Decoys That Attack A Tom's Instincts

Published on April 13, 2026
Duration: 11:38

This guide from Mossberg, featuring experienced turkey hunters, delves into effective decoy strategies for hunting toms. It emphasizes understanding turkey behavior and using decoys to play the percentages, particularly advocating for a strutter and hen combination. The advice covers optimal decoy placement to maintain shooting range and highlights situations where decoys should be avoided, such as in dense woods where natural cover is sufficient.

Quick Summary

The most effective turkey decoy setup involves a dominant strutter with a white head paired with a hen decoy in a breeding posture. Place decoys 10-15 yards past your position to ensure turkeys remain in shooting range if they hang up. Avoid decoys in dense woods where natural cover is sufficient.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Turkey Hunting & Decoys
  2. 00:32Mastering Decoys: What Works and What Doesn't
  3. 01:05Hunt Scenario: Hen Decoy Fails, Strutter Succeeds
  4. 02:25Decoy Placement: Avoiding the Distance Trap
  5. 02:54The Power of Strutter and Hen Together
  6. 03:09The Ultimate Decoy Combination: White Head Strutter & Hen
  7. 03:53When NOT to Use Decoys: Hunting in Dense Woods
  8. 04:37Successful Hunt: The Power of Decoy Strategy
  9. 05:35Learning from Experience: The Importance of Sitting Down
  10. 05:59The Art of Calling: When to Call and When Not To
  11. 06:13Conclusion: No Two Hunts Are the Same
  12. 06:54Final Thoughts on Decoy Effectiveness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most effective turkey decoy setup?

The most effective decoy setup for turkey hunting is a combination of a dominant strutter decoy with a white head and a hen decoy positioned in a breeding posture (sitting on the ground). This mimics a breeding scenario that strongly appeals to a tom's instincts.

Where should I place turkey decoys for optimal results?

Place decoys 10-15 yards past your hunting position. This ensures that if a gobbler hangs up at 40-45 yards from the decoy, it remains within effective shooting range of your firearm, preventing the common mistake of decoys being too far away.

When should I avoid using turkey decoys?

Avoid using decoys in dense woods where natural cover limits visibility. In such environments, the woods themselves act as the best decoy, drawing the turkey closer to your position as it searches for the hen.

Is it ever a bad idea to call to a turkey decoy setup?

Yes, if a turkey is hung up at a distance and can see your position, calling can be detrimental. If the bird knows you are there and is hesitant, calling may make it even more reluctant to approach. It's often better to wait for it to move into range or become obscured.

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