Am I opening a huge can of worm..? Or we are in the slower season and it will pass under the radar..?
The title says it all, in terms of efficiency, what would be the most efficient way to hunt turkeys?
I have searched the forum quite a bit on this question, and the first thing that surprised me was the numbers of comments saying that decoys were 'not ethical' because they worked too well!
I had never heard such a thing, because where I live, most hunters use decoys. I guess that TV shows and others who made this activity popular used them and it sticked in the mind of hunters that turkey = decoys... And I had never heard someone saying they were 'un-ethicaly too good'!
I started hunting turkeys last spring and I hunted without decoys. I tried it this way because of two reasons : I had heard stories of hunters who said turkeys went away from them when they saw decoys... And because I watched almost every 'hunting public' videos and they never used decoys. So I took the guess that maybe it's better if you let the turkey search for where the sound come from, instead of having an inactive, motionless decoy out in front of you...
But the way some of my hunts went last spring, I think I would have liked sometimes to have a female decoy out... I think that one or two times I would have had a turkey go straight to the decoy... maybe?
But other times, I was very happy to not have decoys, because I moved a lot and I was happy to not carry one and also I would not have been able to set it up each time, and pick it up before moving...
So regarding all of this, let me ask you this question... Do you think it is more efficient to hunt gobblers with or without a decoy?
I have not noticed any great advantage when I use decoys. I have had hens come into my decoy setup on a few occasions, once the hen attacked my decoy, another time I had two hens that hung around the decoys for over an hour. I only use decoys on a private land that I have permission to hunt because it is small and not much room to move around on so I usually just hunt stationery. If I hunt public land I usually leave the decoy a home berceuse I am usually on the move.
I guess this really is not much of an answer to your question,
When it comes to killing turkeys it is my opinion that decoys usually contribute to efficiency. When it comes to hunting turkeys, the use of decoys deprives the "hunter" of the knowledge whether the bird died because of the hunting skills (calling, woodmanship, positioning, etc.) of the hunter or from his pocket by purchasing a decoy which deprives the turkey of his natural defenses. I prefer positioning and my caller.
Both of your answers are interesting. Hope I can get a few more!
I have hunted turkeys 52 years and you can count the number of times I used a decoy on one hand. I don't even own one and the times they were used they belonged to someone else and I have only shot one turkey when a decoy was used, and I won't give any numbers for kills (I actually don't know a real number ) but it's more than a few. These are my personal feelings and choice only.
Here's my take. The short answer is yes it increases efficiency and more so in fields then in heavy woods. There are cases where birds shy away from decoys, but that is not the norm. I hunt almost all woods and hills and I don't want the baggage. I prefer to keep it simple and light, but I have no problems with someone using stationary decoys. What I mean by that is a decoy stuck in the ground and not held and advanced by the hunter, AKA reaping. They absolutely can seal the deal on field birds. They work in woods but less so, just because of visibility. Gobbler decoys often work better then hen decoys. Being a newbie and wanting an edge until you learn more is a valid reason to consider decoys. You may like the results and want to continue using them, but in the end my opinion is they will put more gobblers in gun range.
Woods? Don't use, so no opinion.
Fields? yes, they do improve efficiency.
YOU decide your ethics. I do what I do and don't care what others do as long as it does not endanger others.
My brother responded to 2 different shootings in the spring in a 30 year career near a huge national forest - neither involved a decoy.
Quote from: g8rvet on October 28, 2023, 01:04:20 PM
YOU decide your ethics. I do what I do and don't care what others do as long as it does not endanger others.
Agreed, and i am this way too.
Quote from: eggshell on October 28, 2023, 08:39:09 AM
I have hunted turkeys 52 years and you can count the number of times I used a decoy on one hand. I don't even own one and the times they were used they belonged to someone else and I have only shot one turkey when a decoy was used, and I won't give any numbers for kills (I actually don't know a real number ) but it's more than a few. These are my personal feelings and choice only.
Here's my take. The short answer is yes it increases efficiency and more so in fields then in heavy woods. There are cases where birds shy away from decoys, but that is not the norm. I hunt almost all woods and hills and I don't want the baggage. I prefer to keep it simple and light, but I have no problems with someone using stationary decoys. What I mean by that is a decoy stuck in the ground and not held and advanced by the hunter, AKA reaping. They absolutely can seal the deal on field birds. They work in woods but less so, just because of visibility. Gobbler decoys often work better then hen decoys. Being a newbie and wanting an edge until you learn more is a valid reason to consider decoys. You may like the results and want to continue using them, but in the end my opinion is they will put more gobblers in gun range.
Thanks for your comment. I appreciate it. I may or may not try a decoy next spring... I really enjoy to go light and to be able to move fast and anywhere, not sure I want to carry a decoy... And I've read many hunters like you who said they killed many gobblers without decoy... Not sure if i will buy one next spring... I could say "one more spring without one..." and go on and on and on... ;D
I think in the woods or on food plots decoys are not useful most of the time. In fields and large open areas like pastures and power lines decoys can be very useful. As far as ethics and decoys are concerned, that's up to the individual. I hardly ever use a decoy because I hunt mostly woods and tight areas i.e. creek bottoms and hardwood ridges.
Here is my opinion.
Hen decoys: hit or miss as far as being helpful.
Gobbler and Jake decoys: more effective than hen decoys in most situations.
I personally don't care what anyone else does. In my personal opinion, hunting without decoys will initially be more challenging, but you will become a much better turkey hunter in the long run.
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IMO it all depends on the situation. I'll use a decoy or combo like hen and half strut jake when hunting in large fields but don't generally ever use them while hunting woods. I never use them in the fall. They're a necessity when bow hunting birds. A little research on turkey behavior will clue your in on what type of decoy to use and where etc... of you're going to buy a decoy I recommend dsd. There's good one on the market but they're the best.
Dsd decoys looks awesome... For next spring i'm pretty sure i will try it one more time without decoys...
Quote from: YoungGobbler on November 25, 2023, 08:38:16 PM
Dsd decoys looks awesome... For next spring i'm pretty sure i will try it one more time without decoys...
Get what suits your budget. DSD decoys are amazing but I've also killed a pile over a foam flambeau hen sitting on an aluminum arrow for a decoy stake. Again, decoys aren't the golden ticket in all situations. In the woods soft calling and the right setup as far as no obstacles between you and the bird will do the trick. In fields or other high visibility areas a decoy can draw them is. If you're using a decoy always be aware of what and who's around you. Have a good clear field of view so you can see someone approaching if they try to sneak in on your set up. Also have a good tree or something to your back in case someone tries to sneak in and shoots at your decoys. A tree or dirt mound will save your back and head from getting filled up with #5s and potentially save your life.
Yeah i have no doubt this could happen...
At my age, I need all the help I can get ... decoy, fancy calls, shotgun with a long range choke and TSS ... that most all of us, use this day and time... :TrainWreck1:
Quote from: Greg Massey on December 21, 2023, 09:13:24 AM
At my age, I need all the help I can get ... decoy, fancy calls, shotgun with a long range choke and TSS ... that most all of us, use this day and time... :TrainWreck1:
Then, at my age, I can just use cheap normal calls, standard factory full choke and cheap 3inch lead ammo... :toothy12:
Quote from: YoungGobbler on December 21, 2023, 10:08:02 AM
Quote from: Greg Massey on December 21, 2023, 09:13:24 AM
At my age, I need all the help I can get ... decoy, fancy calls, shotgun with a long range choke and TSS ... that most all of us, use this day and time... :TrainWreck1:
Then, at my age, I can just use cheap normal calls, standard factory full choke and cheap 3inch lead ammo... :toothy12:
:TooFunny:
Here's my 2 Cents! I am 66 years old and this last spring I tried a NEW (to me) decoy setup (and it wasn't reaping), that I ABSOLUTELY fell in love with. I won't elaborate at the present time, but it was Magical. As I age, it's not about FILLING my tags, it's about EXPERIENCING wildlife and how they interact. This setup allowed me to call in to the decoys, film and see some Amazing action from multiple birds on multiple days. Could I have filled my tags, ABSOLUTELY but it was more GRATIFING to Watch the Show. Decoys aren't a SLAM dunk, so don't believe they are but it is so wonderful at my age to ENJOY THE SHOW!
Quote from: bbcoach on December 21, 2023, 04:20:02 PM
Here's my 2 Cents! I am 66 years old and this last spring I tried a NEW (to me) decoy setup (and it wasn't reaping), that I ABSOLUTELY fell in love with. I won't elaborate at the present time, but it was Magical. As I age, it's not about FILLING my tags, it's about EXPERIENCING wildlife and how they interact. This setup allowed me to call in to the decoys, film and see some Amazing action from multiple birds on multiple days. Could I have filled my tags, ABSOLUTELY but it was more GRATIFING to Watch the Show. Decoys aren't a SLAM dunk, so don't believe they are but it is so wonderful at my age to ENJOY THE SHOW!
Sounds good! You want to elaborate on the decoy set-up?
More folks need to have that attitude, bbcoach!...and here are my thoughts on why...
With the relatively recent advent of ultra-realistic decoys representing everything under the sun in terms of turkey postures, turkeys are being fooled to the point of their populations being jeopardized. We are no longer in a time when old, experienced gobblers would survive because they could not be fooled by the original tradition of using turkey-calling alone to kill them.
Having said that, I am not necessarily against the use of turkey decoys. What I am against is what I "feel" is an attitude by too many hunters that every gobbler that is pulled within range with whatever decoy type they might employ is fair game to be killed. We, as hunters, cannot continue to have that mind-set. Having the self-discipline not to pull the trigger every time will ultimately have to be voluntary within the hunting community...or it will be enforced through regulation by wildlife managers.
Now, getting back to your original comment, YoungGobbler, IF you experiment with using decoys (which, by the way, I have no problem with), you will most likely figure out how to exploit the habits of turkeys such that you can kill them with regularity. That ability must not be used with impunity, however. With the ability to kill turkeys regularly needs to come the understanding that none of us should be taking advantage of that ability to the detriment of the resource. Whatever the hunting method you choose to use, always keep that in mind. :icon_thumright:
Well stated Gobblenut. I especially like the last paragraph. No matter how we choose to hunt, we must realize, we as Wildlife Managers (And each of us are Wildlife Managers) should be doing our BEST to leave the wildlife and wildlife habitat BETTER than we found it??? Filling tags is OK, within reason, but bragging about numbers has NO place with me.
Dang bbcoach and gobblenut you two are party poopers. Here already had thought out a post that I have killed a million gobblers and took no prisoners. If it got in gun range it died. Take names and kick butt anyway you can. Now I will just look bad if I post my original thoughts. I thought being in the goats team was akin to being certified turkey assassins....(huge bold sarcasm font ) :character0029: :funnyturkey: :TooFunny:
On a serious note. I have hunted a bunch of those old gobblers that can't be killed by conventional one hunter and a call. I have a tried and true strategy. I keep after them until they become old and senile and their mental awareness, eyesight and instincts are all deminished and then I can kill them. I hope they never open season on old turkey hunters because I am an easy target if they do.
Should work well as long as you get to those birds before you become old and senile and their mental awareness, eyesight and instincts are all deminished ;D :you_rock:
I guess I'm too JUDGEMENTAL and need to CONFORM!
Quote from: GobbleNut on December 22, 2023, 09:55:23 AM
More folks need to have that attitude, bbcoach!...and here are my thoughts on why...
With the relatively recent advent of ultra-realistic decoys representing everything under the sun in terms of turkey postures, turkeys are being fooled to the point of their populations being jeopardized. We are no longer in a time when old, experienced gobblers would survive because they could not be fooled by the original tradition of using turkey-calling alone to kill them.
Having said that, I am not necessarily against the use of turkey decoys. What I am against is what I "feel" is an attitude by too many hunters that every gobbler that is pulled within range with whatever decoy type they might employ is fair game to be killed. We, as hunters, cannot continue to have that mind-set. Having the self-discipline not to pull the trigger every time will ultimately have to be voluntary within the hunting community...or it will be enforced through regulation by wildlife managers.
Now, getting back to your original comment, YoungGobbler, IF you experiment with using decoys (which, by the way, I have no problem with), you will most likely figure out how to exploit the habits of turkeys such that you can kill them with regularity. That ability must not be used with impunity, however. With the ability to kill turkeys regularly needs to come the understanding that none of us should be taking advantage of that ability to the detriment of the resource. Whatever the hunting method you choose to use, always keep that in mind. :icon_thumright:
This is something I do agree with but I have a bit of difficulty with it... I love hunting and I love eating wild game... But more and more I'm trying to take care of fragile species and fragile spots and I hunt them with care...
YoungGobbler, check your personal messages.
I analyze turkeys when turkey hunting. My observations lead me to believe that many hen-deprived, 2 year or subdominant Toms are more susceptible to decoys. Get a dominant Tom that has several hens with him and he'll likely ignore the decoys while one of his flunkies will peel off and challenge the decoys or a solitary Tom will fall for it. If you roost birds and the dominant Tom flys down early he may fall victim to a decoy. Later in the morning a dominant Tom will come to a decoy after his hens leave him, but that bird can be killed just with calling. Time of the season has an effect too. I feel many times decoys just keep the fighting Tom so preoccupied with the decoy that his guard is down and he's easier to shoot without the hunter being detected. I think this is especially true when young hunters are afield and the person that they're with wants them to get a shot and not scare the bird off.
What it boils down to is knowing when a decoy will work and when it won't. Depends on the situation AND the bird you're hunting. In many cases decoys may hurt more than help. Once you place a decoy in a field you're committed to that decoy working or you're sunk. Very little flexibility after setting decoys up. You have a focus of where the shot will be taken in the decoys instead of not knowing where the bird will be when a shot becomes available. Lots to think about in my opinion.
On a parting note, if you've NEVER used decoys your thoughts on decoys use are speculative at best or just judgmental bias. Only way to truly KNOW about hunting with decoys is to hunt with them some.
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I'm a little more simple.... I use them, sometimes they work and sometimes not.
Quote from: jhoward11 on December 26, 2023, 01:50:56 PM
I'm a little more simple.... I use them, sometimes they work and sometimes not.
That too...
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