Just because we can shoot turkeys at longer ranges doesn\u2019t always mean that we should. At its very best, turkey hunting is a close range game. Having a big old tom gobble and drum his way into 15 yards is much more thrilling than shooting a hung-up bird at 50 yards.<\/p>\n

\n<\/iframe>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>But getting gobblers in close is a challenge. You need a great hide and often a great decoy setup. Mike Hunsucker of Heartland Bowhunter has mastered the art of getting turkeys in close and then killing them with a bow. Over approximately two decades of turkey hunting with a bow he\u2019s taken somewhere around 75 or 80 birds. Most of those turkeys have been at whisper-close ranges.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat really gets me going is when you fully trick the bird and get him to come in and you get to see the full show,\u201d Hunsucker says in the <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/episode\/6fvgzVVLG6od2z6qg5IaRg?si=ff345199a2b04ecf\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Outdoor Life Podcast<\/a>. \u201cFor me shooting a bird that\u2019s hung up at 40 yards is kind of like\u2026 eh\u2026 I mean, I might as well only have a 20-yard pin on my bow.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>So even if you\u2019re not a turkey bowhunter, the things Hunsucker has learned over the years can help you bring longbeards in close. Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-get-your-hide-right\">Get Your Hide Right<\/h2>\n<p>If you want to get turkeys close, the first thing you\u2019ve got to do is hide well from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/hunting\/turkey-vision-what-hunters-should-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">their excellent vision<\/a>. Simply sitting with your back to a tree on a big open field edge with no cover in front of you is not going to cut it. The easy button is using a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/gear\/best-turkey-blinds\/\">pop-up blind<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI always tell people who are new to bowhunting turkeys that a [hub-style] ground blind is your best friend,\u201d Hunsucker says. \u201cIt\u2019s dark in there, you\u2019ll be able to draw [your bow without being seeing], you\u2019ll be able to get away with so much more.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>For new bowhunters and youth hunters, a hub-style ground blind is invaluable. You can set it up exactly where the turkeys want to be, even if that\u2019s the middle of a field, and most of the time they\u2019ll pay no attention to it. However, Hunsucker likes to be more mobile and often hunts out of natural ground blinds.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI enjoy being out in the elements,\u201d he says. \u201cBeing able to see and being able to hear\u2026 and the intensity that comes with knowing that if you screw up, if you move at the wrong time, you\u2019re going to ruin that hunt. I just enjoy that challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When picking a natural ground blind setup, cedar trees are an ideal option. You can trim a few lower branches and tuck into the shadows. Hunsucker also uses a <a href=\"https:\/\/rogerssportinggoods.com\/fast-strike-complete-two-arm-blind-package\/\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Fast Strike<\/a> panel blind which allows him to quickly set up natural cover in front of him. He\u2019ll also attach a piece of ghillie suit over the front of his bow so that he stays concealed while drawing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>An ideal setup includes cover in front, good backdrop cover that will break up your profile, and also overhead cover. Always sit in the shadows when possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"lazied-youtube-frame\" data-video-id=\"zoLogLOkQ_Q\" data-iframe-classes=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n\t<\/p>\n<p>\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"lazied-youtube-frame-icon\" viewbox=\"0 0 68 48\">\n\t\t<path d=\"M66.52 7.74c-.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79.13 34 0 34 0S12.21.13 6.9 1.55c-2.93.78-4.63 3.26-5.42 6.19C.06 13.05 0 24 0 24s.06 10.95 1.48 16.26c.78 2.93 2.49 5.41 5.42 6.19C12.21 47.87 34 48 34 48s21.79-.13 27.1-1.55c2.93-.78 4.64-3.26 5.42-6.19C67.94 34.95 68 24 68 24s-.06-10.95-1.48-16.26z\" fill=\"red\"\/>\n\t\t<path d=\"M45 24 27 14v20\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n\t<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><\/p>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-decoys-tactics\">Decoys Tactics<\/h2>\n<p>If you want to truly fool a tom at close range, your best bet is to get him focused on a decoy. This will allow you to remain undetected while you draw your bow or move your gun for a shot.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou need something to get the focus off of you, at least temporarily,\u201d Hunsucker says.<\/p>\n<p>His go to decoy setup is a <a href=\"https:\/\/scheels.sjv.io\/c\/2536217\/1029574\/13422?subId1=OL-HT&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scheels.com%2Fp%2Fdave-smith-decoys-jake-strutter-turkey-decoy%2F64421606490.html%3Fcq_cmp%3D20940307888%26cq_med%3Dpla%26cq_net%3Dx%26cq_plt%3Dgp%26cq_src%3Dgoogle_ads%26gad_source%3D1%26gclid%3DCjwKCAjw_LOwBhBFEiwAmSEQAaoMkn5JHj3hvwb1shrJZQqrFTvmHG6VQ1I5kGhXZ7fCp-g4FBSRiBoC1RoQAvD_BwE%26src%3Dhardlines%26store%3D98\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dave Smith Decoys full-strut jake<\/a> with a couple hens. He uses a real fan with the strutter. Running a strutter creates more visibility at distance and can trigger a dominant tom into fight mode. The fan also has the added advantage of creating a blind spot for a close-in tom. A great time to draw is precisely when the tom moves behind the decoy\u2019s fan.<\/p>\n<p>One quick caveat here: If you\u2019re hunting pressured public lands, I do not recommend using a strutter decoy, for safety purposes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hunsucker typically sets the decoys at 15 to 20 yards. Any closer and you risk getting busted. He faces the strutter decoy away from where he expects the tom to appear. Ideally, Hunsucker will have the strutter facing toward him head-on. This is because a fired-up gobbler will often circle the decoy in order to peck the head. At this point, the tom will be facing away from Hunsucker, giving him a perfect time to draw.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hunsucker has also started using a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Avian-X-X-Factor-Durable-Water-Resistant-Control\/dp\/B0CHMZ7WYS\/ref=sr_1_2?tag=camdenxodl-20\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">remote motion stake<\/a> for his strutter decoy. This allows him to spin the decoy depending on how a tom reacts to it. Oftentimes, turning the decoy away from a tom will give the bird more confidence to come in.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s really fun,\u201d Hunsucker says. \u201cYou can see their demeanor change when the fan turns away from them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>One final decoying tip: If you hunt a bird with decoys and don\u2019t get him, change your setup the next time you target him. Don\u2019t run the exact same decoys in the same place you hunted him previously. They\u2019re not that dumb, Hunsucker says.<\/p>\n<div class=\"lazied-youtube-frame\" data-video-id=\"dtKfWF6Fhqw\" data-iframe-classes=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazied-youtube-frame-thumbnail\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/dtKfWF6Fhqw\/hqdefault.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"lazied-youtube-frame-icon\" viewbox=\"0 0 68 48\">\n\t\t<path d=\"M66.52 7.74c-.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79.13 34 0 34 0S12.21.13 6.9 1.55c-2.93.78-4.63 3.26-5.42 6.19C.06 13.05 0 24 0 24s.06 10.95 1.48 16.26c.78 2.93 2.49 5.41 5.42 6.19C12.21 47.87 34 48 34 48s21.79-.13 27.1-1.55c2.93-.78 4.64-3.26 5.42-6.19C67.94 34.95 68 24 68 24s-.06-10.95-1.48-16.26z\" fill=\"red\"\/>\n\t\t<path d=\"M45 24 27 14v20\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n\t<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><\/p>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-read-a-tom-s-body-language-and-adjust-your-calling\">Read a Tom\u2019s Body Language and Adjust Your Calling<\/h2>\n<p>Don\u2019t just run the same sequence of calls over and over again. When a tom comes out and sees the decoys, pay close attention to how he reacts. A strutting tom usually indicates more confidence. A tom that drops strut and slinks around the edges of the setup, with his head high looking for trouble indicates a warier bird.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI always err on the side of less calling,\u201d Hunsucker says.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Softer yelps and clucks are often all you\u2019ll need to convince a tom to close the distance. Don\u2019t hammer him with aggressive calling until you\u2019ve run out of options.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-get-comfortable\">Get Comfortable<\/h2>\n<p>You need to sit perfectly still while that tom works his way into the decoys. Once he gets to the strutter and starts fighting him, then you have more wiggle room.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf they\u2019re committed and in the decoys, it takes a lot to make them leave,\u201d Hunsucker says. \u201cI\u2019ve had situations where a bird comes in and he\u2019s pecking the decoy, and obviously he can see me, but I just know by his aggressive nature that I can get away with drawing and I just do it as smoothly as possible. For the most part his focus is on the decoy and trying to hit it right in the eyeball.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But until that longbeard goes into full fight mode, you\u2019ve got to be statue-still. The key to remaining perfectly still is being comfortable. Hunsucker advocates for using a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=turkey+chair&i=sporting&crid=2B4O87B1OGPZD&sprefix=turkey+chair%2Csporting%2C159&ref=nb_sb_noss_1?tag=camdenxodl-20\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">lounger-style turkey chair<\/a> which gives you good back support and will keep you from squirming, whether that tom takes 20 minutes or two hours to come in. Hunsucker also keeps his bow on a stand and often doesn\u2019t pick it up until he\u2019s about ready to draw. That way he doesn\u2019t get stuck holding his bow in position for an unknown amount of time.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-patience-is-key\">Patience is Key<\/h2>\n<p>If you want to get a tom in close, you can\u2019t shoot at him when he\u2019s at 50. This sounds simple, but being patient during a hunt is a real challenge for many of us. It could take hours before a tom fully commits. The only thing you can do is keep waiting, and trust your hide and decoy setup.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve had them hang up for hours and then all of a sudden a switch goes off in their head and they come in,\u201d Hunsucker says.<\/p>\n<p>When that gobbler finally does come in, let him work the decoy a little. A hunter\u2019s natural instinct is to draw (or shoot) as soon as a bird comes in the decoys. But it\u2019s often better to wait and let him get fully focused on the strutter decoy.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe last thing you want to do is be shooting at a bird that is alert,\u201d Hunsucker says.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/hunting\/close-range-turkey-tactics\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Just because we can shoot turkeys at longer ranges doesn\u2019t always mean that we should. At its very best, turkey hunting is a close range game. Having a big old tom gobble and drum his way into 15 yards is much more thrilling than shooting a hung-up bird at 50 yards. But getting gobblers in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2308,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2307","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gun-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2307","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2307"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2307\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2308"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2307"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2307"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2307"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}