Decoys for Fall Hunting?

[Tom007]

Wanted to get the forums thoughts on using decoys for Fall hunting? Thanks

[paboxcall]

If hens, jakes and gobblers are all legal, dekes are a terrible idea. Hunt defensively.

Woodsmanship and fall calling instead.

[GobbleGitr]

Negative ghostrider.  Flocking instinct for gobblers as well as hens/broods is such that sitting still and sounding like a turkey when being mindful of food sources they are seeking is plenty enough advantage

[fallhnt]

I use them. I use multiple hen decoys and will gobbler yelp too.I've had longbeards come into my calling and close the deal on multiple hen decoy set.  I use a solo jake when I know I'm hunting longbeards. I set decoys out in fields and in woods too. I've hunted the same public ground in fall for 25 years and don't scout. I just pick a spot and set up and call. Decoys don't work that well in fall because the birds are in survival mode but when the do work it gets them into bow range for me.

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[scattergun]

I'm guessing they don't add much if you do the scatter and call back method. If you are ambushing them, I like a decoy to give them something to look at, and assurance they will walk within 35 yards of me.

[Tom007]

Great info/advice, thank you all for that. I am going to put an effort into Fall turkey this year. Never tried it, but have been reading about it. Thanks so much, best of luck to all.....Be safe....

[Kylongspur88]

If hens, jakes and gobblers are all legal, dekes are a terrible idea. Hunt defensively.

Woodsmanship and fall calling instead.

This. I'll add be mobile, know your food sources, scout and call like the bird you want to kill. My fall shotgun season comes in in just a few weeks. Can't wait!

[eggshell]

I agree, the benefit is not great enough to merit lugging them around. successful fall hunting reqires a highly mobile approach. You'll be staking them out and pulling them up a lot. Fall turkeys orient to food, that's your most important decoy

[Tom007]

I agree, the benefit is not great enough to merit lugging them around. successful fall hunting reqires a highly mobile approach. You'll be staking them out and pulling them up a lot. Fall turkeys orient to food, that's your most important decoy

If hens, jakes and gobblers are all legal, dekes are a terrible idea. Hunt defensively.

Woodsmanship and fall calling instead.

This. I'll add be mobile, know your food sources, scout and call like the bird you want to kill. My fall shotgun season comes in in just a few weeks. Can't wait!

Great advice. Thanks for the info. I can't wait till the NY opener. Best of luck...be safe

[EZ]

I've been an avid fall hunter all my life. My advice is to learn how to really whistle like a desperately lost poult (except when hunting mature gobblers) and forget about decoys.

Fall hunting can really be fun!! Enjoy.

[Tom007]

I've been an avid fall hunter all my life. My advice is to learn how to really whistle like a desperately lost poult (except when hunting mature gobblers) and forget about decoys.

Fall hunting can really be fun!! Enjoy.

Thanks T. Will definitely use that method. Just being out there in the crisp fall woods makes it special......

[eggshell]

my season opens tomorrow......yipeeee

[the Ward]

That's an interesting concept. I always associated decoys with spring, never thought about them being used in fall.

[Will]

In Maryland, where you can still use a rifle in the Fall, I think it is to dangerous. Not sure if rifle is allowed where you can hunt but this is something to consider. There are enough stories of decoys being shot in the Spring, and that is just shotguns. Like EZ said, a good Kee Kee.   

[Tom007]

Amen, safety first....be safe everyone, enjoy the fall woods