I would appreciate your experiences with decoys as far as a single or two decoys, two being hen and jake or a single hen. Im looking to get at least one avian. anybody ever use a single jake to provoke territorial or dominance response with success? I was wondering if the odd man out thing would bring toms in thanks
Put a hen low in front of the Jake,like he's going to breed her.Face the jake towards you.When he comes in he'll usually go around in front of the jake and give you a "bullseye" shot
X 2!
Sometimes, a single hen works wells, but a hen and jake with the hen closer works well for getting a tom in close.
If I'm only using 1 deke, it'll be a jake. If you're calling, the tom's ears tell him a hen(s) are near but he'll often deal with the interloper (jake) first. Good luck!
I like a hen facing the blind.
Like everyone says, a hen and Jake is a good combo. The last few years I have been using 2 feeding hens with or without a Jake. Always put the hens close to you and the jake a little further out (where you want to take your shot) because the old tom will always go for the Jake first.
I started using 2 feeding hen decoys because I started to notice that toms will sometimes hang up out of range when they see a hen with head erect, as in an alerted position, and not moving. On the other hand, they seem to come right in if the hens are in a comfortable feeding mode, even when the Jake decoy is erect.
WoodsyDave
Another vote for a jake mounted on a hen. This combo has brought more birds into bow range than any other. Even with other dekes nearby; single hen and a strutter, they always come to "the lovers".
If you dont use decoys your turkeys will look harder to find that hen or hens.I quit using decoys years ago. Put a 17.5 and a 22.5 birdS with a 10in.paint brush. It was a good day with NO decoys .Give it a try. And dont call to much once every 20 min. or so should be plenty. GOOD LUCK AND REMEMBER HAVE FUN.
One big secret I learned the hard way long time ago about turkey decoys, set them up in the shade. turkeys that are pressured hard with decoys, seem to pick out them easier, but in the shade they have more relaxed.
x4
What Goshawkin said!