turkey with bow or bust!

[Bowguy67]

Gcook, my buddy has a similar dislike for mergansers but came up w a recipe he can live with. He breasts the bird, puts it in foil, salt, pepper, a little olive oil. Wraps it and bakes it at 350 I think 20 minutes or something.
He than takes it out to cool, removes breast from foil. Throws out breast and eats foil. Maybe that'll help you

[Elsecaller]

Make your own dekes and blinds from handmade and natural materials, then I don't see why that wouldn't still fit into a traditional approach.

Indians used tons of decoy techniques. It's plenty traditional. Imo that shouldn't be a giant concern against any

Exactly.

[Cory Mattson]

Dhaverstick
Simmons shark with a V cut into the tip. This insures the arrow goes straight. It prevents the arrow from glancing. It eliminates any stiff quill from throwing the arrow off impact.
I've killed three gobblers.
I've only released three arrows at gobblers.
If that helps.

And for others getting started
I love using two decoys one hen and one jake, and I fresh bright paint the red and white on the jake and the light blue on the hen every year. Wouldn't waste time hunting without them.
I've called in dozens but I only take a shot at 5 yards, or less
I always shoot center of mass.

[GCook]

Gcook, my buddy has a similar dislike for mergansers but came up w a recipe he can live with. He breasts the bird, puts it in foil, salt, pepper, a little olive oil. Wraps it and bakes it at 350 I think 20 minutes or something.
He than takes it out to cool, removes breast from foil. Throws out breast and eats foil. Maybe that'll help you

🤣😂🤣  Like the cedar plank recipe for salmon.  Once cooked eat the plank and discard the salmon!

[Stringwacker]

[attachment=2,msg2990566][attachment=1,msg2990566]I have a love-hate relationship with turkeys. I love to hunt them with a bow but killing them....well, that's a whole different matter. I killed my first one without a blind after about 10 years of trying. I was still a real young fellow back then. I killed the second one about 25 years after that with a blind so I can't really say I took advantage of him:)

I harvested a fall Merriam but it was rather easy. I won't say killing a Merriam is as easy as hitting them in the head with a shovel; but compared to an Eastern there isn't any comparison in my limited experience.

I should have had another one last year, but I....missed.  Given I get a shot about every 25 years, I guess I will be 89 by the next shot I get if my 'luck' holds up. I still love it and its a great way to spend some splendid spring days.

[toddster]

15 years ago, I made the decision to just use longbow to take Turkeys.  It is not for the new or faint hearted.  It can be done, took 9 with bow so far (Spring/Fall).  It is challenging but a whole lot of fun.  Never been one to use pop up blinds.  I will usually get a bird working, then use woodsmanship to set up in front of direction of travel then ambush them. 

[Tedd]

If they are as smart as our mountain birds its gonna be tough. Plus the turkey population here is really dropping.

[TIM B]

As far as decoys and traditional go I'd say your ok.  They found some waterfowl decoys in a cave in Nevada in the 20's and they were constructed of reeds and clay etc, and they estimated them to be 2,400 years old.
Tim B

[heartshoth]

I've been using an ASAT 3D suit with GREAT RESULTS

[Mad Bear]

It is a challenge. I had the same goal in mind and was able to pull it off so I know you will do it. I made an A-frame out of sticks though and brushed it in, I was having trouble with the birds detecting me as I was drawing. What worked for me was waiting until the bird turned and was full strut, allowing me to get the butt shot.

Using the sun so its always on your back helps too, they have a hard time seeing just like we do when the sun is directly at our face.

Have fun this year.

Here is some inspiration lol
https://youtu.be/5mus0umgpBM

[Larry Dean]

Down in central Iowa for a few days, there are a lot more turkeys here than back home. The biologists told me that blackhead disease took out one our biggest flocks and that predators like skunks, possums and other egg eaters are responsible for the generally low numbers where I use to hunt them. I got a few weeks to think about it, maybe the crappies are calling me.