Decoy or no decoy?

[hun10]

I think that most turkey hunters use a decoy from time to time, however, I have been hearing some people talk about not using one and having good success.  Personally, I use one when I can (especially in a field edge) but I took my biggest bird without using a decoy and he still came in puttin on a show.  What say you?

[turkeybeagle]

i like the bird to come to me not the decoy  

[Dcoleinpa]

i have not had good luck with them. i will be saving some weight in my vest  and letting the calls serve their purpose

[SCALPM]

I love using decoys....especially on the wma's I hunt. I walk 75 yards down the trail and set my first one up...then I walk another 150 yards down the trail on the way to my spot and set up another...then make a right at the T and walk 100 yards and set up another....then backtrack to the main trail and walk to my spot and set up...

They work great on people that park next to my truck and try to hunt up in my Butt.

A real old turkey hunter taught me how to use decoys....

[AlanKrow]

I use them , now and then!

[West Augusta]

I used to, but cannot say that I have had a turkey look at the decoy.  So, I quit using them.  Lighter load and less in my vest.

[hun10]

Wow!  Im kinda surprised so far at the responses.  I have had real good luck with them.  I have gotten away with some movement mistakes all because the turkey was so focused on my decoy.  I like them for field edges like I said earlier to watch em come struttin in, but if Im in timber I won't set one up....I want him to search for me.  I like the differences in opinion.  Either strategy can get the job done IMO.

[ronmexico]

Wow!  Im kinda surprised so far at the responses.  I have had real good luck with them.  I have gotten away with some movement mistakes all because the turkey was so focused on my decoy.  I like them for field edges like I said earlier to watch em come struttin in, but if Im in timber I won't set one up....I want him to search for me.  I like the differences in opinion.  Either strategy can get the job done IMO.

some are for them, some against.  i think in the right situation, they can be great and provide for an exciting hunt.  other times, it can ruin your hunt and cause a bird to hang up.  i understand why some like to use them, just as i understand why some are against it.  whether someone chooses to use one, doesn't bother me one bit. hunt how you like.  i have used them with good results and i have used them with poor results.  you don't need a decoy to bring a bird in, but sometimes it does the trick.....and sometimes it spooks the bird.  i have been trying to reduce what i carry and the decoys are out of my vest.

[amims5]

We use them some. Had a big gobbler I worked for 2 hours come into a feild take one look at B-Mobile and take flight. Not run but fly! From 80 yards off. It's probably the most disgusted I have ever been after any hunt for any species.

[deacon]

I will use them in one spot I hunt and that's it. I don't really like hunting fields but this one is the exception and I will stick up a couple decoys in the bottom corner...they just work great there. Everywhere else I like the birds to look for me!

[hun10]

We use them some. Had a big gobbler I worked for 2 hours come into a feild take one look at B-Mobile and take flight. Not run but fly! From 80 yards off. It's probably the most disgusted I have ever been after any hunt for any species.

You said B-mobile but how about other decoys?  I use one or two hen featherflex decoys.  Simple and extremely light with almost instant set up.

[Bulldogmikey]

Never hunted with um.
Mike

[hun10]

Never hunted with um.
Mike

Wow!  You guys need to hunt with em just one time.  Only knock on em is that they are really light and they will move with the wind.  A simple stick in the ground cures that tho.

[IhEArdAbIrd]

I don't use them. I feel like I'd be cheating myself out of knowing he came in to my calling as opposed to him coming in because of the deke. It takes more skill to call one in than to have him come because of something he's looking at.

[hun10]

I don't use them. I feel like I'd be cheating myself out of knowing he came in to my calling as opposed to him coming in because of the deke. It takes more skill to call one in than to have him come because of something he's looking at.

As long as he comes in I don't really care.  I think initially he would want you because of your calling, he would have to otherwise why get out of the tree or fly across a creek??  When he makes his appearance out in the open and sees that hen, the show begins.  You guys may need to put the wood calls down and learn to use a mouth call tho.