Do you need decoys to kill a mature gobbler? Not at all!
Will decoys help increase your chances of killing a Gobbler? Yes and No
There are countless ways to harvest a mature Gobbler. Decoys are a tool that can really improve your chances of getting a gobbler in range. However, they can also prevent a gobbler from approaching a hunter’s setup.
In this post we will break down the pros and cons of using decoys and share a few decoy strategies you can use this spring to potentially improve your success in the turkey woods.
Advantages of using decoys
- Decoys give visual confirmation to gobblers there is another turkey in the area.
- If setup properly, decoys give a visual point for a gobbler to focus on instead of a hunter calling.
- Decoys can be placed in a large open area to draw a gobbler into gun range.
Disadvantages of using decoys
- Decoys are just one more thing a hunter has to carry along with other gear.
- Decoys at times, discourage heavily hunted birds from approaching.
- Decoys can be expensive for young hunters with a small hunting budget.
Hunting without decoys
Turkey hunting without decoys can produce great results. Some of the most successful turkey hunts I have experienced were conducted without a decoy. There are a few advantages to hunting without decoys.
I am a firm believer in being extremely mobile while turkey hunting. Decoys are just one more thing to carry when a hunter is trying to maneuver through the woods while chasing a gobbler on the move. Decoys typically are not extremely heavy however, depending on the type you purchase, they can be bulky and a hassle to carry through thick brush a times.
Another advantage of hunting without decoys is, you eliminate the chance of spooking older gobblers that have been hunted for weeks by others using decoys. I remember a few years ago, we were on a turkey hunting trip in Texas. We went late in the season and could not figure out why we would have gobblers approach only to halt once they saw our decoy setup. Finally, after three hunts, we left our decoys in the truck and called a gobbler into range. In my opinion, the gobblers in that area we were hunting, witnessed some of their comrades shot while standing beside a decoy or two earlier in the season. I have experienced similar results hunting in Louisiana.
Jake decoys can also discourage gobblers from approaching a setup at times. Some years, the Jake population is tremendously larger than the gobbler population. When this happens, jakes will often form large gangs and whoop gobblers off hens. Based on my experience, using a
jake decoy, when there is a large population of jakes in an area, will often do more harm than good.
Turkey hunting with decoys
Decoys are tools. They are extremely effective in the right situation. Hunters who hunt large fields can really benefit from using turkey decoys. Decoys can be like a beacon to a lonely gobbler from a distance. The eyesight a wild turkey possesses is second to none. Placing decoys on the edge of a field will increase the chance of a gobbler making visual contact and coming in for a closer look.
Decoys can also be effective at pulling gobblers off hens in some cases. This will not always work, however, using a jake decoy mixed with a couple hens can infuriate a mature gobbler. This can result in some fast and exciting action in the right situation. Again this decoy set up will not always work but, it is so special when it does!
Tip #1: for best decoy success
If possible, try to figure out the gobbler to jake ratio in your hunting area. You can do this by scouting. Based on my experience, knowing the population and gobbler to jake ratio on your property will really improve your success. If your turkey population is dominated by hens and one or two jakes, you will find great success using decoying the mature gobblers that are present on your property. If you are over ran by jakes, you might want to leave your decoys in the truck. However, this is not always the case.
If I know there are not many jakes in my area, I love using decoys. If I’m hunting an area where there is little hunting pressure, I love using a jake and hen decoy. This is a dynamite setup for gobblers in the timber as well. I love to use decoys early in the season. Logging roads are great for a jake and hen decoy setup.
Tip #2 Use what works best for you
I firmly believe confidence is the key to success. If you have more confidence using decoys to turkey hunt, then you should hunt with decoys. If you feel you have a better chance at bagging that old gobbler without a decoy, then don’t worry with lugging decoys around the woods all day.
Be Careful Using Decoys on Public Land
I personally, hunt with and without decoys throughout the season. On public land, I don’t care to use decoys. I believe a public land birds tend to shy away from decoys due to the fact, everyone seems to be using them. Using decoys can also be dangerous to use on public land where inexperienced hunters pass through. I’m sure a lot of you Louisiana and Arkansas public land hunting veterans will agree, there is always the possibility of a lunatic mistaking a decoy for the real thing and shooting it.
Conclusion
I suggest you use what you have confidence in. Some guys I know will not leave their house without decoys. They always have great luck using them. Other hunters I know, refuse to lug decoys around while hunting on the move. You can mix it up and use both strategies like I do.
Turkey decoys are just one more tool for a turkey hunter. I encourage you hunt with and without decoys to see what works best for you. If you are a new hunter or have a limited budget for turkey hunting gear, I suggest you practice calling techniques and practice maneuvering around gobblers to get into range. You don’t need decoys to kill gobblers, however, they can really be beneficial in certain situations.
I hope you guys found some useful information in this post. Thank you for reading. If you would like more tips and tricks for hunting and fishing please go to our home page. You can find useful tips for cooking as well at Americanhuntingsafari.com.
Thanks for reading and good luck this spring!