How many decoys do you bring?
04-17-2009, 04:02 PM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: YewNork
Posts: 1,794
How many decoys do you bring?
Im going spring turkey hunting for the first time, and i only have a hen turkey decoy... Is it better to have a group of turkeys with a tom, or will i be ok with my one hen?
04-17-2009, 06:51 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: RI
Posts: 3,073
RE: How many decoys do you bring?
I started out with one hen and killed my first turkey that way. Two Toms came in and made a b-line to her when she was within sight. I think the competition between the two birds helped. After that, I noticed that birds would hang up more when they came in alone. My guess is that they wanted the hen to come to them. I added a jake and I think that helped. If the hen is staying with that jake, a Tom will have no part of that and come on in to square off with the jake and take his lady. You'll probably hear most people use 2 hens and a jake, and some use a full strut Tom, I guess its the ability to read a situation and use what's best for it. For me, one hen and one jake seem to work, so thats my typical set-up if I use dekes at all.
04-18-2009, 01:29 AM
#4
Typical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location:
Posts: 562
RE: How many decoys do you bring?
The first three turkeys I took came in to one hen and one jake, they were a jake and two gobblers. The third I had a full strut gobbler and two hens out, but I don't think he saw the dekes because of high grass. I did have two jakes come up and walk right on by the gobbler and two hens the next day, presumably because they wanted no part of a can whoop-a$$ from a bigger turkey.
I may be wrong, but my main plan now is to use two hens and a jake for one reason....I think any grown gobbler or jake will come to a jake decoy, but only a gobbler that means business willwalk in on a strutting gobbler. Way I see it, chances are better with a jake because the threat of getting a spanking from a jake is way less than getting one from a gobbler.
I may be wrong, but my main plan now is to use two hens and a jake for one reason....I think any grown gobbler or jake will come to a jake decoy, but only a gobbler that means business willwalk in on a strutting gobbler. Way I see it, chances are better with a jake because the threat of getting a spanking from a jake is way less than getting one from a gobbler.
04-18-2009, 08:46 AM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: North Central, Iowa
Posts: 1,900
RE: How many decoys do you bring?
ORIGINAL: Beezer
The first three turkeys I took came in to one hen and one jake, they were a jake and two gobblers. The third I had a full strut gobbler and two hens out, but I don't think he saw the dekes because of high grass. I did have two jakes come up and walk right on by the gobbler and two hens the next day, presumably because they wanted no part of a can whoop-a$$ from a bigger turkey.
I may be wrong, but my main plan now is to use two hens and a jake for one reason....I think any grown gobbler or jake will come to a jake decoy, but only a gobbler that means business willwalk in on a strutting gobbler. Way I see it, chances are better with a jake because the threat of getting a spanking from a jake is way less than getting one from a gobbler.
The first three turkeys I took came in to one hen and one jake, they were a jake and two gobblers. The third I had a full strut gobbler and two hens out, but I don't think he saw the dekes because of high grass. I did have two jakes come up and walk right on by the gobbler and two hens the next day, presumably because they wanted no part of a can whoop-a$$ from a bigger turkey.
I may be wrong, but my main plan now is to use two hens and a jake for one reason....I think any grown gobbler or jake will come to a jake decoy, but only a gobbler that means business willwalk in on a strutting gobbler. Way I see it, chances are better with a jake because the threat of getting a spanking from a jake is way less than getting one from a gobbler.
04-18-2009, 09:01 AM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fulton county IL USA
Posts: 4,271
RE: How many decoys do you bring?
As mentioned above, you'll be fine with one Hen but you'd probably be in a lot better shape if you would add atleast a Jake to the spread. That being said, over the past 3 seasons, we've had a LOT more success using 1 Hen and 1 Strutter. Good luck and good huntin'
04-20-2009, 03:42 AM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: YewNork
Posts: 1,794
RE: How many decoys do you bring?
thanks for the info, unfortunately this year i am going to have to stick with my 1 hen, i dont really have 30 bucks to spend on another decoy this year, but next year ill definitely get more.
GL everyone!
GL everyone!
