How Many Decoys ???

[RutNBuck]

How Many Decoys do you usually Use?

i have tried several set up options and have found none are fool proof but the bubba jake/ struttin gobbler is a great tool
have had them nearly run over me

 

[philipfleek]

When I turkey hunted I didnt use them.
Never had a problem with them coming to a call.

 

[browningshutr]

It all depends on the phase that the turkeys are in. If the toms are henned up, I'll usually use a single hen to try to get the other hens pulled up close. If the toms are competetive for the hens, then I'll use a jealousy decoy(struttin' tom, jake) with 2 other hen decoys. When the birds are a little wary of getting a butt whippin', I'll tend to use one hen decoy. Like I said, it just depends on the mood the birds are in and what phase of the breeding they are in.

 

[Turkey68]

Modified Decoy

I have a decoy that I modified and have had very good luck with it. I took a BuckWing half strut jake, cut the plastic fan off of it, attached a real fan so it will hinge, and use an old fishing reel to make the fan go up and down. The fan removes and attaches quickly so it will fit in my pack and can be set up fast. When I have a tom in sight I simply pull the fishing reel and the fan snaps up like a tom strutting. When I let off of the reel it drifts back down slowly. I have never had a tom hang up on this decoy. I usually put a hen on the ground in front of it. I have had a few come in a little slower than others but the majority of them run in and want to fight it off of the hen. I think the reason that I have good luck with it is because of the motion. I think having that decoy moving like that convinces them that it’s real. I will take some pic's and get them posted if anyone is interested.

 

[Xi Bowhunter]

I never use them. My father has a pretty boy/girl with a jake fan that we have tried to use, but I have never had any success with it.

 

[WaterDog88]

Single hen. Depends on where I'm at. If nothing else its a good back rest...

 

[treymac]

been using the Pretty Boy and hen the past few years, seen some really cool stuff.. I've had sucess with or with out them though.

 

[danny99]

I like using B-moble with a hen on the ground in front of it.
Like anything else you use its not gonna work every time, make sure the turkey can see the decoy. Its awsome when they come running up to it.

 

[HAY]

Nothing , as already stated by some here, is a sure thing with turkeys . I have used decoys , but no more . Sure , they will put on one fine show , at the right time , and I too like to see their ruckus . But, I prefer that tom comes looking for the hidden hen . I prefer to sharpen my set up skills , as well as my calling skills in order to get tom to walk to me . To manage my own weaknesses, at the time of his arrival , so I don't screw things up , and let him get close as he looks the terrain over with those terrific eyes , and hope he doesn't hear my heart pounding in my chest with his unmatched ability to hear and pinpoint sounds . No room for error here , like with the decoys being spread out for toms attention .

I will not kill a bird I haven't called , nor will I kill one over decoys .

 

[WhiteRubi]

a fully customized B-Mobile and a custom made hen (real hen, mounted). I've put glass eyes in my b-mobile and repainted the head to look more realistic. I also misted the entire body with a bronze to add a little flash. It looks alive at 25 yards!!! We mounted up 6 real hens last year and I hunted over one last year. It's amazing.

This year I may do a ground blind and decoy hunt on one bird and a run and gun on another. I miss those hunts. They sure are fun.

 

[MAKEemQUIVER]

I used to carry two hens with a jake but anymore all I carry is a single hen.

 

[powwowdancer]

I use a couple of hens, (one feeding and one erect), and a jake.

 

[turk2di]

Nothing , as already stated by some here, is a sure thing with turkeys . I have used decoys , but no more . Sure , they will put on one fine show , at the right time , and I too like to see their ruckus . But, I prefer that tom comes looking for the hidden hen . I prefer to sharpen my set up skills , as well as my calling skills in order to get tom to walk to me . To manage my own weaknesses, at the time of his arrival , so I don't screw things up , and let him get close as he looks the terrain over with those terrific eyes , and hope he doesn't hear my heart pounding in my chest with his unmatched ability to hear and pinpoint sounds . No room for error here , like with the decoys being spread out for toms attention .

I will not kill a bird I haven't called , nor will I kill one over decoys .

ALRIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your my hero!!

 

[PrimosHuntingCalls]

It really depends for me. I hunt mostly in the hardwoods with the "run n' gun" style of hunting. I have always found that it is best to use a single hen in the hardwoods as opossed to an open field. When in an open field, I like to use B-Mobile and a couple of hen decoys.

Of course, every hunter has their own way of using decoys and killing a turkey, but these uses of decoys have always worked for me in the past.

 

[PrimosHuntingCalls]

When I turkey hunted I didnt use them.
Never had a problem with them coming to a call.

I can understand that. A lot of times a gobbler is so close when he answers that there is no time to set up a decoy even if you intend on putting one out. Sometimes a gobbler looking for that "hidden" hen does the trick as well.

The thing about decoys is that they work, but are not always necessary for a successful hunt.