• Help Support TNDeer:

Decoys- pros cons, best one

Mr. Hawk

Mr. Hawk

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2003
Messages
795
Reaction score
369
Location
Putnam co
I've never been a decoy user but am starting to consider getting a good one if for nothing else to distract the toms. I've been busted 3 times this year after calling in birds and can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I put a fastfire red dot on this year and maybe they are catching the reflection? Do most of you use decoys? I've I'm a run and gun type of hunter. Thoughts and any recommendations on which one to get?
 
I don't think it's the decoy. I've had one for years and haven't noticed any spookingfrom it. Pro = eye candy. Might him be focused on the decoy instead of u. Con = I don't want to carry the sucker. Lol
 
Mr. Hawk,

You simply don't need a decoy to distract toms when they get in close. Noodle on this...he's LOOKING for YOU and as far as he's concerned you're a real hen. You've already completely fooled him if he's convinced to get in that tight for a look. All you gotta do is close the deal and it ain't got a thing to do with sticking a plastic turkey mannequin in the ground 25 yards out.

Try to anticipate where he's going to finally show himself and get your gun over there ahead of time. If he shows and you're a little out of position use trees, brush, his half-strut fan, terrain to get your gun over somewhere in FRONT of him so he walks up your gun barrel. When he gets inside your effective range don't wait on the perfect shot, take what he gives you and KILL'IM. Just keep in mind the longer he hangs around there without having seeing a hen the more skeptical he gets. And if you seem him sort of resettle his wings on his back he's fixing to leave in a hurry...raise up and get it done.

If you've gotten 3 birds in to where you somehow manage to booger them, you're almost there!
 
There's no reason to incorporate a plastic turkey into your world if you're already getting them to commit. You've crossed the threshold and there's no reason to add a rookies crutch to your arsenal. Decoys have no place in the turkey world imo and are not needed if you do a few things.

If you're getting picked off make sure that once he commits and is closing stop calling. Make him hunt you, calling when they get close allows them to pin point your location. Also, pick good set ups, with a tree big enough to swallow your profile or other stuff to break up your outline. Also, try to set up where when you first see him he's in range. This makes him come and hunt you (the mystery hen) to see him.

I shoot a Burris ff3 and have had zero birds booger off it once they get close.
 
You didn't mention anything about your camo, so I thought I would throw this out as well. If you aren't using a face mask (or face paint) and some camo gloves, it is pretty easy to have one booger when they get in close. They come in looking for the hen they heard, and anything that sticks out to them as unnatural can cause them to leave. Movement is the worse, but a uncovered face sticking out under a hat can get their attention as well.
 
scn":31qiytg4 said:
You didn't mention anything about your camo, so I thought I would throw this out as well. If you aren't using a face mask (or face paint) and some camo gloves, it is pretty easy to have one booger when they get in close. They come in looking for the hen they heard, and anything that sticks out to them as unnatural can cause them to leave. Movement is the worse, but a uncovered face sticking out under a hat can get their attention as well.
Click to expand...

This is not the issue, facemask, gloves, etc. I also stop calling when they hit 80yds or so. I do wear glasses when I hunt. I just thought a decoy might keep their attention and bring them in that extra 20yds.

I've killed many birds over the years but they have just been spookier than usual for me this year.
 
Mr. Hawk":2jmuj2jw said:
scn":2jmuj2jw said:
You didn't mention anything about your camo, so I thought I would throw this out as well. If you aren't using a face mask (or face paint) and some camo gloves, it is pretty easy to have one booger when they get in close. They come in looking for the hen they heard, and anything that sticks out to them as unnatural can cause them to leave. Movement is the worse, but a uncovered face sticking out under a hat can get their attention as well.
Click to expand...

This is not the issue, facemask, gloves, etc. I also stop calling when they hit 80yds or so. I do wear glasses when I hunt. I just thought a decoy might keep their attention and bring them in that extra 20yds.

I've killed many birds over the years but they have just been spookier than usual for me this year.
Click to expand...

Has the area you're hunting seen an increase in the predator population?
 
Mr. Hawk":1amftdsv said:
I just thought a decoy might keep their attention and bring them in that extra 20yds.
Click to expand...

They can, especially in very open areas with little vegetation.
 
I am a run and gun hunter also and would only consider using one in certain situations but I don't want to pack all of them in. That was until I found the Montana Mis purrfect hen decoy. They look great and collapse and can fit 12-14 of em in the back of your turkey vest. I just have two and they take seconds to put up and take down and gets them something to come to on the edge of the field when their sometime held up.
 
I prefer the inflatable Cherokee sports decoys. Very realistic, and don't weigh anything. Completely collapsible to fit in a pocket. I like to set my decoy off to the side about 20 yards from where I expect the bird to come from... That way he's looking at the decoy when you get your cheek set instead of you. Invaluable when taking kids. I won't hunt in a blind, and the decoy lets my son get away with a lot more movement when it's closing time than without one.
 
Evidently, dekes are getting to be a touchy subject... but everyone has their own opinion. Personally, I don't think they're the demise of turkey hunting and they're not a failsafe means of killing birds. They are a tool and most times when I'm working I don't use just one tool. At times in certain situations they come in handy. Other times not so much. They can aid in keeping an incoming bird concentrated on them and may allow you to get away with some movement but for the most part, if you're wearing camo, set up right, and keep movement to a bare minimum you don't necessarily need them for hunting.
 
I will also agree with the Montana miss purrfect. I bought one this year after my deks were just old and trashy! I love the fact you can adjust the head accordingly, to a lookout, feeding or breeding position. And like the above pic, carrying it is a breeze! Very awesome decoy for those hunts you want to pull one out fast.
 
Depends on where you are hunting fields or tight cover and timber? I don't often use a decoy but I will say a good Jake like avian x with hen, has definitely killed several for me.. I also called birds in that come half way across the field then will stand and eagle eye you for a while and turn and head back with no hen in sight. It would be easy if you always had toms that were just hunting you...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

Latest posts

Back
Top