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Three Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Ground Blinds

The devil’s in the details when it comes to proper blind setup, but don’t forget about positioning your decoys in a way that mimics turkey behavior. Gobblers approach hens from behind for breeding purposes, so keep that in mind when placing decoys. (Photo: HowardCommunications.com)

Blind Love

By Mark Kayser

If you want to get the most out of your ground blind setup, consider these three tips:

Tip No. 1: Set up on level ground where you expect turkeys to travel. If you set up on a ridge and the turkeys spend more time on the fields below, you’ll likely have a difficult time calling them close.

Tip No. 2: Avoid setting up near obstructions. Obstacles, barriers and blockades can be enough to make any gobbler turn around and go the other way, or they might help a gobbler to make up his mind and stand just out of archery range, demanding you come to him. Fences, creeks and steep canyons might all impede a turkey’s incentive to strut into arrow range.

Tip No. 3: take care of the small details. After you stake the ground blind, use a pruner to trim any small limbs or brush that could deflect an arrow causing a miss. Stake the decoy close. I prefer my decoy to be at 10 yards or less and at an angle that will make the gobbler position itself for the best shot. Gobblers approach hens from behind for breeding purposes, so keep that mental image when positioning a hen decoy.

If you like a rear shot, place the decoy facing away. If you like a broadside shot, place the decoy broadside. And if you like a frontal shot, position the decoy straight at your position.

 

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