I need a DSD hen to keep my DSD Jake company. Which one should I get fellas?? Or should he remain a loner?? Thanks in advance!
-Tom
I would use a feeding hen or relaxed, but i know quite a few guys like the upright.
I'm not a huge fan of the upright as a lone hen because mine looks more like it's in alert mode to me.( Mine are not dsds)
feeder
My first choice would be a DSD Upright Hen. I use this pair as my Run & Guns!
I have use a Upright hen paired up with my 3/4 Strut Jake during the first 3-4 weeks of season and have great results. You can short stake her to the ground and let her "double" as a breeder hen too. Usually during the last 2-3 weeks I like to pair the jake up with a DSD Feeding hen.
Here's a bit on DSD's
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,70971.0.html
MK M GOBL
Quote from: MK M GOBL on February 08, 2019, 11:17:12 AM
My first choice would be a DSD Upright Hen. I use this pair as my Run & Guns!
This is the combo I use as well, dad upright and jake
I have use a Upright hen paired up with my 3/4 Strut Jake during the first 3-4 weeks of season and have great results. You can short stake her to the ground and let her "double" as a breeder hen too. Usually during the last 2-3 weeks I like to pair the jake up with a DSD Feeding hen.
MK M GOBL
That's what I use, dsd jake and upright hen
I use all 3 together may be over kill but it works for me.
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Appreciate the input. Next question........is there a particular way you like to orient the jake and the hen. How close together, facing away.....towards each other??? I was pretty impressed with using just the jake last year so why not start adding one a year. By the time I'm 60 I'll have a flock :)
Quote from: MK M GOBL on February 08, 2019, 11:17:12 AM
I have use a Upright hen paired up with my 3/4 Strut Jake during the first 3-4 weeks of season and have great results.
Usually during the last 2-3 weeks I like to pair the jake up with a DSD Feeding hen.
MK M GOBL
What's the idea behind that?
Quote from: TomRC on February 08, 2019, 12:41:52 PM
Appreciate the input. Next question........is there a particular way you like to orient the jake and the hen. How close together, facing away.....towards each other??? I was pretty impressed with using just the jake last year so why not start adding one a year. By the time I'm 60 I'll have a flock :)
Movement is key here, I do doctor up my DSD's a bit but as placement goes. Somewhat goes with a blind or not and this is with shotgun hunts, I have different sets with the bow.
And these are my "rules" I use to setting decoys. RH Hunter if LH just opposite.
Dominant Decoy is set right of center to strong side,
Jake is set at 15 yards.
(Dominant Decoy of your set, be it Jake or Strutter but set the ALPA closest to you. My Jake is sometimes the sub in a set.)
Upright Hen is set with "elbow room" I want a tom to be able to walk between my decoy set. Whether it be 2 or a flock of 6. I may set her as a breeder but never put jake on her back.
In general I usually don't care which way they are faced, but have set bump sticks at times if i know a gobblers approach and want that from my set.
Now if upright is set as Breeder or you have DSD Submissive hen and bow hunting I set the hen in "Kill Zone" (Decoys are set at 10 yards) with my White Headed Strutter. In pic we knew gobbler would approach from right to set, I am in blind with the hunter on the left side of blind facing set, I am filming on right. This tom walked on the DSD decoys back, this presents you with a hip shot taking out both legs, bird can't walk, run or fly. DSD and Done!!
MK M GOBL
Quote from: Gobble! on February 08, 2019, 01:04:00 PM
Quote from: MK M GOBL on February 08, 2019, 11:17:12 AM
I have use a Upright hen paired up with my 3/4 Strut Jake during the first 3-4 weeks of season and have great results.
Usually during the last 2-3 weeks I like to pair the jake up with a DSD Feeding hen.
MK M GOBL
What's the idea behind that?
In early season jakes are making more aggressive advances with the hens, tend to set my decoys closer together at this time. Tom sees jake as "pursuing" hen more aggressively at this time. And will set breeder at time as well (we are hitting second peak of breeding)
So as we get to late season and a hen maybe "nested" she is only really interested in her morning ritual... eat, poop maybe need a drink and then back to nest. The feeding hen shows her disinterest in the breeding cycle and the Jake just ends up following her around (his hormones are still running strong)
I follow closely to what I see weekly in the breeding cycle and match my sets to this, part of my scouting ritual.
MK M GOBL
Good stuff......thanks again!
I've got all 3. I've used them alone, in a pair and with all 3. Killed gobblers over every combo.
Leader...
Quote from: Turkeytider on February 10, 2019, 12:13:05 PM
For the board, are DSDs " generally " considered the best decoy? They certainly do look the part and they certainly carry the price tag as well. By the way, I'm aware that the maker is on the board most probably ????!
How do you define best? Best looking, yeah they pretty much have that in the bag. Best for packing into the woods for a long walk, no way.
Quote from: Turkeytider on February 10, 2019, 12:13:05 PM
For the board, are DSDs " generally " considered the best decoy? They certainly do look the part and they certainly carry the price tag as well. By the way, I'm aware that the maker is on the board most probably ????!
I would give DSD's the "best" rating as far as decoys go. You have detail, durability and they are downright deadly. There is a learning curve to hunting them "right" and they are not for every hunt... When I am in a true Run & Gun hunt I will drop them and go, I do tend to take them with me though and if a hunt is happening fast I just make my set. I am used to carrying my 3/4 Strut Jake and Upright Hen for these type hunts. When I get to Youth, Newbie and videography I may have anywhere from 2 to 6 decoys set me depending on where we are in breeding cycle early to late.
As I say "Just tools in the shed"
MK M GOBL
How do you define best? Best looking, yeah they pretty much have that in the bag. Best for packing into the woods for a long walk, no way.
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DSD's are nice decoys but they are a pain to carry and are loud compared to avianx.I cant imagine carrying 2 hardbody dsds and hearing that hard plastic knocking each other on every step. Ive got a flock of avians and as far as hens go ive always gotten the best reaction out of birds with the original upright hen. That posture seems to get most hens agitated enough to come in and assert there dominance. Shes also brought in a lot of gobblers to their death standing by herself. Ive seen a lot of birds killed over jake and strutter decoys and in my experience gobblers completely ignore any hens you have in your decoy spread and ALWAYS key in on the jake or strutter. In other words i dont think having a hen or hens in those situations did anything but add to the things i had to carry out. I would get an upright hen(dsd or avian) as it will add to your "spread", and be more effective all by itself compared to any breeder or feeder style hens.
Not real sure how it got there, guess I pushed the wrong emoji. Meant to be a smile. My apologies.
DSDs are not hard plastic, they flex some, and there is no knocking sound when carrying a pair.
IMO I would get an upright hen. if you are ever hunting in higher grass, the feeder hen may not be as visible.
Quote from: CAPTJJ on February 10, 2019, 06:41:43 PM
DSDs are not hard plastic, they flex some, and there is no knocking sound when carrying a pair.
That's the truth!! :icon_thumright:
Quote from: jordanz7935 on February 10, 2019, 02:07:08 PMDSD's are nice decoys but they are a pain to carry and are loud compared to avianx.I cant imagine carrying 2 hardbody dsds and hearing that hard plastic knocking each other on every step.
I don't know how you are carrying DSD's Jordan, but mine don't knock and make noise, even when I'm carrying my upright and feeding hens along with a jake. I just keep all of them in the carrying bags that come with them, and put all three bags into a big mesh decoy bag and cinch the drawstring up tight.
I don't like Avians. I find them to look less realistic and they seem heavier. Plus I don't want to blow them up and deflate them.
But my opinion doesn't matter. To each their own decoy brand, or no decoys. Whatever the hunter prefers. Good luck this spring!!
Quote from: CAPTJJ on February 10, 2019, 06:41:43 PM
DSDs are not hard plastic, they flex some, and there is no knocking sound when carrying a pair.
The one i carried this fall was loud and hard plastic, i do believe it was an older dsd maybe even the original, now that i think about it. Im sure the new ones are different by the way you guys are talking. They are nice decoys no doubt. A lot of good dekes on the market these days compared to 10 yrs ago.
Yes the early ones are hard.
I've had awesome interactions from hens and gobblers with the upright hen, that would be my choice.
Thanks again. Guess I'll go spend some more $. Putting a camo sponge paint job on my little 870 20 gauge today. Season's getting close!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote from: TomRC on February 14, 2019, 04:18:13 PM
Thanks again. Guess I'll go spend some more $. Putting a camo sponge paint job on my little 870 20 gauge today. Season's getting close!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah this is tinkering season. I got a DSD I need to repaint, MODed the seat on my Alps, some shells to load, and we will see what else comes up before March.
Redneck tinkering and projects NEVER seem to end. Picked up a Tikka CTR 6.5 Creedmoor yesterday to start a long range rifle build.......not for turkeys......of course :):) Need to tie some flies too and get the waders out as well.........so many things to do........so little time!!