Like all honest turkey hunters I go out every spring and get outsmarted by the world's dumbest bird. It happens to all of us and with frequency. That being said, ole gob can be and sometimes is called from his roost into a callers lap. It's even happened to me on occasion. I'm one of those turkey hunters who has carefully sneaked into an area where I knew them to be roosting and as daylight began to visit the horizon an explosion of sound like the open pipes of a dragster took place directly over my head as the flock flew out of the tree I was under.
I'd agree that 30yds. is a bit too close. Where I hunt it's about 70yds too close for me. Yes, the hens are spies! Absolutely! They can bust you quicker than a junk yard dog. I sometimes wonder if they can smell or have some kind of heat recognition devise. How do they find you that quick??? Put, Put, Put!
You will also find that the accumulation of turkey deceiving devises will mysteriously grow. Any self secure turkey hunter knows this must happen. It's part of the educational process. I have a huge box filled with various sound making, body hiding, plastic, wood, metal, fabric, body part, things. Bolts of camo cloth, umbrella type devises, flat or various height three and four legged seats. Four turkey vests, turkey jackets, turkey specific rain leaking outfits, end even camo undies. You need all that stuff and more.
Hunting in a shotgun only area I have that well covered. Single shot, double barrel, pump, and semi auto but I have restricted myself to only 12, 16, and 20 gauges. They are fully equipped with camo paint, dipping camo, plastic and fabric camo gun socks or tapes. After market recoil pads and stocks shortened so that sitting shots are easier. Iron, plastic and glass aiming devises also adorn the gun corner along with a drawer full if various choke tubes some of which actually fit some of the shotguns I currently have.
May I suggest that you too need all these things along with various blinds, camo tents, and bunkers if you are to successfully hunt the turkey.
A wonderful variation of differing colored hulls that provided the shot killing turkeys over the years now adorn my wall. #2,4,5,6,71/2, and various mixes of them all kill ole Gob. All kinds of materials making up various shot sizes have spewed from my shotgun barrels and I know exactly which size and material works best - well, currently - but I haven't tried that new Winchester product yet.
This last spring I tucked my jeans into my boots, slipped an ole camo jacket over my red plaid shirt, zipped it partially, grabbed my 25yr old box call, my single shot 20ga, 3 number 6's, and left the house at about 6:30.
Walked about a half mile from the house and sat down on a fallen tree where I could see well. Started yanking the paddle on the box, got an answer, ole Gob and 3 miss hennies came in. Gob got to about 25yds when the 20ga spoke and I brought him home. After all, As you know, when the hens are not spying, hunting turkeys is simple and easy.
