I use an Avian x hen decoy, comes with a bag that I sling over my shoulder , works well for my style of running and hope to gun in North Central Pa. I had 2 collapsible(fold up) style, they were a pain to unfold and get setup quickly.

 

Those collapsible ones sounds like the cheap ones I currently use from bass pro. I don’t like them at all lol

 

I use a flambeau tom decoy, i carry it with a lanyard, fully deployed. I sling it around my back and creep up on the birds and can deploy it, or hold it in front of me and use it to cover my movement if they have eyes on me. And cover your face. That is my spot & stalk method.

I find it is too cumbersome and takes up precious time rummaging through a decoy bag and getting out decoys to set out.

The last few years i have been going into my spot the evening before and setting out my turkey decoy set (5 deeks) if I am blind hunting.

Have been bowhunting turkeys for the last 10 years

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I don’t run n gun. But I use DSD decoys a half strut Jake and a hen (or two) and I use a blind. These decoys are in bags. I think one could carry them and your bow and run n gun.

 

i use a jake decoy my taxidermist mounted for me. Secret is I put a servo motor in it and have over 180 degree movement. Here are some of the birds it has helped me kill over the years in Ohio. It isn't the most mobile decoy, especially lugging a double bull blind, and bow but it brings em in when they see the movement.

 

What’s a servo motor?

 

It is a radio controlled motor, mostly used in radio controlled cars, planes. I have a handheld unit that activates and controls the servo motor so that the decoy rotates. This live movement is just too much for the incoming gobbler to ignore.

 

Thanks

 

I have a couple Avian X hens and Dakota jake that I've lugged around in a mesh duck hunting bag with shoulder straps. But that is bulky and noisy for brushy areas. Last year I got a Montana Miss Purrfect collapsible that I like, but got sick in mid-season before I got on a good tom. Going to use it again this spring to see if it dies the trick.

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Those Montana miss purrfect look real nice.

 

I personally avoid Tom and jake decoys while run and gun…unless you could place them in a bag.

I like the cheapo hens.

 

DSD half strut jake and feeding hen

 

I have some Avian X Breeders and some Avian X Feeders, and the Avian LCD 1/2 Strut Jake, who usually ends up getting the crap beat out of him, lol. I had cheap ones prior and what a difference. I don't use the bag, I have straps with rings to make a noose that clips onto my Knight and Hale vest over my shoulders.

 

This year trying the Ultimate Predator Decoy mounted to my bow.

 

Bowhunting turkeys I never scrimp on decoys, stuffer hen and or DSD Jake. Good decoys make a major difference.

 

Those DSD decoys look awesome.

 

OP, how are you setting up when you are running and gunning, geting behind a tree, sitting in a swale, standing below the creek bank?

 

I’m kind of just getting seriously into It but in the past I’ve just thrown up those crappy decoys I have and sat against a tree with my shotgun. Not efficient at all. I like the idea about having them slung over my shoulder ready to go.
I’ve gotten one turkey with a bow but It was a fluke deal. Was in a pop up but the wind was howling so nothing could hear my calling. So I took off walking and eased up over a tank dam and there he was right there lol.
So basically it’ll be trial and error until I figure It out lol. I’ll still use shotgun but will use the bow too.

 

I ve hunted turkeys a long time and wether run n gun or sitting in a blind nothing grabs a turkeys attention and holds it like a dsd. Pricey yes but worth every penny Start with a stand up hen

 

Flextone Thunder Creeper. Has a built in stake that fits perfectly into a cut down Black Eagle Magnum shaft and is a carry handle also.

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Run and gun. fast set. Funky chicken. light weight, quick and deadly.

 

Set up so when the gobbler breaks over the top of the ridge he's in range. Deadly . No dekes. Ive had luck a few times with a jake standing over a hen laying down . Mostl do with out them

 

I've had great success using the dsd Jake and avian x breeder hen. I place the Jake behind the hen as if he is approaching to breed her. It will sometimes scare away younger birds, but makes the old toms super jealous and come in looking to kick butt.

 

Interesting thread. I’ve always used two collapsible hen decoys which I always found to be a pin to dig out and set up. I may change it up for a Avian X Jake/hen set up in a mesh bag. That seems like a quicker more efficient set up, especially for archery hunting birds. Thanks!


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Yeah the ones I have are a pain and look terrible. Two piece stakes, then a wing nut, then the decoy looks creased in places due to being folded.

 

I don’t like to use decoys. I find myself setting up for the decoy and not the turkey. Best bet is to set up where he is in range as soon as you can see him. Make him come look for you. Just one more thing to lug around as well.

 

Right on!

 

I have at least 6 or 8 decoys--hens, jakes, a tom with real tail feathers. I mostly "run and gun" on public land with a bow (gun too occasionally). Over the years, I've found that the really wild Eastern toms often just know it's a decoy (except for the tom with real tail). I figure they've either seen hunters and decoys before, or they're expecting to see a specific behavioral reaction that's missing. I hate to set the tom decoy up where gun hunting is allowed. Now, I mostly just set up quickly (no decoys) and call the turkey in to where he has to look for me. I've had much better luck like that than risking spooking them with decoys.

 

I don’t use a decoy unless I plan on hunting a field. Hardly hunt fields. If I do it’s a cheap foam foldable hen decoy and a funky chicken. But most of my run and gun is in thick florida brush. mostly hunt public land so I don’t like to bring decoys. A few draw hunts I will use one if I have a bird roosted the night before. After that it gets left in the truck

 

Avian X for me