I wish it were so simple. Throw a hen turkey decoy out. Maybe two hens. Sit down. Make a quick call and get ready because old Longbeard is about to go on a full run, having become enthralled with the adorable little turkey he’s staring at and the lovely siren sounds he can hear. Doesn’t matter that that “girl turkey” is plastic; he doesn’t care. All that’s left to do is squeeze the trigger, give yourself a high five, toss them over your shoulder, and begin the trek back towards the truck.
Sometimes it almost seems that easy — this turkey hunting game. And why is all of this happening? You say, “Just stake it out and he’ll come running,” which is sometimes true but not always the case.
Sometimes you have to work at it. A little strategy. Finesse. One hen. Two hens. A jake. Jake and a hen. Half-strut gobbler … not a full-strut tom, but half-strut … off to one side. Is the hen decoy fully visible or partially hidden, and what direction is “she” — that is, the decoy — facing— toward you or away?
This week, Slayer Calls examines turkey decoys, including hens, jakes, half-struts, and full-struts, and how you might use them to increase the likelihood that you’ll be able to give old Mister Tom a ride home in the back of your pickup truck.
Unlocking the Secrets of Decoy Deployment for Optimal Turkey Hunting Success
Turkey hunting is a thrilling pursuit that demands a blend of strategy, patience, and the right gear. Decoys play a crucial role in luring unsuspecting gobblers into range, adding an extra layer of excitement to this iconic American tradition But how many decoys should you use? This question often puzzles even seasoned hunters, and the answer lies in understanding the dynamics of turkey behavior and adapting your approach to specific situations.
Understanding the Turkey Hierarchy: A Key to Decoy Success
Before diving into the world of turkey decoys, it’s essential to grasp the intricate social structure of these fascinating birds. Turkeys establish a pecking order within their flocks, with dominant individuals claiming priority over resources and mating opportunities. This hierarchy influences their reactions to decoys, making it crucial to tailor your decoy strategy accordingly.
One Gobbler: A Delicate Dance of Deception
If you’re facing a lone gobbler, chances are, you’re dealing with an older, more experienced bird or an outcast. These turkeys tend to be solitary and cautious, requiring a subtle approach. A single jake decoy in a passive posture, like the Flextone Funky Chicken, can pique their curiosity without appearing overly aggressive. Adding a breeder hen and a single feeding hen can further enhance confidence and entice the wary gobbler to commit.
Two Gobblers: A Game of Dominance and Deception
When two gobblers grace your presence, consider it a gift. These birds often engage in dominance battles, creating an opportunity to exploit their competitive nature. A pair of jake decoys in a semi-strut or aggressive posture, like the Avian-X Jake and Jake Pair, can trigger a territorial response, drawing them into close proximity. Adding a single hen decoy can further amplify the illusion of a receptive flock, increasing your chances of success.
Three or More Gobblers: A Feast for the Eyes
Encountering a larger group of gobblers presents a unique challenge. These birds are more likely to be wary and hesitant, requiring a more elaborate decoy setup. Consider using a combination of jake and hen decoys in various postures, creating a lifelike representation of a feeding flock. This strategy can pique their curiosity and entice them to investigate, offering you a shot at the dominant gobbler.
The Art of Decoy Placement: Mastering the Visual Lure
Beyond the number of decoys, their placement plays a crucial role in attracting turkeys. Aim for open areas with good visibility, allowing the birds to spot your setup from afar. Consider mimicking natural turkey behavior by placing the decoys in a feeding or breeding position. For instance, a jake decoy positioned behind a hen decoy simulates breeding behavior, triggering a territorial response from approaching gobblers.
The Power of Realism: Investing in Quality Decoys
Modern decoy technology has revolutionized turkey hunting, offering incredibly lifelike representations of these majestic birds. Investing in high-quality decoys with realistic feather detail and natural postures can significantly increase your success rate. These decoys appear more convincing to turkeys, making them more likely to approach and investigate.
Beyond the Decoys: The Importance of Patience and Skill
While decoys play a vital role in turkey hunting, they are just one piece of the puzzle. Patience and skill remain paramount to success. Mastering the art of calling, utilizing proper camouflage, and maintaining a steady aim are crucial elements in bagging your trophy gobbler.
Understanding turkey behavior, utilizing the right number and type of decoys, and deploying them strategically are key to maximizing your turkey hunting success. Remember, patience, skill, and a touch of luck will ultimately determine your triumph in this exhilarating pursuit. So, grab your decoys, head out to the field, and experience the thrill of outsmarting these wary birds.
Types of turkey decoys
These are probably the most popular and most widely used decoys in the spring. Why? Because they complement the noises we’re producing well and, as previously indicated, they provide the gobbler with what he expects to see. It all makes sense — most of the time, that is.
Nine times out of 10, when I set a turkey decoy, it’s going to be a hen. Or two hens — one feeding and one looking around casually. It’s what that gobbler anticipates, and it gives the entire scene a sense of security—nothing wrong here! Additionally, turkeys — especially hens and jakes — are gregarious (i. e. , birds of a feather flocking together). So, a hen or group of hens carrying a gobbler that had been ignoring my best yelps, clucks, and purrs until now can be drawn in by one or two hen decoys.
Where do you set a hen/two hens? In an open-field setting, I’ll partially hide the decoy, if possible. At 100 yards, I don’t want him to see the decoy, top the rise, and stop to strut and gobble. I don’t want to hang him up. Rather, I want him to keep coming, searching, hunting for the hen he hears. This is simple in the woods; just partially conceal the decoy with a tree, a clump of ferns, or a blackberry bush.
And here’s something I learned years ago from a seasoned turkey hunter: when you set that hen decoy, face her toward you rather than away from you. In this manner, the gobbler will have to approach her in order to flaunt his handsomeness, rather than approaching from a distance of 75 yards to dance in front of her adorable little plastic eyes. I’ve tried it both ways and had it work as the old man predicted enough times to be convinced that this is a true story.
The use of jake (year-old toms) turkey decoys is a territorial thing. A dominance thing. No mature gobbler worth his twelve-inch beard will allow any young child to come wandering around his property and start making out with his girls. Accordingly, an adult gobbler should scurry over to establish his dominance as soon as he spots a jake and hears you yelling low-pitched jake sounds. If you give him a decoy of a hen and a jake together, he won’t be able to resist the urge to bash something.
On the flip side of this, we’ve hunted farms that held shark packs — groups of four to eight mean and angry jakes — that have, as a single unit, terrorized even the adult gobblers on the place. In this case, a lone tom coming to a call sees a hen … then a jake … and starts backing away from the setup. He’s afraid, plain and simple. So again, you’re running the risk of your decoy plan backfiring when you set a jake.
Is there an answer? It depends on how well you know the birds you’re hunting. The key to success here is a combination of decoys, scouting, and knowledge of your specific flock(s) of birds. Is the farm overrun by a pack or two of sharks, or are the mature gobblers in charge?
What’s the ‘right’ number of turkey decoys?
As is the case with many hunting scenarios, there is no definitive answer to the question of how many turkey decoys is “right.” I’ve staked zero to twelve fakes in front of my hide in the thirty-one years since I killed my first gobbler.
But, first things first. You’re creating an illusion with a turkey call, so why would you want to set up a turkey decoy in the first place? You’re trying to persuade the gobbler that this is a real, live, attractive hen that he should go meet her right away. For him, now, the only thing that can compare to hearing a hen is actually seeing one. Enter the decoy. Now the illusion is ramped up a notch. Now that you’re supplying both sound (the call) and visual (the decoy), you should be able to complete the illusion and get him to approach.
But wait! Biology now. You see, this is how Mother Nature intended the spring play to function: She goes to him to breed, build a nest, lay a clutch, and spread the species, and he gobbles. That’s the way it’s supposed to work. NOT him coming to her. So we’re hoping for the best here as we deliver a 180-degree blow to Mother Nature.
I say this to explain why, sometimes, Mr. When Strutter spots a decoy, he will halt, strut, gobble, and wait for the hen to approach him while Mother Nature takes her course. Recognize that each time you set a hen decoy, there’s a chance that he will stop, strut, gobble, and wait.
Which brings us back to our original question: How many decoys? Well, it depends. Let’s take a look at the different turkey decoys and the pros/cons associated with each one.
How To Set Up Turkey Decoys | Turkey Hunting Tips | The Advantage
FAQ
How many decoys best for turkey hunting?
How do you arrange turkey decoys?
How far can turkeys see a decoy?
Should you use decoys for turkey hunting?
Are Turkey decoys good for hunting?
Mastering the art of setting up turkey decoys for hunting significantly increases the chances of a successful hunt. With practice and patience, any hunter can develop the skills needed to position decoys for optimal effect. One of the primary factors to consider is choosing the right decoy types.
How do you hunt Turkey decoys?
Set up the decoys within effective shooting range to increase the probability of a successful hunt. Create a natural-looking scene by positioning decoys in groups, mimicking social behavior among turkeys. Use a mix of different decoy types, including feeders, lookers, and breeding pairs. Another essential strategy is decoy spacing.
What is the best decoy for a Turkey?
The single best decoy anyone can own is a submissive, half- or quarter-strut jake. If you’re into shooting any legal turkey, this type of jake will draw in anything with a beard. These dekes are effective all spring, so long as you pair them with the right birds.
Where should Turkey decoys be placed?
Position them in open areas where they’re noticeable from a long distance, such as fields, meadows, and clearings. This increases the likelihood of a turkey being attracted to your setup. Some key points to consider: Set up the decoys within effective shooting range to increase the probability of a successful hunt.