Up and down options for hill-country turkeys

In the hilly part of the Canadian Shield where I hunt turkeys, one of the most common scenarios begins with a gobbler sounding off on a ridge top. When this happens, if you aren’t up there already, you have two options: you can either call that bird down or move up the ridge to close the gap. I’ve taken birds both ways. Before you decide, here are a few things to consider. Run and gun Pros: Often, the birds you encounter in hilly country are close and it doesn’t take much of a move to get within gun range. Spring cover and topography in hill country often allows an undetected approach. If a gobbler is calling and strutting along a ridge top, you can wait until he steps out of sight beyond the crest of the ridge top before you move. Cons: • It’s risky. One wrong move gets you busted.•Not advisable if other hunters are nearby. Time your stalk. If a bird is patrolling along a ridge, move up while it’s at the far end. Best practices Move only when terrain and cover hides you from the gobbler. If the gobbler goes silent, don’t move until you can confirm his location by sight or sound. He could be searching for you. Use distant sounds such as chainsaws to mask your approach. Ensure other birds will not bust you before you move. If the gobbler is strutting predictably back and forth along a ridge top, wait till he gets to the far end of the strut zone before moving. Ideally you will intercept him on the return. If the gobbler retreats down the other side of the ridge, set up on the reverse slope on top and try to call him back. Sit and call Pros: You stand a better chance of remaining undetected and not spooking a bird. He’s probably going to quickly see your decoys. Cons: Gobblers run ridges because it allows them to be better heard and seen by hens and gives them a better vantage point. Therefore they are sometimes reluctant to leave high ground. The gobbler might draw in hens from a distance or from the other side of the ridge. When that happens, you are beaten. If a fence or other obstacle is between you and the gobbler, he might not cross it. Set up in a spot that makes the approach easy for