Decoy question

[idgaf]

I just watched a few turkey shows on the hunting channel (bird not host). Just curious if a jake/gobbler decoy helps or hurts?

[TRKHNTR]

Good question I have never just used a jake decoy by itself. I don't believe it hurts especially if you have a hen with the jake. I typically don't use decoys (i like to depend on my calling skills) unless I'm hunting with a youth or archery hunting, i use a combination of upright hen, submissive hen and jake.

[idgaf]

Thanks for the info. Do you ever use a single hen?

[Big Browns]

I've had a lot of success using a single hen. I've also killed a lot without decoys.

[azbow]

Do you guys kill them with bows without decoys? Watching videos it looks like gobblers are so intent on beating up the Jake decoys that they don't notice the hunters. I would rather carry a few decoys than a blind.

[muledeerarea33?]

Jake and a hen work good at the right time of year. Still gotta be able to call then in and make it believable.

[naturebob]

Iv'e killed as many Turkeys without decoys as with them. Give a choice one way or the other I would hunt without them. You sound like a Turkey ,if they are hot they come running in regardless. Plus some have been educated by decoys ,see them and walk the other way. Some times it makes them curious and they come in but I say only 30% of the time or some where in that range..Just my experience of 25+ years of hunting them. The only time I don't like it is real windy, I can't hear em, but they can hear You. Good luck.........BOB!

[Big Browns]

I've had luck placing the decoy 20 yards behind me so I could be in range if the bird holds up.

[trkyslr]

Dsd Jake and upright hen is the deadliest combo there is IMO. Last 6 years I've used them and have about a 90 percent kill success rate of all the birds that have seen them. Sometimes I'll also add a feeder hen to the mix. Even higher success rate of all those birds coming in and either fighting the jake or mounting the hen or sometimes both... Those numbers are from 120 kills +-6

[TRKHNTR]

Dsd Jake and upright hen is the deadliest combo there is IMO. Last 6 years I've used them and have about a 90 percent kill success rate of all the birds that have seen them. Sometimes I'll also add a feeder hen to the mix. Even higher success rate of all those birds coming in and either fighting the jake or mounting the hen or sometimes both... Those numbers are from 120 kills +-6

DSD are the best and I use the same combo and added the submissive hen last year.

[trkyslr]

I also run the submissive hen when the gras is still short or setup on a road for visibility

[naturebob]

If you know they roost or hang or feed or travel an area I set up decoys or call in a field or opening if possible .Call a little and wait ,do it again. My first bird I ever killed I sat at same spot all day. 2 hens and a Tom came across a field 200* yards to get hammered at 5 pm. Wait em out if u know they frequent the area...........BOB

[Big Browns]

I do a lot of walking and calling. When I get a bird to respond I either move closer and set up or if the bird sounds "HOT", I set up my decoy and start calling. As the bird gets closer, I usually call a little softer. Once I feel the bird is definitely coming in and getting close I stop calling and get ready for the shot. I only stop calling, because I use a box call. If I was using a mouth call I would still be softly calling.

 

Every set up is a little different depending on the bird and the general terrain features. I've had birds come in within 30 seconds of making a call. Those are fun times! If a bird sounds really close, you won't have time to set up decoys. Find a tree and sit down, fast! I've had birds respond and take 30 minutes to come in or not come in at all. I've busted several birds, because they were coming in silent. I try to sit for 30 minutes, but that's hard to do when you feel the bird is gone already!!!!

 

I personally feel using a decoy is better, but it's not always possible.

 

The more times you Turkey hunt the more you will be able to judge the moment and how or what to do.

[naturebob]

Big Browns summed it up pretty good. Every set up is different except the ones that hear your call and come in on a rope running. The above ones I mentioned that came 200yards across a field took their time and were silent. What gave me the advantage was I saw em still in the pines across the field. Even tho they were silent, I got to watch them the whole time. Thats why I like open stuff,some will come in silent.. Try to listen at night as they fly up or gobble and yelp. Then you can sneak in in the morning.....BOB!

[218buck]

All this talk about turkeys is getting me pumped up for the spring hunts good luck to every one