With Ron Newman Decoys The type, number of, and positioning of decoys can also make a situation more enticing or challenging to an amorous longbeard.   Portable Decoys, when used safely and correctly can give you a tremendous advantage when bowhunting Gobblers.   Normally, I use 3 decoys at a time. One standing, alert hen, one feeding, and in specific situations, one of several versions of Jake decoys. There are many types of decoys: foam, inflatable, motion, silhouette and others, and all will work when used in the proper NATURAL looking position, in areas turkeys are comfortable being in. Since hens are obviously the intended company, most all Spring set-ups will contain one or more hen decoys. Feeding hens represent calm, undisturbed birds, and I always employ at least one in this position. Since the Tom is most interested in the "South end of a North facing" hen, I ALWAYS set my hen decoys up facing AWAY from me, usually at approx 15-20 yards. The gobbler's approach will then be between her and myself, offering the best angle and opportunity for a shot. **This also is a safety precaution, as anyone trying to "sneak up on" or shoot at my decoy will rarely attempt to do so from the front - thereby keeping me in the safest direction possible.**   Since gobblers are both territorial and competitive, the use of a Jake decoy can encourage a gobbler to come in. The gobbler will almost always attempt to approach and intimidate a jake decoy from the front, so placing them facing TOWARDS you, once again, forces the tom to put his back towards you. This works particularly well when using a "strutting" jake decoy, which really fires up an old longbeard, especially early in the season. Later on, when the more aggressive birds have been harvested (or educated) I avoid the strutting and half-strutting decoys, in favor of just a plain standing jake decoy. **These set-ups should only be done where you have excellent visibility (primarily fields) to avoid the danger of being "stalked" by another hunter. Remember, a "Gobbler" decoy represents a LEGAL target in the Spring. Use extreme CAUTION** When using decoys Always remember that decoys can only help you if they are visible to the birds. Fields, (high spots) edges, clearings, all allow them to be seen and approached comfortably by the gobbler. Making them hard-to-find will only increase the suspicion of your quarry. You wouldn't be calling so loudly, if you were trying to hide...would you? Proper scouting, the right equipment, tactics and common sense, will work together to make bowhunting turkeys seem a lot less intimidating. If the HUNTING is what thrills you the most, you will never have a bad day bowhunting turkeys, and the only days you'll regret, are the ones you didn't go. Hopefully, through using this tactic of hunting "Backwards" your next bowhunt will not only be more successful, but will help you move "Forward" in your quest for the ultimate bowhunting thrill!