Couple more turkey hunting questions

[QTompkins2005]

I picked up flambeau's box of 3 decoys tonight. (jake, feeding hend, and standing hen). Is there any special pattern I should set these in when hunting or just put them out there?

Also, I was wondering about roughing up a slate call (that is crystal). when roughing it up do i want to go in a circular motion, or make all the rough marks go in on direction or perpendicular or what?

Thanks.

[Wingbone]

I've always read that you should put the jake 5 yds or so from the hen(s). A subordinate jake will be reluctant to approach a hen. You want to make him look subordinate. Seems to work.
Sand your slate in one direction so that your striker crosses the grooves when you call.

[jepcho]

Yeah the call should be sanded in one direction only. As far as the decoy set, the advice above is good, also I like to put them close to me. Like only 5-10 yards out. That way if they hang up 30 yards past the decoys, I still got him.

[Campo]

ORIGINAL: jepcho

Yeah the call should be sanded in one direction only. As far as the decoy set, the advice above is good, also I like to put them close to me. Like only 5-10 yards out. That way if they hang up 30 yards past the decoys, I still got him.

This is sound advice. I have gone even further, and put the decoy behind me. I only do this when I have a good backstop, in case someone sneeks up behind me and shoots at my deeks.
But, if you are sure that the bird is coming from one direction, and have a good set-up (read VERY good setup) then putting it behind you might bring a bird who is prone to hanging up in close enough for a shot.
This said, most of the time my deeks are 5-10 yards in front of me.

[old longbeards]

also...place the jake 'facing' away from you....almost every dominant gobbler will walk directly to it, facingor slightly to one side of the deke....that'll give you a shot when you putt to make him raise his head.