Which decoy for the mobile hunter?

[jm1607]

Going on my first Turkey hunt ever in about a month.. I think I've pretty much decided on using a single hen decoy..

My plan is to setup somewhere, but be mobile enough to move around if need be.. I won't have a blind and will be bringing the shotgun and leaving the bow at home.. I'll have my EXO pack on..

I guess my question is, will a standard decoy (like a DSD feeding hen) be fine in my pack (probably on the load shelf) if I'm on the move or would it be too bulky?

Instead should I go with something that compresses, like an inflatable decoy or a Game Winner flock decoy or something?

 

[RamDreamer]

I have been fine using my older version DSD, the harder plastic version that doesn't compress at all, and being mobile without any issues. If you get or have one of the newer versions that is the softer plastic I think you would be even better suited at running and gunning with it.

 

[bowtech3dhunter]

I think you'd be fine " being mobile" with any type of single hen decoy. It's only one.

 

[tipsntails7]

For anything 1-2 miles an under I run a DSD hen. If I'm going in for a weeken or quite a ways in I'll run an avian X. It's a blow up and is awesome for pack in trips

 

[Liv2HntBigBullz]

DSD with the ace plastic will be fine. I did just buy the avian x and really like the look and versatility. If you need to move leave it inflated, otherwise deflate it to practically nothing.

Of course with a shotty I'd not even worry about the decoy. Run and gunning I typically mess up more encounters than I create with a decoy.

 

[bourbon]

Woods, field or field edge? If woods i wouldnt use a decoy at all.

 

[trkyslr]

I'm as mobile hauling a Dsd jake, submissive hen, and alert hen in one DSD bag as I am with no decoys. Put them over my shoulder and run and gun (bow).

 

[hobbes]

I seldom pack a decoy. They can be a beneficial tool, especially for a bowhunter or if you've got kids along, but for a shotgunner they are not necessary. Birds can be called in close without them.

 

[bourbon]

I seldom pack a decoy. They can be a beneficial tool, especially for a bowhunter or if you've got kids along, but for a shotgunner they are not necessary. Birds can be called in close without them.

Agree. Depending on the terrain i think they can do more harm than good and will lock a bird up. Remember in a real mating scenario the hen comes to the gobbler not the other way around.

 

[trkyslr]

Shitty decoys lock up birds... Good realistic decoys bring them rt in. Last 5 years of using DSD decoys I can honestly say without hesitation that 90-95 percent of the birds that have seen my decoy setups came to in and either whooped the jake decoy or humped the hen deeks. That's with 16-20 longbeard kill average during those years on both public and private ground. Of coarse setting up in a good spot is required as well where the birds have no issues getting to

 

[Poser]

I seldom pack a decoy. They can be a beneficial tool, especially for a bowhunter or if you've got kids along, but for a shotgunner they are not necessary. Birds can be called in close without them.

Yep. I ditched decoys altogether a couple of years ago as I realized that I had never actually killed a bird over one. While, particularly in open country, decoys can be useful, the hunting industry has turned decoys, or rather "decoying", into a big scam.

 

[trkyslr]

You be the judge if they work and help get birds close for the bowhunter. If you're a boom stick hunter then deeks aren't neccesary... I personally enjoy close in my face action with no blind to test my woodsmaship,,, otherwise it's gotten all to easy.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jONU_KjdgYA

 

[bradb]

Here is one that from last year that you can hear attacking my decoy, tree is in the way to see what was going on. 5 of the 10 kills(plus a couple more misses) I was in on from last year the tom was either attacking the decoy or trying to breed the hen when shot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1ZnFLCuwAY&feature=share


are the needed no, do the help for sure some of the time, and its fun watching there reaction to the dsd's

 

[boom]

i like the Avian X birds. crush them down and run.

 

[bradb]

I will try to get pics of my nephews bird to load. PIcs are taken from video so might be mind of bad. View attachment 23740
View attachment 23741 View attachment 23742

The pic after the pellets about to hit it in the head won't load......it got hit hard! It had moved from attacking the jake to trying to get on the hen when I told him to shoot it. You can see the hen decoys head in the pic with the pellets about to take most of its head off

 

[hobbes]

Great video trkyslr. I watched it on Bowsite several days ago. You guys were getting it done. Have to give you props for doing it without a blind. I'd post over there as well but don't hunt turkeys with a bow, so I just enjoy the videos and photos. (although there is a certain individual that has infected the site)

I don't have a problem with the use of decoys, just the idea that it can't be done without them. The realistic decoys are definitely effective. I however, don't hunt turkeys with a bow, and would likely use them if I did. I have used them on occasion with my kids and with some friends that like to use them. I use a shotgun and prefer to not use the aid of decoys or blinds for the same reasons that you choose to hunt without a blind with a bow. I will kill one at 40 if needs be but for the most part find that under 30 yards is where most are shot (I don't give them much opportunity to get closer once they get to 30).

 

[trkyslr]

Thanks Hobbes! By the way that infectous guy is shegone... Booted!

 

[Hardway]

Run n gun intge big woods can be a blast..keep safty at the fore front. Decoys wraped in blaze and a blaze hat when moving. This one hit home last year... lost a friend last year..shot by a hunter that did not propely id his target... the guy had been chasing turkeys for twenty year..could have been prevented by both parties. Off mu soap box now.

 

[tipsntails7]

Agree. Depending on the terrain i think they can do more harm than good and will lock a bird up. Remember in a real mating scenario the hen comes to the gobbler not the other way around.

Well I guess myself and quite a few toms will have to disagree including this one.



There is no hard and fast rule about turkeys and their mating, if a toms not henned up he will absolutely burn rubber to a hot hen. On the flip side I've found the fastest way to get a tom to you is pull his hens, you piss off two or three of his hens and get them to run over and that tom will come right with them.

A good decoy in the right spot can make a good caller great an a great caller look like a world champ.

 

[Tauntohawk]

I run and gun with avians but don't use decoys in timber after green up because it's just to thick