RE: Box calls vs. Scatch calls (advice)
I'm of the opinion that they're not necessary, but i carry one. I only end up using it about half the time. Gobblers have the ability to locate exactly where a call is coming from. In some situations where you are in an open area, a tom,will come to a pointexpecting to see a hen. If he doesn't, he'll get suspicious. On the other hand if he sees the decoy from too far he may hang up and strut, expecting the hen to come to him.
Later in the season, I don't bother with them much. With thicker vegetation, by the time the tom gets to a point where he should see the "hen", he's in range.