Post by: Rob on March 25, 2025, 09:17:13 AM
There is a flock of about 50 birds that come by my place (I toss out corn from time to time so that has a lot to do with them dropping by!). I noticed the jakes and Toms gathering round my truck from time to time pecking at the bumpers. Took me a day or two to figure it out, but I have chrome bumpers they have been interested/irritated in the reflections.
That got me to thinking. I wonder if a mirror would work as a decoy.
I picked up a cheap 16x20 acrylic mirror on Amazon, mounted it on a stick and put it on the lawn. The turkeys marched up and down my driveway but the angle was wrong and they were not seeing their reflections. I put some corn up by the mirror and that drew them in.
I would not say they were enraged by their reflections, but they definitely reacted! The Toms would stop and stare, then start to puff up, then go into full strut. After 3-4 passes, they moved on. What was interesting was the hens also reacted and went into a full fan/puff. One hen got within 2 inches of the mirror and tried to stare herself down. (last photo, bird on the right). The mirror seemed to also trigger a big competition with the other jakes and toms and they proceeded to strut and chase each other all over the driveway cutting the whole time.
Not sure how practical a mirror would be as a decoy, but it was interesting. Angles are important. If they cannot see themselves in the mirror, they will not react. I think a set of 3 arranged in an outward facing semi-circle would be most effective.
Post by: Dan-o on March 25, 2025, 10:46:54 AM
They love a chrome bumper.
Thanks for sharing.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 25, 2025, 12:22:24 PM
Post by: Rob on March 25, 2025, 12:30:23 PM
I guess the deal is, the angle has to be perfect for the turkey to see it's reflection. Otherwise it is useless.
I suppose it would also be useless on vampire turkeys
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 25, 2025, 12:34:51 PM
yes. I wonder however if I could set it up about 30 yards from me with a hen decoy nearby.:chuckle: :chuckle:
I guess the deal is, the angle has to be perfect for the turkey to see it's reflection. Otherwise it is useless.
I suppose it would also be useless on vampire turkeys
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 25, 2025, 12:48:34 PM
Post by: Rob on March 25, 2025, 01:00:57 PM
Post by: hunterednate on March 25, 2025, 01:50:33 PM
Post by: brokentrail on March 25, 2025, 04:26:36 PM
Post by: Rob on March 26, 2025, 07:11:37 AM
Good point on the reflection issue spooking birds. Something to think about. Perhaps best on overcast days.
Post by: Ridgeratt on March 26, 2025, 08:50:54 AM
Since they can seem to pick me out and freak from the sun reflecting off of my watch face in the timber... I won't be attempting mirrors :tung:
There is a "reason" why people who were in the service wore their watches with the face on the inside of the wristband or they had a flap cover over it.
Post by: HikerHunter on March 27, 2025, 08:56:21 AM
Post by: Rob on March 27, 2025, 09:16:19 AM
Not sure it would be better than bringing a couple three decoys, but I guarantee it would be something they had not seen before!
The mirrors would give the illusion of movement of birds near the decoy. Even with this setup, there would be blind spots where the target tom's reflection disappeared.
And minimizing reflections/flashing would be something to consider that I had not.
Post by: Rob on March 27, 2025, 09:17:29 AM
Post by: NOCK NOCK on March 27, 2025, 05:32:02 PM
Post by: Rob on March 28, 2025, 06:15:40 AM