Decoys......Do you use them?

[CuttnStrut]

I like a jake hen set up but will put a half strut gobbler when the time is right

[flhuntress]

i use at least 2 hens and once in a blue moon i'll break out the jake.

[Brokenbucket]

I started turkey hunting in 1960, when decoys weren't even heard of and used woodsmanship to get the birds in close. A friend gave me a pair and I felt obligated to use them. Well, after 3 years of decoys, mostly 2 yr.old birds, hang-ups and run-aways, I quit using them and have taken mostly 3yr.old/older birds since then. Of the last 9 birds taken only 1 has been a 2yr.old.
Decoys use has it's place and with the right statergies can help, but an old bird that has been beat down by a gang of jakes will turn tail and run.
Turkey hunting in the spring is about the hens, so hen decoys are all you'll need and have the dekes facing you so the gobbler has to advance to make eye contact and come with in range.
You have some hen decoys out on a field edge and a gobbler entering the other side of the field and seeing the hens can see him will hang and strut where the decoys facing you and seeming to be entering the woods will cause the gobbler to come to the hens.
I do know decoy stratergies, but I just don't hunt too many fields. The decoys are always in the truck, but aren't used in the swamps of SC....

[bogobble]

decoys will definately help get you more turkeys.
I usually just use a hen when gun huntin, and a hen-jake combination when bowhuntin. I've heard people say turkeys will hang up when they see the deeks. might be true in some cases, but I've never had that problem. I've experienced just the opposite.

[Covehnter]

I've used them, and seen it all happen. . . hang ups, run in and box the jake, etc. its all about some do and dont.

[WR]

2 hens and thats all .(sometimes)