Decoys

[neb]

What would guys do the first couple weeks of turkey hunting in the north country. Would you use just a hen or a hen and a jake decoy?

[kdsberman]

I never had any luck using a jake decoy, but some have. My theory is this: What is a tom looking for in the spring?? A hen..right?? Simple as that. I make hen sounds and IF i use a decoy, I also use a hen(s).

[nick_bleuer76]

If I have time to set up, I use a jake breeding a hen, one hen feeding, one hen looking where I think the turkeys are going to come from, one other jake facing me.

[neb]

I have had good luck using both but the more I read on here it seems some just use a hen decoy. Ok one of each has replyed can I get some more replys on this. Thanks

[mohunter82]

depends on the time of the year. and how the birds are resonding and gobbling. most of the time I use 2 hens with a submissive jake. all it takes is that dominant tome seeing that jake and hes coming to whoop some butt.

[RIStrutStopper]

I'm far from an expert, but I use one hen and one jake. I've had gobblers run to a lone hen decoy like they were being pulled in on a string, especially if there were multiple gobblers around. I guess if they're in competition with each other a single lone hen is good. Many times I've had lone gobblers just hang up out of range or behind me, I think because it wants my hen decoy to come to it.When I use a hen and a jake, that creates instant competition for the gobbler, and since the jake I use is on the small size, they tend to not hang up or be intimidated by the jake. They come right in to confront the jake.