Here are 5 more “PRO’S” tips for upcoming wild turkey hunts.

I asked each pro to describe their favorite decoy set up. Here is what they said.
 

Mike Pentecost & Fred Lutger

Mike Pentecost Owner Woodhaven Custom Calls When you put out your decoys get down on decoy level and look around. Make sure the decoys will be in view from all directions. Don’t put the decoy on the crest of a hill.  Birds might approach on the far side and be in a position where the crown of the hill blocks your shot. Move the decoys down off the top of the hill, on your side where you’ll have a shot opportunity.

Billy Yargus	Billy Yargus Woodhaven Custom Calls Pro Staff Sting Team member Put your decoys mainly in fields or open timber. Mostly use hens. If you know you are hunting an older gobbler put a Jake in your decoy set up. I usually use 2 hens and place them at 10 yards. Billy mentioned he hunts with gun and bow.
Matt Morrett	Matt Morrett Hunter’s Specialty Pro Staff member. “Can I mention a product name?” asked Matt, with a grin as big as Alice’s Cheshire cat. “Please do,” I replied. “Hazel Creek Hen.”  (more on this later). This is the best investment ever. This hen decoy will pull gobblers from hens. Place decoy offset to get gobbler to walk past hunter, not directly in front of hunter where an approaching gobbler might look past decoys to hunter. For the most part I use the one hen about 15 yards from my position.
Eddie Salter	Eddie Salter Hunter’s Specialty Pro Staff member. Use a Cally Morris Decoy (Hazel Creek. Inc). I’ve hunted with decays all my life and this new decoy has changed everything. The gobblers are so infatuated with the decoy I can actually get away with more movement. I have a lot more confidence using this decoy. I enjoy turkey hunting more. It is fun to watch a turkey’s reactions to the decoy. Hens want to beat is up.

I headed over to Hazel Creek’s booth. Cally wasn’t there. I left my cell phone number and asked that he call me. When he did I went back for an interview and was fascinated by what he was doing. I’ll do a full story on Cally and his business later but for now I want to include his decoy tip.
 

Cally Morris

Cally Morris Owner of Hazel Creek, Inc Place hen decoy 15 yards from your position. Make sure it is open around the decoy. Gobblers will strut all around the decoy. Face the decoy quartering away from you. Often the gobbler will mount the decoy and this will give you a quartering away shot if you are hunting with a bow. Don’t get too excited. Let the decoy work.  Let the gobbler look away before drawing your bow. Have confidence. The decoy will work.

I think I’ve made my decoy choice. But knowing the way I am I’ll try them all. I just like to see things first hand, see what works for me. That’s why I like being in the business. This is a big show and I have a couple seminars I want to attend and I have more booths to visit. I’ll report back later. 

Fred