Decoys

[Poleaxe]

Again new to Turkey hunting. Hunting a wide open field. I have my one new her decoy and also my buddies 4 her decoys. How many decoys do you put up in a field? Would the Toms be more likely to come to multiple lone hens or just a single lone hen?

 

[Boll Weevil]

I totally understand you're new to turkey hunting Poleaxe, but despite what you may see on tv and the web decoys are not at all required to kill turkeys and that includes field birds. I offer his opinion as simply another data point in your journey to learn the turkey ropes. If you use them though, one hen is plenty and no need to carry the added weight unless you just want to.

Good luck to you, and hope you have as much fun as I do chasing them.

 

[Setterman]

Fair question, and there's nothing easy about dealing with field turkeys. I don't carry, own, or will ever hunt behind a plastic turkey. They are certainly not required, despite what newer hunters feel.

If it were me and it was possible, I'd slip in close thus evening, being careful not to spook them, and try to roost one. Usually they roost a ways off the field and if you're able to get him to gobble tonight or hear them fly up, get between them and the field in the morning.

I'm not offering decoy advice because I don't feel their needed.

 

[REN]

I'm with setterman. If you can learn to hunt without them you are much more mobile and flexible.

If you feel you need to use one or just want to use one then a single hen or single jake should be fine


Joshua 24:15
"But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."


Sent from my phone sucka

 

[xdjay]

I can't stand using them, but that's my personal preference

 

[catman529]

Ok I think anyone who reads this forum knows by now that decoys are not needed.

But Poleaxe asked for advice on how many decoys he should use, because he's going to use them.

I don't hardly have any experience with them, but from what I've gathered, one hen is enough. Nimrod killed a couple on public land in a field with one hen deke. A popular combo is also a hen with a jake to piss the gobbler off. If your turkeys spend any time in the woods, which they are likely to, then you might be better off without the decoy, but I'd still use one hen if you do use any.

If you have true field birds that fly down into the field and stay out of range for most of the day, then decoys are a good idea especially for a new turkey hunter. Don't carry more than you want to or it might take from the enjoyment of the hunt. A single hen might be all you need.

Most importantly, good luck and I hope you drill one in the face.


Sent from the talk of tap

 

[bowhunterfanatic]

I'll offer my advice because unlike the super hardcore hunters on here, I hunt big fields and normally use decoys. My personal preference is either a lone full strut decoy or a jake and a hen. I'm not the greatest caller in the world so I need the added help of the turkey thinking he can see the hen he is hearing. I will say however, there have been times when I think decoys actually kept me from killing birds, because the hens lead the gobblers away from the decoys. I've also seen subordinate gobblers run at the sight of a Strutter decoy. What Setterman said about roosting the birds is a huge help if you can do it. Good luck! Hope you are ready to have a new hobby!!