you have a hen, and a jake decoy....

[mastevt]

so what's your favorite set up.  Positioning?  How far apart?  Distance from you?  Woods or open?  Hen only? Just trying to get an idea of what others are doing.  Seems like I always have a dilemma setting up in the morning in the dark. 

[memert116]

I have a hen, jake and strutting gobbler.  I use a solo hen the most and then will add a jake sometimes.  I've rarely used the gobbler....not really sure why.   I usually set the hen up about 20 yards from my position......in a field, two track or clear cut.  I don't use decoys in the woods very often, if at all.  If I add a jake I try to put it within 5 yards of the hen.  I had great success this spring in Texas using just a hen.  Had 5 jakes come in and absolutely molest her....which in turn attracted a long beard from over 400 yards away to gun barrel.

[jakesdad]

IF I use decoys,and its not often,its only in a field.Usually will use a 1/2 strut jake over a hen.Will sometimes use a feeding hen also.Prefer not to use most of the time but on occasion I will.

[R.W. Mackey]

I shot two Gobblers with this set up last week but I was Bow hunting. When gun hunting I seldom
Use them except when hunting around fields or some evening hunts. I still use the same set up,
DSD up right hen and Jake. Both my birds came directly to the Jake, hardly ever look at the hen. I
Just have her there because I'm using a hen call and I would expect the gobbler would be looking for a hen. This set up has worked for years on dozens of birds, it's not something that worked once and I think it's the best thing going.
Try it, you'll like the results.

RW

[mastevt]

RW,  did you originally set up the jake following the hen? and the jake moved a little?  It's similar to what I was thinking,  having the jake following the hen.  Entice the tom to thinking he's being challenged.   Do you think this scares off jakes at all?

[Drthorn]

a lot of times I just use a pretty boy decoy...typically early season though I use a upright hen, breeding hen, and pretty boy

[BigAL64]

When I use a Jake and hen I set the Jake up over the hen like he is breeding her. It has worked well for me many times.I only use them in fields, clearings, gas lines and logging roads.

[MEbeardlover]

If you attract a mature bird, that bird will focus on the jake. He will cut that jake off from the hen and approach from the front. Position the jake so the approaching bird will not be looking where you are set up.

A hen in a receptive breeding position can also work with the jake and hen set up.

[RutnNStrutn]

My favorite set up, in the early season, is a strutter mounting a hen, with 3 other hens off to the side feeding and upright. I don't use jakes that much, but I do use them. When the season is half over, I put the male dekes up for the season and cut back on the number of hens. Towards the end of the season, I drop to one hen.

[Cut N Run]

When I have used decoys, it has only been along powerline openings in a big block of woods or a roadbed. I put a feeding hen facing towards me near the edge of the woods and the jake following her at a slight angle in the wide open, so the jake is visible for a long distance. With the jake out in the open, the gobbler will give me a broadside shot about 20-25 yards away.  I never lost a bird, never missed a bird, and never got busted using this set up.  By having the hen closer to me facing my position, it gives the sense that everything the direction the hen is traveling is safe.

Jim

[R.W. Mackey]

  Mastevt, no I set the Jake like that on purpose. The reason I was Bow Hunting, the gobbler will always
Confront the Jake from the front, giving me a shot at his back with his head turned. If your using a gun doesn't matter which way they face or whose leading who . I think you guys are giving the Gobblers way too much credit, they don't think like that. All they see is a Jake, and all they care about is tearing his head off. Or all they see is a hen and all they think about is mounting her, it's really that simple.
A Jake Decoy may scare off a single Jake, but I have had pairs or groups come running, they are stronger in numbers. But have had a Single Jake come in several times as well.
  Here is the reason I want the Jake looking at me.

RW

[mastevt]

Thanks guys, lots of good info there.  In years past, I've always put my hen deek out about 20 yards or so.  From what I've read, think I'll move her up closer to me, and have the jake if I use him behind her a bit.  It's always nice to hear and see what others do and have luck with.  Thanks for sharing!

[Gamblinman]

I use a strutter decoy early in the season when birds are still flocked together. Once they have begun to break up into smaller flocks, I use a jake and two hens , or just two hens.

Gman

[akp]

When I use a decoy, I have had great luck placing the jake decoy on top of the hen decoy.  Use half a stake to place her right on the ground and then use a full stake to place him on top.  I have had a few birds charge this setup when they see it.

[Twowithone]

Hen on the ground with a Jake maybe 5 ft. behind her. Sometimes it works and others it doesn't.