Turkey hunting forum for turkey hunting tips

So this is just from another post but just thought to share, if you are interested or thinking of decoys, I have had a lot of experience with them and a lot of success!!

I guess I could give an opinion here... I have been hunting with decoys for this being my 28th year, and no not every hunt but mostly in the fields around here. My first decoy was the old hard body HS motion hen, pulled a string and the head would tip down a little and back up, yes killed a few birds with it. Then came out Feather Flex Foam bodies, bought a hen decoy and yup worked on a few birds, then they came out with the Signature series which had a much better paint scheme, used those for quite a few years and killed plenty of birds. Finally a maker came out with a realistic turkey decoy, first on the market David Smith Decoys DSD and he got it right! My first experience with these was a buddy who bought a Jake decoy, I watched that decoy get beat by 3 toms like nothing I had ever seen before, I mean I had used my dekes but these birds were actually interacting with the decoy and not just showing some interest... So the next season I bought a DSD Upright hen and ditched the foam bodies, that hen brought in everything and not just taking a look but actually displaying right up to her, had one jump on her back to breed it and a number of hens wanting to fight her, next was the feeding hen and I have had hens come right up to her and look at the ground to see what she was "eating" and start feeding as well now enter the strutter, and I have used a strutter before, I have had success with him once you learn how to hunt him right. My next was the Leading hen and Jake. All I can say is I have never had the interaction between any other decoy and what happens with my DSD's birds are calm and at ease with these dekes and have had birds spend better than an hour around them before they decided to walk off. Now not everyone is a fan of using decoys and that's fine, we each have the choice on how we wish to hunt. I have been able to have some great experiences with youth hunts, new hunters, bow hunters, videoing and all with using the DSD's. Now as I said they are not an every hunt thing, when I run & gun I may have my Jake and a Hen along but depending on that setup they might just stay in the bag, I just do have them along, put me with another hunter in a field hunt and the dekes are pretty much going to be out, again depends on the hunt. And I also know people say how can you spend $$$ on decoys you don't even need them, and I will agree to some degree, it just depends on the hunt. I mentor/teach a lot and the ultimate goal is to get that hunter One on One with a gobbler up against a tree and calling and working a bird, but until we are at that stage I take them through the steps to get them there.

There are a lot of decoys out there and some of the new ones don't look to bad in comparison but after the results I have seen with the DSD's it's all I'm going to use and recommend, we sell plenty of decoys at the store and everyone can make their own choice on them, but I'll stick with made in the USA and DSD every time!!

If you have questions on setups, what dekes to use when and why I am more than willing to share. Just ask the question and we will go from there. Have some fun and post a DSD Success Pic!!

DSDeadly
DSDouble
DSDead
DSDone
DSDecoys!

MK M GOBL

Here's one from last years "Learn to Hunt Turkey Program" I mentor for!!

DSD Jake and the Upright Hen did him in along with some sweet talk on the Cody World Class Slate :)

MK M GOBL

I've had similar results but decoys usage to me has been more limited except the last few years.
I started out as a kid straight running n gunning in areas I'd heard gobbling pre season.
Decoys weren't even legal back than.
Once they were I tried but as a mainly run n gunner carrying one was a pain and I'd get a gobble, drop the deke n back up only to see a gobbler running in, stop n see me.
Eventually I stopped as it wasn't helping me. To be honest it was very short lived try.
I learned to roost n tried the feather flex or some cheap collapsible decoy. They sometimes worked but I'd only use em for kids.
I tried the Montana decoy on advice of a friend. Don't know why but the birds came in n would blow up. One time 2 longbeards within 5 mins, one blew n flew right to a field, one ran down the hill left. I was still n they didn't see me.
I bought some DSDs n I've used em maybe 4 years. Not once has a bird acted negative towards them, many times interacting.
I almost never hunt fields so I wouldn't need them anyway but it can give you an edge especially when trying to coach a nervous kid to his first bird. Gives em something to look at n the kid can bobble a gun or something.
The avian  seem decent too but they're not American. The blowing em up thing worries me too.
Biggest complaint I could have w any is using them as a cure all. Learn to hunt first imo n it's ok w me. Sitting all day w dekes in a field can work but that's not the way I show anyone to harvest birds.
DSDs are great though, well worth the money

Very well said. I love it when people say decoys all do the same thing and the expensive ones are just to get hunters money yet they have never used a realistic decoy to see the difference it makes

Here's one from my 3rd season hunt, killed him on video with the Jake and Feeding Hen!!

MK M GOBL

Looks good, got a friend that asked about one , I told him I never tried one so I did not know if any better than the cheaper ones. Any idea where best place to get one.

Quote from: owlhoot on March 04, 2017, 07:10:42 PM
Looks good, got a friend that asked about one , I told him I never tried one so I did not know if any better than the cheaper ones. Any idea where best place to get one.

Unless you can find them used I have never seen a "sale" price on them...

Hens run $119.99
Jake is $159.99
Strutter $199.99

My "starters" would be a Jake & Upright Hen and she can double as a breeder by short staking her.

MK M GOBL

Thanks I know he was wanting a jake and he may use one of his old hens as a breeding hen .

For now  ,lol

I also use a Strutter!! And he does work with all birds once you understand the dominance game. Here is a hunt with a Strutter and had a Upright Hen and Feeding Hen with him, Dad and Daughter were in one blind (Double Blind set) Double Bull Blinds and other is set for videoing from. This Jake came in to the Strutter Set just under 15 yards away during our WI Youth Season!!

MK M GOBL

Quote from: MK M GOBL on March 04, 2017, 07:16:33 PM

Quote from: owlhoot on March 04, 2017, 07:10:42 PM
Looks good, got a friend that asked about one , I told him I never tried one so I did not know if any better than the cheaper ones. Any idea where best place to get one.

Unless you can find them used I have never seen a "sale" price on them...

Hens run $119.99
Jake is $159.99
Strutter $199.99

My "starters" would be a Jake & Upright Hen and she can double as a breeder by short staking her.

MK M GOBL

Couple years ago I think midway or macks, somebody I can't remember had em I believe they might have been getting rid of the line but they were a bit cheaper. It wasn't truly a sale more of a close out

Quote from: owlhoot on March 04, 2017, 07:21:49 PM
Thanks I know he was wanting a jake and he may use one of his old hens as a breeding hen .

For now  ,lol

Sounds Good, let him know to use that Jake as the decoy closest to him (I set at 15 yards, gives you good range estimating point of reference) birds will walk right by the hens to get to him, always set to the strong side (righty decoys set left and vice versa) I always leave "elbow room" around my sets, this way a tom can walk in at any direction, even when setting a breeding scene I leave some room between them.

Here's a pic of the Breeding Set... using Jake and Hen (short staked to the ground)

I Doubled on this Hunt!!

MK M GOBL

I've been using the DSD upright hen for five seasons now.  It's definitely more cumbersome to carry but the benefit outweighs that.  I can honestly say that a quality decoy like DSD does make a difference.  The hens tend to stay around longer and the jakes, well, let's just say they have a good time with my DSD hen.  Lol.   In my opinion, it was worth the money.

Alrighty I will tell him that.  Leaving enough room is a good idea too.

I have trouble getting the turkey to see the decoy when hunting in the woods. In my youth, I hunted mostly in Alabama where decoys were not legal so I learned to hunt without them. What happens now when I use a decoy is I get as close to the gobbler as possible before calling and can't get the decoy out in front of me very far. Call gobbler in, he takes a peak doesn't see a hen and splits. Any thoughts/advise?

Quote from: saverx on March 04, 2017, 09:24:08 PM
I have trouble getting the turkey to see the decoy when hunting in the woods. In my youth, I hunted mostly in Alabama where decoys were not legal so I learned to hunt without them. What happens now when I use a decoy is I get as close to the gobbler as possible before calling and can't get the decoy out in front of me very far. Call gobbler in, he takes a peak doesn't see a hen and splits. Any thoughts/advise?

So on my Run & Gun in the timber hunts it would be rare for me to use a decoy... I rely on the bird looking for the "hen" and try to set up where I would like him to appear from (direction). Unless I'm in a Oak Savanna, Pastured Timber or a "road" situation where an incoming bird can see the decoy for 50-80 yards.

Don't know if in your area you have these savanna's or not, I have also used in pine plantations. From this pic you can see how open these oaks are and I was set with decoy on the "road" bird worked right down it to me.

This was my first gobbler ever!

MK M GOBL

I killed my 1st turkey over a decoy last year with a single decoy set up. Ive just never used decoys much in the past. I have some new clear cuts to hunt this year and I think decoys will help so I'm going to try it some more this year. Im new to the decoy game. What do you mean by setting them up strong side?

Quote from: saverx on March 04, 2017, 09:52:40 PM
I killed my 1st turkey over a decoy last year with a single decoy set up. Ive just never used decoys much in the past. I have some new clear cuts to hunt this year and I think decoys will help so I'm going to try it some more this year. Im new to the decoy game. What do you mean by setting them up strong side?

So if you are a right handed shooter you are able to swing your gun/bow farther to your left (strong side) than right. I never position myself/others for a dead straight on shot to dekes, as a righty I set faced more to my right side as I can swing to the left easily. If you think of a clock and you are center pivot point, I face about 2:00, decoys at noon and can shoot all the way back till about 9:00. This also give you a good rest over your knees while holding on a bird, this would be just opposite if you are a lefty.

MK M GOBL

Quote from: saverx on March 04, 2017, 09:24:08 PM
I have trouble getting the turkey to see the decoy when hunting in the woods. In my youth, I hunted mostly in Alabama where decoys were not legal so I learned to hunt without them. What happens now when I use a decoy is I get as close to the gobbler as possible before calling and can't get the decoy out in front of me very far. Call gobbler in, he takes a peak doesn't see a hen and splits. Any thoughts/advise?

Try a strutter .  They seem to pick it up good in the woods. You may half to back up a bit after you set it. Calling can start after you are set up and ready. Put decoy together,like attaching tail and stake a bit back and then sneak up.

Both good advice. I would have never thought of that.

I agree the DSD decoys are number 1 and made in the USA and Avian x are number 2 and made somewhere else and 99 percent of all the camo we all wear turkey hunting is made over seas.  Funny .....

https://youtu.be/qFTzko1EADM

This video was posted on a prior thread. Watch and not long into it you will see just how real DSD decoys are compared to the real thing.
Great decoys and great video.....both made in the USA!

Quote from: saverx on March 04, 2017, 09:24:08 PM
I have trouble getting the turkey to see the decoy when hunting in the woods. In my youth, I hunted mostly in Alabama where decoys were not legal so I learned to hunt without them. What happens now when I use a decoy is I get as close to the gobbler as possible before calling and can't get the decoy out in front of me very far. Call gobbler in, he takes a peak doesn't see a hen and splits. Any thoughts/advise?

If you learned to hunt without them, you probably learned they are not needed to kill a bird anyways, so why even bother with them now?

I have used the DSD decoy for years, buying one new one each year till I had the flock. One VERY INPORTANT thing to remember when Using any of the real good decoys. By very careful if useing on public land, especially if useing a Jake or Strutter. Years ago I had a person mistake a cheep Foam Jake of mine and shoot it. So I have the flock but seldom every use them all. Had terrific success with just the upright hen.

Quote from: Greg Massey on March 04, 2017, 11:05:52 PM
I agree the DSD decoys are number 1 and made in the USA and Avian x are number 2 and made somewhere else and 99 percent of all the camo we all wear turkey hunting is made over seas.  Funny .....

Avians are NOT number 2 they are 4th

DSD-1
Deception-2
Dakota-3
Avian-4

Quote from: snapper1982 on March 05, 2017, 01:25:25 PM

Quote from: Greg Massey on March 04, 2017, 11:05:52 PM
I agree the DSD decoys are number 1 and made in the USA and Avian x are number 2 and made somewhere else and 99 percent of all the camo we all wear turkey hunting is made over seas.  Funny .....

Avians are NOT number 2 they are 4th

DSD-1
Deception-2
Dakota-3
Avian-4

You know what opinions are like.......ha ha ha ...just having a little fun...

I use decoys Fall and Spring. It's fun to watch turkeys interact with them. I had a hen lower herself down in front of my Feather Flex half strut jake one Spring. When it came out they painted the wings orange on it for safety. How times change.

So today at the store I was doing a number of seminars on turkey and of course the discussion of decoys came up. So I explained the why's to when I am using or not using decoys. I had one guy say that he absolutely refused to use a decoy, I was okay with that (his choice) but I did ask why. He told me flat out that they scare more birds off than you can ever kill with them and they were just a waste of money. (Me to each his own) As I continued the seminar, this guy stayed and I went over a number of different sets and how and why I have success, I had a number of pics from past hunts and detailed on why each of these sets were made to match time of the breeding cycle and within the season and at times the bird I am hunting. I talked about scouting, learning the ground and more. I helped a number of hunters asking questions afterward on bowhunting aspects and some guys taking kids out the first time. Then it happened, the guy who would not use a decoy came up and opened up a conversation about turkey hunting with me and he told me that I had explained a number of things he had seen turkeys do and never really understood why, then he said sorry about the outburst about the decoy thing... I said no problem I have nothing against a guy who doesn't want to use them. He said he could see that and thought I was just there to tell everybody you have to have them to kill a turkey. I said nope but I will help anybody that wants to learn about using them... we talked for bit longer and he asked If I had more seminars going on, I said yup next up was the scouting/locating pre-season. Started that seminar and he was back, end of the day guy gave me a handshake and thanks learned a few things he could use. I thanked him for coming by the store and said I have seminars every weekend till April 1st, then it's turkey season!

I always explain I'm not here to change your mind on anything, Calls, Decoys, Blinds or Hunting Styles or Tactics but I talk about what I have had success with, what works for me and what I have learned, the rest I leave up to you :) Pretty good day of "work" talking turkey with some fellow hunters!

MK M GOBL

Quote from: MK M GOBL on March 05, 2017, 08:23:52 PM
So today at the store I was doing a number of seminars on turkey and of course the discussion of decoys came up. So I explained the why's to when I am using or not using decoys. I had one guy say that he absolutely refused to use a decoy, I was okay with that (his choice) but I did ask why. He told me flat out that they scare more birds off than you can ever kill with them and they were just a waste of money. (Me to each his own) As I continued the seminar, this guy stayed and I went over a number of different sets and how and why I have success, I had a number of pics from past hunts and detailed on why each of these set were made to match time of the breeding cycle and within the season and at times the bird I am hunting. I talked about scouting, learning the ground and more. I helped a number of hunters asking questions afterward on bowhunting aspects and some guys taking kids out the first time. Then it happened, the guy who would not use a decoy came up and opened up a conversation about turkey hunting with me and he told me that I had explained a number of things he had seen turkeys do and never really understood why, then he said sorry about the outburst about the decoy thing... I said no problem I have nothing against a guy who doesn't want to use them. He said he could see that and thought I was just there to tell everybody you have to have them to kill a turkey. I said nope but I will help anybody that wants to learn about using them... we talked for bit longer and he asked If I had more seminars going on, I said yup next up was the scouting/locating pre-season. Started that seminar and he was back, end of the day guy gave me a handshake and thanks learned a few things he could use. I thanked him for coming by the store and said I have seminars every weekend till April 1st, then it's turkey season!

I always explain I'm not here to change your mind on anything, Calls, Decoys, Blinds or Hunting Styles or tactics but I talk about what I have had success with, what works for me and what I have learned, the rest I leave up to you :) Pretty good day of "work" talking turkey with some fellow hunters!

MK M GOBL

Great story....it's all about your hunt and what works for you...

Time for another pic, this was from a few years back. There were a trio of jakes that came off the ridge and down the "road" to us in this timber set. This was his first bird and he was the "boss" of those jakes, he came into this set with my Strutter, Feeding and Upright Hens.

MK M GOBL

This is just a copy from another post I made here, just wanted to get here too.

One thing I talk about (seminars) is "Learning How to Hunt with Decoys" and yes there is a "right" and "wrong" way to use decoys. I talk about use, positioning, season timeframe, where in the breeding cycle and such. I talk about bowhunting setup and shotgun sets and use for youth hunts. I also talk about the dominance game and how to use this to your advantage. I hear a lot about how a strutter "scares" off jakes/subordinate toms and such... If this is happening you have not yet learned how to hunt with those decoys, there is a lot more than just sticking a decoy in a field and think birds are always just going to be tripping themselves to get to you. As part of this you need to learn a turkeys body language and what it means, a tipped head on an approaching bird, snood, wing position flap/fold and more, dominance within a flock and what bird you are working. These are all skills I believe you need to learn and not just with decoys... It is part of the hunt, I know those that don't/won't use a decoy miss on some of those subtleties of a turkey. I for one have used a "Strutter Decoy" and put to use what I have learned about turkeys and has given me great success in using it, I won't get in to numbers but if I have dekes out a strutter is almost always the game plan and a jake is the fall back (run & gun hunts).

MK M GOBL

Quote from: Greg Massey on March 05, 2017, 01:27:59 PM

Quote from: snapper1982 on March 05, 2017, 01:25:25 PM

Quote from: Greg Massey on March 04, 2017, 11:05:52 PM
I agree the DSD decoys are number 1 and made in the USA and Avian x are number 2 and made somewhere else and 99 percent of all the camo we all wear turkey hunting is made over seas.  Funny .....

Avians are NOT number 2 they are 4th

DSD-1
Deception-2
Dakota-3
Avian-4

You know what opinions are like.......ha ha ha ...just having a little fun...

Thats true and mine has never mattered to anyone except me lol

I just completed my DSD flock a few weeks ago with the Leading hen ;D Love my DSD :icon_thumright:

https://www.facebook.com/tom.staples.58/videos/10208001653536781/ (https://www.facebook.com/tom.staples.58/videos/10208001653536781/)

Time for another pic of DSD's getting it Done!
Pulled a gobbler into a 400+ acre corn field with this hen flock; Upright, Feeding and Leading.

MK M GOBL

I don't hunt fields. Do you them on logging roads,  open hardwoods and ridges?

I use mine mostly for when I take the boys out. If I'm running a decoy on a hunt for myself, I'll use it where ever I need it....woods, logging roads or field edges.

Quote from: MK M GOBL on March 04, 2017, 06:05:56 PM
There are a lot of decoys out there and some of the new ones don't look to bad in comparison but after the results I have seen with the DSD's it's all I'm going to use and recommend, we sell plenty of decoys at the store and everyone can make their own choice on them, but I'll stick with made in the USA and DSD every time!!

DSDeadly
DSDouble
DSDead
DSDone
DSDecoys!

X 2 :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:
Been using dekes for years, and in the last few years have been slowly switching over to DSD's. Now I've got a feeding hen, an upright hen and a jake.

Double in SC using a DSD hen.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/RutnNStrutn/Hunting%20Pics/SC11_zpshvn9ffan.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/RutnNStrutn/media/Hunting%20Pics/SC11_zpshvn9ffan.jpg.html)

Midday gobbler that came in to a DSD hen.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/RutnNStrutn/Hunting%20Pics/NC12a_zpsbmflazwa.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/RutnNStrutn/media/Hunting%20Pics/NC12a_zpsbmflazwa.jpg.html)

Quote from: model94 on March 11, 2017, 12:24:22 PM
I don't hunt fields. Do you them on logging roads,  open hardwoods and ridges?

YES!! In any case where an incoming bird has that 50-80 view of the dekes, I use in Oak Savanna's, Pine Plantations and Pastured Timber, Power Lines and "Roads" in the timber. I have a few pics posted on here of these scenarios. Take a look back through the topic.

MK M GOBL

Thanks.

I'd like to see you do this with your "other" brand decoy :)

DSD = Durability

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlJohxI7wps#action=share

MK M GOBL

I seen a deception hen shot with no paint loss or noticeable damage 

I'm an archery guy and all I can say is DSD's are terrible..... They don't work. They don't pull toms into close range for some of the best hunting action ever either!

There is my beef and here is a collage of GoPro screen shots showing how they don't work.

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/NorfolkHunter/Collage_zpscmwho9x2.jpg)

Quote from: NorfolkHunter on March 28, 2017, 04:07:59 PM
I'm an archery guy and all I can say is DSD's are terrible..... They don't work. They don't pull toms into close range for some of the best hunting action ever either!

There is my beef and here is a collage of GoPro screen shots showing how they don't work.

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/NorfolkHunter/Collage_zpscmwho9x2.jpg)

That is terrible. Who would want that to happen  :TooFunny:

Here's a little more on the difference of owning a DSD!!

and made in the USA :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvDOlhHSB3g

MK M GOBL

Well here's the first for 2017!

"Learn to Hunt" Program using my DSD's

MK M GOBL

Quote from: MK M GOBL on March 06, 2017, 10:15:50 PM
This is just a copy from another post I made here, just wanted to get here too.

One thing I talk about (seminars) is "Learning How to Hunt with Decoys" and yes there is a "right" and "wrong" way to use decoys. I talk about use, positioning, season timeframe, where in the breeding cycle and such. I talk about bowhunting setup and shotgun sets and use for youth hunts. I also talk about the dominance game and how to use this to your advantage. I hear a lot about how a strutter "scares" off jakes/subordinate toms and such... If this is happening you have not yet learned how to hunt with those decoys, there is a lot more than just sticking a decoy in a field and think birds are always just going to be tripping themselves to get to you. As part of this you need to learn a turkeys body language and what it means, a tipped head on an approaching bird, snood, wing position flap/fold and more, dominance within a flock and what bird you are working. These are all skills I believe you need to learn and not just with decoys... It is part of the hunt, I know those that don't/won't use a decoy miss on some of those subtleties of a turkey. I for one have used a "Strutter Decoy" and put to use what I have learned about turkeys and has given me great success in using it, I won't get in to numbers but if I have dekes out a strutter is almost always the game plan and a jake is the fall back (run & gun hunts).

MK M GOBL

Where do you give the seminars?  What if someone is a long ways away from there?

I live in Southwest WI, there are local Sport/Deer shows that I do and through work. Seminars are pretty much over for the year...(Season is Open) Only thing I have coming up is "How to" Mount/Display your Fan, Wings, Spurs for both a Display or Decoy. If you have some specific "Decoying Techniques" questions just ask and I'll see what I can do to help.

MK K GOBL

Well so far the season I have had some luck and been tipping some toms!!

DSD and Done Again!!

MK M GOBL

And again!

DSDeadly

MK M GOBL

I just ordered my first DSD decoys and all I can say is there is absolutely no comparison to other decoys I have used in the past. These are unbelievably realistic and the detail is out of this world. I can't wait to try these out. 

Time for an update :)

Put my DSD's to work this morning and scored on a good one!

It's not too often I am out chasing gobblers on my own, but had a great morning in the timber! This bird messed with a buddy and I the last two days, went in on him this morning and he was lit up. His first gobble was at 5:02am and his last was 5:55am... Still working on a 2nd tag but enjoying the morning!

MK M GOBL

Quote from: MK M GOBL on March 04, 2017, 07:23:21 PM
I also use a Strutter!! And he does work with all birds once you understand the dominance game. Here is a hunt with a Strutter and had a Upright Hen and Feeding Hen with him, Dad and Daughter were in one blind (Double Blind set) Double Bull Blinds and videoing from the other. This Jake came in to the Strutter Set just under 15 yards away during our WI Youth Season!!

MK M GOBL

Holy crap, that strutter decoy looks real!

Quote from: C. Brumfiel on January 13, 2018, 02:07:21 PM

Quote from: MK M GOBL on March 04, 2017, 07:23:21 PM
I also use a Strutter!! And he does work with all birds once you understand the dominance game. Here is a hunt with a Strutter and had a Upright Hen and Feeding Hen with him, Dad and Daughter were in one blind (Double Blind set) Double Bull Blinds and videoing from the other. This Jake came in to the Strutter Set just under 15 yards away during our WI Youth Season!!

MK M GOBL

Holy crap, that strutter decoy looks real!

He is amazing!! Once you add in your fan, wings and beard and it hard not to tell if he's real or not at a glance, I have taken a catnap or two and had to take a double-take just to make sure another tom didn't slip in :)
*I never take him off of "private"

MK M GOBL

Wow, that is amazing!

Time for an update, It's seems my "secrets" out, I have had a number of questions here and elsewhere about the "White Headed" Gobbler Decoys I designed/ developed back in 1999 and how he came to be. And like most things there is a story to how this came about. Recently the questions have been with the DSD Strutter I use, he has been a progression of decoys I have used over the years and I made my first White Headed "DSD" Strutter back in 2012, I have made and sold a number of these, I have given many seminars on the subject and have 18 years of in the field use with this design.

Here are a few pics that have been requested on how I have "painted" my DSD's, as you can see the head is an overall white with redish/pink coloration in the head and neck. The reasoning behind this is taking the strutter out of "Fight" mode and putting him in to "Breeding" mode, even with this being the most dominant (Alpha) stage it is not an intimidation to other birds jakes and toms alike. All birds will come to a decoy at this stage, some to fight yes if they are the (Alpha) but Betas, Omegas and even the jakes will come to him. There is a lot that goes in to this and how to hunt a Strutter "right" and decoys in general.

For now I will add a few pics of this, I am in the process of writing the story of the White Headed Gobbler and will post that as well.

The pics are of the DSD Strutter, I have made several upgrades to him. I also added some closeups of the head and neck and how I paint these. It is a pretty easy upgrade, I use just regular bottle of "White Out" with a foam tipped applicator.

If you have questions feel free to ask or PM me on this.

MK M GOBL

Quote from: MK M GOBL on March 07, 2018, 02:09:24 AM
The pics are of the DSD Strutter, I have made several upgrades to him. I also added some closeups of the head and neck and how I paint these. It is a pretty easy upgrade, I use just regular bottle of "White Out" with a foam tipped applicator.

MK M GOBL

What other upgrades have you made?

Quote from: Gobble! on March 07, 2018, 09:19:47 AM

Quote from: MK M GOBL on March 07, 2018, 02:09:24 AM
The pics are of the DSD Strutter, I have made several upgrades to him. I also added some closeups of the head and neck and how I paint these. It is a pretty easy upgrade, I use just regular bottle of "White Out" with a foam tipped applicator.

MK M GOBL

What other upgrades have you made?

Those upgrades have not been "released" yet... but just more of my own designs. I will update as when things progress.

MK M GOBL

Those decoys are detailed no doubt.  Funny story, my buddy and I were in BPS the day before the convention started many years ago.  There was this guy on the decoy aisle looking at all the different ones.  He said "I have never seen them in person before.."  Come to find out it was Dave and he was scoping out the competition.  His definitely look the best IMO.

Awesome decoys!  I have had so much fun hunting with them.  My Jake rattles around now because of the pellets the poor guy has endured over the years. LOL   They are extremely realistic and durable.   The Jake's fan is starting to separate a little but not too bad considering it being shot repeatedly.   LOL  Highly recommend. 

Quote from: MK M GOBL on March 07, 2018, 09:47:17 AM

Quote from: Gobble! on March 07, 2018, 09:19:47 AM

Quote from: MK M GOBL on March 07, 2018, 02:09:24 AM
The pics are of the DSD Strutter, I have made several upgrades to him. I also added some closeups of the head and neck and how I paint these. It is a pretty easy upgrade, I use just regular bottle of "White Out" with a foam tipped applicator.

MK M GOBL

What other upgrades have you made?

Those upgrades have not been "released" yet... but just more of my own designs. I will update as when things progress.

MK M GOBL

Thanks. I've got a few that are not looking the best because some of the paint has come off. Others are looking pretty dull. Is there a certain kind of paint that would be good to repaint them with?

Quote from: Gobble! on March 07, 2018, 10:24:32 AM

Quote from: MK M GOBL on March 07, 2018, 09:47:17 AM

Quote from: Gobble! on March 07, 2018, 09:19:47 AM

Quote from: MK M GOBL on March 07, 2018, 02:09:24 AM
The pics are of the DSD Strutter, I have made several upgrades to him. I also added some closeups of the head and neck and how I paint these. It is a pretty easy upgrade, I use just regular bottle of "White Out" with a foam tipped applicator.

MK M GOBL

What other upgrades have you made?

Those upgrades have not been "released" yet... but just more of my own designs. I will update as when things progress.

MK M GOBL

Thanks. I've got a few that are not looking the best because some of the paint has come off. Others are looking pretty dull. Is there a certain kind of paint that would be good to repaint them with?

I have never done "body paint" on them (might give DSD a call on that), I have always bagged the decoys for two reasons #1 is of course to reduce wear on them (learned this from my goose decoys) and #2 is keeping them covered while I move to and from set or to another set (just a safety thing). The only thing I have seen is some wear on the eyes of one of my hens (upright) What I found out is that my hens and jake need to go in bag tail first, when the head is down it is forced up against the bag and the eye was in a constant state of "rubbing" against the material. I fixed to wear spot with a black Sharpie marker. Since keeping the heads up no longer any issue. As far as "dull" I do take my dekes and hand wash (watch your soap NO UV brighteners) each of them after season is over for the year to clean them up.

MK M GOBL

I have been using a full strutting tom decoy for many years.mostly early morning hunts.i am still using thepretty boy decoy. I have killed a lot of large toms with this decoy.i am going to look into the dsd decoys after seeing this thread.old pretty boy must be 15 or more years old now
Starting to look pretty rough.lol.i add a new real turkey tail to him every spring and he still works.i just lo e to see big toms come running in to kick his butt.makes for a great hunt.

Quote from: dutch@fx4 on March 07, 2018, 11:24:50 AM
I have been using a full strutting tom decoy for many years.mostly early morning hunts.i am still using thepretty boy decoy. I have killed a lot of large toms with this decoy.i am going to look into the dsd decoys after seeing this thread.old pretty boy must be 15 or more years old now
Starting to look pretty rough.lol.i add a new real turkey tail to him every spring and he still works.i just lo e to see big toms come running in to kick his butt.makes for a great hunt.

I remember when Pretty Boy came out, he was the first production decoy I had ever seen with the White Head and from my notes/log book he was released in 2003 or at least that is when I first seen him... I know Primos had put their B-Mobile Decoy out in 2007 and it had the White Head too. DSD Released their Strutter Decoy in 2011 and the NEW White Headed Strutter for 2018.

MK M GOBL

My DSD Jake decoy is the most important decoy I use, when I use them. I use decoys when I use a blind. My daughter is 11 and fidgety and my wife is hunting for the first time this year, so blinds are a yes with them. When I hunt with my turkey partner Joe, we run and gun a lot. Decoys are used situationaly with us. We rely on calling and best set up with the terrain. Nothing that works for you is wrong, keep learning and be adaptable. Good luck, Al Baker

Quote from: zelmo1 on March 07, 2018, 12:17:17 PM
My DSD Jake decoy is the most important decoy I use, when I use them. I use decoys when I use a blind. My daughter is 11 and fidgety and my wife is hunting for the first time this year, so blinds are a yes with them. When I hunt with my turkey partner Joe, we run and gun a lot. Decoys are used situationaly with us. We rely on calling and best set up with the terrain. Nothing that works for you is wrong, keep learning and be adaptable. Good luck, Al Baker

I hunt my DSD 3/4 Strut too! He has many uses for me as a sub to my Stutter, when I Run & Gun when the set is right for his use and I also use "blinds" at times, my Double Bulls have allowed many first time hunters, youth hunters, Learn to Hunt students, Bow Hunters and Bad Weather hunts happen that never would have without the blind, and the blinds and decoys allow for some awesome footage with the camera.

I always say "Just Tools in the Shed"

A few of my hunts with the 3/4 Strut Jake and a timber hunt without!! (Left them in the bag)

MK M GOBL

Forgive me if this has been asked before, but how do you position the strutter relative to the expected approach of a gobbler? Facing it or sideways to it? I assume you don't want it facing away from the bird or he won't be able to see the head.....

Quote from: Bucktale on March 07, 2018, 03:44:14 PM
Forgive me if this has been asked before, but how do you position the strutter relative to the expected approach of a gobbler? Facing it or sideways to it? I assume you don't want it facing away from the bird or he won't be able to see the head.....

I set my strutter at a 1/4 angle to my position (somewhat) more important with the bow than decoy as the shot (body position of bird coming in is different) than the neck shot with the shot gun. I do not face him directley at me, he is either set 1/4 turn right or left, what ever strong side is and where you think bird is approaching from, if you have this scouted out. I set him 15 yards out and he (dominant decoy) is always closest to my position (10 yards with bow, yes were in the Double Bull Blind) and depending on time of year I set certain hen DSD's decoys out and which is palced to his attention. As always I leave space for an incoming tom to walk around my set. Give them some elbow room! Now he is going to want to turn in the wind, you can easily set a couple of bum stops (sticks) for him to still give motion. Give him enough motion for a 1/2 turn.

Somewhere I did a diagram of this, let me see if I can find it.


MK M GOBL

Here is one of many sets but just to get some basic info out.

So when I use this trio (Strutter/Jake, Upright Hen and Feeding Hen) and depending on if you are gun or bow will change it and to early/late season too. (The incoming tom is set to end up at the Tom/Jake decoy, he will go right by the hen decoys to deal with the Dominance Game first) I will go with a shotgun hunt here and I am RH, So the jake/strutter is set 15 yards from you to your strong side (Left), I have him closest to the Upright Hen, she is set to the side of the approaching bird, still leave "elbow room" between the dekes so a tom can come in at any point, the feeder is off set to these and a few more yards out. I will see if I can show this below. Never put other decoy behind shot path from position to Jake/Strutter, just don't want to be hitting them with pellets. This is an "Open Field Set" I use, it has been well scouted and know where most birds approach from. If I am/can set at the crown of a hill in the field I set the Tom/Jake on the crown and will set a hen to each side of crown so hens are set to each side of approach.

I could write a book on this stuff! Hmmmm....

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

xxx
xx                                                                                              Feeder
xxxxx    Approaching Tom -->
xxxx
xx                                                                                                      Upright
xxx                                                                                                                               Jake/Strutter



                                                                                                                                     Hunter (righty)
                                                                                                                                           xxxxx
                                                                           xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________


Hope that helps, more questions just ask!

MK M GOBL

Thanks. Interesting info. I like to use DSD decoys when I'm not moving much. It's fun to watch the interactions of gobblers, jakes and hens with them. Hens and jakes often peck at them. Jakes attack. One day I'll lay off the trigger and see what a mature gobbler does when he gets to the strutter. Fun stuff.

Late season swamp bottom monster snuggled up to my dsd leading hen last spring.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180308/cf5b09f59974e505822026be03314f16.jpg)

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Why a full fan vs a Jake fan?

Are the dsd decoys big and bulky like the avian x? I have the avians and they look good and work well but they are big and bulky


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Quote from: Gobble! on January 27, 2019, 12:00:45 PM
Why a full fan vs a Jake fan?

My "White Headed" Strutter is set as the dominant decoy, and Jake is set as a subordinate in my sets.


MK M GOBL

Quote from: wchadw on January 27, 2019, 12:13:57 PM
Are the dsd decoys big and bulky like the avian x? I have the avians and they look good and work well but they are big and bulky


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Well my "full sized" strutter was, and a bit of a pain to carry around. I only used him for certain sets depending on the hunt. I used a DSD 3/4 Strut Jake and the Upright Hen as my Run & Guns. The NEW "Jake Strutter" is much smaller and will fit the need for me!

MK M GOBL

Agree completely.  Started using DSDs last season and they completely changed the game for me. 

MK, I would really love to see some pictures of your different decoy setups.  I only use decoys about half the time but I would be interested to see actual pictures of your setups and when/why you use one setup over another.

Quote from: Jrkimbrough on February 01, 2019, 05:21:19 PM
MK, I would really love to see some pictures of your different decoy setups.  I only use decoys about half the time but I would be interested to see actual pictures of your setups and when/why you use one setup over another.

I can do some looking but don't know if I have much in the line of pictures for my sets... They are usually in the background of my hunt pics. I could give you some details to this, I guess I have a set of "rules" I go by for setting decoys "right". It's taken me a while to learn this skill set and I have great success, while they are not for every hunt I do use them a bit. Tools in the Shed.


if you would like to PM me I can give you some details, or if you have specific questions.


MK M GOBL

Here we are for 2019 and my NEW DSD "Strutting Jake" Decoy!!

I have already taken to modifying him for my use, first I will hunt him as a Gobbler, Full Fan and Long Beard. I have re-painted his head color to my "White Headed" Strutter design I developed. I have yet to decide to add the real wings back in, I will hunt him a bit this way but thinking I will. I still have a few other mods to do with the decoy to get him "right" for me.

I bought this decoy as he is a much smaller stature then my "Full Sized" DSD Strutter, mainly I wanted the portability of the smaller size Strutter, at times the full sized can be a bit to carry...

Well here's the NEW "lil' PUFFY" Decoy I made!!
"He's Dead using the White Head"

(Finally got pic to post)
MK M GOBL

Have been putting the DSD's to work this year during the WI Learn to Hunt, Youth Season and WI Opener!! Couple of kills over my NEW DSD "Jake" Strutter that I Gobblerized and added my White Headed design to!

First Pics are from Learn to Hunt!


MK M GOBL

And Youth Season with "The Girls"!!

The twins firsts and LiL' Puffy working it.

MK M GOBL

My friend Jen with the bow and lil' Puffy, & Kaylinn from youth season!!


MK M GOBL

Doing an awesome job taking the kids out. Congrats brother, you rock..... (Sorry not trying to get off topic here )

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Quote from: tomstopper on April 18, 2019, 05:14:19 AM
Doing an awesome job taking the kids out. Congrats brother, you rock..... (Sorry not trying to get off topic here )

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Thanks and not even "off topic" to me :) it's all about turkey hunting and getting the kids & newbies out there is part of that for me!


MK M GOBL

I'm planning on taking someone out and trying to get them their fist turkey. I've got a field scouted that the turkeys frequent, but the only trees on the field edge would have us facing directly into the sun in the blind. Not exactly the best. The other option is putting the blind in the middle of the field to have the sun at our back. As far as decoys I've got an upright hen, feeding hen, 1/4 strut jake and a full strut. Any suggestions?

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Quote from: oakraidia on April 22, 2019, 04:23:32 PM
I'm planning on taking someone out and trying to get them their fist turkey. I've got a field scouted that the turkeys frequent, but the only trees on the field edge would have us facing directly into the sun in the blind. Not exactly the best. The other option is putting the blind in the middle of the field to have the sun at our back. As far as decoys I've got an upright hen, feeding hen, 1/4 strut jake and a full strut. Any suggestions?

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So that blind can be set in and open field, back of blind to the sun and in a "diamond" to decoy set. If you have a point of entry down I would set 30-35 yards from that point. If you plan to set all your decoys out your strutter is closest to you at 15 yards and just to strong side of center. You will set your Jake as a sub to this and 10-15 feet of strutter to strong side. Upright hen is set 5-6 feet from strutter opposite side of Jake, the feeding hen then can be set another 5 yards out and between Jake and Strutter. A few things to keep in mind is you shooting path, don't line up decoys so the you are shooting another in the background of your "kill" spots. I always leave elbow room between decoys and never face them all the same way. With the shotgun the "Facing" the decoy to direction doesn't come in play as much... Not like what I set for bow.

If you haven't seen my posts on the White Headed Strutter I developed might take a read he works!
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,85559.msg829423.html#msg829423

Hope this helps, if you have more questions just ask.


MK M GOBL

So would it help to paint the dsd 1/4 strut Jake's head more white also?

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Quote from: MK M GOBL on April 22, 2019, 09:42:59 PM

Quote from: oakraidia on April 22, 2019, 04:23:32 PM
I'm planning on taking someone out and trying to get them their fist turkey. I've got a field scouted that the turkeys frequent, but the only trees on the field edge would have us facing directly into the sun in the blind. Not exactly the best. The other option is putting the blind in the middle of the field to have the sun at our back. As far as decoys I've got an upright hen, feeding hen, 1/4 strut jake and a full strut. Any suggestions?

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So that blind can be set in and open field, back of blind to the sun and in a "diamond" to decoy set. If you have a point of entry down I would set 30-35 yards from that point. If you plan to set all your decoys out your strutter is closest to you at 15 yards and just to strong side of center. You will set your Jake as a sub to this and 10-15 feet of strutter to strong side. Upright hen is set 5-6 feet from strutter opposite side of Jake, the feeding hen then can be set another 5 yards out and between Jake and Strutter. A few things to keep in mind is you shooting path, don't line up decoys so the you are shooting another in the background of your "kill" spots. I always leave elbow room between decoys and never face them all the same way. With the shotgun the "Facing" the decoy to direction doesn't come in play as much... Not like what I set for bow.

If you haven't seen my posts on the White Headed Strutter I developed might take a read he works!
http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php/topic,85559.msg829423.html#msg829423

Hope this helps, if you have more questions just ask.


MK M GOBL

I'll give it a try, thanks!

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Quote from: yelpy on April 22, 2019, 10:01:52 PM
So would it help to paint the dsd 1/4 strut Jake's head more white also?

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Nope, Jake stays red. I am using the White Head Strutter as a dominant decoy, but he is in breeding mode not at the fight stage. The Jake is set as a subordinate in this, leave him red.

MK M GOBL