The video below is one of my favorites from the 2021 spring turkey season. It features Greg Clements, one of the co-hosts of the very popular YouTube channel The Hunting Public. Clements returns to his home state of Nebraska, and he’s running and gunning — with a bow and no blind — on public land for Merriam’s turkeys.

As you’ll see, it’s not easy. But as someone who also spends a good amount of time with stick and string during turkey season with no blind, I can understand the sense of freedom Clements feels as he moves on birds and tries to get into the best position to make a killing shot.

Clements does a great job explaining what goes into finding the right type of bow ambush for these wary birds. Several components are needed, including a dense backdrop, shade, plus something to hide your movement as you draw the bow. 

You’ll notice that his first ambush spot doesn’t work out so well; he could have killed a mature tom with a shotgun but not a bow. Unlike when gun hunting, sitting with your back against a large-diameter tree typically won’t cut it for bowhunting turkeys. The spot where he finally arrows a tom is perfect, and Clements details exactly why that’s the case. Note: Even though you probably aren’t carrying a tripod and camera into the field, you could still copy his system of toting a small piece of camo fabric for front cover.

Learn from this outstanding self-filmed video if you want to arrow a gobbler next turkey season and leave the blind in the truck.