Do you use a strutting decoy to stalk gobblers?

By Grant Woods,

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Question
Dr. Grant,

With deer season coming to an end, and turkey season quickly approaching, here in Michigan, I am curious to hear your opinion on the following subject.

Using a full strutting turkey decoy to try and stalk gobblers.

The specific situation I am curious about is the following:

In the area I hunt, after the toms fly down in the morning and gather their harems, and have quit calling (for the most part), they usually find a strutting area in a grass field or wheat field. Usually they spend the rest of their day there.

My question is; is it at all worth it to try and use a strutting decoy and try and creep up/stalk a strutting tom? If I end up busting the flock, have I ruined the hunting for that area for the next couple of days? I realize turkeys are not particularly smart, and they usually do the same thing every day, but would they be weary to roost and strut in the same location, thus ruining hunting that area?

I do realize this isn’t a “normal” tactic when hunting turkeys. I was just curious of your opinion on the subject.

I did look through your FAQ’s and didn’t really see where this was addressed. I’ve also see most of your episodes and this isn’t a topic you have addressed to much.

Thanks,

Aaron

Aaron,

I believe the technique you are referring to is called “fanning.”  Basically hunters hide behind a gobbler’s fan and stalk up to a tom or flock of turkey’s.  Gobblers can be very aggressive and will often approach (rapidly) fans that are moving toward them.  Check out:  https://www.montanadecoy.com/hunting-decoys/turkey/fanatic for more information.

I strongly encourage you to consider safety!  Not only do gobbler fans attract other toms but also other hunters! I am EXTREMELY selective in areas I will use the fanning technique.  You never know when a trespasser, lost hunter, etc., might be in the area.  

Another good technique would be to simply set up in the area you know gobblers like to strut with a hen or hen and gobbler decoy out.  This is a much safer approach that has worked well for me many times.

Enjoy creation,

grant

January 6, 2016