This. I worked a bird for more than an hour trying to get him to come in for my brother in law. I even tried retreating behind where by BIL was set up to make it seem like "the hen" was leaving the area, but that did not work. While I was in retreat, the bird ended up working his way to our right and climbing the hill. So we set up on him that way, and my lesson learned there was that I should have set my BIL up closer to where the bird was, and I should have stayed a little bit farther behind, scratching leaves. That bird just would not come any closer, and he ended up losing interest and flying off.TurkeyMike said:If he is gobbling away from you, move on him, calling them backwards aint gonna happen.
What I found out on more than one occasion with this bird is he had a hen with him, and he was not leaving her for anything. Just wondering if the bird would only gobble if you called to him. This kind of gave me a clue that he was somewhat interested but only if I was to come to him. Looking back I know that the best thing I could have did was try and cirle out around him and figure where his hen was wanitng to go and try and cut him off. I wasted at least 3 hours of my season figuring that out.Uncle Johnny said:This. I worked a bird for more than an hour trying to get him to come in for my brother in law. I even tried retreating behind where by BIL was set up to make it seem like "the hen" was leaving the area, but that did not work. While I was in retreat, the bird ended up working his way to our right and climbing the hill. So we set up on him that way, and my lesson learned there was that I should have set my BIL up closer to where the bird was, and I should have stayed a little bit farther behind, scratching leaves. That bird just would not come any closer, and he ended up losing interest and flying off.TurkeyMike said:If he is gobbling away from you, move on him, calling them backwards aint gonna happen.
He would gobble sometimes when I called to him, and he would also gobble when I ignored him for a few minutes. I even ignored him for several minutes a couple of times in hopes that he would come looking for "the hen", and just when I thought he had left the area (because I had not heard him gobble in a while), he would let out another gobble.TurkeyMike said:What I found out on more than one occasion with this bird is he had a hen with him, and he was not leaving her for anything. Just wondering if the bird would only gobble if you called to him. This kind of gave me a clue that he was somewhat interested but only if I was to come to him. Looking back I know that the best thing I could have did was try and cirle out around him and figure where his hen was wanitng to go and try and cut him off. I wasted at least 3 hours of my season figuring that out.Uncle Johnny said:This. I worked a bird for more than an hour trying to get him to come in for my brother in law. I even tried retreating behind where by BIL was set up to make it seem like "the hen" was leaving the area, but that did not work. While I was in retreat, the bird ended up working his way to our right and climbing the hill. So we set up on him that way, and my lesson learned there was that I should have set my BIL up closer to where the bird was, and I should have stayed a little bit farther behind, scratching leaves. That bird just would not come any closer, and he ended up losing interest and flying off.TurkeyMike said:If he is gobbling away from you, move on him, calling them backwards aint gonna happen.
DOH!!
Sounds like a great way to hunt. I also hunt without blinds and decoys. Hunting with a crossbow would add that little extra challenge. I may have to invest in a crossbow and give it a try. Congratulations.sq32 said:Killed my first long beard with a crossbow a mission 400 at 18 yards. Called three in with a boxcall no blind no black hoody and no decoys. What did I learn.... all it takes is a little finer aim than a turkey gun.
Scott![]()