Why a semi-strut jake is the only decoy you need

[bbcoach]

No doubt that when u use a jake with a hen, the gobbler always approaches the jake to challenge him. The only problem i see is in years when there are a ton of jakes following a good hatch. Last yr was a good example, we were covered in jakes almost everywhere we went. Many times they gang up and can actually run off the mature birds. This is the exception and not the rule, but i like to be prepared for evrythng, so i will still carry two dekes, a feeding hen and my upright "cross dresser" that is my own creation and absolutely deadly.... 

OK I'll bite.  Explain "Cross Dresser".

[jakebird]

You'd have to go back and read one of my earlier posts, but  i'll give you the jist of it. I have a "conversion kit" that consists of a red sleeve and a short piece of foam. I have already customized all my decoys, i very lightly mist the back and breast with copper metallic spray paint just to add a little shimmer in the sun, hens and jakes alike. I carry two hens, one feeding, one upright. If i feel incline, i slip the red sleeve over the neck, poke the foam beard thru a small slit in the neck and i have a jake in a pinch. Saves a little space in the vest and gives me flexibility to use two hens, single feeding, single upright, jake and feeding hen, or single jake. Any bird that gets close enuff to note any issues with the cross dresser hasnt lived to tell his friends...

[NYGobblergetter]

It looks like the new Cherokee Sports Transformer is quite similiar to the "cross dresser". Not a bad looking decoy for 40 bucks.

[Mike Honcho]

Here is a photo of my Jake mobile I purchased since reading this thread.  I completed the jake fan this weekend and made it "hinged" in three sections so it will fold up and store inside the decoy body when tranporting.

Since I took this photo I added some black color at the top of the main feathers and "dusted" it with some metallic copper paint on the back to add that shiny effect of real feathers in the sun.

Can't wait to try him out.

[jakebird]

I think you'll be happy with the results. That little bit of copper or bronze metallic paint makes em look so much more alive. Even hens shine in the bright sun. They just lack all the irridescence.  Probably the oils in the feathers that cause it, all i know is they look great with the touch of metallic paint and it sure can't hurt. Just don't over do it, atleast on the hens. Looks good, though. Best of luck to you!