Decoys

[Spyderman]

Thanks for the replies. I like the idea of collapsible decoys because I move quite a bit and I want something I can easily put in my vest. Do you ever find birds that avoid the decoy spread?

[Greg Massey]

Thanks for the replies. I like the idea of collapsible decoys because I move quite a bit and I want something I can easily put in my vest. Do you ever find birds that avoid the decoy spread?

if you hunt turkeys long enough you will always have some that will avoid the decoys and to your calling...you don't even have to have a decoy for birds to avoid you....it's just the name of the game...turkeys being turkeys...

[bbcoach]

I'm an Avian X guy.  I have 3.  The Jake, Feeder Hen and Breeding Hen.  I use each of them depending on the season.  Will birds avoid them, absolutely, but in my experience they help way more than they hurt you.  Greg said it very well with the avoidance issue, turkeys are just turkeys.  IT'S HUNTING NOT KILLING! 

[maytom]

Been very happy with the Feather-Flex brand now for many seasons. Very life like and love the fact that they are of a foam/rubber type construction that fold up nicely to store in my decoy bag.

[wvmntnhick]

Been very happy with the Feather-Flex brand now for many seasons. Very life like and love the fact that they are of a foam/rubber type construction that fold up nicely to store in my decoy bag.

When I used them I loved having them in the back of my vest. Made for nice spine pad and laying two of them out also made for a nice pillow.

[Marc]

I have seen decoys both help and hurt the hunt...

If I am hunting in the woods, I think there is an advantage to having the bird look for that hen, as often a tom will hang up on a decoy (and wait for her to come to him).  If he cannot see her, he will often continue forward motion.

I have seen birds run in to a jake decoy, and I have seen mature birds run for the hills when they see them.

One thing I will say, is that it is a different interaction when using decoys...  Generally for me, if I am hunting more open areas, I am more likely to use a decoy; if I am hunting in thicker vegetation, I am less likely to use them, and if I am running & gunning I almost never use them.

[appalachianassassin]

 lots of hunters use them with great success, there just not for me.