Strutting Tom decoy on public land?

[BRADM]

Okay this is probably a bad idea. I'll be hunting the Daniel Boone opening weekend. You guys think if I'm far enough off the road I will have to worry about safety? :confused:

[FlydownCackler]

I've never turkey hunted the Daniel Boone, but I have deer hunted it. If there are half as many turkey hunters as deer hunters, I don't think I would use any decoy. If you do, be extremely careful.

[Double B]

I hunt exclusively on public land and I won't do it again. I sat on a field down at Yellowbanks once and it was worrisome. I wouldn't advise it.

[BlackWidow]

I would be very careful - killing a gobbler is only ALMOST worth getting shot over.....:)

[stratos907]

I use them religiously on peabody with great success. I never use them where they can be seen from the road...nor in or near any state maintained fields....gas lines...ect. But if a little common sense is used and care in set-up I suggest you try it.

[CHL]

I'd just be REEAAALLL careful. There's a few of 'em out there that shoot first and then look second:eek:.

[WaterDog88]

I know a guy who caught a load of #5's once. NO FUN! He wasn't using a full strut, but some one shot into a brush pile where they heard yelping.:cool: If you use it just be sure that you get against a nice wide tree where you have a good view of the area and can see people trying to sneak up on your decoy. I truly believe that spring turkey is much more dangerous than deer hunting in the respect that I think there's is a higher chance of accidental shootings...

[stratos907]

I know a guy who caught a load of #5's once. NO FUN! He wasn't using a full strut, but some one shot into a brush pile where they heard yelping.:cool: If you use it just be sure that you get against a nice wide tree where you have a good view of the area and can see people trying to sneak up on your decoy. I truly believe that spring turkey is much more dangerous than deer hunting in the respect that I think there's is a higher chance of accidental shootings...

I fully agree

[Tom Threetoes]

I wouldn't dare use a full strut decoy on any public ground especially Peabody!!!!!

[Outdoorfan]

Okay this is probably a bad idea. I'll be hunting the Daniel Boone opening weekend. You guys think if I'm far enough off the road I will have to worry about safety? :confused:


Im Hunting Daniel Boone opening weekend and look'n to take a Stutting Tom Decoy with my first tag, Care to clue me in where you'll be at?


Just playing, but from the # of people Ive seen just scouting in the area I wouldn't dare set up any decoys especially a Strutting Tom or anything else that even looks turkeyish.

[Valley Station]

There are some idiots out there, that drive around and shoot strutting toms with hi powered rifles from the road and leave them.
Be careful where you use them.

[beards-n-bone]

I wouldnt use one period. I used a half strut jake decoy several years back and a tom came to the field edge, took one look at the decoy, done a 180 and went the other way. Dont know why, because I was able to flank the bird and kill him later in the morning. He had 1.5 inch spurs and weighed 26lbs, not a scared 2yr old for sure. A single hen is all I carry and dont use it that often, but I dont field hunt that often either. Too many idiots in the woods for me to use a tom decoy, not to mention I dont want to lug the thing around. I dont sit still very long. Most of my setups are under 20 minutes.

[BRADM]

Thanks for the advice...it confirmed what I had orginally thought. NOT to use one period. I'll just pack the hen along just in case!

[kywaterfowler]

There are some idiots out there, that drive around and shoot strutting toms with hi powered rifles from the road and leave them.
Be careful where you use them.


yeah this is happened around my area before. theres a road about 10 miles from my house that they set a fake tom decoy out and theres like a hundred bullet holes in the thing. people are ridicoulous

[turkeyfever]

Im also going to be hunting the daniel boone, and will probably use a hen/jake combo the majority of the time. Ive decided this year that I'm going to pin up a hunter orange hat on the back of the tree that I'll be setting up against. This way if anybody tries to come up from the sides or behind me, theyll be able to see it. I hope this doesnt spook any birds, but Id rather have a scared gobbler than a turkey load in my butt. Also, if I'm lucky enough to kill a bird, that thing will be on my head when I walk out! Always remember safety first!

[BRADM]

Im also going to be hunting the daniel boone, and will probably use a hen/jake combo the majority of the time. Ive decided this year that I'm going to pin up a hunter orange hat on the back of the tree that I'll be setting up against. This way if anybody tries to come up from the sides or behind me, theyll be able to see it. I hope this doesnt spook any birds, but Id rather have a scared gobbler than a turkey load in my butt. Also, if I'm lucky enough to kill a bird, that thing will be on my head when I walk out! Always remember safety first!

I'm still undecided I guess....I mean I'll probably be hunting pretty far off the road...but all it takes is one shot. :eek: