LAST UPDATED: February 27th, 2024
Bowhunting turkeys without a blind is one of the most difficult and exhilarating challenges in all of bowhunting. We consulted expert turkey hunters with decades of experience bowhunting these wiley birds without a blind and assembled their best advice to help you be successful this Spring.
If you’re looking for the most efficient way to bowhunt turkeys, it’s tough to beat a well-placed, pop-up style ground blind. They provide shelter from the weather and help avoid the amazing eyesight of the wild turkey, which can be a difficult challenge to overcome, especially while drawing your bow.
But blinds are restricting and often require plenty of patience. They can make for some long, boring sits if the birds don’t cooperate. For many turkey hunters, a more exciting approach to chasing Spring gobblers is the run-n-gun style of hunting. The freedom to move around and close the distance on hung-up birds can make for an action-packed, unforgettable hunt.
So if you’re ready to ditch the blind and make a mobile approach to tag your turkey this Spring, follow these tips from Heartland Bowhunter’s Mike Hunsucker, who knows a thing or two about bowhunting turkeys without a blind.
Bowhunting without the use of a blind comes down to 3 main factors:
- Calls
- Concealment
- Decoy setup
Below, we’ll take a closer look at these, and how Hunsucker prefers to set up for gobblers each Spring. We’ll also wrap up with a look at the #1 mistake hunters make when attempting to tag their tom with a bow.
Turkey Decoys - Where Should You Put Them?
Some turkey hunters love decoys. Others hate them. When it comes to bowhunting turkeys with a bow, especially without the use of a blind, decoys are a must. Not only do they draw the birds close enough for a shot, but they can hold their attention while you come to full draw and execute your shot. A wary tom looking for a lonely hen that he can’t see is all but impossible to kill with a bow, so don’t forget your decoys at home.
But where should you place your decoys for the best success?
“I like to put them right around 20 yards when hunting without a blind,” says Hunsucker. “I don’t want them too close but want them close enough for a good lethal shot. Also, most people’s top pin is 20, so you know exactly where you are hitting.
When hunting from a blind, I recommend people put the decoys super close, like 5 to 10 yards. With the blind concealing your movement, you can get away with so much more and having a shot that close increases the odds of an ethical kill. But when hunting turkeys without a blind, it’s best to put some distance between you and the decoys so approaching turkeys don’t pick you out.”
Camo For Turkey Hunting
When you decide to ditch the blind and hunt in the open, your camo and concealment are of the utmost importance. A gobbler in bow range will pick you out in the blink of an eye, so making every effort to blend into your surrounding is a must.
It’s imperative that you melt into the landscape with adequate camo and cover. Consider your camo. Does it have the same drab colors as the landscape around you? Does it enable you to blend into the tree you’re sitting against? The same light patterns you wear while in the treestand, or hunting out west aren’t likely to work here. Make sure you have the camo to blend in well, and don’t neglect your face and hands.
Become A Better Turkey Caller
There’s no substitute for being in the right place at the right time. Turkey hunting is largely about location. But don’t underestimate the power of a timely turkey call to help close the deal on a prospective gobbler in the area. Saying the right thing, at just the right time, can make all the difference in a bird walking away, or riding home in the back of your truck.
“Calling is a crucial part of being successful while turkey hunting,” says Hunsucker. “So much comes into play with the particular birds you’re hunting, the area you are hunting, and the hunting pressure the area has experienced. Knowing when to call, when not to call, and when to get aggressive can make all the difference in tagging a bird or going home empty handed. These are all things learned through experience. Over the years, you learn how to judge the body language and receptiveness of a gobbler.”
The #1 Mistake All Turkey Hunters Make
The deadliest tactic in any hunter’s bag of tricks can’t be bought off a store shelf. It’s gotta be earned. They call it patience. Few hunters have it, but those that do will kill turkeys when nobody else does.
“There will be lulls in the activity, and you’ll often find birds that are tight lipped,” says Hunsucker. “That’s when being patient and waiting out a stubborn gobbler can be extremely rewarding. The morning roost hunt is obviously the most exciting time to hunt with all of the calling activity and interaction. But one of the most effective times to call one in is late morning when the hens leave the gobblers and head to nests. Patience will be required to wait out these birds.”
Notching your turkey tag with a bow without a ground blind won’t come easy. It takes plenty of patience and a renewed focus on your calling, concealment, and decoy placement. Apply the words of wisdom from Michael Hunsucker above to your game plan this spring and watch the excitement level of your turkey hunt rise to a new level.
Be sure to check out Heartland Bowhunter’s latest season of their Full Strut series in the video below. Also, take a look at their new Bow Ready Bow Stand, designed to keep your bow at the ready when you’re waiting out your bird. BOW READY BOW STAND
