Turkeys in Wine Country

[AMann]

Heading out to my best friends vineyard in California this weekend to do a little turkey hunting. I've never been there or hunted anywhere like it. It's my understanding the birds roost in a string of trees on the far end of the property and basically mill around the vineyard all day. Shouldn't be a terribly difficult hunt but am wondering if anyone has hunted vineyard birds before. I feel like we may be stuck in the blind most of the day since there's really no cover other than rows and rows of old vine zin. Any tips or advice???

 

[BOW1144]

AMann, Living in Napa I have killed the vast majority of my birds in vineyards. Depending on the terrain of the vineyard (flat or slopped) the vineyards can make great cover (especially slopped). I would use the vineyard roads as ambush spots. The birds will travel the roads if the grass between the vines has not been mowed down. Usually there are wood areas surrounding the vineyards that you can use as cover. Locating birds can easily be done by walking or driving the roads and looking down the rows. the birds are used to vehicle and foot traffic from the vineyard workers. Good luck!

 

[AMann]

BOW, Thanks for all the info and nice picture! Hopefully I'll be able to post up some pics of my own when I get back. My buddies dad has been sending pics of 25 to 30 birds cruising by the front porch so we might paint up like lawn gnomes and let them have it. At least there will be plenty to drink if all else fails.

 

[BOW1144]

Good luck!