Decoying TX Rios??

[Texforce]

What decoy set-ups have worked the best for you guys on Early season TX Rios?? I would certainly appreciate any input. Thanks, and Good Huntin'

[GobbleNut]

The best decoy set-up in Texas is carrying and running one of those feeder-motor whirly things.   
Other than that, I couldn't tell you.....

[kjnengr]

The best decoy set-up in Texas is carrying and running one of those feeder-motor whirly things.   
Other than that, I couldn't tell you.....

[wade]

A hen set low in a breeding position with a jake about 2 feet behind her, worked on my 1 and only Rio. There's a video posted in wildlife photography of the tom trouncing the jake decoy, but you can't see the action because of a rookie cameraman.

[MK M GOBL]

Not an expert on "Texas" Rios but have killed them in Texas and Oklahoma, hunted both public and private, my DSD's did their job (NO strutter or jake on Public) only used the hens on Public and used strutter and jake on private. Dad and I were both out on the hunts killed with and without decoys in both states. Just a tool in the shed...

MK M GOBL

[Planner]

I hunt in the hill country and we run the Jake and breeding hen quite a bit with success. But- I've also pulled quite a few in with a strutter too. Because of the open terrain it helps giving them something they can see.


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[tha bugman]

never had much luck with decoys and rios....running around in front of them and cutting them off their travel route has worked better for me.

[Marc]

My best success (with Rio's in California) has been a jake/hen combo...  I have had them run away or hesitate due the jake as much as I have seen them run in...   One of the biggest tom's I have seen in the area I hunt, came in (I watched him walking down the dirt road), came around the corner, saw my jake decoy, and took off like I had shot at him (last day of the season)...  I sure wish I had left the decoys in the car.

A single hen decoy has not been as productive...  All too often they will hang up and display out of range and saunter off eventually (whereas I think they often would have kept coming forward with no decoy).

I do tend to use decoys in more open country (for me that is pastures or meadows)...  In wooded areas, I leave the decoys in the truck...

Tomorrow is opening day, and I am hunting an open pasture (with my 5 year old daughter in tow)....  I will use a jake/hen combo, cause it is one of the few open areas I hunt....

[stinkpickle]

For me, timing has been the biggest issue with early season Texas Rios.  Some years, they come running to calls, decoys, or whatever you throw at them.  Other years, they ignore you completely.  So in conclusion, I'd say success with any decoy setup is a toss up.