A jake decoy only?

[Bernie B.]

This morning I read an article by a couple of local trad hunters who had just returned from a Nebraska turkey hunt.

They both scored and seemed to have numerous encounters with gobblers.  What caught my attention was that they used only a jake decoy.  I hadn't heard of that before.  

Have any of you had experience with just one jake?

Bernie

[Orion]

Turkeys are as thick as hair on a dog's back in Nebreska so not surprising that they connected.  I've been using a single jake decoy for about 20 years.  Most times that's all I use.  Very rarely, I'll put a hen out with it.   Works for me.

[Blackhawk]

I relayed your question to my turkey-hunting Tennessee cousin, and got this reply:

"I think turkeys have been fooled with just about every set-up you can think of, but the lone jake is a good one. First of all, you can travel light with a lone jake. Many times a gobbler will hang up when responding to your call with a hen/jake set-up, however, the lone jake and your calling may tempt  the tom to come in quickly looking for the hen. If not, then maybe a few soft calls can bring him within range."

[Birdbow]

I agree with the guys above. I've used 1 jake deke successfully several times - the tom's ears tell him there are hens there and his eyes tell him the competition is on scene.

[Bernie B.]

Great comments guys, and they make sense.  I may just mix it up a little this spring and try this.

Bernie

I use just a single jake, with a short stake and make it lean forward.