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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: Tom007 on October 05, 2021, 07:22:08 PM

Title: Decoys for Fall Hunting?
Post by: Tom007 on October 05, 2021, 07:22:08 PM
Wanted to get the forums thoughts on using decoys for Fall hunting? Thanks
Title: Re: Decoys for Fall Hunting?
Post by: paboxcall on October 05, 2021, 09:04:46 PM
If hens, jakes and gobblers are all legal, dekes are a terrible idea. Hunt defensively.

Woodsmanship and fall calling instead.
Title: Re: Decoys for Fall Hunting?
Post by: GobbleGitr on October 05, 2021, 10:08:49 PM
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
Title: Re: Decoys for Fall Hunting?
Post by: fallhnt on October 05, 2021, 10:35:14 PM
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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Title: Re: Decoys for Fall Hunting?
Post by: scattergun on October 06, 2021, 12:14:28 AM
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.
Title: Re: Decoys for Fall Hunting?
Post by: Tom007 on October 06, 2021, 05:56:00 AM
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....
Title: Re: Decoys for Fall Hunting?
Post by: Kylongspur88 on October 07, 2021, 09:44:51 PM
Quote from: paboxcall on October 05, 2021, 09:04:46 PM
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!
Title: Re: Decoys for Fall Hunting?
Post by: eggshell on October 08, 2021, 06:21:22 AM
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
Title: Re: Decoys for Fall Hunting?
Post by: Tom007 on October 08, 2021, 07:59:45 AM
Quote from: eggshell on October 08, 2021, 06:21:22 AM
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
Quote from: Kylongspur88 on October 07, 2021, 09:44:51 PM
Quote from: paboxcall on October 05, 2021, 09:04:46 PM
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
Title: Re: Decoys for Fall Hunting?
Post by: EZ on October 08, 2021, 08:45:50 AM
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.
Title: Re: Decoys for Fall Hunting?
Post by: Tom007 on October 08, 2021, 09:36:26 AM
Quote from: EZ on October 08, 2021, 08:45:50 AM
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......
Title: Re: Decoys for Fall Hunting?
Post by: eggshell on October 08, 2021, 10:59:07 AM
my season opens tomorrow......yipeeee
Title: Re: Decoys for Fall Hunting?
Post by: the Ward on October 08, 2021, 11:04:17 AM
That's an interesting concept. I always associated decoys with spring, never thought about them being used in fall.
Title: Re: Decoys for Fall Hunting?
Post by: Will on October 09, 2021, 08:14:45 AM
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.   
Title: Re: Decoys for Fall Hunting?
Post by: Tom007 on October 09, 2021, 03:41:03 PM
Amen, safety first....be safe everyone, enjoy the fall woods