Where should i set up?

[Horton4life]

I found a spot where there are turkeys. and being that this is my first year turkey hunting and being that it is going to be on public land unlike my white tail experiences i need some help.

i made a diagram of the area where i located many tracks, i am just unsure how to set up being that a public road is located within 150 yards of the turkeys. the first cornfield is where all the tracks go out into, the 2nd field had no trakcs (this was during heavy snow) i know its still about a month and a half until season starts, and i will have to do more scouting, but if it were to stay like this how should i set up? the second corn field is twice the size of the first, and the woods behind it seem to go on forever. though i have not found tracks as if they havent wondered in the second corn field. any opinions would be appreciated.

Remember i live in a place where there are only on average around 20 turkeys killed a year, so im excited i found some tracks, now i just hope they stay put.

The image below is the picture diagram of what im talking about

[Horton4life]

The red tracks are where the turkeys are located. and they are pointed in the direction of which they come off their trees.

[The Kid]

its tuff to say but if your gonna use a decoy i would set up on the edge of the woods and set the decoy out in the cut corn field so the other turkeys can see it, is there any water around, such as a creek or a small pond, most likely if there is thats were there probably roosting.. Get close to there roosting area sit, maybe give some tree yelps, or a fly down cackle, wait until they hit the ground and hope they come walking your way, and then let him have it,, have you seen any longbeards yet????

[Ethan Givan]

Its hard to say because they could change their patterns before season. The best advice I can give is set up where ever the hens are at. Thats where the gobblers will be this spring. Along the woodline around any of those corn fields would probably be a decent spot.

[Horton4life]

Actually about 300 yards north east of the woods by the 1st corn field there is the lake (the biggest lake in ohio besides of lake erie obviously)

[3whunt]

I'd get to the spot really early being that it is public land; sometimes we used to park two vehicles on the road to deter other hunters from crowding into an area. I wouldn't set out a decoy if anyone else might be hunting the same birds for safety reasons. All my experience with public land turkeys have lead me to believe that you need to set up as close to the roost as possible and call very little. A few tree yelps and then some quite purrs and clucks. Try to get between the roost and the field if possible.

[Strut10]

Do some more scouting early mornings (gobbling time) the week before season opens. Then, opening day, take it right to the gobbling bird(s). Set up wherever you need to be to get you within 100 yards or less of the roosted, gobbling bird.

[xOZx]

I agree with Strut10. A bit more scouting the week before...NO CALLING, unless it's a locator (Crow/Owl) in late evening or early morning. Try and find out where thay are morning and night. And, if possible, roost them buggers the night before the opener.

If that's not possible, on opening morning, hit the owl call right out of the car. If you can get one to shock gobble, you know where they are, then set up close but not too close.

Very little calling(if any) before fly down. Those dudes will pinpoint EXACTLY where you are. Let them do their thing that first morning if you don't have the specifics yet. Maybe you'll get lucky, but if not, day two you are now better educated and go in much better prepared where to set up.

Do not give up early. If you do not have any luck with your first set up, sneak around a bit, stopping to hit the box call or slate occasionally. That mid morning gobbler that responds to your call is a workable bird if you can arrange a meeting.

With all that said, none of it may work...them birds is odd...

[Rhino]

I'm with Strut10 too. With the fields you have around there you should be able to glass those birds from a distance when they come off the roost. Take your binocs and go pattern those birds at daylight to see where they prefer to go when they come off the roost. Do that several mornings during during the week to 10 days before the season opens. The birds should show you where you need to consider setting up on opening morning.

[Horton4life]

thanks