Half way across the river water rose above my belly button. I had never turkey hunted in chest waders, however I was glad Rod talked me into going home and grabbing them. My original plan was to cross in muck boots, and that would have ended badly. For now I was dry and heading to the opposite bank…bow in one hand and my reaping decoy in the other.
Turkey reaping is an old hunting technique that has gained popularity and controversy in recent years. It involves going against the traditional spring time turkey hunting strategy of calling and concealment. Instead the hunter locates a turkey and approaches it (often belly crawling) from behind a turkey fan and decoy.
The male turkey will see this act as a challenge and come to fight. When the gobbler is in range the hunter shoots from behind the decoy. It is fast paced and adrenaline fueled. I didn’t believe it would work until I tried it, and I have successfully taken birds with this method multiple times. Click here for a video of me reaping a turkey during a previous turkey season (footage taken with an iPhone).
Some traditional turkey hunters are not fans of this method. First there are legitimate safety concerns. Another hunter could mistake a turkey reaper as an actual turkey and accidentally shoot someone. We definitely don’t need hunters shooting other hunters. Second, some turkey hunters think this method is too easy and believe that the proper way to hunt turkeys in the spring is to call them into range with the sounds of hens looking to mate. I agree with the first argument, however I disagree with the second. Turkey reaping presents its own challenges. If done in a safe environment turkey reaping can be an effective way to fill your tag.
Opening morning of the 2018 Nebraska turkey season was not ideal. My morning hunt was a bust. I didn’t hear or see any birds. The weather was cold and the wind was blowing. I almost decided to call it a day, but decided to give it one more chance to locate some birds.
It wasn’t long and I saw a large flock feeding in a corn field. The problem was there wasn’t a real good way to set up to call these turkeys. The river had minimal cover so realistically the closest I could get to put up a blind would be about half a mile. Additionally, I wouldn’t be able to get the decoys out into the field they were using without risking being spotted by the turkeys. Due to their proximity to the river the only strategy that I thought would work would be to cross the river from the opposite side, crawl up the bank behind my reaper decoy, get close enough for a shot with my Matthews, and let an arrow fly.
Rod thought I was crazy, but I was confident it would work. We ran home quick to get the chest waders. Then I identified a tree close to the turkeys that would help me locate the birds while I was crossing the river. Due to the lack of cover on the side with the birds I needed to come up the bank as close to them as possible.
Dropping into the river a ways down from the birds left me with a buffer. I didn’t want to risk spooking them on my approach. I waded up the river with my bow and reaper in tow and Rod’s advice “Don’t Drown” running through my mind. I made it to the point of the river where I thought the birds were located and crawled up the bank. Slow and steady was my pace. I crested the bank and peered into the field. No turkeys. Did I not travel up the river far enough? Did they hear me coming and spook? Or did they just move into little cover along the river?
Out of the corner of my eye I caught movement. The flock had moved into the trees along the river and were only 75 yards away. I hunkered down behind my reaper and moved through the timber. I covered 25 yards fast and the birds noticed my movement. However, with the trees and reaper concealing my body they thought I was a turkey in full strut. I made it to a downed log which was rotten enough for me to stick the stake of the decoy in. Four jakes were not happy with this new male on their turf and started to make a racket. I continued to rotate the decoy in an aggressive manner. It didn’t take long and the foursome came running in on a rope! I drew my bow and when they stepped out from behind a tree at 15 yards I let an arrow fly. The arrow flew true and I hit my mark. The rest of the flock took off, but my prey laid on the ground.
I had reaped a jake with my bow on opening day of the Nebraska archery season. Although I didn’t get it on film (Rod was too weak to cross the river), here is the post hunt interview.
Here are some tips if you are thinking about trying to reap a turkey this year.
Safety First – My biggest concern with reaping is safety. Before attempting to reap a bird make sure you are the only person hunting the area. It also helps to have a spotter looking for other hunters that might mistake you for a live bird.
Think Later – Although I reaped this bird the opening day of season, I normally wait until later in the season before using this tactic (late April or May). I also have the most success after 10 a.m.
Practice – Whether you are shooting a bow or shotgun practice shooting from behind the decoy. Reaping often involves belly crawling. If you are hunting with a shotgun you might have to shoot from the prone position. Practice this shot. If you are hunting with a bow you will probably end up shooting from a kneeling position, so practice drawing and shooting this shot.
Get Close – Although I have attracted a gobbler reaping from a couple of hundred yards away I have the most luck getting in close. With this bird I moved within 50 yards before he really knew what was going on. Ideally I will be within 100 yards before the birds see the decoy.
Get Aggressive – Reaping is all about moving forward. Keep crawling towards the bird. Although this goes against conventional hunting wisdom, reaping is all about starting a fight. So get in the toms face and make him mad.
How Does this Apply to Business?
If you wait until conditions are perfect, you will always be waiting. Opening day of 2018 archery season was not ideal. I could have quit and waited for a sunnier day. However, instead I went out and made things happen. The old adage is “you can’t get anything from the couch.” So even when conditions aren’t ideal adjust your tactics. Try something new. Adapt to the conditions, don’t wait for the conditions to adapt to you.
Until next time remember…you are going to have to earn it.