I agree with Adrian. I didn't use a decoy this year. Best year ever.

IMHO, if the bird spots the decoy there's a 50-50 chence he'll strut and wait on the hen to come to him. If there is no decoy he will move around looking for the hen. Hens don't stay in the same place. I think the gobbler realizes this and goes looking for the hen.

As far as being eyeball-to-eyeball, I like it. Yes, it's a further test of your skills.

I like decoys for open field hunting and had success with them there. In the deep woods mountain terrain I have never had no luck at all with them and don't even try to use them anymore.

I agree with dawgwatch. I too am from NW Missouri. I use turkey decoys and have had them come in with one hen and with a jake and two hens. I use decoys every time I hunt because of the rolling hills . I spot and stalk alot of turkeys and find that it is great fun to spot the flock and then put out the decoys in a ideal spot and call them in.

I Own A Hen Decoy But They Scare More Turkeys Here Then Coming Into Them. HADD....
(Hunters Against Damn Decoys)
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