Turkey decoy set-up

[ckanous]

Looked through some previous threads but didn't see were anyone posted which way to face your decoys when setting them up in front of a blind. I have heard different opinions from a few guys but thought I would ask my fellow T-Gangers about this. Lets hear it!!!

[Friend]

Typically position jake facing blind and have shooting lanes on either side. The hen or hens are postioned ~3-5 yards closer and face away from the jake deke.

Just one hunt last season had gobs three times right beside or in front of the jake deke. My son finally arrowed one on the third try.

He and I were estatic. Wish I could drum up so many opportunities.

[R. W. Mackey]

I will set mine up like this, hen tail toward blind, Jake or strutter facing the blind. Most of the time a gobbler will face the Jake for a fight or if he is interested in the hen, he will come in from the rear. That said I have had gobblers do about anything but what you thought they should. I believe the greatest importance of a decoy is lureing the gobbler into bow range not the exact position they are placed in.  RW

[Dave Bowers]

I like using a single hen facing away from the blind. I find the single hen more effective because not all gobblers wanna fight. But all gobbler wanna get luck with the ladies. Also I have found that multiple hens sometimes causes the gobbler to hang up and try to call one on the hens off. I also keep my decoy close...bout 5 yards from my blind. That way if he does hang up he may still be in range.

[OkKeith]

Different things work, in different places. I almost always use a single hen deke. I place it at 8-10 yards quartering to the blind (left or right depending on the cover). The last 3 birds we killed circled around in front of the deke, fan open, giving us a quartering from behind shot (the best in my opinion).


       

[ckanous]

That was my next question, how far? I figured no more than 10 yards is where I would place them. Been practicing out of my blind for shots under 15yards, I can shoot fine further but really would like to keep yards down. I also realize the perfect opportunity does always allow  itself, to be prepared for adjustment, thats hunting right!  I have hunted turks a little but never hard, but really wanting to get out there a lot more this year with my bow. My other set ups were with my shotgun and I didn't really worry as much on the decoy placement, figured they see 'em, they come in, I shoot! Now I wanting to do this with my bow I better pay more attention and do it right, I can't shuck an arrow and get a shot off as quick as the 12g auto! Anymore advice is welcome and thanks for the input so far.

[Friend]

My preferance is 10 yards max and no closer than what I can shoot from my blind.

[Guru]

Typically set my jake deke right where I want to shoot to, somehwere around 10yds. when hunting out of a blind.

 In my experience, the gobbler has always gone right for the jake deke. That's where your shot will be...
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Different spot, pretty much the same set-up...
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Another...
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Another...
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Try to set them up so that the gobbler isn't looking at the dekes with the blind behind them.Set the blind off the the side so he'll focus on the dekes, and not notice the blind as much. Sometimes it doesn't matter, sometimes it seems to..don't take a chance      

Everyone of these shown where set up so the birds came in from the side...not looking at the blind.

[acolobowhunter]

All good information.  I have probably shot 15 turkeys in the past few years, until last year.  I set my blind in the same spot and the decoys the same.  The toms would just walk around me out of range.  This happened several times.  I don't know if it was the decoys or the blind that they didn't like.  Finally I pulled the blind and only put out 1 hen ( usually use 2 hens and a jake).  I had to set in some bushes quite a ways back from the decoy.  Probably 30 yards.  Now the tom came in, but I shot under him.  I am still trying to figure out if it was the blind or to many decoys.  The same set up has worked for many years.

[OS]

I like setting out one to three decoys in the spring all withing 8 yards of the blind and facing the blind.  In the spring I like puting a jake (real tail) over a hen on the ground and have shot many toms at under 5 yards working on getting that jake off the hen. Now jakes seem to hang up on this set up but becuase the decoys are close anyway most shots end up at under 20 yards.

[Arrowhead80]

I like a strutting gobbler facing my blind and two hens facing whatever way the wind blows them. I use those inflatable hens that move around in a good breeze, they look real. Works good for me but EVERY gobbler acts different. Good luck.

[ckanous]

Great info here guys I appreciate it. It seems that a lot of set ups have worked well but which ever I use the Jake should face the blind and not away from me right? If I also use a hen or two they should face away and maybe to one side? I see Curt's all seem to be facing his blind and there are birds laying down, I like the looks of that, Oh those are trophies!!!!

[Birdbow]

I've had great luck staking a hen deke flush on the ground (as if receptive) and a jake deke standing over her rear end. Both @ 5 yds. out and facing the blind. Haven't had another male bird yet that would not come in to challenge. Hope this helps.

[hitman]

I used a jake and 1 hen last year with the jake facing the blind at about 10 yards. I killed 3 gobblers in 3 days. My son just bought me a killer "B" for my birthday. Has anyone had lck with him besides Guru?

[hitman]

Sorry about the misprint. That was 2 gobblers in 3 days.

[ckanous]

Season opens Saturday here, I hope to use some of this info on some birds if I can!!

[Homebru]

As far as distance goes.....turkeys look a lot bigger than they are.....there are a LOT of feathers and a smaller sweet spot.....closer is always better.

Sent you an e-mail.
homebru

[kbetts]

One hen.  So far I haven't found any gobblers wanting to fight. When I've used a strutter, Turks seemed intimidated.