I just upgraded to a Avian-X lookout hen and jake. Which situation should I set then hen on the ground in breeding pose or leave on the stake? Early vs late, area with more hens, not sure which situation is ideal for which?
Short grass or cover, I might consider ditching the stake... High grass or cover, I would use the stake.
I try to make the decoys look natural and relaxed, and as visible as possible... I typically have the jake behind the hen, and set up the jake where I want to take the shot... If I think I know where the birds will come from, I try to keep the decoys out of a straight line of sight to me, and being a right-handed shooter, I put the decoys to my left (it is far easier to swing to your off-hand side).
Last couple years what I typically do is set up on roosted birds with my decoys and a great hide, have them completely ignore me, put the decoys back in the truck, and drum up a bird after the hens have left em'....