Opinions on setup for youth hunt

[dadsahuntin]

So I have scouted out 2 nice longbeards 2 days ago. They are with several hens all heading into a pasture by way of  the lake side. I have set up a blind along there route and anticipate them keeping the same pattern tomorrow. There is a chance they may travel just a bit out of range of my youngest's 20 gauge.

The question is using my Southern Belle hen decoy, alert pose. I have no jake or tom decoy but feel for this scenario one would be good. Two toms are trailing the hens and I feel if they saw my hen and some competition they would be ready to run in for a fight.

I attatched last years Jake tail feathers and wings to a bamboo stick and intend to stake it in the ground ahead of my hen. I am hoping this will draw them in range for my boys. I have heard of others using a stick with feathers on it but is it just to ghetto to actually work? All that I need to do is bring them in another 15 to 20 yards.

I dont even think that I will be doing much calling as it is with them having so many hens. Maybe just a couple clucks or purrs as they approach the area. Please any advice or thoughts? I appreciate it.

[tomtaker123]

I have never personally used a tail fan on a post, but I have heard story's of this technique working for others. another possible way to get those toms in range is to try to get the hens fired up at your decoy. hens will fight to establish pecking order and if they are being vocal then cutting of their calls by yelping and cutting aggressively can entice then to come investigate the insubordinate hen (your decoy). when I do this I try to copy the cadence of the real hen but cut her of towards the end of her sequence and use a louder more aggressive tone. hope this helps. I was legally a youth 2 years ago and man there is nothing better than hunting with your old man and shooting a big bird! 
                                                                                                                           ,tomtaker 

[dadsahuntin]

Yes a fight is always a good option and I have had success keeping hens around for a bit doing so..no toms came in yet for me though. I am a lil hesitant to get too aggressive this early in season with the calls..these Osceolas down here are pretty quiet and I feel I should be too if I can. I am leaning towards trying it with maybe some purrs and clucks if necessary...they were strutting pretty hard the other day and feel they may be primed for some jealousy and just come in running when they see it.

[tomtaker123]

yah I would definitely say the aggressive calling to the hens should be a last ditch effort, atleast for me it is. maybe a day two attempt? either way good luck to you and I hope yours boys shoot a big one!

[dadsahuntin]

So just after daybreak we got two gobbles from diff directions answering to my sons pot call yelps. Fifty minutes later they were closing in with four hens in tow. They did catch my decoys setup and were interested. A couple clucks, a purr and they were within range. Both boys raised up and dropped two mature birds. 20 lbs 9 inch beard and 17 lbs and 7 inch beard. Another awesome hunt with the kids and feel that I thought out the hunt very well and made it happen..hunter maturity is a great feeling.

I am working on getting a pic up but now I have turkey to grill. Thanks all for the advice.

[tomatohead]

Awesome job dad !!!

[tomtaker123]

way to go!

[Old Gobbler]