What Turkey Decoys to Use in Spring: A Guide for Every Hunter

Spring turkey hunting is an exciting time of year for hunters across the country. As the weather warms up and the trees start budding, tom turkeys get fired up and ready for mating season. Using the right turkey decoys during this frenzied time of year can make the difference between tagging out and going home empty-handed. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the best turkey decoy setups to try throughout spring season.

Why Use Turkey Decoys in the First Place?

While you can definitely kill a spring tom without any decoys, using them strategically provides some major advantages. Here are a few of the biggest benefits:

• Increased Visibility – Decoys allow timid toms to spot and identify you as another turkey from further away. This gets their attention and pulls them in.

• Added Realism – When a fired-up tom hears turkey calls but can’t yet see any birds, decoys lend credibility and realism to the ruse. Seeing is believing for turkeys

• Less Calling – With decoys properly set up, you often don’t need to call nearly as aggressively to pull in spring toms. The decoys help seal the deal.

• Improved Shot Opportunities – Decoys draw spring toms in close, often to within 20 yards or less. This makes knocking down that big old gobbler much easier.

Early Season Tactics

During early spring when winter flocks are still grouped up try these decoy tactics

• Use a spread of 3-4 decoys – a jake, 1-2 hens, and maybe a strutter.

• Make sure hen decoys look relaxed and content, like a happy flock. Mix feeding hen with an upright hen.

• Position spread facing where you expect toms to approach from.

• Put strutter and jake decoys on fringe of spread to look subordinate and draw aggression.

• Be ready to pull strutter or jake if toms seem wary of them. Dominant toms spook easily early on.

• Focus on roosted bird locations but stay on the fringes near their expected travel routes.

Mid Season Approaches

As spring flocks break up, here are some deadly mid-season decoy tactics:

• Use just 1-2 hen decoys, one feeding and one upright.

• Try adding a jake or half-strut tom decoy to up competitiveness.

• Make sure your decoys look content and relaxed. Agitated hens will seem unnatural.

• Again, position spread between you and expected tom approach routes.

• Pay attention to real turkey reactions and remove any decoy causing excessive hesitation.

Late Season Strategies

During the late season as hens disappear to nest, these simple decoy tricks work:

• Just use 1 hen decoy, positioned between you and likely tom approach paths.

• A single feeding hen works great. Hens spend lots of time feeding naturally this time of year.

• Consider adding a subordinate jake decoy to create a jealous reaction from loner toms.

• Remove any decoys if you notice extreme hesitance and hang ups from educated late-season toms.

• Be flexible and let the real turkey’s behavior dictate adjustments to your spread.

A Few General Turkey Decoy Tips

To get the most out of your decoys and avoid potential issues, keep these general tips in mind:

• Invest in the most realistic-looking decoys you can afford. Details like feathers and coloring matter to turkeys.

• Use decoys that move naturally in the wind on their stakes to add lifelike motion.

• Follow all regulations regarding decoy use and transport in your state. Safety first!

• Place decoys 20-40 yards away from your setup to allow safe shot opportunities.

• Never place decoys directly between you and expected tom approach routes.

• If you notice another hunter approaching your spread, call out loudly rather than waving or moving.

As you can see, spring turkey decoying is an art that requires adapting to the seasonal changes in turkey behavior. Start with larger flocks early on, transition to smaller groups during peak breeding, and tone it down to lone hens late. Pay close attention to real turkey reactions and don’t be afraid to tweak your spread. With the right decoy tactics, you’ll be tagging out in no time this spring season!