Master the Roost: Unlocking Turkey Hunting Success with the Higdon Outdoors Laydown Hen Decoy

For turkey hunters, the thrill of a gobbler responding to a call is unmatched, but coaxing a wary tom into range often requires more than just expert vocalizations. It demands visual deception, a crucial element where the Higdon Outdoors Hard Body Laydown Hen Turkey Decoy truly shines. This isn't just another piece of hunting gear; it's a strategically designed tool crafted to solve one of the most persistent challenges in turkey hunting: bringing those dominant gobblers within striking distance by appealing to their most primal instincts.

Whether you're a seasoned veteran struggling with a pressured bird, a bowhunter needing to close the final few yards, or a new hunter looking for the ultimate advantage in drawing in that elusive tom, this laydown hen decoy is engineered to significantly improve your odds. It artfully mimics the submissive, receptive posture of a hen ready to breed, a visual cue so powerful that gobblers find it virtually irresistible.

Why Every Serious Turkey Hunter Needs the Higdon Laydown Hen

The art of turkey hunting often boils down to convincing a gobbler that what he sees and hears is real. The Higdon Outdoors Laydown Hen accomplishes this through an unparalleled commitment to realism and an understanding of turkey behavior. This isn't a static, unconvincing blob; it's a dynamic visual magnet.

The "laydown" or "breeding" posture is a universally recognized signal among turkeys, especially by dominant gobblers. When a tom sees a hen in this position, it triggers a powerful instinct: the urge to breed and assert dominance over any nearby rival gobblers. This direct appeal to a gobbler's most fundamental drives is what makes this decoy so incredibly effective. It's not just about attracting attention; it's about provoking an immediate, aggressive response.

Furthermore, the decoy’s ultra-lightweight, hard body construction ensures both durability and supreme portability. Hunting turkeys often involves covering significant ground, and heavy, cumbersome decoys can quickly become a burden. Weighing in at a mere 21.90 ounces, the Higdon Laydown Hen is designed for the mobile hunter, ensuring you can easily pack it into the most remote locations without adding unnecessary bulk to your kit.

Beyond the Call: Understanding the Power of Visual Attraction in Turkey Hunting

While calling is an essential skill, experienced hunters know that a gobbler’s eyes are often his undoing. A tom may respond vigorously to your calls from a distance, but if he doesn't see a convincing visual representation of a hen when he comes into view, he's likely to "hang up" just out of range, or worse, slip away unnoticed.

This is precisely where the Higdon Laydown Hen bridges the gap between auditory allure and visual confirmation. Imagine a dominant gobbler, strutting and drumming, approaching your setup. He hears your calls, but as he clears the final line of trees, he spots the unmistakable form of a receptive hen. His attention is immediately fixated. This visual cue can override any lingering suspicion, drawing him in closer, often leading to him posturing or even attempting to mount the decoy, giving you the perfect, close-range shot opportunity. It’s the ultimate psychological warfare, playing directly into the gobbler’s desire to propagate his genes and dominate his territory.

Key Features of the Higdon Hard Body Laydown Hen: Designed for Dominance

• Unrivaled Realism with XHD Hyper Feathering: This proprietary process is a game-changer for decoy realism. Unlike many decoys that feature painted-on feather patterns, the XHD Hyper Feathering technique brings each individual feather to life, creating a three-dimensional texture and depth that is virtually indistinguishable from a real turkey hen. The intricate details of the feathering, combined with the multi-color finish, allow the decoy to catch and reflect light in a natural way, ensuring it looks lifelike from any angle and in varying light conditions, crucial for drawing in wary gobblers.
• The Irresistible Submissive Posture: This is the decoy’s primary weapon. The specific body positioning of the Higdon Laydown Hen perfectly mimics a hen indicating readiness to breed. This pose is a magnet for mature gobblers, triggering their natural instinct to approach and engage. It’s an explicit invitation that very few dominant toms can resist, making it one of the most effective postures for close-range encounters.
• Built to Last: Hard Body Durability: Constructed from a robust, hard-body material, this decoy is engineered to withstand the rigors of the outdoors. From rough terrain to adverse weather conditions, its durable build ensures it maintains its form and realism hunt after hunt, season after season. This means less worry about damage during transport or deployment and more focus on the hunt itself.
• Lightweight and Portable: The Run-and-Gun Advantage: At just 21.90 ounces, the decoy’s minimal weight makes it an ideal companion for hunters who prefer to move frequently, adapting to turkey movements. The inclusion of a dedicated decoy bag ensures easy and quiet transport, protecting your investment while allowing for quick deployment and packing. Its compact design, with dimensions of 23.62" in length and 8.87" in width, ensures it won't be a hindrance, whether you're trekking through dense woods or setting up in an open field.
• Multi-Color Finish: The carefully chosen multi-color scheme accurately replicates the natural plumage of a wild turkey hen, allowing it to seamlessly blend into various natural environments while still standing out enough to catch a gobbler’s eye. This thoughtful coloration enhances its overall realism, ensuring it looks authentic under diverse lighting and foliage conditions.

Real-World Scenarios: How the Laydown Hen Elevates Your Hunt

• Scenario 1: The Frustrated, Hung-Up Gobbler: We’ve all been there. A gobbler is drumming and spitting, answering your every call, but just won't commit. He's at 80 yards, barely visible, and refuses to come closer. This is a prime opportunity for the laydown hen. By presenting a visual of a receptive hen, you give that hung-up tom the final incentive he needs. His desire to breed will often override his caution, pulling him those last crucial yards into range.
• Scenario 2: Public Land Pressure: On public lands, turkeys are often wary and have heard every call in the book. A simple gobble or cluck might not cut it. Introducing a highly realistic visual, especially one representing a submissive hen, sets your setup apart. It’s a compelling visual argument that other hunters aren’t providing, giving you a distinct advantage in drawing in pressured birds.
• Scenario 3: Pairing for Perfection: While effective on its own, the Higdon Laydown Hen can be devastating when paired with other decoys. Consider setting it up with a jake or even a full strutter decoy. The sight of a dominant tom or a young jake interacting with a submissive hen can enrage a gobbler, causing him to charge in to assert his dominance, providing an aggressive, close-range opportunity.
• Scenario 4: Bow Hunting Advantage: For bowhunters, getting a turkey within tight archery range (typically 20-40 yards) is paramount. The irresistible allure of the laydown hen can pull gobblers in extremely close, often to within 10-15 yards, allowing for high-percentage shots and reducing the margin for error. The decoy’s ability to completely fix a gobbler’s attention also minimizes their awareness of your drawing motion.

Maximizing Your Decoy Setup: Tips for Optimal Attraction

• Placement for Visibility: Position the decoy where it’s clearly visible to approaching gobblers, ideally from multiple angles. Open fields, logging roads, or clearings are excellent choices.
• Angle of Attack: Face the decoy slightly away from your anticipated shot line. This encourages the gobbler to approach from the front or side, giving you a better shot angle and preventing them from seeing your position as they fixate on the decoy.
• Distance is Key: For shotgun hunters, place the decoy within your effective range (20-30 yards). For bowhunters, bring it even closer, perhaps 10-20 yards, ensuring a comfortable shot.
• Consider the Wind: If possible, position the decoy so that the wind blows from the gobbler towards you. This helps carry your calls and also carries the gobbler’s sound directly to you.
• Synergy with Calling: Your calls should complement the visual. Gentle clucks, purrs, and soft yelps can convince an approaching gobbler that the hen is active and receptive. Avoid aggressive calls if the gobbler is already in sight and fixated on the decoy.
• Concealment is Paramount: While the decoy draws attention, your own concealment remains critical. Ensure you are well-hidden, ideally in a blind or against a natural backdrop that breaks up your silhouette.

Addressing Common Hunter Questions

• What's the best turkey decoy for realism? The Higdon Outdoors Hard Body Laydown Hen stands out for its XHD Hyper Feathering process, which provides unmatched textural and visual realism, making it one of the most lifelike decoys on the market.
• How do I attract a hung-up gobbler? A submissive hen decoy like the Higdon Laydown Hen is one of the most effective tools. Its posture appeals directly to a gobbler's breeding instincts, often providing the visual confirmation needed to pull a hesitant bird into range.
• Is a submissive hen decoy effective? Absolutely. The submissive or breeding posture is a universal signal to gobblers that a hen is receptive, making it incredibly effective for drawing in dominant toms who are looking to breed and assert their dominance.
• What gear do I need for successful turkey hunting? Essential gear includes a reliable shotgun or bow, appropriate camouflage, calls (yelp, gobble, cluck), and most importantly, effective decoys like the Higdon Outdoors Laydown Hen to provide crucial visual attraction.
• Where can I buy Higdon Outdoors turkey decoys? Higdon Outdoors turkey decoys, including the highly effective Hard Body Laydown Hen, are available at trusted retailers like DEGuns.com.

The Higdon Outdoors Difference: A Legacy of Innovation

Higdon Outdoors has long been a respected name in the world of waterfowl and turkey hunting, known for its innovative designs and commitment to producing decoys that deliver real-world results. Their dedication to realism, durability, and hunter success is evident in every product, including the Laydown Hen. By choosing Higdon, you're investing in a product backed by a legacy of understanding what hunters need to be successful in the field. This decoy is not just a representation; it's a meticulously crafted piece of hunting technology designed to give you the decisive edge when that trophy tom steps into view.

Product Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Higdon Outdoors
Model	Hard Body
Series	Laydown Hen
Species	Turkey Hen
Color	Multi-Color
Length	23.62"
Width	8.87"
Weight	21.90 oz
Includes	Decoy Bag
SKU	63133
UPC	710617631336