The do you use a decoy thread has me thinking again. A lot of people said the only time they use dekes is when their hunting fields. I don't use dekes anytime, but if I was going to use them it would be in the woods and not on a field. The last thing I want when hunting a field turkey is to be pinned down because of a deke. What is the logic behind using a deke when hunting fields?
IMO, Field turkeys want to see the hen. Also, it can help take attention off the hunter if placed right
Turkeys are looking for visual verification of the source of sound they are responding to.
If you are trying to call a turkey out of a field and into the woods, I can understand why you might not need a decoy, however, if the gobbler you are working is already in the field or you are calling him into a field, a decoy provides the reassurance one needs to get him in gun range.
You sacrifice mobility for the confidence and visual confirmation provided by a decoy but that's a tradeoff I gladly accept.
One way or the other, it's unlikely that I would be doing much moving around if I was within a turkeys eyesight. Consequently, the decoy offers a huge advantage and in the event that a gobbler moves off, I can then easily reposition and develop a new strategy.
The decoy doesn't handcuff you at all as long you realize that it isn't a guarantee and make your initial set-up with the option to implement a second strategy based on how the gobbler acts and where he goes once he has had exposure to the decoy.
Quote from: guesswho on February 06, 2012, 01:53:21 PM
What is the logic behind using a deke when hunting fields?
To get you to think about more questions! :goofball:
All of the above, plus...
They work for me in the fields, but they work against me in the woods. I implement accordingly. ;)
All the above.
Quote from: CASH on February 06, 2012, 02:37:42 PM
Quote from: guesswho on February 06, 2012, 01:53:21 PM
What is the logic behind using a deke when hunting fields?
To get you to think about more questions!
:goofball:
It don't take much ;D
I used to use them in a field, but I forgot it one day. Had a bird work to me from 200 yards across the field at a dead run...no deek. Never toted that thing again.
I hunt fields mostly since I'm in a wheelchair. Have killed birds without dekes but it makes it easier for me to position my chair for a shot if the bird has his attention on something besides me. Plus it's fun to watch some of the things toms do around dekes.
A field set up is perfect for dekes!! A lot of times turkeys won't walk into woods looking for the birds (you) they are hearing. Other times, even with dekes, a gobbler won't leave his hens, or the hens will take him away from the ho (deke) that is trying to steal their man. That's when a strutting deke works wonders!! I've had numerous gobblers leave their hens and come charging in to my strutting deke to whip some butt.
So what's with all the decoy questions Ronnie? You want to try some this season, dontcha? ;D
I've heard old bathtubs work too!!! ;)
I like to put decoys out in a field so I can nap without calling if they aren't gobbling. I did that once, woke up and killed one that snuck in on me
Quote from: RutnNStrutn on February 06, 2012, 04:39:42 PM
So what's with all the decoy questions Ronnie? You want to try some this season, dontcha? ;D
I've heard old bathtubs work too!!! ;)
Just trying to see how different my thinking is compared to other turkey hunters I guess.
Old bathtubs can make some great camo ;D
Quote from: guesswho on February 06, 2012, 05:27:53 PM
...Just trying to see how different my thinking is compared to other turkey hunters I guess...
Psychiatrist needed. ;)
I like decoys set-up in the field but I don't dare use them in woods or close areas. We have alot of turkey hunters in Indiana. My biggest concern is another hunter coming in and thinking he's gonna shoot an unsuspecting bird. :fud:
Quote from: stinkpickle on February 06, 2012, 05:58:29 PM
Quote from: guesswho on February 06, 2012, 05:27:53 PM
...Just trying to see how different my thinking is compared to other turkey hunters I guess...
Psychiatrist needed. ;)
:agreed: I don't deny that. I read a lot of these threads and realize my turkey thinking isn't mainstream.
Here's my 2 cents:
I was hunting field birds this year and got surprised by a gobbler. I had zero time to put out a decoy, so I got setup in a position about 5 yards off the field, where I could still see the small cul-de-sac of the field I was hunting.
The gobbler came in, but took an angle that wouldn't allow for a shot due to distance. He circled in to my left, and went to some hens on the powerline.
Point is, it was exciting. I don't know if a decoy would've made the difference or not, but I don't believe you have to have decoys out to kill a gobbler in a field if you can hide about 5 -10 yards off the field edge.
Ronnie remember thouse turkeys you were talking about last year, you know the ones that were making funny noises in the tree an then flue down a hurt there self, I believe you said they blow ed up an there tail fanned out an there wings drop, an they maid funny noises after they were on the ground. I believe that's what the decoys are for they help com them down before they get the beak rot.
Try it Ronnie you mite like it.. Johnny...
Quote from: guesswho on February 06, 2012, 06:36:42 PM
Quote from: stinkpickle on February 06, 2012, 05:58:29 PM
Quote from: guesswho on February 06, 2012, 05:27:53 PM
...Just trying to see how different my thinking is compared to other turkey hunters I guess...
Psychiatrist needed. ;)
:agreed: I don't deny that. I read a lot of these threads and realize my turkey thinking isn't mainstream.
Dont you kill turkeys every year.By the looks of all them beards in that pic you have posted before you dont need any help ronnie.Continue on. :toothy9:
Quote from: BigHooks on February 06, 2012, 06:59:12 PM
Ronnie remember thouse turkeys you were talking about last year, you know the ones that were making funny noises in the tree an then flue down a hurt there self, I believe you said they blow ed up an there tail fanned out an there wings drop, an they maid funny noises after they were on the ground. I believe that's what the decoys are for they help com them down before they get the beak rot.
Try it Ronnie you mite like it.. Johnny...
You talking about the ones that I thought had been shot before because they had their tail up and were dragging both their wings and walking funny?
Those were mercy killings. I don't know if a decoy could of helped them or not.
I like decoys , they bring'm right in front of the gun showing off .I've had toms circle me and strut right past me going to the decoys without the decoys might not have got a shot , they know where they should see her if he don't you'll be chasing a gobble that keeps moving away
That's the one's they sure help me last year.....
Quote from: Chuck1443 on February 06, 2012, 07:43:39 PM
they know where they should see her if he don't you'll be chasing a gobble that keeps moving away
So if he doesn't see decoys or a real hen then he's going to move away from the calling?
Yes, in my opinion they do cause they never seen her on the first pass through why come back , best bet stop calling use the terrain try to get in front again
(http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab7/Gobln2/036-1.jpg)
Ronnie
This is Field Turkey Logic at its best ! At the far right you see a DSD hen decoy. In the middle you see a DSD jake decoy. And at the far left you see a big ole Barbour Co. Alabama " ROLL TIDE " Longbeard. Now this gobbler & another longbeard heard my calling & spotted these decoys from over 200 yds away & came in a dead run right to me. If you would just invite me down to help you exterminate some of your gobblers I'm sure I can make a true believer out of you. :newmascot:
How do you know when your in front again? How far will they usually go if they don't see a decoy or hen?
Quote from: vaturkey on February 06, 2012, 08:19:54 PM
(http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab7/Gobln2/036-1.jpg)
Ronnie
This is Field Turkey Logic at its best ! At the far right you see a DSD hen decoy. In the middle you see a DSD jake decoy. And at the far left you see a big ole Barbour Co. Alabama " ROLL TIDE " Longbeard. Now this gobbler & another longbeard heard my calling & spotted these decoys from over 200 yds away & came in a dead run right to me. If you would just invite me down to help you exterminate some of your gobblers I'm sure I can make a true believer out of you. :newmascot:
Decoys are the only turkeys left in Barbour County. :'(
Tell him Ricky I'm so mad I can't.... LOL
Ronnie
I noticed here lately that you've been asking an awful lot of questions about decoys. It's OK to admit that you're on the verge of doing the decoy dive.
:wagon: to the Decoy Bandwagon :icon_thumright:
Quote from: vaturkey on February 06, 2012, 09:58:11 PM
Ronnie
I noticed here lately that you've been asking an awful lot of questions about decoys. It's OK to admit that you're on the verge of doing the decoy dive.
:wagon: to the Decoy Bandwagon :icon_thumright:
I ask a lot of questions about vasectomies too, but that don't mean I'm going to the snip and clip.
Ronnie, man you can go ahead an use some know body will know even mercy birds like decoys too..
If you're skeered, say you're skeered ! :funnyturkey: :OGani:
Quote from: guesswho on February 06, 2012, 10:14:21 PMI ask a lot of questions about vasectomies too, but that don't mean I'm going to the snip and clip.
Don't knock it 'til you tried it!!! ;) There's something to be said about no worries!!! :you_rock:
I might would consider it "not deke's" if I could find a girlnocologist but the only Doctors around here are guynocologists. I ain't letting a guy with a knife and scissors around big Jim and the twins.
I killed birds over Deke's years ago. I quit using them and the success stayed the same but my enjoyment of the hunt increased. I have no problem if someone wants to use them, I was just trying to figure out the logic that people use when it comes to using them.
Same here as many without as with , the show is better with , my Jake has buckshot in his head from beak to beak encounters
And vasectomy's hurt like a hog bite,specially the square needle used to numb, at least 20 yrs ago they did lol
I'm guessing that most hunters tend to hunt they way they learned or were taught. You guys in Alabama couldn't use decoys, so you have no confidence in them based on past experience. That said, I own several decoys, but don't use them on a regular basis. As to the original question posed in this thread, I hunted a lot in Kansas for several years, and a few times I believe using a decoy definitely got me a gobbler, when I probably would not have killed him otherwise. When you have a 200 acre field, and are sitting in the edge of the timber, or a fencerow, a bird might be interested in your calling, but unless he is really hot, he'll just stand in the middle of the field and look. If he sees a hen, he might come in close enough for a kill shot. Still no guarantees, but it does increase the odds. I recall one situation when I spotted a tom briefly in the edge of the timber across a large field. Over two hours later, he slowly crossed the field and walked up to the jake decoy, where I shot him. I honestly don't believe he would have ever come to calling only.
In my experience with dekes, it is more often the hens that spook when seeing them. Toms won't always respond, but I don't recall ever having one actually run away from a decoy. Hens, on the other hand, often get nervous and at least putt around them. However, I have also had hens feed within inches of a decoy for half an hour, and never even acknowledge it is there.
And, all that aside, the person I personally feel is the best turkey hunter I've ever known, lives in New York and never used a decoy at all until the last few years when hunting with a bow. Neill
Quote from: Neill_Prater on February 07, 2012, 11:35:34 AMI'm guessing that most hunters tend to hunt they way they learned or were taught.
Good point! The guys I hunted around down here in Florida used dekes, so I did too when I started out. Another thing is I almost always have to hunt public land here in Florida. Because of that, being highly mobile runs you into other hunters. Also, the Osceolas I have hunted gobble their butts off in the trees, but on the ground the gobbling drops off dramatically, or even ceases. So while I will definitely go to the gobble if given the opportunity, I tend to do a lot of sitting and waiting over dekes in Florida.
When I went to Ohio and WV and hunted private land with friends, it was completely different. They are run n' gunners, with no competition on the land they hunt. They don't use dekes, and if a bird doesn't come in within 15 or 20 minutes, they are up and off after a more cooperative bird. I killed birds in both states and really enjoyed that kind of hunting, but it just doesn't work where I hunt in Florida.
On my trips around the country to hunt, I've used a combination of both styles of hunting, and killed birds both ways. Same thing with the land I lease in SC. I much prefer to run n' gun, but will sit over dekes without a second thought to it. I also won't hesitate to put the sneak on a bird. As long as its legal, I say to each their own.
Quote from: link=topic=17263.msg191406#msg191406 date=1328647240
I prefer to call field birds into the woods with me and kill them there.
Scary! ;D