...decide whether I should get a single DSD hen or, probably spend just as much, if not less, and get a less realistic looking hen/jake combo. I really like the realism of the DSD hen but not sure how much it really matters. I need to make the purchase tomorrow in order to assure it/they are here in time, so any advice would be great.
In my mind, a single hen in a field would, at the very least, assure another turkey that there is no danger keeping them from coming in...
In your situation I would get the hen and jake pair.
Maybe buy the dsd hen and try to find a less expensive but good looking Jake decoy. I don't think they make them anymore but a Pretty Boy Jr. Jake is very realistic for an inexpensive decoy. Maybe a member on here would sell one....you could post in the Want To Buy section.
Then you could add a dsd Jake next season.
Dude!!
Just get a good jake deke
Ok, I know I'll probably get blasted for this, but here goes.
As a newbie, I've been physically looking these, and been looking on line for a while. The Cabelas, near me has them displayed on top of the shame shelf and their Sid by side. I've went there three times to compare and look at them side by side. I really didn't see that much more detail than the HS snood decoys. I bought the Snood flock, so each decoy was was about half the price.
The avian x still seemed to have a bit more detail, than both, but the colors got me, seem to be a little more buff that what I've seen in the woods.
Maybe I just can't see that much of a difference, just my opinion.
Just leave tbe decoys at home enjoy the chase
thats what its about. This is what too much t.v. Does
I don't know why I never thought of it, but I like the idea of getting the DSD hen and a less expensive jake. My next question is, which jake position? I am thinking semi-strut?
As far as realism goes, I think once the tom sees the hen (DSD looks as real to me as any other), and gives a glancing look at the jake, he will be coming in. I feel as though the DSD is real enough that a turkey would be convinced after one or two glances that it is a real turkey. I plan to add some movement with one of those rods with a string.
Of course, I am a newbie and probably don't know what I am talking about, but I have always looked at deer the same as I look at humans. If you are interested in a woman, and you see a guy about to try to make a move, you are likely to step in and "intercept". I have come to learn that deer act like humans, so why wouldn't a turkey?
I found a pretty boy jr semi-strutting jake on ebay for $40.
Analysing this more if buying only 1 I would buy a Jake. I have to hunt fields a lot due to the terrain where I live.
When I go to one decoy, it's always the Jake. I' m in cover on field edge, and set Jake up off to one side of me (best shot side) facing towards the "hen".