Turkey Strategies Debated: Blinds vs Run & Gun

Different Factors Play a Role in Deciding When to Set Up in a Ground Blind Versus When to Get Aggressive!

By Noah Switz, Buck Fever Outdoors

I was introduced to a run-and-gun style of turkey hunting a few years ago and it has become the tactic I like to employ the vast majority of the time… for better or for worse. When it works, there is absolutely nothing better. We spot a tom, throw a call out to him, he gobbles, we make ourselves noticed with our old turkey fans on full display, he comes sprinting at us, our lead meets his face, we celebrate a successful hunt. 

When it doesn’t work, there is nothing more defeating. The same scenario ends before it even begins. He spots us, immediately decides he is not interested, and no matter what we do, his mind is already made up. This same principle can be applied to any kind of hunting or fishing for that matter. Using the right tactic at the right time can lead to some magical moments. But the wrong tactic at the wrong time is just plain wrong. 

Think about it… there are certain things you might do during the rut that you would never do in early September. There are certain fishing lures you might use in the spring that just don’t work in the fall. The point is the best hunters have a bunch of different tactics that they feel comfortable using and they know when to use them! Turkey hunting from a blind has it's place in my arsenal just like our run-and-gun turkey fan reaping strategy has it's place as well. Feeling comfortable using a variety of tactics will lead to a dramatic increase in successful hunts.

Blinds primarily work well on private land where a hunter has access to both woods and open fields. If the hunter knows where birds typically roost and where they usually fly down off the roost in the morning, a blind can be set up for a great ambush spot. I realize this eliminates a lot of hunters, but this is where blinds work the best. Using a blind; however, does not mean you get to stop being a smart hunter. Putting the blind in an easily visible, awkward spot will be the first thing to make you want to quit hunting from a blind. Birds will notice something is off with your setup and they will never fall for it. Naturally, you’ll blame the blind instead of blaming yourself for poor blind placement. 

Calling your butt off like a teenage girl with hot gossip on an unlimited data plan will also have you thinking your blind setup just isn’t working. Calling incessantly is unrealistic and will also turn off that tom you’re after. Each of these common errors leads people to believe it's the blind’s fault, when in reality it's far from it.

If you are going to use a blind (and there are times when I think you should) here are my best tips:

1. Tuck your blind away 10-15 yards back into the woods where the birds can’t see you until they get much closer. 

2. Don’t set your decoy(s) up directly between your blind and the spot where you anticipate the birds to come from. Offset yourself a little bit so that when the turkeys look at the decoys, they don’t see your blind directly behind them. 

3. Be patient with your calling. They are in no rush and you shouldn’t be either. Since when does making a ton of noise provide much luck when it comes to hunting? Give that tom a little bit of mystery. Call at him once or twice, then go silent for half an hour, maybe longer. More often than not, that will spark his curiosity enough to come and check out the area.

4. Most importantly, learn from what you experience!! When something works, make note of exactly why it worked so you can use it again when you find yourself in that same situation. When something doesn’t work, make note of exactly why that didn’t work so you don’t make the same mistake again. This will help you decide when to use certain strategies and save others for a rainy day. 

   
   

From my experience, during the early periods in the turkey season, toms are not as responsive to the reaping approach. Popping that fan up and taunting that big tom to come and assert his dominance just doesn’t spark his interest. Later in the spring, as we get a week or two into May, nothing will kill more birds than the reaping approach in my opinion. 

Of course other factors such as weather, turkey populations, weapon choice, time of day/year, etc. can have an impact on strategy effectiveness as well:

1. Turkey hunting from a blind while it's raining out is preferable to being out in the elements. 

2. Hunting with a bow is much easier to do from a blind as well. 

3. Midday when toms might go quiet and start cruising can be the perfect time of day to be set up in a blind. 

4. The early season of turkey hunting is much like the early season of deer hunting. The best action is yet to come (like the rut) but if you can pattern the birds you’re chasing after (like your early season target buck) they can be very killable. But with lots of time left in the season, it is almost always best to play it safe, have some patience, and save your aggressive tactics for later in the year.

   
   

Ultimately, birds are killed from blinds in every state, in every period, every single year. Birds are also killed by run-and-gun hunters in every state, in every period, every single year. These strategies work, but being married to one or the other will lead you to struggle when you could be having success. Be flexible, listen to what the birds are telling you, learn from your mistakes, and be a smart hunter above all else!