Since there was a topic regarding the DSD Jake compared to the Dakota, I was wondering what others experience with the DSD Jake is compared to others, as far as how a tom reacts. What I mean is, the few times I have used a jake decoy in my set up, there have been times the tom won't even approach or when he does see the jake, he decides to leave as if something he sees does not set right with him or makes him nervous. I know how they respond to the DSD hen as I have one, but are those who own the DSD Jake seeing a lot of toms who are nervous to approach the DSD jake compared to the numbers that will actually come all the way in?
I have always been hesitant to use a jake decoy in a set up for fear a tom just does not want to get involved (fight/compete) and leaves in search of another hen to court.
For example, my friend threw up his feather flex jake decoy this year near my DSD hen. It was in the woods and when the tom came in it first saw the DSD, but once it finally saw the jake nearby it started acting nervous and was begining to turn around instead of approach the jake. A load of #6 Hevi stopped any idea of his leaving the area, but his reaction was not a positive one.
Has the reaction of a 2 year old gobbler been different from an older bird in your experience or do they both react similar? Has the number of birds responding aggressively to the DSD gone up since you have started using one compared to the reaction to the cheaper, less realistic jake decoys?
It stands to reason that some toms will not approach a jake. I've seen toms get their a$$es handed to them by jakes. The only thing you can do is make your setup look as realistic as possible, and be secure in knowing that if your dekes were real birds, the tom would behave the same way.
Quote from: stinkpickle on June 11, 2012, 12:52:29 PM
It stands to reason that some toms will not approach a jake. I've seen toms get their a$$es handed to them by jakes.
Exactly, I too have seen the same thing. So assuming a tom would react negatively to a cheap decoy, I would assume that he is going to react just the same or worse to the much more realistic DSD jake.
I understand your logic, but hang on just a second. There is a difference. Just want to first point out that I am no DSD employee and have no personal interest in them other than the fact that I really like their decoys. (I wish I did). Second, there are some situations where a gobbler just won't come in to a decoy set up at all. Sometimes due to being decoy shy, sometimes they just don't see any movement, and often a gobbler may shun away from another gobbler because he doesn't feel like fighting. Unless you watch the birds on a daily basis, you may never know why. I notice that late in the season they are more tired of fighting and sometimes 3 year old birds will walk away. I had an old bird that strutted the same place every day. I put out a DSD hen and jake. The gobbler came strutting over the hill, looked at my spread, folded up and walked the opposite way. He was 150 yards away and couldn't tell what kind of detail my jake had, he just didn't want to fight. The next day I put out 2 DSD hens. He came over the hill and strutted the whole way in.
As far as DSD jakes and others I think it does come down to posture. My feather flex jakes ran a lot of birds away because they look just like an adult gobbler. The DSD jake has a "confused teenager" look to it. He is in 1/2 strut and not sure what to do about his feelings. I have rarely seen a gobbler shy away from this thing. I have had countless jakes come up and flog it. I think it's because he looks like a wimp and is not as intimidating to them. ironically everything that Dakota says on their website about posture and behavioral triggers is true. i just find it laughable because they ended up copying the DSD feather for feather. The DSD boys figured it out.
2 year olds get just as mad at the Jake as older birds. I've seen singles commit with no reluctance whatsoever and had groups of 3 and 4 simultaneously flogging it at 6 yards ( it's always nice to have them close enough to see which one has the best spurs!)
A strutter decoy ( any manufacturer) will repel most 2 year olds like sex panther will a good looking gal (hope you get the anchorman reference).
My experience with the DSD jake decoy has been very good since it's first introduction which has provided me with some great turkey hunting footage memories for years to come.
Here is one example...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4talDKGNso (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4talDKGNso)
I hear all of the testimonials for these realistic decoys. I am not a fan of gobbler decoys for many reasons including safety.
My theory is that a certain percentage of gobblers are going to shy away from these decoys--I think most folks would agree. I think one of the problems with the early strutters was that their heads were painted white--which I take to mean a dominant gobbler--The longest spurred birds I have killed with the most hens usually had white heads. Watch a tom breed a hen and I bet his head is gonna turn white--I don't have a biology degree or studies to back that up--Just huntin experience and watching.
Of the percentage of gobblers that come in and put on the show everyone enjoys, I would argue that those same birds would also come in even if you had no decoys or hens only.
So........if you could still kill the birds that you kill with gobbler decoys if you didn't use them and also kill the ones that shy away from them, then where is the benefit in using them????
I am not going to get in a heated argument either way though. My final thoughts are if you are happy, happy, happy killing birds with them, then I am glad for ya. I will be happy, happy, happy killing them without it. :goofball:
As far as the difference between DSD and others, I guess if I were still trying to film hunts and wanted some cool video, I would use the DSD or a taxidermy bird. I think hunters are more impressed than the turkeys are, though. If I were just hunting and blasting them as soon as they are in range, I will stick to my feather flex.
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on June 11, 2012, 01:50:16 PMA strutter decoy ( any manufacturer) will repel most 2 year olds like sex panther will a good looking gal (hope you get the anchorman reference).
Made with bits of real panther, so you know it's good.
I've owned a DSD Hen decoy for 4 years now and I love it. I wanted the DSD Jake decoy but just couldn't pull the trigger on it due to the price. I've had a Carry-Lite Pretty Boy Junior Semi-Strutter decoy for a few years now and have used it in conjunction with the DSD Hen decoy. This year I decided to re-paint the head of the Carry-Lite Jake with more red on the neck, similar to the DSD Jake paint scheme. And I must say, it would be hard to tell my Carry-Lite from the DSD Jake at more than 10 yards. Using the same duo after the paint job and in the same location on 2 consecutive days, I had two 3 year old longbeards come in silently and knock the jake decoy completely off of its stake. When Wing Supply put them on sale earlier this year, I purchased 2 more of them. They too will be getting the same paint job! :turkey2:
Quote from: NYbassman on June 11, 2012, 06:00:03 PM
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on June 11, 2012, 01:50:16 PMA strutter decoy ( any manufacturer) will repel most 2 year olds like sex panther will a good looking gal (hope you get the anchorman reference).
Made with bits of real panther, so you know it's good.
Keep it classy.
well i can tell you from my own experience that the DSD jake decoy will always be with me. Now does that mean i will use it every time probably not but for the most part it will be put out. I take alot of people hunting and i can say everytime i have put the DSD jake decoy out and a bird came in it went right by the hen straight to the jake decoy. I have not personally witnessed my DSD jake decoy scare a tom away but quite the opposite. Again this is only from my experience but to me the DSD is worth every bit of the money.
Quote from: busta biggun on June 11, 2012, 01:10:52 PM
I notice that late in the season they are more tired of fighting and sometimes 3 year old birds will walk away.
I agree with this for sure. By the end of the breeding, the toms are so wore out they just want what is easy and not anything they have to really work for for the most part.
Quote from: busta biggun on June 11, 2012, 01:10:52 PM
As far as DSD jakes and others I think it does come down to posture. My feather flex jakes ran a lot of birds away because they look just like an adult gobbler.
We discussed this also during the hunt and also came up with the same conclusion. That feather flex looks to much like a mature bird due to the color scheme on the head. I was comfortable using that decoy with my DSD when he stuck it out there and almost pulled it, but it was too late as the bird was coming in. Thankfully he was in the decoys before he caught sight of the jake through the trees.
Quote from: Hooksfan on June 11, 2012, 05:08:51 PM
My theory is that a certain percentage of gobblers are going to shy away from these decoys--I think most folks would agree. Just huntin experience and watching.
Of the percentage of gobblers that come in and put on the show everyone enjoys, I would argue that those same birds would also come in even if you had no decoys or hens only.
So........if you could still kill the birds that you kill with gobbler decoys if you didn't use them and also kill the ones that shy away from them, then where is the benefit in using them????
I agree that this is the case also. You are definitely going to have those birds that would shy away no matter what was out there and kill the ones that would have came in jake decoy or not. I guess as hunters (maybe the waterfowl hunter in me), we/I like to have the most realistic decoys, whether or not they are needed at the time or not. I can say that my DSD hen has had more reaction in a positive way by toms and made more hens ticked off than any other decoy I have used.
Quote from: Hooksfan on June 11, 2012, 05:08:51 PM
I will be happy, happy, happy killing them without it. :goofball:
Phil Robertson, is that you? ;D
Quote from: fallsflight on June 11, 2012, 09:01:18 PM
Phil Robertson, is that you? ;D
No, but we did both graduate from Louisiana Tech. :wave:
Early in Virgnias season I had a pair of two year olds come in right off the limb. The gobbled their heads off on the limb and on their way in up until they saw the decoy. At that point they went quiet and strutted at 45 yards and then proceeded to work around to get another look at the decoy from the distance. From the birds approach they were facing the decoy head on. When they worked around and got the side profile of the decoy and realized it was a jake. They flipped the switch and it was game on. Ran in and beat the tar out of the decoy.
From now on I am going to do my best to set the jake up so his side profile is showing when the bird approachs. Granted this is easier said than done considering a turkey has a tendency to be a turkey and come from any direction he so chooses no matter how convinced you are that he is coming in from right in front of you.
Quote from: hardluckstrutter on June 12, 2012, 08:09:40 AM
Early in Virgnias season I had a pair of two year olds come in right off the limb. The gobbled their heads off on the limb and on their way in up until they saw the decoy. At that point they went quiet and strutted at 45 yards and then proceeded to work around to get another look at the decoy from the distance. From the birds approach they were facing the decoy head on. When they worked around and got the side profile of the decoy and realized it was a jake. They flipped the switch and it was game on. Ran in and beat the tar out of the decoy.
From now on I am going to do my best to set the jake up so his side profile is showing when the bird approachs. Granted this is easier said than done considering a turkey has a tendency to be a turkey and come from any direction he so chooses no matter how convinced you are that he is coming in from right in front of you.
Never face the Jake decoy toward the anticipated direction of approach.
Gobblers are more comfortable confronting/ attacking from behind and consequently I always position the Jake facing myself or the shooter.
This year I had more than one bout of bad luck with my dekes and they were not DSD's. After two jakes got nervous around two of my hen dekes I bought a DSD, but it was after my season closed. I plan to add a DSD jake and another hen before next spring. In the past I've had them fight my jake decoy and knock over hen dekes, but this year not so much. Only had one bird casually strut up close to one, but my buddy shot it before we could see if the tom was going to attack it (glad he did). I don't think he would have anyway, maybe he would have just pushed it over, but he didn't seem like he was in the fighting mood.
Never face the Jake decoy toward the anticipated direction of approach.
Gobblers are more comfortable confronting/ attacking from behind and consequently I always position the Jake facing myself or the shooter.
[/quote]
Thanks Bandit!
One of my favorite hunts in KS with DSD decoys was where a group of 3 jakes came into our setup. They payed no attention to the hen decoys, but went straight to the jake decoy. These jakes had about 4" beards and were feeling their oats. One jake raised his chest up onto the jake decoy and waltzed him 360 degrees around on the stake. He approached from the front, so I don't think he was trying to mount him, just showing dominance.
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on June 12, 2012, 08:30:51 AM
Quote from: hardluckstrutter on June 12, 2012, 08:09:40 AM
From now on I am going to do my best to set the jake up so his side profile is showing when the bird approachs. Granted this is easier said than done considering a turkey has a tendency to be a turkey and come from any direction he so chooses no matter how convinced you are that he is coming in from right in front of you.
Never face the Jake decoy toward the anticipated direction of approach.
Gobblers are more comfortable confronting/ attacking from behind and consequently I always position the Jake facing myself or the shooter.
??? ??? :z-dizzy:
I have a full strut decoy that has real wings and a jake fan about half fanned out on it. I use it when hunting from a blind when I have youth hunters or rookies. I always face the decoy towards the blind, as in my experience, a dominant gobbler will face the "challenger". If the gobbler is looking away from the blind and at the decoy, it really helps out with the kids getting the gun shouldered and aimed without getting busted.
Quote from: SKFOOTER on June 11, 2012, 06:01:39 PM
I've owned a DSD Hen decoy for 4 years now and I love it. I wanted the DSD Jake decoy but just couldn't pull the trigger on it due to the price. I've had a Carry-Lite Pretty Boy Junior Semi-Strutter decoy for a few years now and have used it in conjunction with the DSD Hen decoy. This year I decided to re-paint the head of the Carry-Lite Jake with more red on the neck, similar to the DSD Jake paint scheme. And I must say, it would be hard to tell my Carry-Lite from the DSD Jake at more than 10 yards. Using the same duo after the paint job and in the same location on 2 consecutive days, I had two 3 year old longbeards come in silently and knock the jake decoy completely off of its stake. When Wing Supply put them on sale earlier this year, I purchased 2 more of them. They too will be getting the same paint job! :turkey2:
I too have found that the Carry-Lite Jake Jr looks very similar to the DSD, but REQUIRES a head touch up. Bass Pro sales them for $34.99 but they are usually sold out. I think the DSD hen decoys are the best thing since sliced bread and I will have one for next season. Both my hens are UGLY and have never really pulled a gobbler in. They just provide company to the Jake Jr. I hunted with my 11 yr old daughter just about every hunt this year and the decoys are a must with her.
Here is a pic of the Carry-Lite Jake Jr after a head touch up.
Video of hunt: http://youtu.be/zXmARliJQXE
(http://i1031.photobucket.com/albums/y372/Gophert/Leahs%20Turkey/leahsturkey4102012a.jpg)
I have hunted turkeys for about 37 years and this the first year that I really used decoys. I was self filming my hunts and wanted the birds to stick around a bit. I used the DSD jake and hen combo and the DSD strutting gobbler and hen combo. In each case the results were amazing. The gobblers acted so stupid that it almost seemed unfair. Please keep in mind that in a few of the cases the birds were on public land and extremely pressured. My biggest concern was safety. I did have one bad experiance where I had used the decoys and missed the gobbler with my bow athe day before and tried the same set up the next day "like a fool" and that bird flew off the minute he saw the gobbler.
I preffered the jake - hen combo because it was less to carry.
Check out the video if you have a chance. Click on thomas turqua episode 1
http://bitmoreoutdoors.com/
:Although there are several reasons to buy the DSDs rather than the other brands, I will mention another that I have yet to see on this thread. That is the fact that at least 3 companies,those being dakota decoy, carry lite, and h.s. strut, have attempted to copy the DSD jake.look at the posture of the DSD, which was the first to come out, and then look how identical the others are. Kind of funny how decoys have been made for years and years without that posture being seen, and then within two years of DSD releasing it we have at least 3 companies making shoddy look-alikes employing the people of CHINA. Which of those companies do you want to support?
Any chance of getting a more detailed picture of the head painting? I'd like to try that myself. I had a two year old fly down off the limb and land 60 yards from my decoys. He started toward them but stopped short and started to go into strut several times but stopped each time. I'm pretty sure the white head on the feather flex intimidated him. The decoy was facing me with its back toward the gobbler so I'm sure all he could see was the head.
Thanks in advance for any close up of the head touch up.
Quote from: NYbassman on June 12, 2012, 09:17:40 PM
:Although there are several reasons to buy the DSDs rather than the other brands, I will mention another that I have yet to see on this thread. That is the fact that at least 3 companies,those being dakota decoy, carry lite, and h.s. strut, have attempted to copy the DSD jake.look at the posture of the DSD, which was the first to come out, and then look how identical the others are. Kind of funny how decoys have been made for years and years without that posture being seen, and then within two years of DSD releasing it we have at least 3 companies making shoddy look-alikes employing the people of CHINA. Which of those companies do you want to support?
My sentiments exactly! Personally I don't understand why anybody would buy any of these knockoffs just on the principle. I just think stealing DSD designs is reason enough to boycott these other companies. I would rather hunt with no decoy or a plastic bag rather than rewarding these thieves in order to save a few bucks. Sorry, I just don't understand the question as to which one to buy. It seems clear to me. And fyi I did mention this in one of the other numerous "which decoy should I buy" threads.
@Bad Grizzly: I already stated twhat I would do if I couldn't afford a DSD, I would use a black plastic bag first (I am exaggerating to a point). To be clear I would use the featherflex decoys before I would reward a company for stealing somebody elses design. That is just me., Everybody is entitled to their views. I would never pay all that extra money for Nitro shells, but if somebody wants to do so I have no problem, because Nitro has done their own research and puts our high dollar shells that are their own design. I just think that DSD decoys are revolutionary. These bottom feeders that try to take advantage of DSD designs should be punished, not applauded.
Just a heads up, Wing Supply has the Carrylite Pretty Boy Jr. Jake decoy on sale again for $19.95 and they have just under 200 in stock.
I am partial to the DSD strutter -
I have had best results with it right on top of a hen laying on the ground , this tends to invoke a violent reaction out of the local gobblers
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh220/OldGobbler1/20120205-224352.jpg)
I have a primos jake mobile and it works well. The first time I used it in MO, two gobblers beat the crap out of it and broke the fake fan than came with it. I bought the primos fan holder and now use it with the real feathers and I have really good luck with it early in the season.
Quote from: SKFOOTER on February 08, 2013, 05:05:45 PM
Just a heads up, Wing Supply has the Carrylite Pretty Boy Jr. Jake decoy on sale again for $19.95 and they have just under 200 in stock.
Well crap, I'm 19.95 + shipping poorer. I almost wish I had not looked at this thread!
I think I'm going to lighten my wallet by $ 20 too. I too have a Jake mobil with a real jake fan I made...after studying up on this a bit and observing real birds I think the head is way too white on the Jake mobil...I'm going to repaint it and the carry lite when I get it.
This decoy Jake thing is nothing more than I like a Chevy over a Ford or I like a Ford better. I myself have seen Jake decoys scar the heck out of a gobbler and I've seen them work good in the very early part of the season. Here in NY we hunt turkeys in May and I can assure you that any Jake decoy will make these gobblers back off. The pecking order has been made and it will be a miss more often than a hit. I don't use a Jake decoy in May. My records here in NY tell me not too. Now if YOU want to that's your choice.
When using a Jake decoy like down in Florida or down in Texas I've used a Buckwing Jake decoy with great success and no problems and a heck of a lot cheaper and it folds up and a breeze to transport. I hate
carrying a hard body decoy around. It's like hauling a refrigerator over your shoulder. I'm always looking to lighten the load. Not add to it. Again it all boils down to what YOU think is best for you.
Quote from: Mike Honcho on February 09, 2013, 06:25:13 AM
I think I'm going to lighten my wallet by $ 20 too. I too have a Jake mobil with a real jake fan I made...after studying up on this a bit and observing real birds I think the head is way too white on the Jake mobil...I'm going to repaint it and the carry lite when I get it.
What type of paint do you use on decoys? I've thought about adding more red to my jake mobile
Fallsflight, I think the same can be said for any male decoy, be it a gobbler, a strutter or a jake. Some gobblers have had their butts whipped by Mr. Big so many times that they aren't looking for a fight. Some gobblers come charging right in ready to whip some butt. I've had both happen. Its really frustrating when a nice gobbler wimps out and won't come face off against a jake deke. So basically, that's the dilemna you face when using male dekes. It may work like a champ, or it may scare your bird off. So its your call to make on whether or not to use one.
As for the DSD jake, I know they are very realistic, but I really don't think it makes a difference. The bird is either the man, or he's a wimp. With that said, I use B-Mobile with a real fan. I have had great results with him over a hen on the ground in breeding position. I have had gobblers come charging in time and again, some from as far as 400 yards away, in strut in a full run!!
I'm partial to the DSD Jake. This is Judas and Jezebel and a few of their new friends.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t169/spaightlabs/turksanddekes_zps214ed818.jpg)
Quote from: ctwny1 on February 09, 2013, 07:13:04 AM
I myself have seen Jake decoys scar the heck out of a gobbler and I've seen them work good in the very early part of the season. Here in NY we hunt turkeys in May and I can assure you that any Jake decoy will make these gobblers back off. The pecking order has been made and it will be a miss more often than a hit.
I guess none of these NY birds got the memo? (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/alloutdoors/shrug_zps7cf56329.gif)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoZapUbPVG8#t=3m15s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoZapUbPVG8#t=3m15s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYwsQNPllXo#t=4m35s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYwsQNPllXo#t=4m35s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCC_lGteXrg#t=0m25s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCC_lGteXrg#t=0m25s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOAhpDocSRM#t=2m38s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOAhpDocSRM#t=2m38s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woGU8gpOJqc#t=2m00s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woGU8gpOJqc#t=2m00s)
Feel free to hunt however you want, but all decoys are
NOT created equal.
All outdoors awesome video.
I've saw toms attack deks that only barely resembled a turkey. If he's in a fighting mood he will attack anything that looks like it has a red head. I think they may leave for different reasons. Been spooked at decoys before, don't want to fight, saw or heard something like maybe your eyeballs.
AllOutdoors, Great videos! I had a similar encounter last year with my DSD deke. I killed one of my biggest gobblers ever and could have killed his buddy.
Quote from: alloutdoors on February 09, 2013, 03:48:07 PM
Quote from: ctwny1 on February 09, 2013, 07:13:04 AM
I myself have seen Jake decoys scar the heck out of a gobbler and I've seen them work good in the very early part of the season. Here in NY we hunt turkeys in May and I can assure you that any Jake decoy will make these gobblers back off. The pecking order has been made and it will be a miss more often than a hit.
I guess none of these NY birds got the memo? (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v74/alloutdoors/shrug_zps7cf56329.gif)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoZapUbPVG8#t=3m15s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoZapUbPVG8#t=3m15s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYwsQNPllXo#t=4m35s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYwsQNPllXo#t=4m35s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCC_lGteXrg#t=0m25s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCC_lGteXrg#t=0m25s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOAhpDocSRM#t=2m38s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOAhpDocSRM#t=2m38s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woGU8gpOJqc#t=2m00s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woGU8gpOJqc#t=2m00s)
Feel free to hunt however you want, but all decoys are NOT created equal.
Guess I'm hunting in the wrong spots in NY because I'm killing turkey without using a Jake decoy? Like I said "According to my records here in NY tells me don't use a jake decoy. Oh well ...you know the old saying...What's good for YOU is great for you... but it don't work for me..
Quote from: jblackburn on February 09, 2013, 10:52:45 AM
Quote from: Mike Honcho on February 09, 2013, 06:25:13 AM
I think I'm going to lighten my wallet by $ 20 too. I too have a Jake mobil with a real jake fan I made...after studying up on this a bit and observing real birds I think the head is way too white on the Jake mobil...I'm going to repaint it and the carry lite when I get it.
What type of paint do you use on decoys? I've thought about adding more red to my jake mobile
Get you some Cherry Red acrylic paint at Wal Mart and brush it on the mid portion of the neck. You can pattern it after the DSD Jake decoy.