what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

our state, alabama passed that decoys could now be used,i don't think it will make it easier, will it help.

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

I use them in Vt when I can get them up. I have the carry lite 3 pack, 2 hens and a jake, but most of the time I don't have enough time to get them set due to a hot bird on the way. If you are setting up at the edge of a field in the dark then they help. I have found that they can help if the bird tends to hang up so the placement is important.

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

Decoys is a good topic. The guy I have been hunting with the last 3 years, whom I'm trying to learn from, also uses 3 hens and a jake. One of the hens is in 'feeding' pose. Here's my question, other then having the jake where you can see him at about 25 yards and facing the bird in the 'feeding' pose, what is the key to decoy placement? I've also heard you shouldn't face the decoys to where it looks like they are looking toward where you're hiding.

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

Decoys are really helpful. I carry a jake and 2 hens. For effect, I re-painted my jake to look more realistic - I added more color to his head, and painted him really glossy black.

Be careful using them, b/c I had a guy blow my jake off the pole one day. It was a pretty scary situation. Luckily, he came in from my side, and I wasn't in the line of fire. I think the jake is more effective than the hens.

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

I usually set them up as a 3 turkey flock headed out of the woods into the field. I place the 2 hens about 3 feet apart and the jake out to the side about 10 yards. I like to have them about 10 yards from the edge of the trees and I sit another 10 yards inside the woods. When I am on a ridge and walking and calling and I hear a bird answer a call I try to get 1 set up around 20 feet away in the woods then quickly set up against a tree. When the gobbler comes into sight and sees the decoy it helps to confirm that there is a hen and he will usually not hang up. If he comes into view and expects to see the hen and doesn't then often he will hang up. With turkeys there is no right or wrong way. What works one time will fail the next 4 times and so on. That is why it is a challenge.

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

Decoys are like turkey calls. If used right, they can help. If used wrong, they'll hurt you. I carry 1-3 decoys, depending on the time of year. Early in the season, the hen-jake combo works well. Later in the season, after 6 weeks of being called to from hen-jake combos, the surviving toms won't have anything to do with them. I just carry a hen then.
Don't make the spread too easy to see. If the tom can see them from across the field, a lot of the time, he'll hang up and stut, expecting the hens to come to him. I try to set up so he's got to look for them, hopefully from within range. In heavy foliage, I don't use them at all. The toms are usually within range before they expect to see something.
As with all the other gadgets we carry, they are a tool which can increase your chances.

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

In the SC swamps and floodplains, when you can see him, he's usually in range or about to cross the line, so I don't waste my time setting out decoys. Hunting fields is another story and I only use 1 hen in feeding postion and 1 hen in alert/caller position the entire season.
We didn't have decoys when I began Turkey Wars 1960, so I didn't get into the decoy habit, but rather used the setup (woodsmanship) to make the gobbler hunt for the hen he heard calling. He had to come into range to see into the area and that was the objective....

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

I'm like SC.When I started turkey huntin there were no decoys on the market so I still usually don't bother with them.However,One thing I love to do when huntin is experiment with diffrent tactics and such.The few times I have used dekes I've had success but I'm still not convinced I wouldn't have taken those birds without the dekes.

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

Like the wise old Swampbird I couldn't agree more!!YOUR set-up rather than the decoys is far more important to the success of the overall situation!I might use a Buckwing jake and hen the first week geared towards arousing the jealous attitude of grouped up 2 year old gobblers who still havn't established pecking order,but after that they go back in the closet!!!!;)

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

I very seldom use them.When I have had success with them,I think I would have called the tom in without them.I found Wingbones reply interesting.If they don't see the decoys until they are within range why use them at all.

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

I use them, and while not 100% foolproof, I truely feel that they help out much more than not. The gobbler hears your calls and usually comes in silently looking for that hen he heard, then he spots the deek, and most times you never have to make another sound, because that deek will draw him right into shotgun range.
Just make sure to place the hen decoy facing away from your set-up, and the jake facing towards your set-up. A gobbler will usually approach a jake from the front and a hen from behind. Either way, if he's strutting, his tail fan will block his head, and enable you to make your move!!;)

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

thanks guys for the info, i think i'll start out with the tactics i was taught when i was young turkey hunter, since i've have had pretty good luck,on bad days i'll give them a try,usually thats when i'm hunting a pasture bird. good luck and be safe

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

I carry two- a carry lite hen and jake. I need to paint them , thanks for the tip Quiksilver.

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

ive used them with success. 2 times i had a pi$$ed off gobbler run in and smash the jake that he thought was breeding one of his hens. another time i had a coyote snatch the hen, spit it out and he had the funniest look on his face, like" hmm that dosnt taste like turkey". it was cool. i also have a video of a pregnant doe giving my deke a mule kick, dont know why she did that.

i generally only use em if i've got a stubborn bird thats hanging up in a field or if he's henned up. i got a great video once when i was calling for my dad. there was a big tom about 200 yds away with a half dozen hens, he bet me i couldnt call him away from them. i tried for an hour, then belly crawled 40 yds out, set up the dekes, and with some gentle yelping called him right away from his harem.

one of my better (read "luckier") hunts....;)
try em out i think you'll enjoy using them.
-good luck!
moose

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

Im sure they help to some degree, but i don't use them. I'd rather go after them and call them into range without the aid of a decoy. Just my opinion.

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

I get awful nervous using decoys. Seen too many turkeys spooked by them, and have never killed a turkey that I thought needed decoys to bag. The set-up is the key.

But if I hunted field birds much, I might use them more.


Hal

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

the space in my vest is very important,i carry enough stuff, im really stuffin if i carry several dekes.i took the advice from some veteren turkey hunters years ago,give them what they want.i carry a lone hen and that liitle girl is deadly on a field edge off the roost or any time of the day with some practiced calling.i have killed several birds getting them vocal up until a couple or so hundred yards and then being quiet,being patient,scratching the leaves,being more patient.whatever you decide on good luck.

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

I use them as often as possible, and have been very successful with them. I don't think I have seen turkeys I normally wouldn't have seen without one, however they help me position the turkey where I need for a shot, and allow me to get that bird in the last 50-75 yards without me needing to call and blow my cover. They also allow me to get away with small movements/weight shifts, etc when his attention is drawn to the decoy. Keep in mind, I never hunt fields as they are limited here and the fields are usually no good after the first day or so....most of the hunters are pretty lazy here and drive the birds into the woods.

I always use a single hen decoy because usually I would rather be mobile than worry about moving 3 decoys. 99% of the birds I kill (2 a year on average) I have to move on multiple times to get them to come in, so being mobile is more important. The property I hunt is usually got 5-6 hunters on 900 acres, and I consistently kill more birds than anyone there, and I am convinced that it is because these people don't cover enough ground, most of them sit in a single place with a huge flock of decoys and end up listening to me work birds.

I always setup my hen decoy facing away from me, usually the gobblers will come in and try to get behind the decoy and end up facing away from me very close. I would probably do the opposite if I used jake decoys as they would probably approach them from the front to confront the jake.

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

I think decoys are great if you know how to use them. If the birds are hot and are breeding heavy then place a jake with your hens. If it is towards then end then just put out 1 or 2 hens this way the bird will come in with little resistence just trying to get the last of them bred. DONT PLACE THEM OUT OF SHOOTING RANGE!! I would place the jake behind the hens as if to be following them to make it look like the jake is about to get the hen. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

I use the Sceery® flock of four (3 hens & a jake). This year I'm adding the Sceery® "FULL STRUT TOM". When used correctly they can be deadly!!! I set the flock up @about 20-25yds; will set the Full Strut decoy @about 25 feet!:D Below him will be my CassCreek® Speaker hooked up to my electronic "Gobbler Call".:D Behind that will be my finger on the trigger of a 20GA Mossberg Pump Gun launching 1¼oz of Remington Hevi-Shot® #6's at the Gobbler's noggin'!!!!!

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

I guide this guy one spring morning. As soon as we heard the birds, i LOOKED BACK AND HE WAS STICKING DECOYS ALL AROUND. I laught so hard it could have spook the bird 200 yds, away. He told me several time how many turkeys he's seen. I said well follow me if you want one. He did and we harvested two nice birds. Leave the videos and marketing at the store. Hear the bird get close make some calls, make that tom look for that hen. Keep it simple. Don't let the marketing make you work a day you can take off to gun these birds. My total gear under $750 and the 870 3 1/2" cost $450 clothes $125 calls 1 box and 1 slate $50. 1 locator rarely used $20 decoys zip. Don't make the rich man richer, enjoy life.

RE: what do you think about using turkey decoys
 

Exactly.... and why should this sport be made "easier" ? It's SUPPOSED to be difficult to get a bird in range.... I fear we're creating Lazy hunter, unwilling to pay the hard dues. If you're a true dyed-in-the-wool turkey hunter, it's supposed to be just YOU..your call... and the Gobbler... that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.....;)

... I reckon a scattergun ought to be added with the calls.......:eek: