What decoys to buy?

[Sprite]

I shoot 90% of my birds with no decoys out, but when I do use decoys I have Avian-X.

I'll go against the grain here and say that most times I'll run a single Jake over hens. I like to keep them guessing where the "hen" (me) is. I find they hang up less often, as they're actively looking for the hen -- the single Jake gives them something to look at and get pissed off about.


-Nick

[MikePal]

I like to keep them guessing where the "hen" (me) is. I find they hang up less often, as they're actively looking for the hen

That's what I have also found; no decoys are often better when they're getting hung up. Let them come looking for the hen that is calling. I do most of my successful hunting with NO decoys.

Having said that, time of day sometimes dictate a change in tactics. I will use a hen (or2) in the bush during the late afternoon hunts, when the Hens are brooding and the Tom's/Jakes are out alone.

[rick_iles]

I find the big thing with using decoys, is don’t be afraid to change things up. Many times I’ve seen gobblers hang up. I wait until he goes away, then crawl out and retrieve the decoys. Start calling again and usually it will come right in looking for the noisy hen!!

[Sprite]

I find the big thing with using decoys, is don’t be afraid to change things up. Many times I’ve seen gobblers hang up. I wait until he goes away, then crawl out and retrieve the decoys. Start calling again and usually it will come right in looking for the noisy hen!!

Another tactic I've found with no decoys is to never call when a gobbler can clearly see your setup. Several times I've been calling while a tom is approaching at an excruciatingly slow pace (mistake), only to have him tuck his wings and get out of dodge when he doesn't see a hen.

A lot of the time I'll only call to a tom when he's behind cover or a tree. A quiet two or three note yelp is usually all that's needed!

- Nick

[rick_iles]

Another tactic I've found with no decoys is to never call when a gobbler can clearly see your setup. Several times I've been calling while a tom is approaching at an excruciatingly slow pace (mistake), only to have him tuck his wings and get out of dodge when he doesn't see a hen.

A lot of the time I'll only call to a tom when he's behind cover or a tree. A quiet two or three note yelp is usually all that's needed!

- Nick

Usually when they bolt like that, they have seen movement. I don’t call when I see a gobbler coming.

[Sprite]

Usually when they bolt like that, they have seen movement. I don’t call when I see a gobbler coming.

I should have rephrased to say that it can and will make them nervous.

[benjhind]

Nick - All I've ever had was a lone Jake. Seems to work just fine. I've had henned-up toms come check it out and keep moving with their hens, but generally they either ignore me or come in on a wire.

My first turkey hunt was with Dave Reid. He released the first wild turkeys into Ontario, down by Turkey Point. I asked him if he only had one decoy, what would it be. He said a jake. He wasn't wrong.

[dutchhunter]

I love using my full strut tom decoy the first week of the season.
Nothing beats a big old tom running in tripping over his beard

[genec]

I have an Avien-x hen, and it sometimes works well.
I have a full strut gobbler, but haven’t had luck with it - seems to scare off other gobblers more than attract them.
I just ordered the Funky Chicken jake to try it this year.

[toddy]

I like full strut decoys later in the season either by themselves or with a hen. For whatever reason I always seem to see the toms group up and start the prowl together coming off the roost.