Turkey decoy distance

[longbow joe]

I was curious about how far people distanced their decoys from the blind l used to go about 15 yards years back .now with the avians eater,laydown & a standing hen im doing like 8 yards l think l like them this close for crossbow my big tom was a 8 yard shot ....very exciting also how do you position the heads (facing or away) l kinda do both . The laydown hen seems to be a real attention getter so far this is new to me this year.l was just curious about what works for some of you.l also have a goofy blow up hen that looks really bad but the turkeys just dont seem to see it as i do they love it.

[W.Miguire]

I like to set my dekes 4 or 5 steps from the blind . what way they face is up to the wind . got the strutter mounted to a little dolly and work it back and forth. also have some mounted birds and they work very well. the mounted hen is all beat up if I put her in a laying pose I dig a hole for her legs as she is ready to breed. have to wait another week before my season starts. by the way Joe nice bird. good luck to all you folks on your turkey hunts.
W.M.

[UPSMAN]

I always put mine at 20 yds. It seems to work for me.

[catclr]

I have used the 20 yds. but seems to put the live birds out to 40 yds., so I have come in to 10 yds., and works for both crossbow or gun.

[mr meat]

20 yards for me,but if I ever get out will try 10!

[hunter with MS]

with me it depends on the setup 10 to 20 yards is good and most times on an little angle from the blind so the gobbler focuses on the decoy and if I move it won't catch the movement .

[rayman]

Usually a single hen or two hens. Position them kind of quartering towards me so they do not appear to be staring at me but the turkeys can't see their eyes as they approach.

I go with about 20 yards and like to put the decoy(s) behind some light cover from me so I can still shoot a turkey near them but I am not in the wide open. Often times a hen, group of hens, or jake will go to the decoy while the gobbler stays back strutting. I don't want to spook the first to arrive before the gobbler has a chance to make his way over.