Tom decoys

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brybenn

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southern ontario
Hey all. Last year i borrowed some cheap turkey decoys and never shot a tom. First time i havent tagged out in 10 years. I did however drop 5 coyotes. I generally dont use decoys but thought id mix it up and use my black powder shotguns. Ive looked over all local options and ordered some flextone thunder series hens that will replace my fold up plastic one i do own.
Now to add a tom. Not to many options available locally but im thinking between avian x and flextone thunder tom.
Is a full body better than a half body? I have lots of fans and beards kicking around out in the garage.
Any other brands i should look at? I want realistic quality and lighter weight if possible.
I went with the flextones over avian x due to the having to inflate the avians if they collapse.

Ill likely order a matching jake as well. Might as well have them all
 
I have nothing much to contribute other than to say thanks for bringing up turkey season! Only 52 days, 10 hours, and 49 minutes till go time!

I swear by avian x decoys but I’ve noticed other manufacturers have really stepped up their game and realism. If I were you I’d almost be tempted to re-purpose that hen decoy you are planning on retiring....bit of red spray paint, add one of the fans and beards you have lying around and I bet you’d have a tom decoy that would rival anything store bought.
 
Used the gobblestopper jake which has a more submissive posture. It has worked the only time ive seen turkeys around it lol that is to say that as far as i know it has never not worked!
 
I prefer not to use a Tom if there is the possibility of less dominant birds around. Usually using a Tom around here results in a gang of jakes showing up and mature birds staying out of range.

This season I am planning to run a Stuffer Hen only.
 
My buddy i hunt with has toms run across entire fields to fight his tom. The thing is huge and heavy so much that i wouldnt use it and really dont need it taking up more room in my garage lol.
Ive always prefered the spot and stalk method and flanking them and ambushing them in the timber. However alot of the woodlots were flooded out and remain so which forces me to either where waders or switch styles. So ive decided to try field edges and wait by decoys. Ill probably switch to a jake mid season and only use the tom for early season. Either way its worth a try. $30 for a tag i guess i can spend some coin on decoys considering what i have invested in waterfowl gear

Turkeys taste better to
 
I have never had any luck with my full sized tom decoy. The two hens and a jake decoy that I use are constantly being mixed in various combinations,. I find if one combo isn't working sometimes another will attract the same birds another time.

In one instance the birds showed no interest in decoys on two occasions so the third time I just called very sporadically , no decoys, and managed to pot one when he came looking for the unseen hen. It really is hit and miss as to what will bring them in. Some days they respond exactly as you figger they should, the next time they ignore you or walk the other way. Perseverance is the key.
 
Big time Avian X fan here, the only turkey decoy brand I'll use. Although I don't use a Tom. I only use hens and sometimes a Jake. I have used the quarter strut jake for 5 plus years but have been thinking about buying the 1/2 strut this year and the lay down hen.
 
Primos B-Mobile, Have used it for 10 years and with a real tail it just plain works. Portability is excellent as I can put 3 bobblehead hens inside the tom decoy

Like any decoy they are not a magic fix but have shot my best bird of 27lbs over it the first time I used it and as part of 9 various decoys used over the season, either one or as part of a flock of up to 9, the B-Mobile is usually in the decoy bag and many a bird has come in at full strut and more than pissed. The 26lber on my birthday last year at 3 yds was looking to stomp my buddy.

Something about a strutter with the rattiest jake tail I can find tends to make the bigger boys lose their wits for a minute or two. Watching a bunch of youngsters figure out the same is just plain hilarious some days.

Later in the season they work better
 
brybenn said:
Anyone ever try mounting a decoy on a remote control truck?
I find it amusing calling to jakes when not having any decoys. My ghille suit works amazing
Click to expand...

Bass pro now actually sells a decoy that operates like a remote control truck. Not my thing

I do have a remote strutter jake that I have used the last 5 years and it works well. I personally wouldnt use a tom decoy for the reasons mentioned earlier. Less dominant toms would shy away from it and you'll get groups of jakes coming in.
 
I prefer not to use a Tom if there is the possibility of less dominant birds around. Usually using a Tom around here results in a gang of jakes showing up and mature birds staying out of range.

This season I am planning to run a Stuffer Hen only.
 
Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
I prefer not to use a Tom if there is the possibility of less dominant birds around. Usually using a Tom around here results in a gang of jakes showing up and mature birds staying out of range.

This season I am planning to run a Stuffer Hen only.
Click to expand...

I’ve heard good things about the deja vu brand of Tom decoys. ;)
 
OK now you guys are upsetting me :(
WTF are Turkey. This stupid province will not even allow us to reintroduce them
Man I miss hunting them state side or when my brother lived in Ontario . Nothing like spring turkey season IMO

Oh well still have my old Turkey gun so can dream
Take care
 
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Theyre every where in southern ontario. Its something to hunt in the spring and gives me a chance to pattern deer and force them in different directions if need be by altering theyre natural winter paths
I may start hunting them in the states because some states allow rimfire.
Unfortunately now that theyve taken off the tags havent dropped in price
 
On my morning stands, I use a flock of dekes, consisting of two feeding hens, and semi-upright breeding hen, a semi-agressive jake and a full strut jake. During midday "running & gunning," I only carry the breeding hen folded up in my pack and rarely use it. I have a full strut mature tom deke, but only use that one when I am working a specific bird and nothing else is working... in which case, I use it in the "about to mount" posture with the breeder hen... this has helped me nail a couple big "shy" toms.
 
As Hoyt mentioned, its important on how you position your dekes as well. When I use my strutter deke, I usually position it close behind a laydown hen deke. If Toms seem to be shy, I’ll move it closer to a mount position to try and trigger an aggressive attack.....which is super exciting. I also add hens in different postures. Usually a feeder, and a couple breeders. My jake decoys are either 1/4 strut or upright. I also cut the beard on my strutter decoy as it came with a super long beard making it look like a Tom and Toms seemed to be very timid in their approach. Good idea to also use a beat up tail fan.

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My Axian X Tom is about 20% smaller than a real Tom.

I've never had Tom's back away from it after they see the hen decoy usually right in front of the Tom.

Have had gangs of Jake's come running in and surround the hen and try to push the Tom decoy away.

Last Tom I shot I let him and his buddy strut in front my my decoys for 45 minutes until I had to pee so bad I had to shoot. So I did and the other Tom just stood there and kept strutting! I had a piss and sat down and kept filming for another 10 minutes before the Tom lost interest and walked away. (Didnt want to educate him)

Edit: I have a real Tom fan on my decoy as well. Very life like, the fake one that came with it would work fine as well
 
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