THE WEEKEND HUNTER: USING DECOYS WORKS FOR HUNTERS

With all the decoys out on the market, I am not going to tell you which one works the best for me. I believe the best type is what is best for that specific hunter. I will tell you if you haven't used decoys before or you only carry one, you're missing out on some close-up, wild action.

I believe that while using one hen may work in some situations and is better than nothing, the option of having two hens and the key to it all, is the little jake.

Here are some reasons you should decide to use decoys. The first one is a biological reason. Gobblers are the most male chauvinist animals I know. The hen's supposed to come to him, and they do not take care of the young. We are calling our heads off, acting like a hot hen looking for a boss tom. The gobbler answers and if he is the dominant bird in the area, he will wait and keep gobbling. What we are doing is unnatural; the way nature has intended it is the hen comes to the gobbler.

Well, the gobbler finally gets frustrated enough to come in. If you're not using a decoy, he may just decide that things are just not right or there is a bigger gobbler with the hen and leave or thinks the hen has already taken off. So this is the reason for at least one hen.

Now he sees the hen and starts to strut. Now he is locked up and won't walk in any farther and expecting the hen to come running to him. He is out of range. I guess we could stand up and get a little closer if the gobbler wouldn't mind. Just seems for some reason not to work out like that.

If you decide to have two hot hens and a little jake, that will probably be all that is needed for this boss tom. He will probably still start strutting, but he will see the little jake this time and think he can just whoop the tail feathers right off this chump and strut right up to him to show off for the girls at the same time. Sounds like the typical teen-age boy. That's why you must keep the little jake within your killing range. You might as well make it 20 yards for a sure shot or whatever the best pattern is for your gun.

Also remember to have the little jake facing you. He will approach the little jake head on. While he is in strutting, you can raise your gun. When he drops his tail, that's when you can let him have it.

Be sure you keep the decoys in the open so that they can be seen from a distance. The gobbler has to see them to work, but a great safety rule is be sure you can see what is beyond your decoy so if another hunter enters the area you can yell him off. Remember it is better to be safe than sorry. Also don't wave him off. Movement in the woods this time of year is dangerous. JUST YELL. Don't wait, you can always start the setup again in a different location. Be sure to protect your back with a big tree, log or ground just in case a hunter comes up from behind you.

Another reason for using at least one decoy I have already described to you. I will make sure it is clear. His attention will be on the decoy not the location of the calling. He will just think the hen or hens have moved a little.

Another important rule: a turkey hunter will more than likely have seen or will see a group of jakes roaming the woods. These birds can't quite make it one on one with a big dominant gobbler, but as a group the jake gang can run one off or even kill him if they're enough of them. So don't get overzealous and use more jakes. One lone little jake is the key.

So here is my perfect decoy setup.

Frustrated bird is bird in the bag

First, I have a lone hen to the side but not too far, facing the jake, but the hen is on the opposite direction I am planning for gobbler to come. Either way, I have the hen positioned if the gobbler comes from her direction the hen will be facing away from him just ignoring him. What nerve she has ignoring this boss tom. If he comes from the direction I want, the jake is between the gobbler and the hen. What nerve he has in blocking the big tom's way.

A hot hen is a cold tom

Second, I have a hen without a stake facing at an angle away from me and away from and in front of the jake. I try to make it look like the hen is ready, but the jake has not made it to her yet.

Running without thinking is fatal mistake

Third, I have the jake mount facing me, and a few feet behind the second hen that is on the ground. This guy will be about 20 yards in the direction I hope the gobblers comes from. This little fellow will get the blast too, but it will be worth it. You must be careful sometimes the big old tom will drop from his strut, run and start spurring away at the little jake and knock him right off the stake. It's a great sight, but the little jake will get some help if the gobbler ever gets still again from the other big turkeys in the woods. ME and YOU.

The Weekend Deer Hunter

http://walden.mvp.net/~gam/

and

South Missouri Sportsmen's Information Network

www.southmosportsmen.com