Frustrating turkeys

[bushwhacker1975]

This spring has been a tough one i've never had the trouble i've had. i'm using a pop up this year as i'm getting old lol. I have tried a strutting jake with one and two hens. I've tried calling them over a ridge but they hang up. Never had this trouble before maybe my cslling is getting old like me lol
Hunting rolling terriain in sone ag feilds. No problem seeing the birds just getting them into shooting range any help?

 

[Oregon]

Turkeys being turkeys. Hunt them between 1030-1430. Pattern them. No decoys. Call every 13 minutes and 24 seconds. Don’t respond if he gobbles.
I will say I am not a great turkey hunter. I’ve killed my fair share. Above seems to work for me. I don’t even wake up early anymore.

 

[Jack321]

Its been this way for me for the past 5-7 years.

Up until 2 weeks ago I had not shot a turkey in 3 years. I was close 5x last yr but due to just bad luck wasnt able to seal the deal.

Today, I went out with my Father in Law and daughter. We had 4 toms in the field for FOUR HOURS going back and forth from 260-200 yds never getting closer than that. They walked back and forth in the same spot all morning.

Moved closer to them 3x to get within 75-100 yds, nothing.

Called a hen in to 8 yds, hoping a tom was following--nothing. I've called in more hens this year than toms.

My brother, son and I have 3 birds so far this year and its because we were in the right spot at the right time.

Were hunting them like deer. Just sitting in known strutting zones and "usual traffic" areas and just waiting for them to walk by. So far, its worked three lucky times.

Lots of toms, just not responding to calls and henned up.

Sometimes your the bug, sometimes your the windshield.

 

[bushwhacker1975]

Thanks guys glad not just me lol

 

[Fullfan]

Make them come look for you. Have seen and heard of birds being very decoy shy.

 

[Fowl Play]

Heavily pressured birds can be tough, if that is the situation? Are you seeing birds hang up and act like they do not like something about your setup? If so, loose the Jake, or brush in your blind more, or ditch the blind, etc. If that doesn’t work loose the decoys entirely and use difficult terrain to make them get within shooting range to “find” the hen. If that doesn’t work, then you have to start hunting them like deer from 10am-2pm, with calling every 10-15min or so like said above. Those are my most productive turkey killing hours, but hunting them like deer can be very boring.

 

[bushwhacker1975]

i thought the jake was going to a game changer maybe thsts the issue

 

[Fowl Play]

i thought the jake was going to a game changer maybe thsts the issue

Jake’s can be a game changer in the right situations. If you have gangs of Jake’s running around though, even dominant birds might have had their ass kicked already by a group of Jake’s and might be wary of them. Subdominant birds might not want a fight. It’s normally all or nothing with Jake decoys. Either they come in wanting to kick its ass or it totally ruins the hunt.