Decoy tips

[wmn2]

Hi all. I'm new to the turkey hunting game and looking for some decoy tips. I currently have a flambeau 3 position hen and an aggressive jake. Through reading on here, should I get another hen decoy? If so, should I get feeding, alert, or breeding?

Thanks

[bbcoach]

This has been debated on here numerous times.  Some like decoys, some don't and for many different reasons.  Sometimes decoys will bring gobblers right in and sometimes they shy away from them.  I think it's a personal thing due to the success or lack there of.  I have had good success with one or two feeding hens in open areas and with a feeding hen, breeding hen and jake.  I try to stay away from alert hens as they seem to put gobblers on edge.  My most successful setup has been with the feeding hen or hens.  It has been a trial and error thing for me.  Good Luck.

[dirt road ninja]

Hi all. I'm new to the turkey hunting game and looking for some decoy tips. I currently have a flambeau 3 position hen and an aggressive jake. Through reading on here, should I get another hen decoy? If so, should I get feeding, alert, or breeding?

Thanks

Try what you have first, I think you'll be just fine.

[wmn2]

Thanks for the tips. I've been reading how a lot of guys here aren't too find of the alert hen. A lot of good information for a newcomer.


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[jims]

If you hunt where there is tall grass, weeds, brush, or hills you may want a hen with upright neck.  That way they can see it easier.  Remember turkeys are a lot closer to the ground and have a lot lower perspective to view your decoys.  If you set up where it is flat and open it may not matter as much.  A feeding hen means "things are good" while a more upright pose may mean turkeys are alert....sometimes not as good of a thing.  I have a selection so I can change things up.

[Gobble!]

My best advice is do not think you need to put them out with each setup. Decoys have helped me more than hurt me but on the times they hurt me it hurt bad. Anymore I only use them if I am in fields and open strut zones. Any other time I leave them in the vest and position myself so that a gobbler is close to range as soon as I can see him.
The decoys you have should be good but if you want another get a alert hen. It can be used as a breeder as well.

[wmn2]

Thanks for the tips. I'll be hunting mostly hardwoods and creek bottoms within hardwoods, with the occasional field.


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[Happy]

Sounds like you hunt the same type of terrain as me. Try to set up using the terrain to your advantage. Use rolls in the hills, blowdowns or other features to make them search for you. I am not anti decoy and use them myself occasionally. You will learn far more in the long run without them. Also try and get in tight to turkeys, its a fine line between busting them and getting in their wheelhouse. I believe I am the king of getting to close. Turkeys are much more responsive once you are in tight. Getting there is the trick. Also it's always easier to call them to were they are comfortable going. Good luck and that decoy will work just fine.

[MK M GOBL]

I hunt with my DSD's and have had excellent results, key here is learning when and where to setup at. For the most part I do not use decoys in the timber, the exception is in oak savannahs and open pastured timber where you can see that 80 plus yards. Where my luck runs is in the fields, when a tom steps into the open and has heard a hen out there talking he expects to see her. I have a number of setups that I use with success and bring those birds in close! Here has been my read on decoy use, (This is in reference to DSD's) if I am buying one decoy choice is Upright Hen, adding a second is a personal choice but lets stay with hens for now #2 is a feeding hen, if you are looking for the flock #3 is the Leading Hen and the last would be the Submissive Hen as she is a match to a Tom or Jake decoy. Now a bit more goes into this and how you hunt and with gun or bow and then it comes to the Tom/Strutter decoy or a Jake too, several ways to do this and when. I have all the above mentioned decoys and use to match the hunt, season and at times to the bird.

MK M GOBL

[lunghit]

I just picked up a DSD jake decoy and will use that with my hen decoy this year when hunting fields. My question is should I face the decoys towards my blind or away from it? From what I read the birds will approach the jake first so I plan on setting that up at 20 yards. Just not sure which way it should face if it even matters at all.

[MK M GOBL]

I just picked up a DSD jake decoy and will use that with my hen decoy this year when hunting fields. My question is should I face the decoys towards my blind or away from it? From what I read the birds will approach the jake first so I plan on setting that up at 20 yards. Just not sure which way it should face if it even matters at all.

So here's my experience/opinion, if you are hunting with the shotgun it won't make a difference. Part of the design of the decoy is to have them moving. My Strutter/Jake is always the closest decoy to me and I leave enough space between him and the hen so a tom can freely walk around him. 1 of 2 things happen he goes to the Strutter/Jake to deal with him or goes to that hen. I would also suggest setting that Jake at 15 yards, yes it sounds close but it works as you place that hen a couple of more yards out. and it is easy to double that distance and give you a under 40 shot.

MK M GOBL

This set-up works!

[lunghit]

I just picked up a DSD jake decoy and will use that with my hen decoy this year when hunting fields. My question is should I face the decoys towards my blind or away from it? From what I read the birds will approach the jake first so I plan on setting that up at 20 yards. Just not sure which way it should face if it even matters at all.

So here's my experience/opinion, if you are hunting with the shotgun it won't make a difference. Part of the design of the decoy is to have them moving. My Strutter/Jake is always the closest decoy to me and I leave enough space between him and the hen so a tom can freely walk around him. 1 of 2 things happen he goes to the Strutter/Jake to deal with him or goes to that hen. I would also suggest setting that Jake at 15 yards, yes it sounds close but it works as you place that hen a couple of more yards out. and it is easy to double that distance and give you a under 40 shot.

MK M GOBL

This set-up works!

Thanks for the tips on decoy placement. I noticed the DSD is not firmly held in place so I was wondering if that was normal for it to move a bit. I guess some movement will help on a wary bird. Still new at turkey hunting with only 3 birds under my belt. Thanks

[MK M GOBL]

I just picked up a DSD jake decoy and will use that with my hen decoy this year when hunting fields. My question is should I face the decoys towards my blind or away from it? From what I read the birds will approach the jake first so I plan on setting that up at 20 yards. Just not sure which way it should face if it even matters at all.

So here's my experience/opinion, if you are hunting with the shotgun it won't make a difference. Part of the design of the decoy is to have them moving. My Strutter/Jake is always the closest decoy to me and I leave enough space between him and the hen so a tom can freely walk around him. 1 of 2 things happen he goes to the Strutter/Jake to deal with him or goes to that hen. I would also suggest setting that Jake at 15 yards, yes it sounds close but it works as you place that hen a couple of more yards out. and it is easy to double that distance and give you a under 40 shot.

MK M GOBL

This set-up works!

Thanks for the tips on decoy placement. I noticed the DSD is not firmly held in place so I was wondering if that was normal for it to move a bit. I guess some movement will help on a wary bird. Still new at turkey hunting with only 3 birds under my belt. Thanks

Welcome to the addiction! On year #27 here

MK M GOBL