Post by: irishevox on March 05, 2014, 07:09:00 AM
Post by: turkeydancer on March 05, 2014, 07:53:54 AM
I put them 15 to 20 yards out only (if you set them at your maximum range, say 40 yards, it will not only make your shot harder for harvest, but your calls will seem strange to them coming from one spot and the dekes so far away. Spread them out about 10 to 20 feet apart (bunched turkeys is a danger sign to them since thats what they do when they see predators). If I think the turkeys will appear from my left, I set them just a little to the right to draw the turkeys past my setup (or vice versa). Face the male deke towards you since the tom(s) will normally come in to it and get in it's face, thus having his back to you ... you'll be in his blind spot for any shotgun adjustments or for full draw with archery. Face the hen dekes away from you as he will come in to mount them and again have his back to you and you'll be in his blind spot. If you setup a breeding pair, face both towards you as the tom(s) will come into the intruders face and again will have his back or blind spot to your setup. If windy be sure you stick or stake each side of your dekes so they do not spin like a top because that won't look natural to the incoming tom(s) either ... a little movement doesn't hurt and can actually help, but spinning dekes will definitely scare them off.
If I notice that the lead hen is leading the turkeys away form my dekes which happens early season, I will leave them in the truck. Later in the season when the hens are breed and nesting, I will use them more ...
Hope that helps ....
Post by: SB on March 05, 2014, 07:57:01 AM
Post by: irishevox on March 05, 2014, 08:24:26 AM
Post by: kevinlisa06 on March 05, 2014, 09:29:16 PM
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Post by: Hangfire on March 05, 2014, 10:30:52 PM
Post by: hunter399 on March 05, 2014, 10:37:08 PM
Post by: PA BEN on March 06, 2014, 06:39:14 AM
I'm still a big 0 when it comes to using dekes. I have been carrying the same deke for 8 yrs and have pulled it out and used it a few times but this year I'm thinking bout leaving it in camp. Lighten the load up a bit for the mtn bike trek in the hills.I had toms walk right by a drake decoy w/hen decoys and not care. A few years ago I hunted w/a guy who had a blow up full strut tom and when a tom see it they come running in. Been using blow up decoys for years now, they are ez to pack when you are running and gunning. Here is the link to the decoys I use.
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http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Cherokee-Sports-Billy-Bad-Act-II-Turkey-Decoy&i=420445&MobileOptOut=1 (http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Cherokee-Sports-Billy-Bad-Act-II-Turkey-Decoy&i=420445&MobileOptOut=1)
http://www.sceeryoutdoors.com/turkey.html (http://www.sceeryoutdoors.com/turkey.html)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F100_3824.jpg&hash=bf11067e26c48225418fc6e1dc165958ce158d15) (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/PABEN07/media/100_3824.jpg.html)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F100_3830.jpg&hash=eb311dbf2e9d4d0281540bb0e812d82f98bf1509) (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/PABEN07/media/100_3830.jpg.html)
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on March 06, 2014, 07:14:45 AM
Post by: turkeydancer on March 06, 2014, 08:00:55 AM
Just another tool in the arsenal .... if nothing else is working use another "lure".
Post by: turkeyfeather on March 06, 2014, 08:06:27 AM
Post by: lokidog on March 06, 2014, 09:09:23 AM
I personally have only had success using hen dekes. I do keep putting my jake or killer b out though cause I really hope to get a good show. :chuckle:
:yeah:
I've not had luck, yet with a strutter. I usually don't mind shooting jakes so I don't want them running away when they see the big boy, which I've had happen.
I'm about 50/50 on getting birds with and without decoys in front of me, but like Hunter399, I like to run and gun/fling in addition to hunting from a blind.
Post by: 3dvapor on March 06, 2014, 11:41:50 AM
Post by: 3dvapor on March 06, 2014, 11:51:28 AM
Post by: Wacenturion on March 06, 2014, 02:12:46 PM
"If I think the turkeys will appear from my left, I set them just a little to the right to draw the turkeys past my setup (or vice versa)."
To add to that, especially where your travel lane is constricted, an example being on a narrow skidder road behind gates in western Washington hunting Easterns. I'll go anywhere from 15-40 yards opposite (and past me in that direction) of where I think or know where the gobbler is and potentially coming from. Deadly......
Of course in eastern washington, it will vary greatly due to a more open woodland.
Post by: irishevox on March 06, 2014, 02:36:30 PM
Post by: 3dvapor on March 06, 2014, 02:45:42 PM
Post by: mtnseth on March 06, 2014, 04:05:59 PM
I like to keep the tom guessing and looking, and especially when hunting easterns on the west side, make them get closer instead of getting visual confirmation and hanging up out of range. I lost one eastern this way and swore I'd never bring a decoy out again.
However, if I used them on the east side, I would stick with diminutive postures (feeding, sitting) and hens only. No erect heads and no males. No reason to potentially scare off a jake or discourage a tom that's just not in the mood to challenge because you put a red-headed decoy out there.
Post by: SB on March 06, 2014, 07:12:03 PM
This is my set up. I've shot several birds off of it the last few years. One is a fake and the other is a mount.
Those Dave Smiths look good!!!
Post by: kevinlisa06 on March 06, 2014, 08:53:57 PM
Post by: wariner87 on March 06, 2014, 10:05:53 PM
If I use them at all, I at most take 3 .... a feeding hen, a standing hen, and either a jake or a full strut decoy (Killer B with real fan).
I put them 15 to 20 yards out only (if you set them at your maximum range, say 40 yards, it will not only make your shot harder for harvest, but your calls will seem strange to them coming from one spot and the dekes so far away. Spread them out about 10 to 20 feet apart (bunched turkeys is a danger sign to them since thats what they do when they see predators). If I think the turkeys will appear from my left, I set them just a little to the right to draw the turkeys past my setup (or vice versa). Face the male deke towards you since the tom(s) will normally come in to it and get in it's face, thus having his back to you ... you'll be in his blind spot for any shotgun adjustments or for full draw with archery. Face the hen dekes away from you as he will come in to mount them and again have his back to you and you'll be in his blind spot. If you setup a breeding pair, face both towards you as the tom(s) will come into the intruders face and again will have his back or blind spot to your setup. If windy be sure you stick or stake each side of your dekes so they do not spin like a top because that won't look natural to the incoming tom(s) either ... a little movement doesn't hurt and can actually help, but spinning dekes will definitely scare them off.
If I notice that the lead hen is leading the turkeys away form my dekes which happens early season, I will leave them in the truck. Later in the season when the hens are breed and nesting, I will use them more ...
Hope that helps ....
SOLID gold nugget of wisdom! :tup: I will be keeping all this in mind when setting up this year!
Post by: irishevox on March 07, 2014, 07:10:38 AM
Post by: PA BEN on March 08, 2014, 08:37:59 AM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2FPICT0243.jpg&hash=1ee8be3d69089a85f3f3c0e6cc70b1059d1c443b) (http://s154.photobucket.com/user/PABEN07/media/PICT0243.jpg.html)
Post by: irishevox on March 08, 2014, 06:10:19 PM
Post by: turkeydancer on March 10, 2014, 07:20:37 AM