Across the creek

KySongDog · May 01, 2009, 12:23:23 PM

I had 3 birds on the opposite side of a 30 yard wide flooded creek this morning (on another guy's property with no access from my side of the creek). They gobbled their heads off for an hour and a half. I called and did everything I knew, they answered, but I just could not get them to commit to flying across the creek to visit me.

Have any of y'all ever called birds across a wide creek? How did ya do it? I did hear one hen so I knew they had company. But I figured with all of the gobbling there wasn't enough females to go around.

HaMeR · May 01, 2009, 12:44:52 PM

Did you try getting up & moving back about a 100yds & calling again? Give them the idea they have a hot hen & it's leaving them. Just a thought.

Hidehunter · May 01, 2009, 02:59:14 PM

Quote from: HaMeR on May 01, 2009, 12:44:52 PM
Did you try getting up & moving back about a 100yds & calling again? Give them the idea they have a hot hen & it's leaving them. Just a thought.

I think this is about the best thing you could do.

I have never been able to get them to fly across a big creek or river though unless it is off the roost.

KySongDog · May 01, 2009, 04:56:37 PM

I'll try moving back and calling next time. Sure can't hurt nothing.

They were already on the ground by the time I found them. I had 'em really worked up but they wouldn't fly to me. Maybe they'll be on my side of the creek tomorrow. I hope.

This season sure has been different. I think that ice storm screwed them up. That HAS to be the reason I'm having such a tough time.

Can't be little 'ol me's fault.

alscalls · May 01, 2009, 05:15:01 PM

HaMer has the right idea Semp......I have done it with two people calling with more success.....if they think there is several hens leaving they give up a little easier. Watch out for them to land in a tree top to try and find ya first...those are tough birds to get. I have a little trick I use on those sometimes......

If you can see the bird and he is hung up.....Wait for him to face directly at you and SHOOT! ......he will fly in the direction he is facing and you can kill him with the second shot as he flies over you...

I have done it twice before and it really works.

Frogman · May 01, 2009, 06:32:24 PM

Wow Al,

That's a real good tip!!

Jim

FinsnFur · May 01, 2009, 06:35:55 PM

He hasn't told you everything he knows yet Frogman

KySongDog · May 01, 2009, 06:57:57 PM

Thanks for the help, Al and HaMeR.

I was mixing it up with a Kee's mouth call, Lynch box call and a slate call. I was trying to make them think there was a whole harem just waiting for them.

They really sounded off when I threw in some purrs. I never did see them but they were close. I need to try moving away from them next time or swim the creek.

So close and yet so far.

Frogman · May 01, 2009, 07:30:24 PM

Aaahh, I don't know Jim,

Sometimes I think he just makes up most of that stuff as he goes along???

Jim

iahntr · May 01, 2009, 09:28:03 PM

I had a similar set up several years ago. A narrow strip of ground across the river from a big timber
that held a lot of birds, that I didn't have permission to hunt. Same thing, I'd call, they'd gobble
there heads off, strut up and down the bank on the other side, but wouldn't come over. The next
time I went out I moved closer so they could see my decoys from the other side, I made a make shift
blind on the back side of a big cottonwood, I added a jake decoy, I have one that's like a half strut decoy,
to my hen decoy. Same thing happened, tom gobbled his head off, strutted up and down the bank for
like 15 mins or so, finally he couldn't take it anymore and flew over to my decoys. Maybe you could try that,
If you can do it safely, I don't know your set up, add a jake and work on the jealousy aspect.

- after all that work, I got busted drawin my bow back and he took off.

KySongDog · May 01, 2009, 09:37:25 PM

That's another good idea. Thanks, iahntr.

Getting the decoys set up without being seen will be the tricky part. The leaves are out pretty good now so it's worth a shot. I still hope they move to my side of the creek and make life easier on me.

alscalls · May 01, 2009, 10:39:25 PM

Dont forget to scratch the leaves some....

And if you see coyote tracks......take a pic to show you know who.......... :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

KySongDog · May 04, 2009, 04:53:22 PM

Well, I went out in the rain this morning. It just won't stop raining and I'm runnin' out of season.

Did not hear a thing. Not a peep. Not even across the creek. Hmmm........I've done plan A and plan B. I think I need a plan C.

alscalls · May 04, 2009, 05:54:00 PM

Keep after em Semp you will get er done.......
Finally no rain here tomorrow I will be out for sure!

HaMeR · May 04, 2009, 06:41:46 PM

Semp-- They might be roosting lower than usual if the winds are kicking up overnight. Also look for pine tree roosts. They offer better protection from the elements. And most of all,,, keep giving em hell!!

Hidehunter · May 05, 2009, 01:35:40 PM

Quote from: alscalls on May 04, 2009, 05:54:00 PM
Finally no rain here tomorrow I will be out for sure!

Did you guys have a clear day? Poured it down here all day.

alscalls · May 05, 2009, 08:52:38 PM

Nice day........Clumb the big hill for an hour....Only to find some guy hunting my spot......

I cant win this year!

Hidehunter · May 05, 2009, 09:29:49 PM

man I hate when that happens. I'd love to have a big farm where I could manage the deer and turkeys and not have to worry about somebody in my spot.