which of the two methods they will eventually choose to continue, and I suspect they will do it much sooner than you think.

Sitting in a blind does not appeal to me either...

But, not every kid has the discipline to sit still...  Being able to sit still and take game (especially as still as you have to sit for an approaching turkey), is a bit of a learned skill for most of us...  Heck most adults I know are not capable of such...  I know while taking my less fanatic duck hunting partners, that the term "hold still" seems to cause some sort of amplified head twisting neck seizure.

I will likely take my nephew (wife's side) out next season if he gets a license.  Never hunted anything, and learning the ropes of shooting a shotgun this year.  I'd likely set up a blind for a morning hunt, and then roam around a bit...  I will go home when he asks to go home.  But from a blind, I will be able to point out the birds, direct him to which bird to shoot, and he will have some freedom to move around the blind a bit without getting us busted.

My daughter who is only 3 has been dove hunting and fishing with me.  She enjoys the experience, and was asking to go with me every time...  If the opportunity arises, I might just take her out to sit in such a blind with me for a bit (as I have no illusions of the capabilities of a 4 year old being able to sit still).  I can bring some toys, and take some binoculars (which she already loves to use), and we will be hunting in a camouflage playhouse...  How cool is that for a 4 year old...

When I take my child (or any child) hunting or fishing, that experience becomes all about the child...  I have been the host for a number of water fowl junior hunts, and most of the time, I cannot hunt in the manner I normally enjoy myself...  I do my best to create a situation that allows for success and enjoyment for the child.

First get them interested, and then develop that interest.

[GobbleNut]

Now, before a bunch of you get your panties in a wad over that, let me say again: Hunt the way you want to hunt.  Period.  ...But if you want to introduce your kids to the sport of spring gobbler hunting, do them a favor and at least give them the option of choosing the old way over the new.  I have no doubt in my mind which of the two methods they will eventually choose to continue, and I suspect they will do it much sooner than you think.

Sitting in a blind does not appeal to me either...

But, not every kid has the discipline to sit still...  Being able to sit still and take game (especially as still as you have to sit for an approaching turkey), is a bit of a learned skill for most of us...  Heck most adults I know are not capable of such...  I know while taking my less fanatic duck hunting partners, that the term "hold still" seems to cause some sort of amplified head twisting neck seizure.

I will likely take my nephew (wife's side) out next season if he gets a license.  Never hunted anything, and learning the ropes of shooting a shotgun this year.  I'd likely set up a blind for a morning hunt, and then roam around a bit...  I will go home when he asks to go home.  But from a blind, I will be able to point out the birds, direct him to which bird to shoot, and he will have some freedom to move around the blind a bit without getting us busted.

My daughter who is only 3 has been dove hunting and fishing with me.  She enjoys the experience, and was asking to go with me every time...  If the opportunity arises, I might just take her out to sit in such a blind with me for a bit (as I have no illusions of the capabilities of a 4 year old being able to sit still).  I can bring some toys, and take some binoculars (which she already loves to use), and we will be hunting in a camouflage playhouse...  How cool is that for a 4 year old...

When I take my child (or any child) hunting or fishing, that experience becomes all about the child...  I have been the host for a number of water fowl junior hunts, and most of the time, I cannot hunt in the manner I normally enjoy myself...  I do my best to create a situation that allows for success and enjoyment for the child.

First get them interested, and then develop that interest.

Your points are solid, Marc.  I just believe it is a good idea to, at some point, introduce them to the "old" way and let them then decide which they prefer.  Like I said, from a personal standpoint,...in all my years of doing this and introducing many others to it, I have never seen one that has chosen the "new" way over the "old" way.  To me, that is plenty of evidence for me to conclude that the one is more appealing than the other.   But again, in the end,...to each his own...

[g8rvet]

My son's first duck was a water whacked woodie. He was using a 20 gauge and we needed woodies for our annual cook I let him take a couple (the limit at the time).  We had a discussion about water whacking and how it is not really sporting-meaning fun, to be clear because the duck don't really care how he is whacked (personally, if I am harvesting for a recipe and want some clean, no breast shot ducks, I will water whack the heck out of them-usually ringers for the smoker or woodies for the table - but that is just harvesting ducks for a recipe, not wingshooting). He can tell you exactly when, where and the species of what he considers his first duck - a flying Gadwall in Miss, he doesn't even count the many woodies he waterwhacked as a kid. He quickly learned what I meant and is now a 25 year old, hardcore wingshooting duck hunter.  So the theory of early success would ruin him is bunk.  We don't ground swat mallards and we don't rifle hunt turkeys, even where legal.  I also won't judge what you do, I will just politely think to myself that it does not sound fun to me.