I'm like most hunters and generally only use decoys when hunting fields. However, I'll often carry a semi-strut jake with me when cutting and running or if I'm hunting in the woods.
I'm not a fan (pun intended) of full-strut decoys because they are bulky and intimidating. The benefits of using one do not make up for the burden of having to tote one around.
As opposed to using a single hen decoy, a jake decoy combined with your calling actually gives the impression that two turkeys are in the area instead of just one. Once a gobbler spots a single hen decoy, he will likely hang up and your calling will do little to persuade him otherwise. Conversely, when the gobbler spots the jake decoy, he still believes a hen is close by and is less likely to hang up. If he doesn't come charging in once he sees the decoy, you can usually persuade him within gun range with a few soft calls.
This is especially true once the hens start nesting. If you are set up along the edge of a field with the jake infront of you, it gives the impression that a hen is on her nest and the jake is waiting for her. I can't tell you how many times I've hammered jealous gobblers with this tactic.
i don't hardly ever use decoys but some of my buddies do and it seems the full strut runs off as many if not more turkey as it brings in
The few birds I've shot over dekes almost always walk right past the hen to the jake. If I only carry one it's the jake.
Good info ! I don't even own a full strut decoy.
Footballer,
I've had great success hunting with hen decoys, especially feeding hen decoys. I'm always trying to learn new techniques to stack the odds in my favor when hunting these wily birds. I do have a strutting jake decoy and I would like to hear more about how you setup your half strutter for success (ie position of the decoy in relation to your setup, position of the tail etc)
I try to set my jake up broadside to where I think the gobbler will approach. I like broadside because the gobbler will immediately see the jake's head and tail fan. With a semi-strut jake, their heads are usually tucked into their body and hard to see if facing away from the gobbler.
(http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab7/Gobln2/019.jpg)
I use the semi strut jake & a upright hen. Everytime the gobbler comes in he will run straight to the jake decoy and beat,flog, peck, & finally knock the decoy off the stake and stomp him. Now that the jake is out of the picture he will go & try to breed the hen, I have never ever ever had a gobbler spook from a half strut jake decoy. Look at the fire in his eye. That's from the flash on my camera @ 30 yds. & he never even paid any attention to it . :newmascot:
thats sounds like it just might work i def. will have to try it thanks for shareing
Gonna give that a try.
good info
Very good info. I had a couple hang up last year when using a full strut decoy and quit using it.
What half strut jake do yall reccommend? I like the foam dekes but with a half strut I dont guess thats an option.
Good tactic !
Good observation, I have a B-Mobile but don't use it much because it has spooked just as many birds as it has drawn in. I still prefer a passive jake decoy because a jealous bird can't resist to whoop up on a young gobbler that isn't even looking for a fight.
Quote from: Trevor2 on February 01, 2012, 03:59:05 PM
What half strut jake do yall reccommend? I like the foam dekes but with a half strut I dont guess thats an option.
X2
Any suggestions on a half strut jake decoy?
Quote from: JohnnieB on February 06, 2012, 10:14:25 AM
Any suggestions on a half strut jake decoy?
(http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab7/Gobln2/003-4.jpg)
DSD= Dave Smith Decoy :icon_thumright: :newmascot:
Good info, that makes a lot of sence
interesting
Quote from: Footballer on January 10, 2012, 03:19:21 PM
I'm like most hunters and generally only use decoys when hunting fields. However, I'll often carry a semi-strut jake with me when cutting and running or if I'm hunting in the woods.
I'm not a fan (pun intended) of full-strut decoys because they are bulky and intimidating. The benefits of using one do not make up for the burden of having to tote one around.
As opposed to using a single hen decoy, a jake decoy combined with your calling actually gives the impression that two turkeys are in the area instead of just one. Once a gobbler spots a single hen decoy, he will likely hang up and your calling will do little to persuade him otherwise. Conversely, when the gobbler spots the jake decoy, he still believes a hen is close by and is less likely to hang up. If he doesn't come charging in once he sees the decoy, you can usually persuade him within gun range with a few soft calls.
This is especially true once the hens start nesting. If you are set up along the edge of a field with the jake infront of you, it gives the impression that a hen is on her nest and the jake is waiting for her. I can't tell you how many times I've hammered jealous gobblers with this tactic.
Thanks for sharing... though you don't want to use this tactic when you have an overabundance of jakes in your hunting area.
I look forward to seeing how gobblers react to these types of decoys this spring. I just got my H.S. strut sneaky pete from midway, looks pretty good for a $29 decoy!
Here's mine. "If" I carry a deke this is it. I can strap it to my Big Game seat and away we go. The tail folds up and goes inside the body with the stake. If I do set it up it's real easy to carry and I'll usually just grab it and go.
(http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu4/mfd1027/hunting006.jpg)
Have killed my fair share over a Flambeau Master Series jake in the past... hardly ever use it now.
How about a semi strut tom and hen?
I will try this technique this year !
Good info, makes sence i usualy use a jake mounting a hen with another feeding hen in the feild b mobile has worked for me, but almost screwed me as well. just got done whatching primos new vid and 95% of there kills were over b mobile however i am sure they forgot to show the epic fails
I think this strategy makes a lot of sense. I was thinking about buying a full strut tom decoy this year but after reading this I ordered a Primos Jake Mobil from Dunns. Thay have a great price and free shipping on them.
Great thread. I have never thought of this before.
Quote from: JUGHEAD on February 03, 2012, 10:07:03 AM
Quote from: Trevor2 on February 01, 2012, 03:59:05 PM
What half strut jake do yall reccommend? I like the foam dekes but with a half strut I dont guess thats an option.
X2
IF you can find one feather flex made a bubba jake decoy that was a foam half strut jake. It was made to be set up on a feather flex hen as a breeding pair. I still break it out with my DSD hens because I can just stuff it in the bag. It will be hard to find though, I don't think they make it anymore. I found mine in an old outdoors store
No doubt that when u use a jake with a hen, the gobbler always approaches the jake to challenge him. The only problem i see is in years when there are a ton of jakes following a good hatch. Last yr was a good example, we were covered in jakes almost everywhere we went. Many times they gang up and can actually run off the mature birds. This is the exception and not the rule, but i like to be prepared for evrythng, so i will still carry two dekes, a feeding hen and my upright "cross dresser" that is my own creation and absolutely deadly.... ;)
Quote from: jakebird on March 06, 2012, 05:04:34 AM
No doubt that when u use a jake with a hen, the gobbler always approaches the jake to challenge him. The only problem i see is in years when there are a ton of jakes following a good hatch. Last yr was a good example, we were covered in jakes almost everywhere we went. Many times they gang up and can actually run off the mature birds. This is the exception and not the rule, but i like to be prepared for evrythng, so i will still carry two dekes, a feeding hen and my upright "cross dresser" that is my own creation and absolutely deadly.... ;)
OK I'll bite. Explain "Cross Dresser".
You'd have to go back and read one of my earlier posts, but i'll give you the jist of it. I have a "conversion kit" that consists of a red sleeve and a short piece of foam. I have already customized all my decoys, i very lightly mist the back and breast with copper metallic spray paint just to add a little shimmer in the sun, hens and jakes alike. I carry two hens, one feeding, one upright. If i feel incline, i slip the red sleeve over the neck, poke the foam beard thru a small slit in the neck and i have a jake in a pinch. Saves a little space in the vest and gives me flexibility to use two hens, single feeding, single upright, jake and feeding hen, or single jake. Any bird that gets close enuff to note any issues with the cross dresser hasnt lived to tell his friends... :P
It looks like the new Cherokee Sports Transformer is quite similiar to the "cross dresser". Not a bad looking decoy for 40 bucks.
Here is a photo of my Jake mobile I purchased since reading this thread. I completed the jake fan this weekend and made it "hinged" in three sections so it will fold up and store inside the decoy body when tranporting.
Since I took this photo I added some black color at the top of the main feathers and "dusted" it with some metallic copper paint on the back to add that shiny effect of real feathers in the sun.
Can't wait to try him out.
I think you'll be happy with the results. That little bit of copper or bronze metallic paint makes em look so much more alive. Even hens shine in the bright sun. They just lack all the irridescence. Probably the oils in the feathers that cause it, all i know is they look great with the touch of metallic paint and it sure can't hurt. Just don't over do it, atleast on the hens. Looks good, though. Best of luck to you!