Can a turkey be killed ,,,

[Mzlhunter]

Gabe Meadow said it best

heck Yeah. Using Tony McLeb's secret would be fair game but them decoys sure aren't.

[amims5]

We don't use them a whole lot. Every now and then we will. I don't care for them but at the same time, it really doesn't matter one way or the other to me. The fun in the hunt is the planning and the set up. The kill is just icing on the cake for me. That goes for any kind of hunting as far as I am concerned. I just enjoy being out there. A successful hunt to me does not have to end with a kill.

I'm not on my noble high horse or anything, but now that I am grown with kids and a wife I have learned to slow down and enjoy being out there. There was a time when all bets were off and if it was brown it was down.

[wiltznucs]

Without using a decoy?
 
 You guessed it ,,,,I don't use or approve of the use of decoys . I have been known to use them in the past ,,,but never again . I get more from a hunt and learn more about how to hunt without something to get toms attention away from where the calls are coming from .

I rarely use decoys, but when I want a change of pace I'm not afraid to use one.  If I've hunted a particular bird a few times without luck, I've got no reservations about bringing out a hen decoy.  Its a gamble, and sometimes it pays off.  My experience indicates that they seldom work, but when they do I dont feel like less of a hunter for having used one.  

In fact, quite the contrary.. while being a stalwhart about decoys may make you feel like a better hunter or some elitist, if the decoy worked the truth is only one us is eating turkey dinner.  

On a side note, I would never, ever use a decoy on public land.  I'm not fond of going from the hunter to the hunted...

[ronmexico]

Without using a decoy?
 
 You guessed it ,,,,I don't use or approve of the use of decoys . I have been known to use them in the past ,,,but never again . I get more from a hunt and learn more about how to hunt without something to get toms attention away from where the calls are coming from .

I rarely use decoys, but when I want a change of pace I'm not afraid to use one.  If I've hunted a particular bird a few times without luck, I've got no reservations about bringing out a hen decoy.  Its a gamble, and sometimes it pays off.  My experience indicates that they seldom work, but when they do I dont feel like less of a hunter for having used one.  

In fact, quite the contrary.. while being a stalwhart about decoys may make you feel like a better hunter or some elitist, if the decoy worked the truth is only one us is eating turkey dinner.  

On a side note, I would never, ever use a decoy on public land.  I'm not fond of going from the hunter to the hunted...

in the right situation, they can be great to watch the turkeys put on a show.  but i have had more negative reactions then positive ones.  i will sometimes take dekes with me, but use them less and less.  i feel like a decoy cost me a bird last year.  i had a decoy out last year while i was calling for a friend and had a great time watching the bird come in and blow up on the deke.  i just sat back and watched as the bird got right up on the decoy and started gobblin' right in its ear hole. 

[Gitzit69]

Last spring I packed decoys out on every trip. Between 2 of us we killed 6 toms all without ever taking out the decoys. This year I'll still take them out just because, but I might have my buddy carry them. 

Dave

[Mzlhunter]

Wiltznucs, I'd rather not eat turkey dinner if doing so meant I had to use a decoy.

[ronmexico]

Wiltznucs, I'd rather not eat turkey dinner if doing so meant I had to use a decoy.

not speaking for wiltz, but sometimes it's just fun to watch them react to a deke.  i'd guess that most don't need to use them, but it can provide for some cool hunts.  like i mentioned, i have used them in the past and find myself using them less each year, but sometimes the show they put on is second to none.  i will be less likely to use them for myself, but i call for some friends and they enjoy watching the action.  

it's not always about the kill for me.  i get just as much, if not more, from calling birds for others (same goes for deer hunting and setting someone up on a good buck).  if they want to have some dekes out there, then i'm all for it.  to each his own.  it's all about what you take away from the hunt.  if having dekes is going to get someone fired up, then that's great. 

[Porter]

Wiltznucs, I'd rather not eat turkey dinner if doing so meant I had to use a decoy.

not speaking for wiltz, but sometimes it's just fun to watch them react to a deke.  i'd guess that most don't need to use them, but it can provide for some cool hunts.  like i mentioned, i have used them in the past and find myself using them less each year, but sometimes the show they put on is second to none.  i will be less likely to use them for myself, but i call for some friends and they enjoy watching the action. 

Few years ago after B Mobile hit the market, just had to have one.  Well it's been used two times.  First time, he successfully scared the doo doo out of 3 nice toms.  Shook my head thinking, Primos you lied to me   I fell for the gimmicks. 

Next time, I put it out because I wanted to see the birds reaction.  6 toms came up to it and I watched them.  I was hoping to see a behind whooping, but nothing happened.  They walked off.  I swung around on them (leaving the decoys set) and about 200 yards away from this setup, I called in all 6 and shot one. 

It was pretty funny, same calling style same calls, but no decoys and they reacted a lot different! 

Ever since then, the only setup B Mobile gets is in my yard to watch the neighborhood dogs attack him.  Of course the neighbors think I'm insane.  I might setup all my decoys this weekend and see if anyone complains 

I have no issue if someone uses them and I have no issue if someone is against them.  I've seen them spook more birds than help.  That's why I've been more reluctant to use them.  Of course, I've only hunted birds for 16 (going on 17) years.  Had my fair share of mess ups and stuff.  I love the outdoors and that's why I go.  I've had many of seasons of eating tag soup.  Getting some good recipes down for that now!

[wiltznucs]

Wiltznucs, I'd rather not eat turkey dinner if doing so meant I had to use a decoy.

To each their own, and if that decision suits you then so be it.  Nobody is forcing you to use a decoy.  However, your decision doesnt entitle you to be judgemental of those hunters who do use decoys.  Nor does it make you a better hunter than them.  Say what you will, but the kill is part of the hunt.  By definition a "hunter" is defined as an individual that hunts and kills wild animals.  Like it or not the measure of a hunters success is measured by dead animals, not moral victories.  If decoying is legal, then there is reason to bash it.  

Life is too short to worry about or disrespect other hunters because they do things differently than you.  Enjoy your time afield under the conditions you dictate, and let those other hunters enjoy the same priveledge.

We live in the golden age of turkey hunting, theres plenty of birds to go around.
    

[ronmexico]

Wiltznucs, I'd rather not eat turkey dinner if doing so meant I had to use a decoy.

not speaking for wiltz, but sometimes it's just fun to watch them react to a deke.  i'd guess that most don't need to use them, but it can provide for some cool hunts.  like i mentioned, i have used them in the past and find myself using them less each year, but sometimes the show they put on is second to none.  i will be less likely to use them for myself, but i call for some friends and they enjoy watching the action. 

  I've seen them spook more birds than help.  That's why I've been more reluctant to use them. 

that is why i use them less and less each year, although i've never owned a b-mobile, pretty boy etc.

[ronmexico]

Wiltznucs, I'd rather not eat turkey dinner if doing so meant I had to use a decoy.

To each their own, and if that decision suits you then so be it.  Nobody is forcing you to use a decoy.  However, your decision doesnt entitle you to be judgemental of those hunters who do use decoys.  Nor does it make you a better hunter than them.  Say what you will, but the kill is part of the hunt.  By definition a "hunter" is defined as an individual that hunts and kills wild animals.  Like it or not the measure of a hunters success is measured by dead animals, not moral victories.  If decoying is legal, then there is reason to bash it.  

Life is too short to worry about or disrespect other hunters because they do things differently than you.  Enjoy your time afield under the conditions you dictate, and let those other hunters enjoy the same priveledge.

We live in the golden age of turkey hunting, theres plenty of birds to go around.
    

i have a buddy who shoots his limit every year and is probably one of the best turkey hunters i know, if not the best.  he doesn't post on internet turkey forums and doesn't care what people would say about how he chooses to hunt.  he gets it done and that is what he cares about.  he knows he can kill a turkey with, or without a decoy and doesn't let his ego get in his way.  he will set up with decoys one hunt and not the next.  he kills them with or without a deke, but when he chooses to do so, he does it because it gets him fired up.  he could care less how expensive a turkey call is or how good it looks, as long as he kills birds with it.  he carries one glass call, which i wouldn't consider custom and only uses 2 different mouth calls (both from legacy).  he loves seeing the show.  he has cussed decoys as many times as any and has praised them just the same.  his hunt is measured by his experience and nothing more.  to him, a decoy is not an aid, but something that adds to his experience in the woods. 

again, decoys might not be right for some, but to others, it might be the ticket.  not everyone relies on a decoy as a crutch.

[Mzlhunter]

Wiltz, please tell me where I have posted something where I have been judgemental and expressed a better than thou attitude for not using one. I simply said I don't use one and would rather go home empty handed than use one.

[Porter]

Wiltz, please tell me where I have posted something where I have been judgemental and expressed a better than thou attitude for not using one. I simply said I don't use one and would rather go home empty handed than use one.

I think the short post was it...  He's(Mzlhunter) posting from an iPhone.   Although I love those phones, my fat fingers cannot type very good or very much on them.

Plus I know him, so I was thinking something behind the scenes was happening! 

Darn reading black and white is so hard sometimes!

Carry on... I'm loving reading the different opinions!

[wiltznucs]

Wiltz, please tell me where I have posted something where I have been judgemental and expressed a better than thou attitude for not using one. I simply said I don't use one and would rather go home empty handed than use one.

MZL, please dont think I'm singling you out and I do respect your opinion.  

I seldom post anymore but I read a lot of these forums and there is a large contingent of hunters on other forums who for one reason or another think hunters who use decoys are no better than child molesters and murderers.  They also favor themselves as some sort of elite turkey hunters by choosing not to use decoys.  This is one of only a few forums where I feel you can express an alternate opinion without being banned for it.

[BigTomsCalls]

They say opinions are like A-Holes everbody's got one!!! It's up to the person to decide if he want to use one or not but when someone tries to force there opinion on me they just became an A-Hole!!

Talk about opinions did you hear that PETA what them to use a robot groundhog this year because they think they are treating him badly? Now there opinion just proves they are A-Holes!!