I was wondering how to position decoys when im hunting? also do you stay in one spot when turkey hunting or do you move a lot? if you move around a lot do you leave the decoys where they are?
If I am using decoys and I am going to move...I don't leave them there. I don't want the turkey to get suspecious or use to seeing decoys my decoys. You can either take them with you, or if you don't think you will use them, throw them in some tall grass or put them someplace where they wont get seen. Just my opinion...
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Remington Model 11-87 Premier 12 Gauge
Remington Model 870 SPS-T Camo Thumbhole 12 Gauge
Ruger M77 Mark II .270 w/ Nikon 3-9x40 Buckmasters
There is no special art to putting dekes out. I just put a hen or two about 20 to 25 yards in front of me. I have had great success with dekes, but they are not going to work every time. As for leaving your dekes if you get up to go somewhere else, I agree with r33h. I wouldn't leave them. If I'm chasing a gobbler or trying to cut him off, I'll just leave my dekes hidden in the woods. I don't always take dekes with me on my hunt. A lot of it depends on the situation. They can be a great tool though.
It does take some experience to know when to move and when to stay put. You will mess up quite a bit...but you will learn from your mistakes...I learned most everything that I know about turkey hunting on my own. If you think that the gobbler is going around you or away from you, then get up and try and cut him off (if you can without being seen). Sitting in one place can have its advantages as well. If you know that gobblers come through that area dur to what you have seen when scouting, then try and wait them out.
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Remington Model 11-87 Premier 12 Gauge
Remington Model 870 SPS-T Camo Thumbhole 12 Gauge
Ruger M77 Mark II .270 w/ Nikon 3-9x40 Buckmasters
Trust me Mossbergman, you will learn as you go. You will learn mainly by making mistakes. You will never stop learning. Just when you think you have everything figured out, a wary old longbeard will make you look like a fool. If it were easy it wouldn't be fun. Your in for a very exciting and frustrating time,probably in the same hunt. Just remember, be patient. You may kill a longbeard on your first hunt or it may take years to finally score. Hopefully it won't take too long. I'll guarantee you this though, once you take that first bird,whether a jake or longbeard, you will be hooked for life.
put them to the side of you fora couple of reasonsreasons, put them within 25 yards of you
[ul][*]other hunters shooting[*]so the turkeys eyes arent directed towards you[/ul]
"We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing."
I'm not exactly an expert but I disagree... If I use a jake decoy I face it towards me. If the Tom wants to pick a fight, he will face the jake and be looking away from me. That gives me the opportunity to move. If I'm using a lonehen I do want it facing away from me, but you have to be careful... If the turkey comes in facing the hen it might hang up out of range waiting for the hen to come to him. sometimes no decoy is best. There is no exact science to it but after a while you'll figure out what works best for you.
I'm not exactly an expert but I disagree... If I use a jake decoy I face it towards me. If the Tom wants to pick a fight, he will face the jake and be looking away from me. That gives me the opportunity to move. If I'm using a lonehen I do want it facing away from me, but you have to be careful... If the turkey comes in facing the hen it might hang up out of range waiting for the hen to come to him. sometimes no decoy is best. There is no exact science to it but after a while you'll figure out what works best for you.
agreed...
Also, superstrutter said it best. You are going to make several mistakes and that is the only way you are going to learn, and when you do get that bird, you will have a new addiction.
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Remington Model 11-87 Premier 12 Gauge
Remington Model 870 SPS-T Camo Thumbhole 12 Gauge
Ruger M77 Mark II .270 w/ Nikon 3-9x40 Buckmasters
Turkey decoys?
