Jake Decoy Tactics: How and When to Use Jakes for Dominant Turkey Reactions

Jake Decoys: The Decoy That Starts Fights—and Ends Hunts

A jake might look harmless in the spread—head low, fan tucked, not much to prove. But don’t let that fool you. Used right, a jake decoy can turn a hesitant tom into a full-blown brawler. And when that switch flips, you’ve got the shot you’ve been waiting for.

Matt breaks it all down in this Turkey VDU video: how different jake decoy postures send different messages, how toms respond to them, and how to pair them with hens for maximum chaos.

Let’s run through it.

Red Head vs. White Head ¾ Strut Jake Decoys

Not all jakes send the same message.

• White Head Jake – Signals calmness and intent to breed. Toms see this jake with a hen and assume he’s about to get lucky. That sparks jealousy, not immediate rage—but the fight still comes.
  
  

• Red Head Jake – Triggers aggression. This posture screams dominance and defiance. A red head means the bird is either ready to fight or in flight mode. Toms will hit it fast and hard.

Tip: Always pair your jake decoy with at least one hen to make the scene look natural and provoke dominance behavior. We broke that down more in our hen decoy article.

Posturing Jake: When It’s Time to Throw Down

A posturing jake is bulked up with a full fan and elevated chest. It’s visually loud and gets an immediate reaction from mature gobblers. They don’t ease in—they charge.

These decoys are a bit bigger and less mobile, but when you've got time to set the scene, they dominate the situation.

Bonus: Dave Smith Decoys can take a beating. You’ll be shooting right over the top as toms commit hard. No worries—the material self-heals and holds up to real use.

Hank the Humper: The Decoy That Ends the Game

This is a breeding jake decoy mid-act on a breeding hen. When you add motion—just a little bounce in the hips—it’s go time. Even laid-back Merriams will come sprinting. Toms lose their minds when they see a jake doing what they think only they should be doing.

It takes more setup—cords, ground guides, motion swivels—but if you’ve got the time and you’re working an open field bird that’s been giving you the slip, this is a high-reward play.

Jake Decoy Setup Tips from the Field

• Never run a jake alone. Always include a hen decoy to anchor the scene.

• Match posture to your hunting situation—red head for aggression, white head for a jealous play.

• Mix in motion when birds are hanging up or ignoring standard setups.

• Don’t be afraid to shoot when the tom’s attacking your decoy—DSDs can take it.

Want a better understanding of hen behavior in your decoy spread? Revisit our breakdown on hen decoys to complete the picture.

Final Take

Jakes might look junior, but they play a senior role in your decoy spread. When you understand how toms interpret posture and color, you can turn a slow morning into a brawl—and walk away with a full fan in hand.

Get More Turkey Hunting Tips

• Browse all the Turkey EDU videos from Matt and the Flying V crew.

• Sign up for emails and never miss when VDU is in session