Opinion Needed Turkey Decoys ??

**Catfishsteve** · 02-06-2008, 02:42 PM

Ok, so turkey season is still a ways out, but all the stores have tons of stuff out for weeks now.

I would like some opinions on turkey decoys?

I've got some vids and all these guys have them out on these shows.

I'm wondering is this more for show? Is is necessary? Does it work for you?

If you use them, do you use just one decoy? or two?

What combination? (hens, jakes, gobblers?)

Most of the ones in the stores are just rubber ones (and they don't look like they'll float too good, quite honestly...

), any particular brand of rubber turkey you like really well?

Do any of you use a full mount bird as a turkey decoy?

Got any good turkey decoy stories? Let's hear 'em!

***

On a related note we're in the process now of setting up a fun contest for turkey season here on the forum. We'd like to create a lot of interest and maybe get some guys out that haven't tried hunting turkeys before. I'm not a turkey hunter myself, (yet) but my grandfather was for a time when I was little and he always really loved getting out for turkeys in the spring. I remember a lot of days having to wait for him to get back from the turkey woods so he could take me out spring trout fishing. I guess he knew I was a little too jumpy and loud for the turkeys back then!!
I suspect he liked turkey hunting more than deer hunting, actually. So, now I'm finally going to give it a try this year. Stay tuned for details on the contest, it will begin sooner than you think!!

Alex T. · 02-06-2008, 02:47 PM

turkey decoys give the birds something to focus on and to relate the calling to something. Now,as far as decoys,IMO,a hen and jake are enough to get the job done.Simple ones that can be folded and put in your turkey vest make it easy to carry them without taking up a hand to hold them.

Alex

Hookem · 02-06-2008, 03:03 PM

Agree Alex..........hen and jake. I use a folded hen and full body jake. Many times got a kick out of other jakes messing with hen decoy and at times a tom knocking the crap out of jake....watched and laughed; often thought of getting a picture of that. Two springs back jake hit decoy so hard broke stake off decoy! Then it got my real attention but let it go waiting for tom!

sqwidbrain · 02-06-2008, 03:05 PM

If I use decoys. A hen and jake. Set the jake up where your best shot is.

tc_topshot · 02-06-2008, 03:20 PM

Personally, I use one hen, one of those $14 foam ones with a stake. they are light weight and leave plenty of room in your hunting backpack. that hen has helped me get several gooblers.

24 HUNTER · 02-06-2008, 03:45 PM

did real well last year not even using a decoy! i called all of them in no stalking involved.

obert · 02-06-2008, 04:40 PM

BIG lot of NIB Quaker Boy Turkey calls
This is what I have:
I use decoys. 2-3. I guess I've been a believer that it takes the focus from the turkey to the decoys instead of on you. I've had birds attack them and I've had them walk right by totally disregarding them. I have 2 carrylite decoys and the other foam I'd have to check. Bought them from an outdoor tv productions guy in town here.

Came across this on AT.

Quote:

50+ - mouth diaphragm calls
10 - slate calls
3 - box calls
3 - videos
3 - 'Tukey packs' including video and slate call
3 - Snuff Cans
2 - Pro Turkey Tubes
2 - strikers
8 - instructional cassettes
2 - Push Pins
3 - Locator calls (2 - owl, 1 - pea****)
1 - Turkey Talkin' Tube

All items new in package. PM for pics. $250.00 plus shipping for everything.

bwese · 02-06-2008, 05:01 PM

They aren't needed IMO. In fact they have hindered many more hunts than helped in my experience. Hang ups were a big problem with them or shying birds away. I gave mine away. I will chose to hunt somewhere else than sit with someone with decoys as I don't want to waste my time or I just resign myself to the fact that it will be a hunt with a whole lot of hunting and not a lot of taking

(that ain't all bad though either)

Another issue that doesn't concern the birds is it is just one more thing that has to be trucked everywhere you walk during the hunt.

good luck this spring

BWese

BPbowhunter · 02-06-2008, 05:26 PM

Personally I only use one hen decoy, mainly just to put the gobblers focus on that hen and to have something for him to look at that the calling would be coming from.

But there have been some times where having a decoy out has been a hindrance. So some situations they do more harm then good.

goose abuser · 02-06-2008, 07:52 PM

Bringing decoys depends on where I hunt. If I choose to hunt public they stay in the truck.

My favorite hunt would be patterning the birds for a few days and setting up in the most active strutting areas I can find. Thats when the Pretty Boy and the breeding hen comes out and the show begins.

To birds that have seen hen decoys a couple times and completely avoided them, the PB works wonders. Havent brought a jake decoy out since this hunt.

Alex T. · 02-06-2008, 08:21 PM

Alex

AJ · 02-06-2008, 11:31 PM

Heavily hunted and pressured birds - no decoy.In this case it is better not to give the tom something to zone in on. Also most larger toms have been called in and seen a decoy before. It seems to put them on a higher level of alertness.Little to no pressure and/or hunting Jakes - decoy.Birds unaccustomed to being called and/or decoyed will come in straight away once they see the decoy. Make sure that you place it where it is visible from only a short distance. MOST HANG-UPS OCCUR BECAUSE THE TOM LOCATED THE DECOY BEYOND GUN RANGE. ONCE A TOME CAN SEE THE "HEN" IT WILL IMMEDIATELY GO INTO STRUT AND WILL EXPECT THE HEN TO COME TO HIM. THIS IS NORMAL TURKEY BEHAVIOR. KEEPING YOUR DECOY IN A LESS VISIBLE LOCATION UNTIL THE TOME IS VERY CLOSE TO GUN RANGE WILL HELP TO OFFSET THIS PROBLEM.

MasterAngler · 02-07-2008, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ

Heavily hunted and pressured birds - no decoy.In this case it is better not to give the tom something to zone in on. Also most larger toms have been called in and seen a decoy before. It seems to put them on a higher level of alertness.Little to no pressure and/or hunting Jakes - decoy.Birds unaccustomed to being called and/or decoyed will come in straight away once they see the decoy. Make sure that you place it where it is visible from only a short distance. MOST HANG-UPS OCCUR BECAUSE THE TOM LOCATED THE DECOY BEYOND GUN RANGE. ONCE A TOME CAN SEE THE "HEN" IT WILL IMMEDIATELY GO INTO STRUT AND WILL EXPECT THE HEN TO COME TO HIM. THIS IS NORMAL TURKEY BEHAVIOR. KEEPING YOUR DECOY IN A LESS VISIBLE LOCATION UNTIL THE TOME IS VERY CLOSE TO GUN RANGE WILL HELP TO OFFSET THIS PROBLEM.

Totally agree......

I hunt an area that has little pressure and have only used 1 hen decoy. I believe it is similiar to the type that Alex described. You can fold it and use it by putting the stake inside to push the sides out. It is probably the ugliest, oldest decoy around (well not really the oldest) and it has never let me down. Maybe it's my superb calling? No, my calling probably sucks too........ lol

I keep thinking every Spring it's going to be time to spend a few bucks and get a new decoy(s), but why replace it unless it isn't working?

Curious to see what others says as well........ but I agree that no matter what type of decoy (hen, jake, tom) it at least makes the tom/jake you are calling to focus on something other than you.

OldBaldGuy · 02-07-2008, 11:20 AM

Don't buy the hand-puppet ones...

**Catfishsteve** · 02-07-2008, 12:14 PM

Thanks AJ and OBG,

Those are all some really good tips on turkey decoys!!

Goosegunner · 02-07-2008, 07:58 PM

I use three hen decoys, the older solid plastic ones that I have modified with paint and a swivel stake. I have never noticed any ill effects on the public ground I hunt. The only thing that I have found is that the birds don't like to gobble much if any on the public ground, but they will still come right in to the girls. Never have cared much for using jake or tom decoys. Sometime try setting a hen decoy down low to the ground. Gunner

DiggerDog · 02-07-2008, 09:21 PM

The past few years I've used two hens and one jake which seems to work pretty well. With this set up I'm batting a .1000 over the last six years.

02-06-2008, 02:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
Catfishsteve Director Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Plattsmouth, NE Posts: 6,841 Thanks: 21 Thanked 112 Times in 35 Posts	Turkey Decoys ?? Ok, so turkey season is still a ways out, but all the stores have tons of stuff out for weeks now. I would like some opinions on turkey decoys? I've got some vids and all these guys have them out on these shows. I'm wondering is this more for show? Is is necessary? Does it work for you? If you use them, do you use just one decoy? or two? What combination? (hens, jakes, gobblers?) Most of the ones in the stores are just rubber ones (and they don't look like they'll float too good, quite honestly...), any particular brand of rubber turkey you like really well? Do any of you use a full mount bird as a turkey decoy? Got any good turkey decoy stories? Let's hear 'em! ***** On a related note we're in the process now of setting up a fun contest for turkey season here on the forum. We'd like to create a lot of interest and maybe get some guys out that haven't tried hunting turkeys before. I'm not a turkey hunter myself, (yet) but my grandfather was for a time when I was little and he always really loved getting out for turkeys in the spring. I remember a lot of days having to wait for him to get back from the turkey woods so he could take me out spring trout fishing. I guess he knew I was a little too jumpy and loud for the turkeys back then!! I suspect he liked turkey hunting more than deer hunting, actually. So, now I'm finally going to give it a try this year. Stay tuned for details on the contest, it will begin sooner than you think!!**

02-06-2008, 02:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Alex T. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: under the lids of a laydown blind Certified Youth Fishing Instructor Posts: 3,411 Thanks: 0 Thanked 62 Times in 35 Posts	turkey decoys give the birds something to focus on and to relate the calling to something. Now,as far as decoys,IMO,a hen and jake are enough to get the job done.Simple ones that can be folded and put in your turkey vest make it easy to carry them without taking up a hand to hold them. Alex __________________ Listening to an e-caller daily to help pass the time until they come back

02-06-2008, 03:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
sqwidbrain Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hastings, NE Posts: 345 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	If I use decoys. A hen and jake. Set the jake up where your best shot is. __________________ How big is it?!!

02-06-2008, 03:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
tc_topshot Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Broken Bow/Lincoln Posts: 384 Thanks: 6 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts	Personally, I use one hen, one of those $14 foam ones with a stake. they are light weight and leave plenty of room in your hunting backpack. that hen has helped me get several gooblers. __________________ Whackin' Woodies Waterfowl Crew "If it's stupid but it works, it isn't stupid." - Murphy's Laws of Combat

02-06-2008, 05:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
BPbowhunter 2007 NEFGA Outdoorsman Of The Year Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Broken Bow Posts: 2,510 Thanks: 8 Thanked 32 Times in 24 Posts	Personally I only use one hen decoy, mainly just to put the gobblers focus on that hen and to have something for him to look at that the calling would be coming from. But there have been some times where having a decoy out has been a hindrance. So some situations they do more harm then good. __________________ Whackin' Woodies Waterfowl Crew "Look, a pair of singles!"

02-06-2008, 03:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
Hookem Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Central ne Certified Youth Fishing Instructor Posts: 276 Thanks: 10 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	Agree Alex..........hen and jake. I use a folded hen and full body jake. Many times got a kick out of other jakes messing with hen decoy and at times a tom knocking the crap out of jake....watched and laughed; often thought of getting a picture of that. Two springs back jake hit decoy so hard broke stake off decoy! Then it got my real attention but let it go waiting for tom!

02-06-2008, 03:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
24 HUNTER Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: omaha ne Posts: 247 Thanks: 4 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	did real well last year not even using a decoy! i called all of them in no stalking involved.

02-06-2008, 05:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
bwese Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NE Posts: 55 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	They aren't needed IMO. In fact they have hindered many more hunts than helped in my experience. Hang ups were a big problem with them or shying birds away. I gave mine away. I will chose to hunt somewhere else than sit with someone with decoys as I don't want to waste my time or I just resign myself to the fact that it will be a hunt with a whole lot of hunting and not a lot of taking (that ain't all bad though either) Another issue that doesn't concern the birds is it is just one more thing that has to be trucked everywhere you walk during the hunt. good luck this spring BWese

02-06-2008, 07:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
goose abuser Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 509 Thanks: 6 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Bringing decoys depends on where I hunt. If I choose to hunt public they stay in the truck. My favorite hunt would be patterning the birds for a few days and setting up in the most active strutting areas I can find. Thats when the Pretty Boy and the breeding hen comes out and the show begins. To birds that have seen hen decoys a couple times and completely avoided them, the PB works wonders. Havent brought a jake decoy out since this hunt. __________________ My frilled dragon eats more than your frilled dragon...

02-06-2008, 08:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
Alex T. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: under the lids of a laydown blind Certified Youth Fishing Instructor Posts: 3,411 Thanks: 0 Thanked 62 Times in 35 Posts	Alex __________________ Listening to an e-caller daily to help pass the time until they come back

02-06-2008, 11:31 PM	#12 (permalink)
AJ Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lincoln, NE Certified Youth Fishing Instructor Posts: 89 Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Heavily hunted and pressured birds - no decoy.In this case it is better not to give the tom something to zone in on. Also most larger toms have been called in and seen a decoy before. It seems to put them on a higher level of alertness.Little to no pressure and/or hunting Jakes - decoy.Birds unaccustomed to being called and/or decoyed will come in straight away once they see the decoy. Make sure that you place it where it is visible from only a short distance. MOST HANG-UPS OCCUR BECAUSE THE TOM LOCATED THE DECOY BEYOND GUN RANGE. ONCE A TOME CAN SEE THE "HEN" IT WILL IMMEDIATELY GO INTO STRUT AND WILL EXPECT THE HEN TO COME TO HIM. THIS IS NORMAL TURKEY BEHAVIOR. KEEPING YOUR DECOY IN A LESS VISIBLE LOCATION UNTIL THE TOME IS VERY CLOSE TO GUN RANGE WILL HELP TO OFFSET THIS PROBLEM.

02-07-2008, 11:20 AM	#14 (permalink)
OldBaldGuy Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The paradise formerly known as Elkhorn Certified Youth Fishing Instructor NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 5,546 Thanks: 59 Thanked 151 Times in 81 Posts	Don't buy the hand-puppet ones... __________________ “I think every happy memory plucks a hair from your head; if you see an old bald guy, he’s probably had a great life.” –-Red Green

02-07-2008, 12:14 PM	#15 (permalink)
Catfishsteve Director Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Plattsmouth, NE Posts: 6,841 Thanks: 21 Thanked 112 Times in 35 Posts	Thanks AJ and OBG, Those are all some really good tips on turkey decoys!!

02-07-2008, 07:58 PM	#16 (permalink)
Goosegunner Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Kearney Posts: 89 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I use three hen decoys, the older solid plastic ones that I have modified with paint and a swivel stake. I have never noticed any ill effects on the public ground I hunt. The only thing that I have found is that the birds don't like to gobble much if any on the public ground, but they will still come right in to the girls. Never have cared much for using jake or tom decoys. Sometime try setting a hen decoy down low to the ground. Gunner

02-07-2008, 09:21 PM	#17 (permalink)
DiggerDog Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: At home, in the field, in a blind, in a boat, at our cabin, on a plane, or in a hotel room Posts: 453 Thanks: 14 Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts	The past few years I've used two hens and one jake which seems to work pretty well. With this set up I'm batting a .1000 over the last six years. __________________ "When you have shot one bird flying you have shot all birds flying. They are all different and they fly in different ways but the sensation is the same and the last one is as good as the first." - Ernest Hemingway

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