Late Season Toms

[COssman14]

Last weekend was the second to last week of Iowa's turkey season. I hunted hard all weekend and called in 5 different toms. The only problem is I couldn't get any of them to come within 40 yards. Everyone of them would get to 60 yards stop and see my single hen decoy and turn the other way and walk off. I own 2 hens and a jake decoy, what would you guys do in this situation?


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[Gooserbat]

First I would leave the decoys at home.  Second I would set up where the terrain would dictate that the Toms come and look for me and in doing so they position themselves inside of 40 yards in order to "see" the hen.  I look for high spots where a tom has to pop over the edge to see you and in doing so you stay out of sight until he's inside gun range and thus it forces him to come and look.  Another option is setup in a pinch point between hedge rows, or brush but remember in those situations birds usually like some open space so keep it to wider opening of say 30-40 yards and best of all never count out a timber hunt. 

[cphill]

First I would leave the decoys at home.  Second I would set up where the terrain would dictate that the Toms come and look for me and in doing so they position themselves inside of 40 yards in order to "see" the hen.  I look for high spots where a tom has to pop over the edge to see you and in doing so you stay out of sight until he's inside gun range and thus it forces him to come and look.  Another option is setup in a pinch point between hedge rows, or brush but remember in those situations birds usually like some open space so keep it to wider opening of say 30-40 yards and best of all never count out a timber hunt.

exactly

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[stinkpickle]

Let me guess...field birds?

[Bigspurs68]

I agree with gooserbat, forget the decoys. Watch, listen, don't call and learn what they are doing. Head em off and when you are in a place that will work to your advantage, call softly and carry a big stick.

[COssman14]

Let me guess...field birds?

Timber Birds. 

[stinkpickle]

Let me guess...field birds?

Timber Birds. 

In that case, ditch the decoys.  Late in the season, I've never had much luck with decoying timber birds.  They usually hang up as you've described.  At least, that's how they act in northern Missouri.  I'm pretty much stuck with fields in Iowa. 

[sbraham]

Keep the decoys in the sack on timber birds

[ridgerunner]

you want the tom to have to work at finding the hen. Leave the decoys at home and make that bird hunt for you... if you can position the caller behind the shooter 40 yards ,that helps . If you're hunting alone just call softly and no decoys scratch leaves a bit in between calling softly every 20 minutes.