This is not a to use them or not to use them thread, I use decoys on about 10% of my set ups but had an interesting discussion with a buddy and since I dont use them much I dont have lot of experience in this situation.
Do you use decoys when the birds can clearly see them from the roost tree. Do you think it spooks them to be able to study them that long or the fact that turkeys (decoys) are in the field well before fly down?
Once, I went into an area blind, and set up two dekes. Lo and behold, they were about 20 yards from a gobbler and eight hens. When it came time, they flew right down, didn't bother them a bit. One hen landed about 10 feet from me. All I could do to not move.
I don't think it spooks them, I've had them to fly off the roost and land right beside of them.
It can help you or hurt you in my experience.I too have had them land right next to my dekes.But i have also had gobblers stay on the roost longer than usual and fly down the complete opposite direction.Hard to give a strait answer to that one.Me and a buddy were having a debate the other day on this very topic. I have come to the conclusion that in a "perfect setup", id prefer for them not to see my dekes from their roost but would like for them to actually see the dekes in mid-air as they're flying down
hunter4, that has been my experience but like i said I don't have a ton of kills over decoys.
My buddy is guiding a Wounded Warrior hunt this weekend and has a spot where 10 longbeards are still roosting together right on the edge of a field, given that his guy could have limited mobility I said boy that sound like a perfect situation to use a decoy set up with a jake or strutter. he very flatly said I cant they'll see the decoys from the tree and spook.
I feel like that gives the turkeys a bit too much credit.
I've had them pitch straight down to the decoys and be flopping within seconds of their feet hitting the ground.
I got setup really tight on one last Friday morning and he pitched down to the Ridge \ Mountain side he was roosted beside and then fly off of it and right over the top of my decoy (15ft). All I was doing was scratching in the leaves. When he landed, I spun around and he strutted within range.
I bow hunt em so I use decoys 99% of the time. I've set up in fields with decoys and have never spooked birds by doing so before light. Good luck
Ive had them fly right into the decoys. If I'm real close to the roost of a gobbler I never call to him until hes on the ground.
I feel like he's misinterpreting previous scenarios. A lone bird that wakes up with his hens and has a mystery tom out infront might obviously fly the other way not wanting risk losing his hens. But a whole flock of gobblers should want beat the new guy no questions asked.
It probably doesn't matter, dudes a phenomenal turkey hunter and his guy will most likely have a stud floppin by 7. Just wanted to see popular opinion.
If the gobbler sees you setting them up you're probably screwed. If he don't see you set them up , you're good IMO. Get them stuck up well before daylight without using a flash light.
I agree with what most have said. From my experience, as long as you get them set with plenty of darkness and don't spook the bird yourself, you should be fine. I've never been in a situation where I thought a turkey seeing my dekes from the roost was the reason I didn't kill a bird.
Depends on whether he has been shot at or spooked over decoys. I have seen gobblers see the decoy and spook on several occasions.
Been in this situation many times. If you can get the dekes out without being spotted, you're in business! Works best when you roost them the night before, then set up your dekes in the dark. I've had several nice gobblers fly down to their death next to the dekes.