Decoys or no Decoys
 

I'm sure it has been discussed here many times with the experienced hunters here on this site. But what is your view and experience of using decoys. I know there is a time and place for them but I have had as good or better success not using decoys and just calling.

What would be the biggest benefit using them?

I tend to use them early in the season. But later in the season, when they've been tempted and educated by the 2-hens-and-a-jake hunters, I don't use them much. Besides, where I hunt, because of the late season leaves obscuring the view, they couldn't see the decoy until they're in range anyway.

I use one because it gives the tom something to see and hone in on after he hears the call.

Sometimes I use them, sometimes I don't. It just depends on the situation and the set up area for me.

Thanks, for your input and I guess there are times I should use start using them again. One advantage I feel that has done me well using a decoy is the focal point when a bird does come in. I do think it helps to distract them from you. bow hunt them so it is even more important to be inconspicuous.

It depends some on your hunting area. I usually hunt rolling grasslands on a cattle ranch with lots of open terrain and spread out oak trees. Toms can see my decoys from several hundreds of yards away and it's fun to watch them approach. If I hunt the parts of the ranch with denser trees, then I don't use decoys. For me, it just depends on what terrain I'm hunting.

never worked for me unless you want to shoot them 50+ yards, they would come in till they saw the decoy, strut and gobble a few minutes. when the hen did not go to thee gobbler, he'd just turn aand walk away gobbling.

I use them in just about every setup I hunt.
Decoys can be very effective.
My decoys are never more than 7 to 10 steps in front of me. I se my decoys in such a way as i can virtually put that Tom exactly where you want it.
I have used foam, motion, hard body, half shells, strutting Toms, jakes and various hen postures.
I try to mimic what I see really flocks look like.
I dabbled in strutting toms before they ever hit the market.
I don't hunt with out them. For the people i take eith me in doring i i troduce them to Turkey porn as they witness my decoys beingbrsped and molested.
I do agree there us a time and place to use them
But I'd rather sit a decoy spread and then adapt yo what I see


JW

RR, I agree that decoys don't always work. That's hunting. :D When i use decoys, I also use a popup blind and set them in a known travel corridor for the ranch I hunt. It doesn't always work but I have got some big toms out of it. Back in 2022, I bought one of those skinny chicken jake decoys (see picture at link below). Less than 5 minutes into calling, a tom ran up to my jake and tried to beat the snot out of him. It was rally fun to watch and I wish I had video of it. I was in a blind so was able to enjoy the show before shooting the tom. Since then, I use the decoy just to see what will happen.


https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1008114097?pid=655052

they may work at times, my preferred method of hunting has always been run and gun, walk and call, walk and call, when a gobbler responds, take cover and work him to within range and shoot him in the face! Has beeen successful for 50 years. Dance with the one that brung ya!

Years ago I started using a single Tom strutter that I made myself. I found through experience that if I found a dominant Tom in a field or area that he seemed to be guarding if I slipped in and put the stutter in the field when he wasn’t there he would come on a string. After doing this for awhile in every state I went to (over twenty )it was getting so easy I decided to change tactics and leave the Tom for bow hunting. In the beginning I never talked about this on forums. I should add back then I new several older guys from Georgia that used to fan but never talked about it . Anyway a few years later I think primos did some shows with a taxi stutter prior to putting out the mobile b I believe it was called . Well the trick was out lol

RR, I'll admit that run n gun is my favorite method. Stalking a tom by slipping from tree to tree, sneaking up behind any small rise or crawling through any depression or behind brush is an absolute blast.

I agree RR. I wish I was able to Run And Gun. But I'm not able to hunt that way anymore. Crippled fingers, busted back. So I searched for ways to keep me going. Rather locate and cut the distance down by going to them. Now. I locate and put a stake in the ground and declare come to me! Some long waits at times.

Jw

sometimes the best piece of equipment for turkey hunting is a comfy chair but not too comfy! Sucks waking up to putting Tom just leaving because your snort spooked him !

know how that is JW, since my bout with pneumonia in 2019 my running is about 200 yards from my truck, last fall I thought I would die carrying out a gobbler when I forgot my inhaler. Fortunately I have places where from experience I know there is a gobbler within 200 yards of my truck when I shut it off, and it is fairly easy walking. Still a struggle at times.

Sorry to hear about the physical problems JW and RR. I definitely can feel your pain. I have back and leg issues and am trying to rehab both. I wish both of you well with your respective health issues.

well the turkeys think they can breathe easier when i'm gone, but they need to beware of the ones I have taught! Its been a good ride.

I have had mixed results using decoys. Some times they see the decoy and come in like they are on a rope and other times they take one look ....putt and blow out of town. I tend to run and gun so more often I just don't have time to get decoys set up.

I am sorry to hear about all you folks with the health issues. I am pretty much in the same boat with a knee that was scoped years back acting up. In October of 2022 I had back surgery with mixed results. However the doc did say that it would help me walking somewhat even though the pain may not go away. That’s that and a fight with cancer (2015-2016) that gives me coughing fits at times. I guess it is better than the alternative anyways. But it doesn’t stop me from trying to do what I like to enjoy. My last bird was similar to the run and gun. Only I drive a pipeline/powerline and will stop along areas where I have seen turkeys before. I would use my pot call and see if I can get a response. If so I will look for a place to park and then walk back to where he was and try to get him to come out. Last year my last bird took an hour and a half to get him out. No decoys and only calling when the wise bird would respond. I also some times just walk into an area that’s easy walking and set up with hopes of drawing one out with a submissive hen and a Jake.. It mostly depends on the mood they are in I guess. But those pipeline/powerlines can be tough as others drive by at times. So it’s still a challenge..

Never had any luck with a decoy , I gave all of mine away , I do carry just a fan , and it works great , ( private land only) I’m not talking reaping if a gobbler hangs up in sight but is to far I ease the fan up and just twist it left to right , once he sees it more times than not he comes on in

must be that turkeys are just different, I know in central ky. everyone uses decoys, but I had no trouble killing them there without decoys,, they do act different and you get busted a lot by single hens that come charging the call. When you find a hen with a gobbler in tow, ya just wait till the gobbler comes in following the hen and gets close enough for a shot.

I bought an Avian X HDR Jake decoy this week to add to the 2 Avian hens that I have. See what happens!

I like a hen decoy to take the gobbler's attention away from me.

I you sit out in the open, yes the snort will affect the outcome. But I find sitting in my blind I can holler the Gettysburg address with no adverse effects.
It's the human form not the sound.

I screw with every hen or jake(s) that wander in my setups. It teaches me just how much I can get away with.

JW

Decoys can be a valuable tool for hunters, but knowing when to use them is key. While calling can be effective, decoys offer some distinct advantages. The biggest benefit is their ability to attract animals from farther distances. A realistic decoy can pique an animal's curiosity or trigger its social instincts, drawing it in where your calls alone might not. Additionally, decoys can keep an animal occupied, giving you more time to remain still and hidden for a clean shot. However, remember that successful decoy use requires careful strategy and placement depending on the species you're hunting.