Hi All!
There's much that can be taught about turkey hunting...so much so that hundreds of books and articles have been written about it. I plan on blogging a short series on some of the basics to help out new turkey hunters in the near future, (and maybe even refresh some old timers!), but today I'd like to start with "blind hunting". And no, you won't need your white cane for this.
I've always been a traditional turkey hunter myself, in that I most often set up against a tree trunk when I work birds but a few years ago my then 9 year old son, Ryan, wanted to tag along to see what all the fuss was about. It was then that I purchased my first Ameristep Doghouse blind because keeping him still was gonna be dadgum impossible! LOL! I was very impressed with the price and the way it went up and down in no time so before long I had purchased three of them. That said, here's what I like to do when preparing to hunt turkeys from a blind today, as it ain't just for the kiddies anymore...
First of all, I scout hard and I scout early, and by that I mean I'm in the turkey woods in March getting to know my spots, looking for scratchings, and checking droppings. By the time mid-April swings around and Youth Day is within 2 weeks, I'll hit the woods and define where my set-ups will be. Oftentimes, even though it's not necessary with turkeys like it is with deer, to let them get used to them, I'll pop up a blind, anchor it securely, and I'll simply leave it up all season long....and I generally set up all my blinds in this manner. At first I was concerned about wind and the elements beating up the Doghouse but in the past 3 years they have yet to tear or falter.
Normally, I'll find a spot, (not directly under trees whose limbs are likely to land on them), and set them up in semi-sheltered areas in and around the edges of a field or old grassy road, or sometimes even deep in the turkey woods. I always drive the stakes in at sharp angles for extra holding power and tie the center of the roof poles so they don't slide down in heavy winds. Then I'll clear every bit of debris out from inside the blind and set up a small camp chair or two. This makes any internal movement whisper-quiet, no matter who's going to hunt there. This of course, after I've opened all windows and made sure of correct shooting lane placement.
Generally, my Doghouses go out a week before May 1st and they stay out until the season ends, which is the first week in June. Being in the hunting industry I often take friends, outdoor writers, and visiting prostaffers out to hunt, and so I like having blinds up on several properties, which always leaves us with a "plan B" or a "plan C" if "plan A" didn't pan out so well! lol! Not to mention a blind is just absolutely perfect for the kids.
By the time the season is upon us, I'll equip each turkey blind with aforementioned chairs, and maybe even a hand-cut shooting stick or two, just to be sure my clients are well off. And that's pretty much it for basic "blind hunting" on turkeys, except for the common sense things I should probably throw in, such as make sure when you set up your blind, you've considered all possible angles of the sun, you're not set up under a potential "widow-maker", and that the placement is such that you can easily slip in from behind the blind and enter in the door without spooking your quarry....not always possible but plausible to at least attempt! Quick and silent entry to any stand should always be sought.
I'll be back, as will the rest of our staff, to throw more tips and tactics atcha! Until the next blog, stay safe!
--Blaine Cardilli/ Ameristep prostaff
Hey Everyone! My name is Alec Nebel and im part of and leader of Ameristep's Youth Pro Staff. I have been hunting for 5 years. I love bowhunting, and have been hunting archery for 4 years now. I am either doing or thinking hunting 24/7 365 days a year. I am always scouting and trying to find each and every year the best place for greastest oppurtunity on upcoming hunting seasons. I have harvested 7 whitetails so far of my 5 years hunting, 3 with my bow and 4 with my rifle. I am very avid on filming hunts and have shot 2 deer on film. I am very avid into turkey hunting, and love being in the spring turkey woods. I am also very big into turkey calling contests and call for Spittler's Custom Game Calls and am apart of their Pro Staff. I have been filmed for the show "Archers Choice" on the Outdoor Channel and WildTV for a turkey hunt out of an Ameristep Intimidator Blind. I am a member of the NWTF and many other hunting organizations. I hope I can help anyone with any questions on here and tell everyone very exciting stories and advice. Hope to be talking with everyone on here soon!
I recently started 'Mountain-Man Outdoor Ministries as a way to bring God right into the heart of Huntin' Camp, and to also be able to focus on hunters & sportsmen who have suffered the challenges due to disabilities or the unfortunate circumstances of life's tragedies. Obviously it's in the developmental stages right now but in the future, when funding is right, I plan to start my own 'Road Trips', but of the spiritual kind.
