RNT said:
So, using a decoy is using a "crutch" to kill an animal?
No more than using a turkey call, IMO.
Here's my take on turkey decoys, after experimenting with & without using them for well over 20 years.
If you are an experienced and accomplished turkey hunter, generally speaking, turkey decoys are neither an advantage nor disadvantage --- but depending on your exact hunting methods and type habitat hunting --- they can be a huge disadvantage, or they can be a significant advantage.
If your turkey hunting is mainly "run & gun", decoys are a HUGE disadvantage IMO. If you mainly just set on the edge of an open field in a pop-up blind, decoys can be a HUGE advantage for that style of hunting. But I see this as no more a "crutch" than by someone else effectively using their turkey call.
I've noticed that often when an old Tom sees a decoy, he will come no closer. Instead, he hangs up, and expects that hen to come to him. For whatever reason, this seems to be particularly true in woods, less the case in large fields. On the other hand, in the absense of a decoy, a little subtle calling could have brought that same old Tom into your lap, i.e. they will often keep coming so long as they can't see that hen they're looking for.
One of the biggest liabilities to using decoys is simply being seen setting them out --- placing them can greatly increase the likelihood of your being seen by a either a distant or roosted turkey. Then I can't tell you how many times I've had a stronger than expected wind gust blow a decoy off it's stake, whereby either you have to go re-set it, or just waste your time hunting in front of a turkey-spooking piece of plastic rolling around in front of you.
The Primos brand decoy with the wingnut that threads onto the stake is what I use when I use. At least a strong wind gust won't blow it off the stake.
Decoys are a "mixed blessing".
I still use them with certain set-ups, but the majority of my turkey hunting is done without them.