For spring gobblers, Jake and Suzie Snood can be as deadly in today’s turkey woods as Bonnie and Clyde were to Midwestern law enforcement officers in the 1930s.
No, the Snoods are not actually toting any firearms, but these lifelike turkey decoys by H.S. Strut get the job done — when displayed properly — when it comes to bringing even the wariest of sharp-eyed gobblers into shotgun range. With a few clucks, purrs and yelps thrown in for good measure, the Snoods figure to be the last friends a gobbler ever makes.
Lightweight Snood decoys are incredibly lifelike with highly realistic head and feather detail. They are painted with specially formulated no-flake paint for lasting durability season after season.
Both decoys are easy to carry because of built-in air valves that allow the decoys to be deflated and then quickly inflated and set up. They are constructed with a durable expanded rubber that resists creases and dents, which is important because the decoys can be folded for easy carrying in the pocket of a turkey vest.
Jake Snood is posed in a semi-aggressive stance that triggers a strong reaction from other gobblers. There are times when after eyeing Jake little — or no — calling is needed to a gobbler, as they often come in on their own looking to chase off this suitor.
Suzie can be displayed in one of two poses because of the dual-position stake that allows setting up in a content or receptive breeding pose. This year the new Penny Snood has joined the family of decoys and is in a relaxed feeding position.
While some turkey hunters refuse to use decoys, it is important to remember they are an asset when displayed correctly. In fact, there are times when using a decoy is the only way to attract a wary gobbler.
Using decoys can be a tremendous aid when hunting spring gobblers, but only if they are placed where they can be seen. When hunting in hardwoods or in thick cover decoys should be placed in a clearing or on a path or logging road where they can be seen by an approaching gobbler.
No matter if hunting in the deep woods or just inside a tree line along the edge of a field, it is important to have a good field of view to see an approaching gobbler and know when it sees the decoys. Placing the decoys between 15-20 yards away from the hunting location allows the opportunity for a lethal shot if the gobbler “hangs up” at 30-40 yards, depending on the capabilities of the load and shotgun being used.
Ideally, a gobbler will have to search for a decoy and not see it until closing to within 60-80 yards. By that time he will usually begin to strut and attract the hen to him. It is usually best to stop calling — although some soft feeding clucks are often effective — and have the hen play “hard to get” to bring the gobbler into shooting range.
It is under such scenarios that teaming Jake with Suzie can be so effective because the gobbler will usually come even without calling to establish its dominance. Very often a gobbler will move past Suzie without breaking stride to move in on Jake.
Like everything else associated with hunting spring gobblers, the use of decoys requires taking safety precautions when they are being carried and when they are in position. Never transport decoys uncovered — which is not a problem with the Snoods because they can be quickly deflated and folded to fit into the pocket of a turkey vest or bag — and never sit directly in line with the spread to lessen the chance of being shot by another hunter who may have seen and illegally stalked the decoys.
Because the appearance of the Snoods is so lifelike they will fool a gobbler, so it is easy to understand why a hunter will mistake them for live birds when seen from a distance. As for gobblers, when they move in on the duo it is the last mistake they every make.
For information about Snood decoys by H.S. Strut, access the website at www.hunterspec.com/content/snoods-turkey-decoys.