Best decoy for beginning turkey hunter

[Little Dave]

Bob, I have had more success without a decoy and they've caused trouble for some hunts.  However, my favorite successful setup involved a hen decoy with a second tom charging up the hill while I was still ringing the neck of the first one.  What a morning.

Good luck, see you out there.

[tlbradford]

The only thing I don't like about an inflatable decoy is the time to deploy.  Otherwise they are great.   

I'm full of hot air - not too worried about deploying!

Also, my biggest concern, due to my lack of experience, is when to raise my gun.  I'm guessing I'll be late in doing so, and having the Toms back turned will be helpful, IMHO.

This of course, assumes one gets that close...

Have it up and pointed the right direction before they get there.

[baldopepper]

tlbradford makes some very good points.  I agree that a decoy out will help a new hunter stay put and to me that's a good thing.  One of the fun things about turkey hunting, or most other types of hunting for that matter, is there is always another way of going about it.  Some hunters like to sit and wait patiently others like to be on the move-some use decoys, some don't.  If it works for you, that's the way to do it.  I just think some hunters think that having all the newest, best equipment makes you a hunter - (don't think hunters are as bad about this as fishermen, especially fly fishermen) but nohting can replace getting out there and just plain spending time getting to know the woods and the quarry you're hunting.  One thing about getting older, I can't carry all the various stuff anyway so I'm forced to do without it.  Don't worry to much about getting your gun up, just keep it ready where you can use minimum effort to get it up,  most generally you'll get your chance when they put their head down or swivel it to look in another direction-just don't have it leaning against a tree or down where you've got to move much more than lifting it up to your shoulder.

[Bigger Fish]

I just think some hunters think that having all the newest, best equipment makes you a hunter - (don't think hunters are as bad about this as fishermen, especially fly fishermen) but nohting can replace getting out there and just plain spending time getting to know the woods and the quarry you're hunting.  One thing about getting older, I can't carry all the various stuff anyway so I'm forced to do without it.  Don't worry to much about getting your gun up, just keep it ready where you can use minimum effort to get it up,  most generally you'll get your chance when they put their head down or swivel it to look in another direction-just don't have it leaning against a tree or down where you've got to move much more than lifting it up to your shoulder.

Well, baldopepper, since I've never done this before, all my equipment is new (or gently used)  Doing research on equipment, and finding the best gear at a good value has been an enjoyable journey in and of itself.  (In no small part due to the fine folks on this forum.)

Soooo...if I'm a fisherman also, does this make me doubly doomed??

[rosscrazyelk]

so confusing..

[baldopepper]

Yea, you're doomed Bigger Fish-I can only say that because I have a garage and a shed full of hunting and fishing gear.  I'm a sucker for new toys, just seems I never really end up using em!!! Heck I drag most of it over for the turkey hunt and then end up leaving it in the cabin or in my truck because I'm either in to big of a hurry or to lazy to sort out what I think I might actually use. Taking up turkey hunting opens a whole new world of Cabellas browsing to you-good luck, I think you'll really enjoy early spring in the woods whether  you're sitting over a decoy or just sneaking around-it's a great sport!

[turkeydancer]

I usually won't use decoys early in the season since the hens will not want to share tom with another hen and often will pull the tom away, but I do make good use later in the season when the hen spends more time away from old tom and he's lonelier and looking for company. 

I use a jake and a hen usually.  Normally the tom will come in to challenge this young wippersnapper, so point him in the direction you're setup ... that way his back is toward you where he can't see especially if he is fanned out. It allows you to make any adjustments to get all set for the shot ... then a little call should bring his head and neck up for the shot.  Hen should face away from you, because he will approach her from behind to mount and breed her. Again he will be faced away from you.

Also don't put them really close together as bunching birds is a sign of danger to the turkeys.   If it's windy, place a stick in the ground on both sides of the decoys so they don't spin around and around ... leave a little room for movement though.

As mentioned earlier, if you know what direction the birds will come from, I place them about 20 degrees in the oppsite direction to draw the birds by me and rivet there attention on the dekes.

Decoys are not necessary, but at times later in the season do help. Good luck ...