There is a common misconception amongst hunters when it comes to decoys, that involve a too-simple thought process. This goes for turkey hunters, but also whitetail hunters, and western hunters who deploy a fake to entice a critter into range.
The thinking goes like this: If a real animal sees your fake animal, it will come to you. While that pretty much explains decoying in a nutshell, it’s not quite so simple. Take whitetails, for example. If you put out a doe decoy outside the rut, you might succeed in scaring all of the real does while not drawing in any real bucks. A buck decoy at any point of the season might scare all of the real does, as well.
Seasonal timing and individual setups will dictate the best choice for deer decoys, but what about turkeys? While the number of decoys will vary, one thing should remain constant—you should use a non-threatening jake decoy as much as possible. In fact, other than on public land where there are safety concerns or really late in the season (the last week or two of May), a quarter-strut or breeder jake is the ticket.
A few years ago, I shadowed two longbeards for half of the Minnesota season. When I finally called them off of their hens and arrowed the dominant tom, I hit him low. He went from strutting to limping in half of a second, and in the other half of the second, his submissive buddy turned dominant.
It was an incredible thing to witness, and it speaks to turkey behavior. As the members of wintering flocks notice the longer daylight hours, they start to test each other out. Eventually, they’ll tussle enough to figure out who is the king of the flock. This hierarchy stands until someone knocks off the dominant bird, and a turkey power vacuum is created.
They then figure it all out again and get back to making little turkeys. Throughout this, the one thing that all of the top toms and lesser birds won’t tolerate is a lone jake who seems to have his own little harem. That’s not how the natural order shakes out, and it almost seems offensive to wild birds. This is a good thing for you if you tap into it.
There are a lot of jake decoys that will work, but if you want an option that won’t let you down, just get a quarter-strut jake or a breeder. Either posture shows a bird that wants to present a studly but also appears small and timid. If you take your jake decoy and position him close to the ground so he looks even smaller, you’ll give real birds even more confidence.
Add in a laydown hen below him, who looks like she has just swiped right, and the reaction from most real birds follows the same script. Toms and jakes might walk in cautiously or strut in slowly, but when they see the hen below a tiny rival, there is usually an obvious change to their body language. This is because there isn’t a bird out there that doesn’t think he has a chance at that point, too.
Turkey hunting is all about using decoys effectively. But one question every turkey hunter faces is – how many decoys do you really need? The right number and setup of decoys can draw in wary toms from a distance Too many, and you risk spooking them Too few, and your spread may not look convincing. So what’s the magic number?
Through years of trial and error, most expert turkey hunters have found that 3-5 decoys is the ideal amount for most situations. Here are some tips on choosing the right decoy strategy based on weather season, and hunter location
Follow the Flock Sizes in Nature
In early spring, turkeys are still in large winter flocks. A spread of 4-5 hen decoys and 1 jake or gobbler decoy mimics a small break-off flock and looks natural to early season toms.
As spring progresses into late April and May, real turkey flocks shrink as hens go off to nest. A spread with just 1-3 hen decoys is often most effective during late season hunts.
Pay attention to the actual flock sizes in your hunting area and match your decoy spread to it. Using too many decoys late season can look unnatural and scare off gobblers.
The Importance of a Jake Decoy
A jake or subordinate gobbler decoy is a must-have in nearly every situation. Dominant gobblers view jakes as threats trying to steal their hens. A lone jake with 2-3 hens draws in lovesick toms looking to show who’s boss.
Aggressive jake postures like the quarter- or half-strut are deadly. Make your decoy jake look small and non-threatening. Angling it low to the ground adds realism.
As seasons changes, continue using a jake but reduce the number of hen decoys around it. A single hen + jake duo works great late season.
Adjust to Weather Conditions
Cold, windy weather forces turkeys to bunch together into tighter flocks for warmth and protection. Using 3-4 decoys closely clustered works best.
On warmer calm days as spring progresses, real turkeys spread out more to feed. A spread out trio of single hen decoys often looks most natural and alluring.
On rainy days, keep decoys closer together under tree cover just like real turkeys do. Adjust spread and posture depending on sun, rain, wind that day.
Consider Setup Logistics
If hunting open fields, 3-4 decoys allows you to create a horizontal spread that is visible for distant toms. In thick woods, avoid over-clustering and use 2-3 decoys spread vertically in a line.
On public land, some hunters use just 1 decoy to avoid drawing crowds and minimize risk of decoys getting stolen. If you have the space, 3-4 decoys still works to convince pressured public land toms.
For run-and-gun hunters, 1-2 decoys are most practical to carry. If setup near a roosted tom, even a single hen decoy can work to draw him out.
Mix Realistic Decoys for Variety
Vary your decoys with different poses – relaxed hens, alert hens, feeding hens, breeding hens – to add realism. Include one photo-realistic 3D hen along with simpler silhouette decoys.
Adding a decoy with movable parts like fanning tails or flapping wings adds motion and draws more attention. Avoid overdoing it though – the flashiest decoy isn’t always best.
Set up your decoys in relaxed, natural looking poses facing multiple directions as if casually feeding or moving. Avoid stiff, unnatural lines.
When More Decoys is Better
There are some situations where using 5-7 decoys can improve your odds:
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Hunting pressured public lands where toms are extra wary.
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Calling in flocks of juvenile jakes who often travel in larger groups.
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Midday hunts when toms seem to respond better to larger flocks.
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Very early season when winter flocks are still intact.
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Open terrain where a large visible spread is more enticing.
In these cases, an added decoy or two can help draw distant birds by better mimicking real turkey flock activity. But anything beyond 7 decoys is often overkill.
Decoy Arrangement Tips
How you arrange your spread also matters. Here are some tactical tips on decoy placement:
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Put the most dominant pose (active gobbler, alert hen) furthest out facing the expected turkey approach path.
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Angle the decoys slightly away from you to simulate a departing flock.
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Place the most realistic 3D or hen decoy closest to you to draw the tom’s focus as he enters shooting range.
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Set a decoy or two uphill or upwind to increase visibility at a distance.
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Leave enough space between decoys to mimic relaxed birds, about 5-8 feet apart depending on terrain.
Avoid setting decoys in a straight line or unnaturally tight cluster. Vary heights for a realistic mix of feeding, loafing, and alert postures.
Be Adaptable Based on Reactions
There is no one-size-fits-all decoy strategy that works every time. The number of decoys needed depends on weather, season, geography, and even individual bird behavior in your hunting area.
The best turkey hunters constantly adapt and experiment. If your regular spread isn’t getting the desired response, don’t be afraid to tweak your setup.
Pay attention to real turkey flock activity and numbers where you hunt. Their behavior is the best indicator of what a wary gobbler considers natural and will approach during your hunt.
With some scouting and reading turkey reactions, you’ll soon find your own sweet spot for decoy numbers and arrangements in your local terrain and conditions. Master calling and concealment skills to complement your decoy spread, and you’ll be tagging spring longbeards consistently.
Beta Birds & Alpha Bullies
Fortunately for hunters as a whole, we leave the trophy BS to big game. While turkey hunters have always flirted with trophy hunting, it hasn’t quite caught on. Sure, bagging a 28-pounder or a bird with a 12-inch beard and 1.5-inch hooks is cool. But no one really cares. Turkeys are meant to be hunted for the challenge and for the fun of it, and the rewards come not from bragging rights but the experience.
Most hunters really just want a turkey to do what they hope a turkey will do. Gobble, strut, put on a show, and mostly, work into the decoys. If you want to increase your chances of this happening, use a decoy that will intimidate no one. Spindly, late-born jakes that tip the scales at 12 pounds will come into a quarter-strut fake just as easily as a boss tom on a midmorning stroll will. That’s the beauty of the right decoy, it welcomes all without discriminating.
That’s what you want. Because the more birds that are willing to commit, the more fun you’ll have this spring. Whether you pair him up with a laydown hen or a whole gaggle of feeding and preening hens, the truth is that the linchpin to the whole setup is a weakling jake, who looks like he’s about to have the best morning of his young life.
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Tips to Setup Your Turkey Decoys – Michael Waddell | SCHEELS
How do you hunt Turkey decoys?
Set up the decoys within effective shooting range to increase the probability of a successful hunt. Create a natural-looking scene by positioning decoys in groups, mimicking social behavior among turkeys. Use a mix of different decoy types, including feeders, lookers, and breeding pairs. Another essential strategy is decoy spacing.
Are Turkey decoys good for hunting?
Mastering the art of setting up turkey decoys for hunting significantly increases the chances of a successful hunt. With practice and patience, any hunter can develop the skills needed to position decoys for optimal effect. One of the primary factors to consider is choosing the right decoy types.
Can a hunter tell the difference between a Turkey and a decoy?
Although most hunters can tell the difference in a quick glance, accidents can happen. So, always use caution and be alert. If you see another hunter moving in on your setup, remain motionless and speak loudly, “Hunter over here!” Repeat until your warning is understood and the hunter realizes that your decoys aren’t real turkeys.
How many decoys should a Turkey have?
If you’re seeing groups of turkeys regularly that exceed 10 birds in a group then you can add another decoy, but 3 seems to be a pretty good number regardless. Single toms will still decoy with 3 decoys because they don’t feel overwhelmed but you still can pull in those larger groups.