if i ever use a decoy, it's a hen only; i've had birds spook MUCH less often to it ... normally i don't use 'em in the woods; only in big roads, gas lines, clear cuts & pastures ... sometimes you don't know if you're hunting the dominant bird or the subordinate bird ...
just my $0.02
Last edited by BamaGuitarDude; 03/25/2009:55 AM.
ALDeer physics: for every opinion, there's an equal & opposite opinion
A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.
BTW - that's my strategy all season long ... about the only time i use a jake/gob decoy is if i'm fairly certain i'm dealing w/the dominant bird, particularly on a field ...
back to the solo hen deal -- watch this:
Last edited by BamaGuitarDude; 03/25/2010:04 AM.
ALDeer physics: for every opinion, there's an equal & opposite opinion
A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.
Early season I run a dsd Jake stutter, dsd mating hen, and dsd leading hen if I am hunting a big open area. I am gone have to disagree with bgd. I have had more birds see a hen decoy and hang up out of range and just strut around than I have had spooke from a Jake decoy.
I have always had great luck using Jake hen como regardless of where I have hunted. Later in the year I wont run a stutter though. Just regular Jake. Sometimes I just run a Jake. Has worked more times than it hasn't. I honestly rather set up to where I dont need decoys but all land dont allow that to happen.
Hopefully this won't turn into the dekes vs. no dekes argument. I use them very effectively in roads and large fields. My go-to setup is a hen on the ground with a jake over her. I've had that bring in birds so many times I can't count them. Maybe it has also spooked birds, but if it has it's been so few I haven't noticed. I have sometimes used only a hen, but a jake over a hen makes them real mad. I usually have them run in to teach the jake a lesson. Calling a little brings them in, then the decoys can prevent them from hanging up out of range.
Author, Fly Fishing for Redeye Bass: An Adventure Across Southern Waters JacksonKayak Fishing Team --------------------------------------------------- "I do not hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt them because I have to." - Tom Kelly
Hopefully this won't turn into the dekes vs. no dekes argument. I use them very effectively in roads and large fields. My go-to setup is a hen on the ground with a jake over her. I've had that bring in birds so many times I can't count them. Maybe it has also spooked birds, but if it has it's been so few I haven't noticed. I have sometimes used only a hen, but a jake over a hen makes them real mad. I usually have them run in to teach the jake a lesson. Calling a little brings them in, then the decoys can prevent them from hanging up out of range.
Completely agree, has worked dozens of times. First time to my knowledge it hurt me
If I was going to set up on a place and not go after birds I would use a combo of 3-4 hens and either a jake or a mature bird. I just don't like to carry all that stuff around.
Hopefully this won't turn into the dekes vs. no dekes argument. I use them very effectively in roads and large fields. My go-to setup is a hen on the ground with a jake over her. I've had that bring in birds so many times I can't count them. Maybe it has also spooked birds, but if it has it's been so few I haven't noticed. I have sometimes used only a hen, but a jake over a hen makes them real mad. I usually have them run in to teach the jake a lesson. Calling a little brings them in, then the decoys can prevent them from hanging up out of range.
Completely agree, has worked dozens of times. First time to my knowledge it hurt me
i've also had good luck w/the jake/hen combo -- but like you, bama1971, a few years ago i had a gobbler in a field run like a scared mouse from that setup - had never seen that before, either; normally they plow on in & knock the jake off the stake ... since then, i've gone to the solo hen deke model ... hang-ups can be over-come by where you place the hen deke, and i've yet to see a gobbler spook to her, even in the woods when i've used her ... seems to re-assure the gobbler most times -- your call, his visual of the hen, comes on in close enough for a shot ...
again - reference the Pinhoti video for proof that the solo hen deke is effective; those 3 gobblers didn't hang up nor mind her at all
Last edited by BamaGuitarDude; 03/25/2012:08 PM.
ALDeer physics: for every opinion, there's an equal & opposite opinion
A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.
Mine are 3 cheap foam decoys. Almost zero added weight in the back of my vest, and if I am not using them, it's extra padding for my back. It's a win-win!
Author, Fly Fishing for Redeye Bass: An Adventure Across Southern Waters JacksonKayak Fishing Team --------------------------------------------------- "I do not hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt them because I have to." - Tom Kelly
Hopefully this won't turn into the dekes vs. no dekes argument. I use them very effectively in roads and large fields. My go-to setup is a hen on the ground with a jake over her. I've had that bring in birds so many times I can't count them. Maybe it has also spooked birds, but if it has it's been so few I haven't noticed. I have sometimes used only a hen, but a jake over a hen makes them real mad. I usually have them run in to teach the jake a lesson. Calling a little brings them in, then the decoys can prevent them from hanging up out of range.
That's what I was referring to essentially. Also a lot of times when running Jake decoys it depends on Jake population in the area. A couple years ago I was hunting out of state and it was overrun with Jake's. Even the thought of putting out a Jake decoy scared the gobblers off.
Mine are 3 cheap foam decoys. Almost zero added weight in the back of my vest, and if I am not using them, it's extra padding for my back. It's a win-win!
I hear you. I've got foam ones, blow up ones, and some hard shell ones too. But because I usually keep on the run I just rarely ever use them. Probably would increase my success rate though.
That's what I was referring to essentially. Also a lot of times when running Jake decoys it depends on Jake population in the area. A couple years ago I was hunting out of state and it was overrun with Jake's. Even the thought of putting out a Jake decoy scared the gobblers off.
I've heard that's a possibility. Fortunately never happened to me, but something to consider if it ever does.
Author, Fly Fishing for Redeye Bass: An Adventure Across Southern Waters JacksonKayak Fishing Team --------------------------------------------------- "I do not hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt them because I have to." - Tom Kelly
