How many decoys?

[Bowhunter57]

I know of another turkey hunter that uses 9 decoys....6 hens and 3 jakes. He purchased 3 sets of 2 hens and 1 jake. He's primarily a waterfowl hunter. He says that more decoys are better, as it lulls the toms into a false sense of security and has improved his success. :)

With this thought in mind, I'm considering purchasing some decoys.

What's your opinions and/or experience on this method of decoying?

Thank you, Bowhunter57

[GobblinChimp]

Personally, I like to use my 3 hen decoys - one upright and 2 feeding. Have always avoided the jake decoy - just don't want to keep any gobblers away. I avoid the cheap foam decoys although they may work just as well, I just like the good-quality plastic ones (look more realistic). Have had great success with these 3 dekes - especially if you can set up in a strut zone. Really, no calls were probably necessary setting up in strut zone. Also, they have brought turkeys across fields to me. Can't say if more is better, but have had success with my three.

[Buckmaster]

A single FeatherFlex hen decoy usually does the trick for me.

[Thunderflight]

I normally use two hens and a jake. I've never had a tom shy away because of one jake. I could see why he might over two though.

This year I've got two jake decoys. One stand up and one in half strut. I'm going to use the half strut during afternoon hunts in open fields.

TF

[lureboy98]

TF I've had 3 toms all come in at the same time...a group of 2 and then a single. I had a jake on hen setup which I heard would drive the toms crazy but instead they kept their distance and went off to find some lonely hens. This year I'm going with just one hen.

[XX78]

The number of decoys I use (3) is way higher than my number of actual birds seen while actually turkey hunting (1).. I suck lol

[OHBOW76]

I use 1-3 decoys. If I have a field setup I go with two hens and a jake. If I ma in a wooded area I usually forgo the jake, as it sometimes spooks a gobbler when he doesnt spot the jake until he is too close. If I know there are mature birds around a jake usually sets them off, but I have also had call shy spooky birds come into one lone hen.

[Thunderflight]

I might try leaving the jake decoy at home.

TF

[rjolenic]

Two hens and one jake has worked for me in the past. I will try this set up again this season. Only a few more weeks and we'll all be out there !

Ray

[Buckslayer1]

Leave the decoys in the store just buy a good call and practice. I have no problem calling in my birds every year and I don't use decoys. I don't like being tied down in one spot I like to hunt 2 or 3 farms in a morning. There's always a hot bird out there you just have to find him. Also most of my birds are bagged from 10 to 11:30. I hunt 3 states every year and I hardly ever have a tag left.

[razor]

i agree with buckslayer, i used decoys a few times and finally got tired of packin them around, i run and gun alot, i've killed birds both ways and i quit carryin them all together. it's all in reading that hot bird, keep givin him what he wants to hear but soflty, make him hunt for you. rarely do they give up and leave without seein a decoy if your givin them the sounds they want to hear.

[CARPN-JAKE]

I've carried decoys with me for yrs..The fact is I've killed the majority of my birds without any decoy out. The ones that I did kill with the deke out I don't think even saw it before that got a headfull of #5's. I have friends though that swear by em and they have some cool stories of interaction tween turkeys and dekes.

[rjolenic]

I hear what you all are saying about not using decoys. But, when you're tied to a certain piece of land, the decoys and the right mix of calls work very well.

If I had more land to hunt, I would probably subscribe to your theory. But, if you are limited to a certain area, the decoys work if you're patient.

Ray

[Thunderflight]

http://www.davebarry.com/gg/2003giftguide/images/1207loveturkey.jpg

[10Gauge]

I carry 3 decoys (1 jake & 2 hens) usually opening day thru about midweek but seldom use them! I like them when hunting with kids or first time hunters, it gives them a good reference on range and seems to help them (hunter) stay calm and focused. One guy I hunted with years ago would move constantly looking for the approaching tom, after we were busted twice I put out the decoys and he remained still as a stump!

Typically, I like them on windy, overcast or rainy days when calling volume is reduced and mainly on private property I hunt. Once the season is in full swing I typically stop carrying them because I use the terrain to my advantage. I like to position myself where the approaching gobbler won't see me until in gun range (20 yards, ideally) and I can see him before he sees me! This may be a thicket, ravine, ridge, ditch, fencerow, you name it. By the time they get to this point the decoy isn't any use to me or the bird! I've also had gobblers (primarily on heavily pressured Public Land!) become decoy shy and see your deks from a distance then lock up or turn and walk away.

I like Buckwings on overcast, cloudy days and Feather Flex on sunny days. Just got a "free" set of "Master Series" from Cabela's for this spring, can't wait to see how they work out!

[Double drop]

alot!

dd

[chadwimc]

In open fields I'll put out 6-7 hens with one jake in a mounting position. This brought in a boss gobbler last year. I was sitting in a fence row when he came into the field not 25 feet away from me. I was half asleep when I noticed him. He also noticed "something" in the fence row because he hesitated for a few seconds, looking right at me. The idea of a jake getting a hen was too much for him. He started on a beeline for the decoys. As soon as he was past me by a few yards, I blasted him. In the woods I'll use 1-2 hens. Until I started hunting field edges this was all I used...

[OHBOW76]

Chadwimc,

I have had luck in PA on big pressured gobblers by hunting remote food plots on public land, while using decoys. I will put out either one or two hens and a jake. I wont call much, in fact, I have had most of the birds sneak in about 30-45 minutes after my last call.Sometimes they dont gobble once, these are birds that will walk the woodline and not come into the field unless they see something. The jake drives them crazy.It seems to be especially effective early may to mid may and from 10 AM -1200 NOON.Good luck.